First State Times

Delaware's confirmed coronavirus cases keep rising in causing schools to close and restaurants and bars to limit hours.

Life in Delaware – and throughout the nation – is different and unprecedented, but cities and states are adapting to the temporary changes. 

"I believe (the warnings). I believe everything we're getting from the media," Randy Harp, a resident of Milltown, told Delaware Online. "But I've been through so many of these national emergencies that I know we'll pull together and get through it. That's just the way we are." 

While Harp was optimistic about the situation, many changes were taking place in the state. The Delaware General Assembly was postponed indefinitely and Gov. John Carney said alcohol can be served with takeout at restaurants and bars, but other businesses such as movie theaters are to be temporarily closed. 

Many businesses have limited hours in Delaware now and restaurants aren't allowing dine-in as an option either. 

"This is the first time I've ever experienced anything like this," Dennis Marinelli, a local resident, said. "It seems so overblown, and I've been through 9/11. I know (coronavirus) is serious, but the reaction to it is ridiculous."

Things throughout the state are changing a lot, which makes cities different than people remember. 

“It’s not the Newark we know,” Don Berry said referring to Newark being almost vacant and empty. “It’s virtually deserted right now. I’ve seen maybe two people today.”

Berry's mother lives in an assisted living facility. With COVID-19 circulating and the social distancing, it has made it difficult for him to visit his mother. 

“I’m not allowed to see her,” he said. “I dropped some groceries off outside her building yesterday.”

The situation also has colleges and universities changing the way of doing things. 

Ellie Jogani, a senior finance major at the University of Delaware, doesn't know if there will be a graduation ceremony in May. 

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen. Nobody can predict it. So it’s just a scary feeling," she said. “I feel like I’m either overreacting, underreacting. I just don’t really know how to react to it.”

But not everyone is shutting themselves inside during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"If you drove through the town of Bethany Beach this weekend, there weren't any available parking spots," executive director of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce Lauren Weaver said. "(People) are here."

People were also enjoying a day out at the dog park in Milford. 

“They have to get out,” Susan Berwick said about dogs. 

Parks in New Castle County also had people walking, running and playing sports. 

New Caste County Executive Matt Meyer said exercise can increase a person's immunity and encouraged it. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control also said that it will be temporarily suspending the entry fee for all of its parks and wildlife areas. 

“Times are challenging," Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn Garvin said. "This is an opportunity for Delawareans to embrace nature while we maintain social distance from each other.”