Photos: Brookline Businesses, Residents Adapt To Coronavirus

BROOKLINE, MA — This week marked the beginning of a four-week period of social distancing in the state, including in Brookline, in an effort to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

The number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state as of Wednesday has grown to 256, of whom 49 are in adjacent Boston and 45 are in Norfolk County, where Brookline is situated. Officials say they only expect those numbers to go up as more tests come online.

Officials from the president to the governor to the Brookline Select Board are advising people to keep at least 6 feet from one another, not to congregate in groups of more than 10 and to limit normal activities to only necessary ones.

Schools are closed, and Brookline educators are working to get supplementary materials to students; day cares have been ordered to shutter for the time being; and most people are working from home.

But what does it look like in Brookline?

Simple activities such as going to the grocery store or taking a walk carry the reminder that these are unprecedented times.

A man who lives nearby and regularly visits Coolidge Corner stops to read the signs on many of the doors of local businesses, which closed this week out of an abundance of caution.

A tour around town in mild weather Wednesday revealed that people were out and about, but it was hardly business as usual. Harvard Street, where one usually is hard-pressed to find a parking spot in the middle of the afternoon, was pockmarked with open spaces.

Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Brookline Booksmith across the street, two iconic establishments and go-to options for people looking for something to do, both announced they would be closed for the time being.

The Booksmith said it is still accepting orders online and planned to provide free media shipping for folks who ordered from the store but said the closure was in the "interest of everyone's safety."

Restaurants are permitted to stay open in town for takeout or delivery only. And Brookline officials have declared that no line should exceed 10 people.

That means sit-down places such as Otto's, and Lee's Burgers have had to change things up a bit.

Jimmy Wong, owner of Lee's, said he — like many other businesses still open — has seen a big drop in the number of customers.

"It's a tough time for everyone," he told Patch.

Still, he's optimistic and has worked out ways to keep his employees and others who come in to pick up their food safe, he said.

Around the corner at Michael's Deli, owner Stephen Peljovich said that although he doesn't have many seats to begin with, he's made some changes at the deli, too.

He's set up a limited bulk item menu and will deliver the grocery items — think: a pound of meat — and his door is open during the day to serve the walk-ins.

Rachel Cohen and her 3-year-old son, Leo, came over Wednesday to buy a few things. They waited to come inside until the two people standing inside moved so they could keep their distance.

"We were going nuts," Cohen said. "And we needed some groceries. I decided today was a good day to stock up, and we wanted to support Michael's."

It's that kind of neighborhood support that will keep Michael's open, Peljovich said, and he's hoping residents will keep ordering from his and other local businesses.

"The best thing you can do is call in an order," said Pelijovich.

Resources, updates:
>>>Brookline Releases New Coronavirus Website

>>> Coronavirus In Brookline: Updates, What's Closed, Canceled

>>> Brookline Offers Chromebooks To Students To Borrow

For more information check the town's new website, BrooklineCOVID19.com.