“Is it OK to go out and water your lawn and talk to your neighbor in the yard? Yes. Of course, social distancing means that we try to stay 3 to 6 feet apart … but it’s totally not lock yourself in your house and don’t come out.”

— Jessica Trahey, an infection prevention practitioner at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center who was speaking about precautions people should take during the coronavirus outbreak.

“Some of these kids, this is all they get, is us. I did not realize that until I came to work here.”

— Lisa Altmann, Rowan-Salisbury Schools Nutrition Director who was talking as the district began delivering meals to students during a mandatory closure.

“I don’t think 30 days ago anyone was expecting a virus would shut down the economy … just 30 days ago, businesses were booming and you couldn’t find workers..”

— James Meacham, who leads the county’s tourism agency and says his area of focus has seen particularly steep layoff numbers.

“There’s just a lot of people afraid to go out and some still, like me, are waiting on their checks.”

— Bev Ellis, who has five grandchildren and is worried about the spread of the coronavirus.

“We were hoping we don’t get to that, but you never know.”

— Kevin Auten, Rowan County sheriff, who was speaking about a public health emergency requiring the use of West End Plaza as a relief center.

“We’re in a different time right now. We’re going to work to deal with these issues.”

— Lane Bailey, Salisbury city manager, during a meeting where the city of Salisbury agreed not to cut off water service for nonpayment during the coronavirus outbreak