Entrance and Sign for Worthington Estates Elementary School

This photograph shows the entrance to Worthington Estates Elementary School on March 20, 2020. The sign advertising upcoming school events reads: "MAR 6 NO SCHOOL," "MAR 10 PTA MEETING," "MAR 26 3RD GRADE MUSICAL," and "APR 3-10 SPRING BREAK." These announcements are poignant as the school was closed to in-person learning as of March 12, when Governor Mike DeWine issued an order closing all schools in Ohio to in-person learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, there was a possibility that schools would reopen on April 3; however, all schools remained closed through the end of the school year. Worthington students engaged in virtual learning during this time.

In addition to empty schools, Worthington's normally busy streets and public places were quiet during the spring of 2020 due to Ohio's historic stay at home order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Issued by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton M.D. MPH, the order went into effect on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The order closed nonessential businesses, restricted gatherings, ordered all residents to stay in their homes except for certain exempt activities, and limited travel. The order was fully lifted on May 19, replaced by strong recommendations for social distancing.