The empty streets of downtown Grand Island on April 6, 2020, in Grand Island, Neb.
The empty streets of downtown Grand Island on April 6, 2020, in Grand Island, Neb. Photo by Kenneth Ferriera

GRAND ISLAND — With schools closed and parents at work, Marcia Uden is leading story time in a circle of grandchildren in the back yard.

Grand Island, in a very short span of time, became one of Nebraska’s hot spots for the coronavirus. Hall County has far more cases than places with much larger populations, and life in the city in the middle of the state has changed drastically.

“We are just trying to have as little contact as possible,” Uden said.

20200407 new grandisland kf3 - Under quarantine, COVID-19 hot spot Grand Island searches for normal
Marcia Uden (second left) has story time with her grandchildren (left to right) Morganne Roberts, Kallen Roberts, Kallie Kolwalski, Jackson Roberts, and Makenzie Kolwalski outside on April 6, 2020, in Grand Island. Photo by Kenneth Ferriera

Across the city, streets are empty, businesses are closed, people are working from home and parks are closed.

20200407 new grandisland kf1 - Under quarantine, COVID-19 hot spot Grand Island searches for normal
A jungle gym wrapped in caution tape warns off potential park visitors at a Grand Island park on April 6, 2020, in Grand Island. Photo by Kenneth Ferriera.
20200407 new grandisland kf8 - Under quarantine, COVID-19 hot spot Grand Island searches for normal
Multiple layers of caution tape leave no doubt that this playground is closed on April 6, 2020, in Grand Island. Photo by Kenneth Ferriera.
20200407 new grandisland kf7 - Under quarantine, COVID-19 hot spot Grand Island searches for normal
Playground equipment is wrapped in caution tape at Pier Park on April 6, 2020, in Grand Island. Photo by Kenneth Ferriera

But in some parts of the city, life goes on, albeit differently. One is Fonner Park, a live horse racing track. One of the few sports that has not been cancelled due to COVID-19 is horse racing. Employees follow strict guidelines and cleaning schedules to minimize risk.

20200407 new grandisland kf5 - Under quarantine, COVID-19 hot spot Grand Island searches for normal
A jockey wears a bandana to cover his face at Fonner Park on April 6, 2020, in Grand Island. Photo by Kenneth Ferriera

Another is JBS Beef. Ten workers at the plant tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week. During a briefing, the plant manager, Zack Ireland, said the plant would continue to operate.

“JBS Grand Island is not forcing anyone to come to work for any reason, especially those who are sick,” he said. “We want all workers who are sick to stay home.”

20200407 new grandisland kf9 - Under quarantine, COVID-19 hot spot Grand Island searches for normal
Workers enter the JBS Beef plant on April 6, 2020, in Grand Island. Photo by Kenneth Ferriera
I’m fourth year Journalism and Broadcasting student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I am currently a photojournalist for Cedar County News. In Fall 2019, I will be a photo intern for the Omaha World Herald. I grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming and it helped influence me in countless ways. First and foremost being taught that hard work is a way of life and doing a good job benefits everyone. Much of my time has been spent around hard working and honest blue collar workers and from them In have learned that hard work pays off. They knew that obstacles and fears and meant to be overcome and while failure is expected giving up is something I will not allow myself. My work is driven by an urge to educate people, in hopes that I can help eliminate fears and help people make connections to those they have never met. Showing people the human side of of stories and issues is the best way to inspire change. To go the distance to give the public the information to help them make well informed decisions. When I am not working I love being outside. I hike, rock climb, watch documentaries, and try not to get eaten by bears (they are everywhere you know). Anything that keeps me on the move helps me learn makes me happy.