America, we face a common enemy today, and likely for the next several days…or longer. We are in the midst of a viral pandemic the likes of which this modern world has never been forced to encounter.
Yes, we hear those of you online who are sidestepping the chaos on the ground to make the coronavirus pandemic about your own, personal beef with the government, but this is no time for squabbling. We must stand united in the coming weeks in order to be successful against this enemy.
And if some of you can’t seem to get the gist of “social distancing”, local authorities the nation over will be glad to help you figure it out.
The New Jersey city of Hoboken has become the first in the United States to implement a curfew amid the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the country.
Mayor Ravinder Bhalla announced the measure Saturday evening, and said the Office of Emergency Management will enforce a daily curfew from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., where residents must remain in their homes unless there’s an emergency or they’re required to work at night.
Hoboken officials later clarified that dog-walking would also be allowed, and that the goal of the curfew was instead to prevent activities like house parties.
Bhalla also announced severe restrictions on restaurants and bars, with none being allowed to serve food within their premises.
The move comes as the US continues to see a rise in COVID-19 cases, as the historical spread of the disease predicted would be coming.
While the jury is still out on whether or not the Hoboken curfew will be effective, (or just the name of a political punk rock band in the not-so-distant future), we do know that social distancing and good personal hygiene are proven means of curtailing the illness.
