Several states have mandated the closing of k-12 schools due to coronavirus. While it is anticipated that more states will follow suit, at time of publishing this article the states with closed schools include Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, New Mexico, and Kentucky. Additionally, numerous businesses are telling employees to work from home or simply not to come to work. Colleges and universities are instructing students not to attend classes in person, and providing the courses online. Sporting and other events have been instructed that spectators will not be allowed or the events have been postponed or cancelled altogether.
While the final impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is yet to be seen, it is certain that Social Distancing is viewed as a means to slow down the spread of the virus, seeking to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed.
With that said, this level of social distancing will mean that many people will be staying home, working from home, studying from home, and simply trying to keep themselves and their families entertained at home.
In the wake of the Coronavirus outrbeak, some internet service providers are seeking to assist. In this press release from Comcast, beginning March 16, 2020 the company will be offering 2 free months of its Internet Essentials service to new customers. This is the service usually offered for $9.95 monthly to qualifying low-income families in the Comcast service area. AT&T has stated that it will be waiving Internet data overage for home internet access customers who are not on an unlimited plan. Additional sources are reporting that Cox Communications will be offering 1 month free to new customers of its low income service, and Spectrum will be offering 60 days free access to new customers in households with k-12 or college students.
While most of the plans provided by these ISP’s are the basic level service, many of the providers are also increasing the speeds of these plans, at least temporarily.
