But many may lose their jobs, either temporarily or permanently, due to the epidemic, and the prospect of six to eight weeks without an income stream is excruciating. For workers whose jobs require physical presence at a work site, such as custodians, factory workers, security guards, construction personnel, taxi drivers, and the like, the relocation option is decided-stay put. These young adults may also choose to return to their parents’ homes, or to secondary residences owned by friends or relatives.Īs employers shift to work-from-home status, white-collar workers with salaried jobs need to consider where best to hunker down, allowing them strong Internet access and a home work setting. Many households are now swelling as colleges and universities close, sending students to their parents’ homes, and young adults find themselves facing financial ruin amid the shutdown of theaters, restaurants, gig economy work, construction sites, and other forms of employment lacking job protection and home leave assistance. You are where you will be for coming weeks. If you live alone, have no family members or close friends who require your special attention, and have no alternative living space, you have no decision to make.

In a matter of days, the United States will follow suit. France and Germany, which track two to five days ahead of the United States, are now revving up measures akin to those taken by Italy, including lockdowns on movement and social activity. The United States, for example, is currently tracking exactly where Italy was about 10 days ago. To appreciate what lies ahead for the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, pay heed to Italy, France, and Germany. Wherever you decide to settle down this week is likely to be the place in which you will be stuck for the duration of your epidemic. Nations are closing their borders, and as the numbers of sick rise, towns, suburbs, even entire counties will try to shut the virus out by blocking travel. Airports will close, trains will shut down, gasoline supplies may dwindle, and roadblocks may be set up. Your time to answer those questions is very short-a few days, at most. Whether you are reading this in your living room in Vancouver, office in London, or on a subway in New York City, you need to think hard, and fast, about two crucial questions: Where, and with whom, do you want to spend the next six to 12 weeks of your life, hunkered down for the epidemic duration? And what can you do to make that place as safe as possible for yourself and those around you? Patrick’s Day, the mayor of San Francisco ordered her entire population to “shelter in place” for a few weeks: The window of opportunity to relocate has closed for residents of the Bay Area. For some countries-Italy, South Korea, and Singapore for example-the moment of decision and personal preparation has long since passed, and millions of people are stuck in place, watching their epidemic unfold.

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