By Fiona Finchem, Staff Writer
Sanitizing or washing your hands every time you leave the house or get out of the car. Wearing a glove to pump gas. Wiping down every surface you come into contact with. Staying six feet away from your friends and anyone else around you.
These are just some of the precautions people are taking to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
I’ve seen and heard from many different people on social media platforms and even from my friends that the coronavirus “isn’t that big of a deal,” because the risk factors are worse for people older than 65 years old.
This may be true, but what about those older people, or people with weak immune systems, or people with underlying health issues?
According to the Administration for Community Living, “People who are 65 or older are more likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. This may be because immune systems change with age, making it harder to fight off diseases and infection. Older adults also are more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it harder to cope with and recover from illness.”
My father is 66 years old, and although he is healthy, he is still at risk of becoming very sick or dying.
Because of this, my family and I have been very cautious to not get him or anyone else sick. When we go to the grocery store, we wipe down the groceries and leave the bags in the garage for a few days. We always carry hand sanitizer, and my brother and I are restricted from spending time with any friends.
Sometimes, I think my parents are being too strict and all I want to do is go hang out with my friends, but thinking of the risks is very scary, and I’m not taking any chances.
My dad is a home inspector and has his own business, so my mom stays home to help with office work. Without my dad, we would be in a very bad place, emotionally and financially.
He is terrified.
Even without an older loved one nearby, I would suggest taking extreme precautions, some that may seem unnecessary, to try and keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. It will be hard, but one day, hopefully very soon, COVID-19 will be just a memory.
So please, the next time you want to go hang out with a group of friends, or go inside anywhere that isn’t your own home, stop and think about who you could be hurting, other than yourself. And please, wash your hands often, avoid close contact, clean and disinfect, and most importantly STAY HOME!
Sophomore Fiona Finchem can be reached at 22finchemfi99@daretolearn.org.
