In recent days, as I’ve tried to enlighten those blissfully unaware about the seriousness of the coronavirus, I’ve been met with comments urging me to “calm down,” insisting that the media should “stay out of it,” and dismissing the situation as an “overreaction.”
Let’s set the record straight—I’m not in a state of panic over COVID-19. My linen closet is stocked with a reasonable amount of toilet paper, and I’m not hoarding nonperishable food items, so feel free to indulge at your cruise ship buffet, Tina, but don’t come to me when you find yourself quarantined for two weeks because you played cards with the wrong person.
While I’m not panicking, I am genuinely concerned. The World Health Organization (WHO) made it official on March 11, declaring COVID-19 a pandemic. The WHO Director-General stated, “We are deeply concerned by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.”
I’m worried that too many people are acting as if everything is normal, putting us all in jeopardy. We need to practice social distancing. We need to cancel events—concerts, festivals, conferences, vacations—everything that can be postponed should be. Yes, this will cause discomfort, but a little inconvenience now is worth avoiding a full-blown pandemic that could overwhelm our healthcare system. Unless you want to end up like Italy.
I’m particularly concerned about our elderly population and those with weakened immune systems. Can we honestly say that everyone we know will survive this virus? Even if they aren’t in our immediate circle, collective public health should matter to us.
I’m troubled by how many are treating COVID-19 as a joke. A family in St. Louis, for instance, broke quarantine after their daughter returned from Italy, displaying symptoms. Despite healthcare professionals advising them to self-isolate, the father took another daughter to a dance, while the mother went out shopping. Their test results for COVID-19 came back positive.
As we witness closures at more than 100 universities cancelling in-person classes after spring break, some dismiss this as an overreaction, questioning why high schools aren’t closing too. But universities are packed environments where students gather from all over, making it a perfect breeding ground for the virus. Administrators are making tough decisions to protect public health, opting for temporary discomfort over risking a widespread outbreak.
The smartest minds are analyzing risks and taking action, while others propagate myths online. Many simply don’t grasp how exponential spread works or the timing of responses in a crisis like this.
Current U.S. statistics give a false sense of security if we don’t consider where we are in the contagion timeline. We are lagging behind countries like Italy and China, where early complacency led to surging numbers.
Here’s what you can do to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19:
- Avoid crowded spaces.
- Limit travel.
- Maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
- Skip the hugs and handshakes.
- Use your sleeve or a tissue to touch common surfaces.
- Share accurate information and correct misinformation.
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In summary, we must take COVID-19 seriously and act decisively to cancel gatherings for the greater good. It’s not just about individual comfort; it’s about protecting those vulnerable in our communities and preventing our healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed.
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