Social distancing is the main prevention advised to limit the spreading of Coronavirus. However, not everyone thinks they have to practice social distancing. Chicago is cracking down on people disobeying social distancing after receiving numerous reports of people gathering at parks, beaches and house parties. As of March 25, people violating the Stay-At-Home order will be fined or arrested.
According to NBC Chicago, city officials and doctors have voiced concerns with the public during this pandemic. Mayor Lightfoot stated: “You cannot go on long bike rides, walks, runs along the lakefront where you’re going to be congregating with lots of other people. The same applies to neighborhood parks, and particularly playgrounds. The playgrounds under Gov. Pritzker’s orders are shut down, folks. Please, you must abide by the order.”
Interim Police Superintendent Charlie Beck informed the public that “If you violate it [public health order], you are subject to a citation, a fine of up to $500, and if you continue to violate it, you will be subject to physical arrest.”
According to CBS Chicago, Doctor Allison Arwady from the Chicago Department of Public Health voiced the importance of the order. Arwady states, “We don’t have a vaccine. We don’t have a treatment. The next two to three weeks will be the most important time to do everything we can to flatten that curve. Doing that is what will keep our hospitals going.”
Unfortunately, it’s necessary. There has to be consequences for those who continue going outside for nonessential reasons. The spread of Coronavirus has to be regulated because people are dying; if you don’t want to be arrested, stay in the house.
I can understand the desire to get out of the house due to boredom. I think it’s especially difficult because it feels like this order was put into effect overnight, but at the end of day we need to obey it.
While practicing social distancing, I sit on Twitter and refresh @SPOTNEWSonIG’s page all day. It’s a Twitter page that tweets calls coming in from multiple Chicago scanners. I thought the tweets would slow down because of the Stay-At-Home order, but they show no signs of slowing down. According to the tweets, people are still throwing barbecues, gathering at parks, crowding restaurants, and throwing house parties.
People are having a hard time sitting still and staying in the house. Not everyone has the opportunity of staying home because some people still have to go to work, but those who are going outside for nonessential needs and staying out for long periods of time need to find something to entertain themselves from the comfort of their own homes.
Not everyone is able to connect to the internet, watch cable, or play Xbox games all day but I know people with plenty of entertainment in their homes and they can’t sit down for five minutes without saying they’re bored. I’ve been able to keep myself entertained with my streaming services and homework.
For everyone’s safety, respect the Stay at Home order!