The Coronavirus is a fast-spreading virus that seems to be taking over a new country every day, at an alarming rate and causing extreme panic throughout the world. As this virus continues to spread rapidly through many western countries, it’s just as quickly disappearing in China. This may be a good sign that the end is near, however, according to medical professionals, it will likely get worse before it gets better, just as it did in China. 

How is it affecting Canadians?

Even here in Canada, our Prime Ministers wife tested positive for the virus, prompting Justin Trudeau to immediately quarantine himself and his family for the recommended 14 days. This is precisely the leadership our country needs during these uncertain times. 

This virus has caused chaos as we have never seen before around the world and in North America. We have seen the NHL and NBA canceled, the MLB postponed, Disneyland has closed, and most recently, the majority of hotels on the Las Vegas strip have announced that they too, will be closing their doors. Airports are deserted and our borders are closed with those traveling abroad being advised to return home immediately. Schools have been closed in parts of the country for the remainder of the school year, and restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues have been asked to shut down for 2 weeks to halt the spread of this virus. These decisions have not been made lightly, it’s been with extreme caution and care of the citizens of Canada and across the globe in hopes of containing this virus as quickly as possible. 

What can we do to stop the spread of Covid-19?

While many people are panic buying items such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer, they are not taking the proper precautionary steps to minimize the spread of this virus. As many medical officials have stated, “behave as though you already have the virus” and what they mean by this is “social isolation”. This is a new term to us, and it simply means to stay away from crowded areas, don’t visit high-risk individuals, and take precautionary measures to ensure you do not infect others. Many carriers of this virus do not realize they have been infected, therefore making them the most dangerous of all. 

As the number of infected individuals continues to grow, we at JP Real Estate would like to offer you a few reminders to help you get through this pandemic:

• Wash your hands frequently;
• Try to avoid crowded places;
• If/when you need groceries or supplies, send 1 person from the family (if possible) to buy these. Less people = less risk;
• Make a list of what you need. You do not need to stockpile. ;
• Order your groceries online and have it delivered directly to your home or to your car in the stores parking lot
• Pay your bills online; and
• Work from home, if possible.

What is “social distancing” and why is it so important?

Social distancing does not mean we need to live in complete isolation, it means we need to be aware of our surroundings and only enter crowded places when absolutely necessary. We need to be cautious of the things we touch, the things we purchase, and the people we visit. Social distancing is particularly important for visiting the elderly, as they are at extremely high risk of infection.

What does JP Real Estate think of all this?

First and foremost, we would like to thank the healthcare workers who are working tirelessly on the frontline every day to ensure our safety.

We hope you are all warm, well-fed, and safe in your homes. If there is anything we can do to assist you and your family during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are more than a real estate company, we are a community and we will get through this together.