The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading undetected for a minimum of six weeks in the United States. The number of total cases has reached 157 all across California. 20 of them are in Los Angeles and 14 in San Francisco which means we are sandwiched [1] [2]. 4 cases have been found in Santa Cruz as well [3]. 12 people from the Grand Princess cruise ship that have been exposed to COVID-19 will be quarantined at Asilomar in Monterey County [4]. Schools across the state have canceled in-person classes and moved on to create an online platform in order to help alleviate the spread of the virus. If the virus is found in Monterey County, it will spread like wildfire if someone contracts it on campus especially in the dorms. The University of Monterey Bay should close or cancel in-person classes until there is enough evidence that it is safe for students to return to class.

[1] https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/bay-area-coronavirus-cases-grow-to-88/

[2] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-09/l-a-county-up-to-16-coronavirus-cases-with-1-of-unknown-origin-heres-the-latest

[3] https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/10/santa-cruz-county-confirms-second-case-of-coronavirus/

[4] https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2020/03/09/coronavirus-california-update-cdc-cruise-ships-monterey-bay-trips-canceled/5003474002/