Signs Of the Times In Northern Connecticut, March 2020 [PHOTOS]

NORTHERN CONNECTICUT — A close look at the landscape of northern Connecticut over the past four weeks reveals a totally different scene than normal, with entire towns being virtually paralyzed by the new coronavirus pandemic. Most merchants are temporarily shut down, restaurants are limited to pickup and delivery only, schools and playgrounds are closed ... the list goes on.

The American lexicon now includes terms such as "distance learning packets," "non-essential businesses," "self-quarantine," "pandemic" and the dreaded "social distancing." Other unusual sights around towns include plexiglass shields at supermarket checkout stations, drive-up voting, plastic film covering counters, rims removed from basketball backboards and KFC actually beginning delivery service.

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Here is a photo gallery of some of the sights which have become commonplace in recent weeks.