Students on tight budgets are trying to prep for potential stay-home orders

By Dalton Renshaw

Ramen and canned soup.

As people across the nation rush to stock up during the coronavirus pandemic, Utah State University students are gathering those classic student staples.

Alek Nelson, who recently returned from a trip to India, has been trying to self-isolate on the recommendation of an adviser from the study abroad office. On Tuesday, however, he had to take a break from his self-imposed quarantine to visit the grocery store in preparation for a potentially longer period of isolation.

“I spent about double what I usually do on my last shopping trip because I had my usual purchases, plus things with long shelf lives that I wouldn't normally buy,” Nelson said. “It could be difficult for students who depend on paychecks for groceries, especially if they've been laid off because of the pandemic.”

By the end of the week, 21 states across the United States will have stay-at-home orders in place. While the state of Utah is not among those states, it could be coming. Summit County issued a shelter-in-place order today for its residents — a decree that is expected to be maintained until May 1. Meanwhile today, just a few miles away in Idaho, Gov. Brad Little issued a “stay at home” order for the state to last for the next 21 days.

Student Scott Froehlich said he isn’t yet prepared for a similar order in Cache County.  

“Probably not prepared as long-term as I should be,” he said, adding that he might be able to stretch his current food for a week or two. “I guess the fact that our budget is a little strained plays into that.”

Froehlich lives in family housing with his wife and son and is waiting until the school year ends before moving back home. Many students and families still remain on campus, despite the university’s recommendation for everyone who can go back to their permanent residences to do so. 

Nelson said he would continue to remain in isolation, but as a precaution to help slow the spread of the virus.

“I have purchased some more canned goods and other foods that last longer, just in case,” he said. “Even if stores were to stay open in a lockdown, I'd rather stay in just to decrease the risk of picking up a disease or unintentionally spreading it.”