7 Ways Coronavirus Has Changed Daily Life In Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA — Coronavirus has changed life as we know it. From closing businesses and schools, to restricting gatherings and halting sports, many aspects of our daily routine have been upended due to the pandemic.

Pennsylvania has more than 66,000 coronavirus cases and 4,984 deaths, with 3,275 of them occurring in nursing homes. And while much of the state is starting on the path to a phased reopening, there are many things that will continue to be very different even as we attempt to resume normalcy.

Here's a look at seven things in Pennsylvania coronavirus has changed for the foreseeable future:

SHOPPING

Nonessential businesses remain closed in the red phase of mitigation, but stores in the yellow phase can resume in-person operations under specific safety guidance. That includes limiting capacity in buildings, installing shields at registers, and mandating mask wearing among employees and customers.

Stores are also establishing social distancing between customers and employees, which include lane arrows and markers at checkout. All customers and employees are to wear masks.

Malls will also look very different. It's not exactly clear how Philadelphia-area malls will adjust, but malls opening elsewhere have instituted several measures: food courts are takeout only, entrances are limited, and temperatures are taken via infrared thermometers.

Numerous distancing strategies are in place at opened malls.

Simon Property Group, which owns the King of Prussia Mall, is limiting occupancy to a targeted level of one shopper per 50 square of space in its open malls. Individual tenants within malls are responsible for managing the occupancy in their specific stores.

MORE: King Of Prussia Mall Planning For A Radically Different Reopening

SCHOOLS

No one knows for sure if Pennsylvania schools will reopen in September. But if they do, you can bet on them looking pretty different.

A hybrid attendance approach may be utilized to allow for social distancing. This could mean staggering days so one set of students attends in the morning, and a second group goes in the afternoon. During the time when students aren't in the school building, they would be participating in other classes remotely.

The CDC this week released guidance for the reopening of schools, which calls for desks to be positioned least six feet apart and all facing in the same direction. The CDC also calls for closing communal use spaces such as dining halls and playgrounds if possible; otherwise it recommends staggering use and disinfecting in between.

The guidance also says schools should intensify cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation practices.

Face coverings should be worn by staff and encouraged in students — particularly older students — and are most essential when physical distancing is difficult, the CDC recommends.

MORE: Will PA Schools Reopen In The Fall? Leaders Hopeful But Uncertain

SPORTS

All professional sports have been suspended since mid-March, and local sports leagues are halted.

Major League Baseball owners are working out a plan that would see the league start an abbreviated season around the Fourth of July, according to multiple media outlets. A wide array of health precautions will be in place that will lead to quite a different experience for both players and fans of the sport. Owners began a presentation of the proposal to the MLB players' union earlier this month, sources told both ESPN and the Associated Press. Negotiations, particularly over player salaries, could take some time.

The proposal, as it currently stands, would not allow fans in Citizens Bank Park, or any stadiums around the country, at the start of the season. However, the assumption is that at some point in the season, fans would be able to return, according to reports. The proposal calls for an 82 game season, about half the length of a traditional 162-game season.

With the start of the Eagles season four months away, there is no certainty if it will start on time, or if fans will be allowed to watch. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert on the White House coronavirus task force, said it's possible the season could start on time and even that fans could be allowed in the stadium. But things will need to look very different in September than they do today, he said.

MORE: What The 2020 Eagles Season Might Look Like Amid Coronavirus

THE OFFICE

Under the yellow phase of reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, offices that cannot telework can conduct in-person operations, "as long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of the guidance."

That guidance includes specific rules around cleaning shared work spaces and limiting meeting sizes. Businesses must develop a plan in the event a worker becomes infected with the virus, include mandating temperature checks of all employees and identifying close contacts.

It's also recommended businesses hold meetings and trainings virtually. If a meeting needs to be held in person, it should be limited to 10 employees, who should all maintain a social distance of 6 feet. All employees must wear masks.

Additionally, businesses are asked to prevent large groups from entering or leaving the building by staggering work start and stop times. Access to common areas, like break rooms and kitchenettes, should be limited.

CASINOS

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has released protocols the state's casinos will have to meet before reopening during the coronavirus outbreak. Among them:

• All patrons and employees will be required to wear a mask and social distancing must be maintained.
• Some slot machines may have to be disabled to maintain social distancing.
• Plexiglass shield will be installed between slot machines.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be in place.
• Floor markings will be installed to ensure patrons stay six feet apart.

MORE: Big Changes Coming When Pennsylvania Casinos Reopen

POOLS

With the summer season arriving, many are wondering about public pools, and the possibility of reopening facilities in the midst of the coronavirus shutdowns.

The CDC has released guidelines for public pools to follow if they're permitted by the state to reopen.

Some measures include:

• Facilities should encourage patrons to wash their hands often and to cover all sneezes
• Masks should be worn as often as feasible, but not in the water
• Outreach to patrons regarding best practices, when to stay home, what coronavirus symptoms look like, and more
• Hand sanitizer, soap, paper towels, tissues, and no-touch trash cans are crucial

MORE: Public Pools Around PA: Latest Health Guidelines On Openings

GETTING YOUR HAIR CUT

Under Pennsylvania's current coronavirus mitigation strategy, barbers and salons cannot reopen until the green phase. The governor's office is currently working on guidance for those types of businesses to follow when they're permitted to reopen.

In the meantime, area barbers say they believe they can safety reopen soon.

Nick Tosti owns Fuse Barbershop in Newtown. He recently spoke with Patch about reopening, and how barbers can do it safety. He suggests:

Eliminating waiting rooms, and make all services by-appointment-only. When customers arrive for an appointment, they should only be permitted inside once the stylist is ready for them.

Temperature checks are possible, and all customers should use hand sanitizer prior to service. Salon capacity will likely be reduced, and all stylists will be wearing masks. Customers will be wearing masks, too. All chairs and tools will be sanitized between each customer.

MORE: We Can — And Must — Safely Reopen Soon, Local Barber Says

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