Last week, I recommended we all calm down about the COVID-19 outbreak. I stand by that statement, but would like to make a concession based on further conversation I have witnessed and participated in.
Society should not panic about COVID-19. Panic will lead to people stockpiling resources, leaving nothing for those without the money to do so. Panic will lead to desperation and violence. Panic helps no one.
We should, however, be concerned.
Loss of life is a tragedy and deserves to be treated as such. The New York Times stated that as of Monday afternoon, 3,999 people have passed away due to COVID-19. For comparison’s sake, McCall, Idaho, had a population of 3,351 during the 2010 census.
The people who died — and those who are more susceptible than others — are no less worthy of life than those who survive the virus. Those who have passed away deserve to be mourned. Society should be concerned with preventing the spread of COVID-19 because all people, regardless of pre-existing health conditions, deserve to live.
One of my aunts has diabetes. Many of my friends have asthma. I don’t have the best immune system, I catch a cold four times a year minimum, but I don’t think I have any underlying health conditions that would cause complications.
I am not concerned about COVID-19 for myself. I’m concerned about COVID-19 for the people I love who could die from it.
The area of Germany I am studying in this semester has not been hit as hard as many other areas in Europe. I have only seen one person wear a mask in public. There are new hand sanitizers at the entrance of many public places and some grocery stores have run out of pasta, but otherwise I haven’t noticed much of a change. My fellow study abroad students still travel every weekend. Store shelves are still full of necessities.
I’m far more concerned about my hometown. I am from a small town about an hour outside of Seattle. The Seattle Times stated there have been 100 confirmed cases in the counties surrounding mine, including 16 deaths. The high school that rivaled mine shut down for cleaning at one point. My family hasn’t mentioned any changes to their lives, but I still worry.
As I mentioned in my last article, preventing the spread of this disease is relatively simple. Wash your hands often. Use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands. Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Take care of your body, especially concerning hygiene.
These are all things we should be doing already.
Regardless of if I have personally met you, reader, I care about you. I read your comments, I write to you, I send you my words and am grateful for the space you allow me to take up in your life, whether that has been through my articles, Argocast or my work through The Argonaut’s social media last semester. I write because I know you will read my words.
I am not panicked about this virus. I am worried because I don’t want to see anyone I love pass away.
Take care of yourselves, Vandals.
Read Miller’s other columns on COVID-19.
Lex Miller can be reached at [email protected]