The topic currently on everyone’s mind is the Coronavirus. Many are living in constant worry about what the future will hold and how things are going to change from here on out. Here in Missouri, we only have about 4,686 cases as of April 14, but other states are taking an even bigger hit.

Obviously, New York has had the most cases in the entire United States, but the state with the second most number of cases is New Jersey, with about 68,824 people infected. 

Many people are curious as to what exactly life is like in those states, which is why Ken Romanski shares his perspective.

Here in Missouri, you would think that the roads would be virtually empty, but for some reason, that is not the case. People are still out and about in many areas, even if it might not have as many as before the pandemic began. In New Jersey, however, this is very different. 

“The streets are pretty much empty and we are not allowed out after eight o’clock unless you’re going to a job,” Romanski said.

The main difference between Missouri and New Jersey are some of the different restrictions being placed on people. 

“We are required to wear masks in order to enter stores, or else they won’t let you in and the shelves are low or completely out of basic necessities,” Romanski said.

Similarly to Missouri, there are limitations on food and other products, but the strictness of those limitations varies in New Jersey. 

“Food is scarce. When it comes in, you are only allowed to purchase one item of that category,” Romanski said.

Life for everyone, especially those on the East Coast, has changed drastically, but the change can be extremely noticeable when it affects your job. The daily life of a pilot is all hustle. Always going from flight to flight, but no matter where you go the airport is always one of the busiest places to be. Jerry Scheuermann describes his perspective as a pilot during this pandemic. 

As many can imagine being a pilot during COVID-19 is a frightening risk. American Airlines does not let that risk go unnoticed. 

“There have been less and less flights every week. The company has no choice but to cancel all flights so I will not be flying anytime soon,” Jerry Scheuermann said. 

In the past when the pandemic was just beginning, flights were eerily vacant. 

“The airport has been somewhat of a ghost town. It seems like the only people I ever see in the airport have been either custodians or other pilots or flight attendants,” Jerry Scheuermann said. 

Working in that kind of environment just goes to show the effect this virus has on the world. 

With less and less passengers, flights must be a sore sight. 

“It’s made flying much quieter, and I have been flying less and less ever since quarantine began. Many flight attendants and pilots miss their flights being livelier and full of energy,” Jerry Scheuermann said. 

With this change of pace many jobs must miss their action packed days. 

“Jerry Scheuermann admires a plane after his flight.”