As a visual person it hasn’t totally sunk in. On 9/11 I could see the street I used to cross everyday up in smoke. It will get real when I start seeing the ambulances at the front door of my building, which is full of the elderly, disabled, and immunocompromised.

It was gradual for me but I would say that this past Sunday is when I realized I was losing work. I watched the governor talking about school closures and there it was. After that the calls and texts started coming in as everyone postponed and cancelled things.

The tipping point for me came when events started to shut down. Not huge events, but events like Luckypalooza. It hit home when I received word from Trivia Mafia last night (March 15) that we were on hiatus until further notice. That meant that not only the social aspect of life was about to change, but also the financial aspect.

I had been closely monitoring it while vacationing in Texas, but knew it would change everything when I heard rumors of school closings.

The “oh shit” moment for me was when I heard about Italy having to choose who dies. I was plenty concerned before that time, but that really hit home. The thought of a health care worker having to assess whether someone gets treatment or not based on their age or existing health issues just floored me. Wartime.

During the last few weeks, watching what was happening in other countries.

I already have mobility issues and isolation due to a neurological disability. After hearing reports of violence in Minneapolis, I was even more concerned about taking public transit as a vulnerable person to get all that I need to self quarantine.

It has impacted me in every aspect of my life. First, I am in the high risk category, having an autoimmune disease. Secondly, I am a performing and teaching artist and over the weekend I had 4 jobs either postponed or canceled and had to cancel plans to travel for a show out of town. All of this means lost wages. I also drive for Uber but I am hesitant to do much driving since I am higher risk and the possibility of transmission in small spaces seems high. I am taking as many precautions as possible and trying not to panic.

The change is mostly social for me, I’ll miss going to bars and restaurants. I lost a part-time job, but for many this is so much bigger. They’re losing their main or only income source.

Our small business died down to almost nothing overnight, and we’ve been scrambling to adapt. We leave our apartment only to walk the dog or visit my parents. We used to go out for drinks and dinner several nights a week, but haven’t done that in over a week. We cancelled all of our St. Patrick’s Day plans before any closings were announced.

I have been keeping up with CDC and WHO recommendations for cleaning and distancing. I plan to conduct classes online. I’m already a clean person, especially when it comes to my studio, but I have definitely taken it next level.

The biggest change started last week when my wife and I started social distancing per the recommendations from the CDC. Additionally, almost all of the photo sessions I had lined up through have been cancelled through the end of April. I am hoping that most of them will reschedule at a later date as they have stated.

Friends are losing their income for the next 3 to 6 months, and losing out on career opportunities that could be limiting their career paths. Of course, the most vulnerable around me cannot leave their homes.

Yes, I know multiple people who are now working from home and others who have been laid off. I know there are businesses closing and I spoke to someone who works in the service industry who has said that in the past week, their place of work is on the verge of closing.

A lot of friends are out of a job. Anxiety levels are high all over. It’s just a whole new, scary vibe out there.

Lots and lots of people are depressed, scared and nervous about what is happening. We all stay far away from each other in commons areas. I really, really miss seeing my grandchildren.

There is a palpable panic in the air. The last time I was around people we were all very worried about doing the right thing. Anxiety levels are high. I think everyone’s minds are buzzing with how to deal with this physically, mentally, and emotionally.

We have been trying to stay in touch via text and phone calls with our friends and families to see how they are doing. We are very concerned about friends, family members, and the community as a whole in the high risk category for potentially serious health issues associated with COVID-19. Some friends and family who own restaurants have had to change the way they do business and promote take away, delivery, and gift cards. We are very concerned about everyone’s livelihood and how this is going to affect them as they juggle trying to make ends meet and take care of their families as business slows down. This crosses over into so many industries, including the service industry and those who independently rely on arts and entertainment.

City and state officials seem to be somewhat on top of the situation, but given the international press I’m surprised that more proactive measures are yet to be implemented. As far as the federal response goes, there should be a greater commitment to health measures than what the banks got.

Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out how I am supposed to react. This has caused high anxiety for me and from that anxiety has come the inability to make decisions. I don’t want to get the virus but more than that, I don’t want to spread it. From what I saw yesterday when the governor spoke, it felt like they are taking this very seriously which I appreciate but at this time I don’t really have an opinion on how things are being handled locally. As for our national leadership, I feel their reaction has been too little, too late. I don’t get the impression that our leader really cares about much beyond himself.

I hate it, but I think the current actions are needed. So many went out to bars this last weekend, myself included. Partly out of habit, partly out of support for my service industry friends. As well-meaning as this sounds, it can only spread the contagion. We need a couple weeks of a forced shut-in to slow this pandemic since clearly the public won’t do.it on own.

Very disappointed in the President, as always. Seems more concerned about protecting his rich friends than the average American. Governor Walz is a breath of fresh air. Surrounds himself with experts and actually appears concerned about the good of our state.

I wish that the government would be quicker to close gathering spaces. The sad fact is that the public cannot be counted on to do the right thing. Some people just enjoy being contrary to show that no one can tell them what to do. “This is ‘Murica! I do what I want!” attitude. Those are the people that will make this worse than it has to be.

I think the response, as a whole, has been way too slow since this all started back in December and the writing was on the wall in early January. Planning should have started back then so we were ready when it got to the states with a reasonable plan of action for everyone. I feel confident we live in a state that has strong, prudent leadership and excellent medical facilities and are concerned with what is best for every one of us. I also have confidence in our community to do the right things. None of us can predict the future, but, if we plan for it properly, it will reduce anxiety and give people the confidence that the authorities are doing everything they can.

I definitely think a big change could be made in how businesses operate that lets them contribute to the community in a way that’s beneficial to the most vulnerable. Perhaps some of the commercial kitchens could provide meals to those who can’t shop because of quarantine, or those who are financially strapped and need to find casual employment.

Yes, I think if we can stop the virus from spreading we should do that. I think it’s a time we can come together as a community and help each other.

As of right now, we don’t really have a choice in the matter.

Based on what is happening in Italy, we should shut everything down now.

We should absolutely shut down for now and give the medical community the best chance to deal with this. There is no getting around that many, many people are going to need medical care. We have to flatten the curve so that everyone that needs it will be able to get it.

I think we are at a point where we really need to use social distancing as a major tool in this fight. I do not think we should have a complete lock down though. We need to trust that individuals in our community will do the best for the greater good of the whole.

I think we have a responsibility to ask how they will address the pandemic with respect to how they operate their business. Are they adequately sanitizing, keeping sick workers home AND still paying them?

I think because of our weak national leadership and decision making, it has led spaces to make these decisions on their own—it has been a ripple effect. I don’t know what businesses have or haven’t addressed it but I feel like there is a shift happening in the last 24 hours around local governments guidance on this.

I feel that this is self-preservation on their part. No one wants to put themselves or their staff out of work. It’s only been a week since large scale events started being cancelled. This happened super quickly for all of us. Pointing fingers at who did or didn’t react sooner doesn’t help.

I think it’s ridiculous that they had to be forced to close their doors. Seeing Tim Reid’s post videos of drunken revelers on Saturday night made me decide to never spend another penny there. The nut job at the Music Forest Cafe keeps posting garbage on social media that it’s not a real threat. Black Dog had a full house with music on Friday night when I walked by. We will all remember when this is over and spend our money accordingly.

The mistake that Italy made was being concerned for the economy. Now is not the time to worry about money. We will have to figure that out later. There’s no choice. If we kill people because businesses worry about the bills over lives, than we have shown who we are as a people.

I cannot comment on the statistics, but, I think every business should be following the recommended best practice guidelines. We all want to see our local businesses, and their staff, succeed and be around after this passes.

I’ve already seen some people go off on their usual judgemental tirades, so I would ask them to be more respectful towards other people’s choices in how they live their lives. Crisis brings out the worst and the best in people, and I hope we can support each other by assuming we’re all doing the best that we can do. Don’t assume you’re the voice of everyone, but be diligent in what you can do individually.

Reach out if you need help. Stay in touch with your neighbors and friends and do daily check-ins if you can. I think we all feel a bit lost and overwhelmed and I know I have felt the anxiety even when I don’t feel like I’m in panic mode. Too much virus talk can be trigger but we all want to be informed. Make sure to give yourself a break and really take care of yourself, body and mind. Starting tomorrow, I’m breaking my day up into creative time, work time, Netflix binge time, and unplugged time. I might become more productive than I’ve ever been.

Stay home. Stay safe. Stay positive although it sucks and is hard. This too shall pass, and being a shit about it won’t help anything.

Stay home. Support the businesses who support and care about us. Help each other out, especially the most vulnerable in our community. And for god’s sake, start picking up after yourselves.

This is a really, really hard time for us. We have to err on the side of caution and kindness. We’ll make it through if we can all come to terms with the fact that this is happening, it is bad, and we have to do what is needed to slow down the spread.

Focus on what is in your control. This will help reduce anxiety. Take care of your personal health first and follow the recommended best practices regarding hygiene and social distancing. Check in on your family, friends and loved ones, especially those most vulnerable with compromised health, both physical and mental. Lastly, have patience and hope as we will get through this as a community.