Category : Diary/Journal

Sub Category : N/A

Good Morning. Today is Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Beginning today I will be posting a daily blog about my activities and experiences during the Coronavirus epidemic. I want to let people know how my neighborhood and my city are affected during this time.  Let me first start by introducing myself. My name is Ray Holston and up until March 20, I was employed as a security officer for a small New Jersey. security company. I was assigned by the company to Lincoln Technical Institute in Paramus NewJersey The school had been closed to students since March 13 with staff and faculty still in the building while setting up the online educational format until March 20 at which time my assignment was suspended. I will be able to return to my job when the building is deemed safe for all to return
.so after relaxing during that weekend I applied for unemployment insurance online. The physical sites are closed due to the virus. I was lucky my claim apparently went through but I've heard nothing back yet after filing 11 days ago. This probably has to do with a record amount of claims filed by people like me many losing jobs because of the pandemic. I reside in Paterson New Jersey. I live in a small two-bedroom apartment. I have a roommate a gentleman who rents my extra bedroom and I have a 3 -year -old pitbull who is and has been a comfort and support to me. For the first few days after my layoff, even simple things became hard to do. I like to enjoy a cold beer now and again and for a few days they became hard to come by as many of the city's liquor stores were closed. Once I had to go to 3 before I found an open one. Another day I bought a couple of cans of beer from a guy selling out of a van lol. A few days later they started opening back up. As far a food goes people were shopping like it was the end of the world. To go into the store everyone shopping is stocking up so to find the basic things like milk and bread were difficult. And the lines forget it. I could count on a good fifteen to twenty-minute wait on the grocery line even for something as simple as getting a couple of cans of food for my dog. Because a lot of items I want aren't sometimes available now I've had to change my diet somewhat ( I'm eating healthier because the junk I eat is sold out) and when you get to the checkout. The staff is all wearing masks and gloves like surgeons. If I decided that I wanted to get on a bus and go that is an experience as well. New Jersey Transit buses are still running but you have to board from the rear and the first few seats are taped off so as not to expose the driver. The fares aren't really being collected right now. Everyone is more concerned with safety. Even going to another store was a challenge as most stores were closed unless they sold food. If you get hungry the best option is to eat at home.restraunts are only open for taking out or delivery and if you are out and about the restaurant just wants you to take food out. They close the restrooms. One other change to normal life is at the laundromat. Someone like myself needs to use one as I don't have a washer or dryer. I went to wash my clothes and the washers and dryers are working normally but the center of the laundromat where people ld clothes are roped off. They don't want people doing that now just wash and dry they really don't want people lingering there for health reasons The little store where I buy my breakfast is only open 3 hours a day and the employees wear a mask and gloves. These are just some of the things that I've noticed that are changing in my town due to COVID 19.I'll have more info for everyone tomorrow. For now. Stay home Wash your hands often and be safe