COVID-19 Trends & Responses: Northeast

by SalCal Real Estate Connections 03/28/2020

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

Home sales haven't been as brisk lately in the northeast as elsewhere in the country. COVID-19 introduces further challenges. This new strain of coronavirus causes a lung infection, though its onset sometimes resembles the common cold. COVID-19 is affecting many in the northeastern United States, especially in New York.  

So far, here are the trends and responses in the second half of March. (Kindly check the links for new details, which are constant at this time.)

New York 

New York has been the hardest hit, and is responding by:

  • Closing schools, casinos, gyms, hair salons, retail malls, bars and sit-down restaurants and all other non-essential services.
  • Instituting work-from-home measures through March.
  • Providing 90-day mortgage relief to impacted borrowers. 
  • Guaranteeing job protection and pay for self-isolated New Yorkers, and providing free testing if medically prescribed.

Connecticut

The state of Connecticut has tested and found a number of cases of COVID-19. By mid-March, it had two fatalities. The state has closed school and delayed deadlines for several licensing and tax requirements. Connecticut has also closed its retail shopping malls, as well as bowling and amusement park companies.

Massachusetts

On March 10, Massachusetts went into a state of emergency, and the governor received the Small Business Association's approval for disaster relief for small businesses. Massachusetts has a significant number of cases. More than 2,000 state residents have been quarantined, with the number doubling from the second week in March to the third. Updates on cases appear on the state's dedicated website. So far, the state has shuttered day care and school sites, limited group gatherings, and put a halt to eating in restaurants.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire identified its first case of COVID-19 on March 2. By mid-March, Governor Chris Sununu had declared a state of emergency. The state barred nursing home visitors and banned nonessential interstate travel by government employees, students and public school instructors. The risk to the public is considered low in New Hampshire, although the state's running tally of confirmed cases does not indicate the number of asymptomatic or unidentified cases. 

Rhode Island

Through March, Rhode Island has asked people not to attend gatherings. It has closed childcare sites, nonessential retailers, restaurants and bars. School vacation week moved from April to March, to keep students and school staff home and allow for building cleanings. Meanwhile, students could pick up free "grab and go" lunches. The Rhode Island Department of Education has formulated a distance-learning curriculum and is preparing to make meals available to at-risk students in the case of prolonged closures. 

Rhode Island nursing homes may only admit essential caregivers as visitors, and must screen everyone who enters for other purposes. 

The Best Advice: Proceed With Care and Calm

For the latest on cases and updates, follow the CDC's page, "Coronavirus (COVID-19)." If you find yourself anxious, your feelings are normal. Take comfort in what others have found out about emotions and the virus to help you manage your physical and mental health and well-being.