MANHATTAN, NEW YORK — Ava Cacciofi moved to Manhattan, New York almost five years ago, but still helps her father, Bill, run New World Expeditions, an exotic travel company based in Yellow Springs.
Two weeks ago, the Yellow Springs native returned to New York after a trip to Zimbabwe and put herself in a 14-day self quarantine. Her parents asked her to come home to Ohio.
"The day I landed, the city went on lockdown. I said I'd think about it, but I at least wanted to wait out the 14 days of self-quarantine. It just wouldn't be a responsible choice to spread it. Now there's all these travel warnings in the tri-state area", said Cacciofi.
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Cacciofi teaches English to adults, a job she can continue to do online while confined to her tiny Manhattan apartment.
"It's about as big as your bathroom", Cacciofi said.
Cacciofi has seen the medical tents being placed in Central Park to help make room in hospitals for patients battling the coronavirus. Cacciofi told News Center 7 many people in the city are wearing masks and gloves.
"I would just tell people in Ohio, we were in your shoes and not even a quarter of New Yorkers took it seriously. Some were laughing because it was a world away in China, South Korea or Japan," Cacciofi said.
Cacciofi agrees with the New York governor's decision to lock down the state.
"I think it makes sense as long as we can do what the Governor says and get supplies," Cacciofi said. "The best we can do is ride it out and stay put."
Cacciofi says she looks forward to travelling again soon. However, the family's company has postponed all excursions until at least September.
