The Corona Files: Episode One

I'm growing increasingly convinced that the effects of the current novel coronavirus pandemic will last months rather than weeks. And the experts' guidance that we avoid crowds and self-sequester will have impacts both predictable and not on our local and national economies - and more importantly, on our psyches. So in the spirit of community that lives large in this little space, we're kicking off a series of reflections on the virus's impact on our lives.

Today, Dave Fairbank weighs in from the beach.

Dispatch from the Sandbar:

The Outer Banks and Dare County officials tell us that as of Monday afternoon, there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus, though a necessary addendum should be, “that we know of.”
Gov. Roy Cooper instructed schools across the state to close for at least the next two weeks, and the county declared a state of emergency that follows guidelines set up by the Centers for Disease Control and the N.C. state Department of Health and Human Services. Gatherings of more than 50 people are restricted, though that measure doesn’t include hospitals, shopping centers, restaurants, offices or grocery stores. There are no travel restrictions.

Folks have begun to self-quarantine and to restrict public movement to necessary trips for food, booze and presumably, toilet paper. Many local events, such as small concerts, food tastings, church gatherings, were canceled or postponed.

On the bright side, the county school Nutrition Department will serve breakfast and lunch at no charge to any child up to age 18, Monday thru Friday, at various locations around the county for as long as schools remain closed. Dominion Energy, the county’s primary electrical power provider, suspended disconnections for non-payment during the crisis. A Mexican joint that the missus and I frequent expanded their $1 Taco Tuesdays to Monday thru Thursday, and now offer a 10-percent discount to locals. Muy Bueno, if and when we decide to eat out again.

A debate sprang up here over the past few days. Of course, it pits public health vs. commerce – no small concern in an area heavily dependent on tourism. Some local businesses and realtors see school and office closures as an opportunity and invite people to visit, and to spend money. The mayor of Nags Head took to Facebook the other day, and while applauding many measures being taken to mitigate the threat, said that inviting visitors “is absolutely contrary to the spirit of the guidelines and common sense. I urge them to reconsider.”

The coming weeks, and perhaps months, here are going to be interesting. Will Spring Breakers and vacationers adhere to previous plans and bring and leave the coronavirus here? Will those who visit, whether they have symptoms or not, rationalize that if they remain in their houses and hotels and only venture to the beach and to open spaces that it will keep people safe? In addition, an increasing number of foreign students, many from Russia and eastern Europe, comprise a significant percentage of the seasonal work force, in hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and shops. Travel bans and fears about the spread of the virus will almost certainly disrupt the labor force and could hamstring local businesses.

The Outer Banks has a remarkably communal and charitable vibe, understandable given that it’s a sparsely populated coastal space where everyone is handy (present company excepted) and one Big Blow away from being a happy memory. I’d like to think that will ultimately help us endure.