On Tuesday, Columbus community leaders held a conference regarding coronavirus pandemic.

City, school and health officials announced closures and addressed questions.

“There is a wave that will be hitting our healthcare organization soon," Columbus Community Hospital CEO Mike Hansen said.  "If you look at any given population — if you consider a 40 percent attack rate, in terms of the epidemiology models — we’re looking at a significant part of our population that could be affected by COVID-19.”

Officials with Columbus Public, Lakeview Community and Scotus Central Catholic schools said classes are canceled through April 3.

They stressed that kids should not spend the time away from school hanging out with friends because they can transmit the virus to those who are more vulnerable.

“This isn’t a snow day activity," superintendent Troy Loeffelholz said.  "It isn’t like we’re off for one day or two days because of a blizzard.  This is a pandemic…We need kids to stay home.  We heard them say play dates are probably not a good idea, sleepovers are not a good idea.  I know it’s going to change the way we do things but if our kids are at home, we don’t want to see them driving up and down 33rd Avenue and downtown.”

School officials said staff are working to provide learning packets and digital lessons for students to work on during that time.

They said starting Thursday, they’ll be offering grab-and-go meals at school facilities.  However, they said because of federal guidelines, only students can pick them up.

Columbus residents said seeing the precautions taken is sad, but that it's something that needs to be done.

“I really feel a sadness for everything that needs closed and I feel that some people are afraid when they go into the grocery stores and see the shelves emptying,” Beth Millard said.

“We have to do something, we have to stem the tide of this virus," Kevin Ingemansen said.  "We don’t know what it is or how it reacts and I guess if this helps, great.  We need to do it.”

While residents said they know how dangerous the virus can be, they're not frightened.

"It’s going to affect people," Ingemansen said.  "You just don’t know to what extent or when it’s going to affect me.  Sometimes you think, ‘well, I’d rather just get it and be done with it.’  But that’s not the time and place.”

"I know that this too will pass," Millard said.  "We’ll get over it, we’ll get through it and I’m glad I live in Nebraska.  I think we’ll band together and we’ll be just fine.”

Other residents said they understand how serious the disease is, but that think they think fear has caused the reaction to it be overblown.