School-age children may see the next 2 weeks as an impromptu school vacation.

But parents worry over how to provide the basics for their families.

With SC Gov. Henry McMaster ordering schools closed at least 2 weeks, parents must figure out how to feed and entertain their kids.

Things like extra food, utilities and childcare add up quickly.

Lexington County schools are offering free lunches to children, but someone must be available to pick them up at the schools.

Red Bank resident Susie Snipes worries if she and her husband will be able to continue to work.

“The extra groceries and utilities will be a financial burden,” she said.

“If businesses close determines if my husband and I will be without income.”

Snipes’ 3 children attend schools in Lexington 1.

She says her kids will spend much of their time on video games and watching YouTube. They will hang out as a family when they’re all home together.

“The school district is also putting together online learning for the kids, so they will be able to stay current on their school work.”

Snipes said more uncertainty lies in whether stores can keep up with the demands of people stockpiling cleaning supplies, toilet paper and medicines from China.

Chronicle columnist Valerie Augustine said a worker at the Walmart in Lexington told her that 5 supply trucks arrive each night.

He said people grab items before they are even up on the shelves.

He said they ran out of chicken and eggs last week.

Lexington District 1 media arts teacher Carlee Myers is staying positive.

“We are a family who eats out a lot because of our busy schedules, so I will be more conscious of not eating out too much,” she said.

“Maybe we’ll save a little money and eat a little healthier.”

Myers says she will continue teaching through the district’s instructional platform, Schoology.

Her family will stay home as much as possible.

“I am making sure to put a schedule in place, as I do not want technology to rule us. We will have norms such as reading time, school time, outside/exercise time. We’ve even gotten a few puzzles to work on.

“I’m going to Books-a-Million to pick up books the kids are requesting, and we have a list of daily chores that must be completed before limited screen time is allowed.

“We are going to tackle some of the household tasks that have not happened – like going through the kids’ closets and removing clothes that need to go to His House.”