Sign of the times. Newspapers urging people to be vigilant and safe, but don’t panic. In some areas such as Cynthiana, Kentucky the pandemic is showing how government, health officials, and the media can work well together.
By now pictures on social media are cropping up of local TV news anchors turning their homes into makeshift studios, -all part of the effort to keep people at home and reduce the threat of the spreading pandemic.
Social distancing is the new buzz term. Perhaps we should be more blunt, and say "..keep your distance" "..stay away" "..back off" or "..don't touch". Thankfully, most of the people we have seen, and chatted with are following guidelines outlined by health officials. It's not easy, but it is for our own good.
Just like everything else, gathering news is not easy right now. Photographer Peter Stolz and I were given the approval to drive through Appalachia from our D.C. office, under certain conditions, to cover a few stories. We are carrying masks, a full protective suit, have our temperature checked in case a fever cropped up, and basically told in a polite way not to do anything stupid.
CGTN photographer Peter Stolz grabs a sandwich on the run. With all restaurants barring people from dining inside this is life on the road.
While working has been a challenge, I think many people we have talked with are eager to share their stories, whether health officials or folks trying to dispel rumors, or people fighting through another day of self-quarantine.
We have eaten a lot of meals in our car since all restaurants are closed.
My dry skin is cracking on my hands from washing them so much, and slathering them in sanitizer.
In Huntington WV, a spokeswoman for the county health department chose to walk up stairs rather than ride in an elevator with Peter and I, in the name of social distancing.
Driving and parking has never been easier with so many heeding advice and staying home. But it is a weird sensation. Many people have told it feels like the end of the world. But it isn't. We all know that.
This photo is a bit embarrassing, my good friend - in my hometown of Huntington, WV comes to the rescue. I had a minor skin blemish removed a couple of weeks ago on my lower back. I missed the appointment to have the stitches removed, so “..paging Dr. Vega!” You do what you have to on the road.
My three children are grown, but all of them told me as politely as possible that I am old and need to be careful. The last thing I want is to contract the virus, the same with Peter. Peter has a young wife, and two children that are less than a year and half old. We have not shaken hands with anyone on this trip, even old friends. At best people get an elbow bump, but more often than not just a warm smile, and words of thanks for taking the time to talk with us.
I am looking forward to getting our stories on the air. One of them is from a small town in central Kentucky called Cynthiana. The founding father of the town came up with the name town, because he had two daughters – Cynthia and Ana.
It is also the hometown of the creator and the illustrator of the popular sci-fi comic and TV show "The Walking Dead".
In short the show focuses around a virus that starts in room 315 of the Cynthiana Hospital and basically turns humans into crazed zombies (is there another type of zombie??)
I guess it is kind of ironic perhaps that the first cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky came from the town of Cynthiana. The townsfolk don't see anything creepy, or eerie about the connection. That is science fiction. COVID-19 is a very real pandemic – that is what they consider eerie.
It is important to show the briefings from President Trump, and leading health officials to keep us all informed on what is going on. But, I believe it is also important to hear from people coping with the daily challenges of navigating work and home life. Hopefully we will stay virus free, and on the road now and then.
In part, to show –this is the new normal and you aren't alone. This is how everyone is coping as life gets turned upside down.