Chester and Delaware County parks are closed. Schools are closed. Churches and synagogues are empty of worshippers. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered non-essential businesses to close and is considering issuing a shelter in place order.
"I hate to use the word, but it's surreal," said Chadds Ford Township resident Rob King shortly before returning home to catch a Sunday morning church service on television.
"Life goes on, but I will be stopping work on Monday."
King, who owns and operates Chadds Ford Tree Service, said the business shutdown is affecting him but not severely. He would still be allowed to do some logging, and he can respond to emergencies should a tree come down on someone's property.
He acknowledged that social distancing could create a low-level mistrust of strangers, and it limits otherwise normal social activities.
"Our plans change. You have to stop yourself from inviting people to come for dinner," he said.
King added that his wife, Katharine, has noticed one positive. "She told me she's seeing people playing with their kids in their yards, something she rarely sees."
He added that they do call friends to make sure they're OK and have enough food.
Betsy Mandel, of Pennsbury Township, said she and her husband Steve are retired, so they aren't directly affected by the work stoppage orders.
"It hasn't affected us, but would we prefer business as usual? Absolutely," she said. "We want to help flatten the curve. That's greater than our own health."
It would be horrible if they had to stay at home, she said, but taking walks and going to the grocery store and pharmacy is all they're doing now anyway, said Steve Mandel.
For George and Priscilla of Pennsbury (they asked their last name not be used,) social activities have all shut down except for walking the dog.
Priscilla said visits are virtual, either online or on the phone. They no longer have face-to-face contact with friends and have no visitors.
"I don't know if that will come back," she said.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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