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Coronavirus
As a new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) swept through the world in 2020, preparedness plans, masking policies and more public policy changed just as quickly. WVXU has covered the pandemic's impact on the Tri-State from the very beginning, when on March 3, 2020, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine barred spectators from attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus over concerns about the virus, even though Ohio had yet to confirm a single case of COVID-19.

'Bills Still Have To Be Paid': Photos Of Life And Work During Coronavirus

Ambriehl Crutchfield
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WVX
Andrew Crawford laughs with Dave Norman after discussing the renovation schedule for Kung Food in Covington.

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched all the lives of Tri-State residents and business owners. 

Kentucky and Ohio governors are restricting gatherings to no more than 10 people to curb the virus. Restaurants and bars are only permitted to offer take out. School districts and colleges have closed their buildings and shifted students to remote learning.

Beginning Tuesday, Ohio started its stay-at-home order, which allows residents to leave their homes for essential errands only. WVXU went to communities in Kentucky and Ohio to understand how these mandates are impacting essential workers and various gathering spaces.

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Szechuan Garden in Park Hills closed its dining room to comply with Kentucky's mandate.  

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WVXU

A contractor continues to work on the renovation of Kung Food in Covington.

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WVXU

Old Town Café & Catering owner Debbie Bonfilio works the lunch shift with her husband. She says they plan to stay open doing takeout orders because bills still have to be paid.

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Blank's Pharmacy workers prepare prescriptions on a Monday afternoon in Covington.

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Evansville, Indiana, resident Mark Jones works on a drive-thru system at an area bank.

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Caty and Douglas chat in front of the temporarily closed Kenwood Towne Centre Apple store on March 22.  The mall was still open to walkers and featured a few operating businesses at the time. 

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An empty Fountain Square on the afternoon of March 22. 

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The Waffle House location in Springdale, Ohio, emblazoned with a hand-painted "OPEN" sign to signify that the business can still offer carry-out orders.

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On March 22, the Kenwood Towne Centre was still open to the public, but few were visiting on what would normally be a busy Sunday afternoon. Here, the food court is absent of its normal seating and tables. 

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The parking lot of the Kenwood Towne Centre is empty on what would normally be a busy Sunday afternoon. In the background: presumably a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site being prepared at The Jewish Hospital.

Credit Ronny Salerno / WVXU

Closed to the public for the time being, the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal's parking lot sits empty on the afternoon of March 22.

Credit Ronny Salerno/ WVXU

A church on Blue Rock Rd. advertises that its services are temporarily suspended. 

coronavirus cincinnati
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WVXU

A Team Rubicon volunteer helps transfer perishable food from the Cincinnati Art Museum to local food banks in the wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, Thursday, March 19, in Cincinnati.

Credit Jason Whitman / WVXU
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WVXU

A UC Health drive-thru COVID-19 screening facility opens for patients in the wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, Thursday, March 19, in Cincinnati.