Spring Break Threatened by Coronavirus

By lauren m. ‘21

When was the last time you had a conversation that didn’t include the word “coronavirus”? The answer is probably several weeks ago. No one alive today has ever seen the spread of a pandemic like the coronavirus, and thus, there is anxiety penetrating the thoughts and discussions of people worldwide. Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is an infectious disease caused by a respiratory virus, which originated from the Wuhan Province in China. It spreads rapidly, and as of now, there is no vaccine to combat it. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and a fever, and it spreads by touching either a surface or person who carries the disease. While these symptoms may be clear indicators of the disease, individuals who carry it can still not show any symptoms, and can still transfer the virus to others without knowing it.

COVID-19 is, literally and figuratively, taking over the world. It’s a topic that is spreading faster than the virus itself, with the endless discussions that both political figures and everyday citizens are having. The whole world is anxiously taking action in ways each person best sees fit. This common enemy is shutting almost everything down: large public functions, schools, extracurriculars, and so much more. In Italy, restaurants and shops are closed, with only the essential stores such as grocery stores left open. With the recent developments that we are notified of daily, the United States has taken similar measures; many states, including Maryland, have placed drastic restrictions on interactions, along with federal regulations that are changing the way Americans can associate with one another. According to The New York Times, more than 158 million Americans have been told to stay home by their cities and states. But, one question remains: what are we supposed to do with all this time? With everything closed and many people putting themselves into quarantine, social interactions and vacations are the last things on people’s minds. 

Certainly, there are Bryn Mawr students who committed to their spring break plans and flew to various places to enjoy their break, but what’s happening outside of the Bryn Mawr community? A study released by the Global Business Travel Association on March 10 found that 43% of all March business trips have been canceled in response to the spread of coronavirus, but that number has certainly increased by now. Bookings to Europe have also dropped 79%, as shown in data from the aviation analytics company ForwardKeys, which were collected on March 5. Even before the travel ban was implemented by President Trump, fear and news of developments on the virus most likely became the main cause for most people to cancel their trips. This ban restricts Americans’ ability to travel outside of the country unless for an emergent situation, and is meant to further restrict contact with others. Airlines are being forced to confront the undeniably high amount of cancellations that have been seen worldwide. These changes are having crippling effects on not only the economy, but also individuals’ travel experience. 

The safest way to avoid contracting the virus is to keep a safe distance between yourself and others. Wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, which does not mean exclusively strangers. Friends and family can have the virus too. Disinfect surfaces often and if you are sick and have to go out in public, wear a face mask. The effect of this virus is extremely widespread and has now penetrated the normal routines of our lives. These changes are overwhelming and can be scary, but the most important thing is to stay safe.