CURB SIDE SERVICE–In order to stay open but still comply with the new restrictions mandated by the state due to the COVID-19, coronavirus, pandemic, many area restaurants have had to change how they serve customers. Pictured on Tuesday are a few customers utilizing the new curb side service/walk up windows at Off the Square Coffee and MiCasa Sub Shop.
Over the weekend and early into this week, the situation surrounding the COVID-19, coronavirus, drastically changed. And it seems like since then, things are changing almost hourly.
Early last week, many in the area still didn’t see the virus that had been declared a global pandemic as much of a threat, but starting late last week that was no longer the case. Suddenly, events were being canceled, stores were being bought out and restrictions were being put into place.
On Friday, March 13, President Donald Trump declared a national state of emergency and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker declared that all schools in the state would be closed through March 30. The days the students will not be in attendance have been labeled as Act of God Days, and do not have to be made up.
In response to being shut down, the local schools prepared students on Monday of this week for what was anticipated to be at least two weeks that they will not be in school.
Also on Monday, Red Bud School District Superintendent Jonathan Tallman noted that the district would be preparing a sack lunch and breakfast made available for students who received free or reduced lunches, and that these meals would be delivered to the students at their homes.
For more on the effects of COVID-19 on the local area, please see this week’s print edition.