IT'S THE MOST HORRIBLE TIME OF THE YEAR!

The month of March is usually the time when people look forward to welcoming the coming of Spring.  However, during the month, people all over the world learned about a serious disease, which is named the coronavirus, or COVID-19.  Public health officials around the world have declared an all out war to defeat this insidious disease.  In particular, United States' President Trump ordered a national 2 week quarantine for all Americans, which began on Monday March 16 and ends on Monday March 30.  Citizens were asked to stay home during this period, and not to go out unless it was absolutely necessary. 

New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy has stated frequently that, "this is no time to panic, but it's just as much no time for business as usual".  He urged Jerseyans to make the right call, if not for themselves, but for their families, friends and community, to help to stop the spread of the coronavirus. 

Schools are closed, as well as industry and non essential businesses.   The ladies of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB have had to cancel all Showcases throughout the State for the immediate future.  Last week, it was announced that the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT 2020, which was scheduled for Wednesday, June 3rd at Harrah's was also canceled.

Not all was doom and gloom though.  Before the national quarantine and lockdown was declared, certain events did take place.  Dr. Debra Canale, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2019,  participated in the St. Patrick's Day Parade which was held in Belmar the first weekend of March.

This photo is in sharp contrast to what she is doing these days!  As a nurse, QUEEN Debra is out there with her colleagues, working long hours, helping patients who come in with coronavirus symptoms.

 

Sunday, March 8th was the last Showcase of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB.  The ladies gave a stellar performance to a full house at the Monmouth County Library in Manalapan.  Little did they know that it would be their last one for the foreseeable future.

This photo was pulled out from the archives once again to show these fabulous ladies in a happier time, at the Christmas Party in December of 2019.  Although a few ladies are suffering from other illness,  happily none of the CLUB'S members have contracted the dreaded coronavirus.  As time goes by, hopefully none will.

Tomorrow is Monday, March 30th, and the end of the two week national self quarantine and lockdown.  Has this been enough to stop the spread of this silent killer, or will there be more hard times ahead?  We can use the religious phrase, "only God knows", but in this case, so do our country's leaders and scientists.  Jerseyans, as well as the rest of the nation await what tomorrow's news will bring.