Coronavirus in the USA: schools close and empty shelves

Fear of the spread of the new coronavirus within the United States led to a shortage of products on market shelves and forced governors of six states in the United States to announce the closure of schools for up to two weeks. The federal government also announced on Friday, the 13th, that it will expedite the distribution of new diagnostic kits for the disease that, so far, are insufficient to meet the demand.

In the country, there are about 1,600 confirmed cases and 44 deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , there are 125,048 cases of coronavirus worldwide, including China, and 4,613 deaths recorded due to Covid-19 . United States President Donald Trump is expected to make a new statement this afternoon on fighting the epidemic.  

On social media, especially in the state of New York, users share photos and videos of markets that are completely full, but with empty shelves. The population started to stock up on food, as they are used to in storm situations.

The states of Ohio, Michigan, Oregon, Maryland, Kentucky and New Mexico ordered the closure of schools starting on Monday.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said it was a necessary action to take and ensured that children who depend on school food will not be left without government assistance. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also took steps to continue providing food for children in low-income families after recommending that schools be closed for two weeks.

In addition to closing schools, Maryland Governor Mike Hogan has banned any crowds of more than 250 people. The state borders the District of Columbia, where the American capital, Washington, is located. In Oregon, Governor Kate Brown said she tried to keep schools open, but due to fear of the virus, classrooms started to become empty, and the government was forced to suspend them.

In Ohio, the governor, Mike DeWine, ordered the schools to close for three weeks and said alternative ways of offering classes would be sought. It also prohibited meetings of more than 100 people. New Mexico Secretary of Education Ryan Stewart said the suspension of classes "is a proactive measure to limit the potential expansion of Covid-19 (the disease caused by the new coronavirus) in the community."