The pandemic is not over; stop acting like it is
Natalie Doud
younger people’s fear of the virus is correlated with the extent to which it affects them personally. On the contrary, this reduced fear of the coronavirus does Nine months. not solely exist among teenagers, as I’ve noticed this in my That’s how long it’s been since California’s first shelter-inown home. Our groceries have not received their usual intense place order was issued. For the first few months, our commusanitization in a few months, and going to the mall is no longer nities worked hard to sanitize every finger, wipe down every a scary experience. Restaurants are opening indoor dining, and grocery item that entered our homes, and maintain a distance many people are “forgetting” their masks when they go out in of at least six feet from people with whom we didn’t live. public. However, it seems that one day, a myriad of people, mostly Additionally, social media is a prominent contributing teens, decided that COVID-19 would no longer control their factor to this decrease in safety precautions and care for lives. COVID-19. This is because a handful of influencers and ceThus, many Carlmont students have rebelled against the government’s restrictions, both state and local, and continue as lebrities on social media can be seen going on luxury trips or partying with large groups of people, setting a poor example though these restrictions do not apply to them. However, this for their millions of young and impressionable followers. By nonchalant attitude towards the pandemic can seriously put seeing these celebrities proceed with their lives normally, some others’ lives at risk. of their followers may do the same if they see no consequences Many students are finding it challenging to remain in their resulting from their negligence of the ongoing pandemic. social bubble, and I know we all miss the days when we could Celebrities’ social media posts can skew their viewers’ perroam around freely and see our friends closer than six feet ception of the pandemic. This is mostly because the majority away. We all miss having these frequent social interactions, of users’ feeds now consist of influencers posting about their but that doesn’t justify the many students going to parties, “exclusive” and “socially distanced” events and gatherings. In better known as COVID-19 incubators, and disregarding the reality, these events are just coronavirus hubs and shouldn’t be pandemic’s safety requirements. No, it doesn’t count if you’re idolized. For example, according to CNN, influencers Bryce wearing a mask at a party with 100 people; that’s like putting a Hall and Blake Gray hosted a few large parties, consisting of small band-aid on a big, open wound. Going to a party is one of the most irresponsible and unethical things you can do right several hundred people. They were consequently charged with misdemeanors in August 2020 for breaking local health orders. now for several reasons. In a time where social media has such an immense influThis lessened regard for COVID-19 restrictions affects ence on our generation, it is imperative that celebrities use everyone, not just the person who chooses to break regulatheir platforms to adequately inform their followers on the tions. For instance, a lot of students, and people in general, pandemic and other prominent world issues as well. Instead, are struggling with being so isolated at home, with their main interactions being solely through Zoom. Seeing people out and they’re flaunting their privilege and fostering an unconcerned mindset among their followers. partying is like rubbing salt on the wound. It’s disappointing Furthermore, COVID-19 case numbers have not dropped and frustrating since this lack of care will only increase the COVID-19 cases and the time we need to isolate ourselves in a significantly enough for anyone to be out with their friends or stop worrying about their safety. According to The New York social bubble. Times, the U.S. is approaching its third peak in COVID-19 Moreover, by deciding to expose yourself to potential coronavirus carriers, you are doing a disservice to society and caus- case numbers. At least 17 states are seeing higher spikes in case ing a dereliction of civic duty. This behavior can put both those numbers than any other time during the pandemic. The coronavirus has not subsided, and the cases are only in and out of your social bubble at risk, no matter their susceptibility to the virus. The more people who have COVID-19, the increasing as the months go on, leaving no excuse for people more likely someone older or immunocompromised is to catch simply to live their lives as though it is nonexistent. Even if you are not at high risk for the effects of the virus, be mindful of it, which, if you’ve forgotten, can be deadly. those who are. Many of those following this careless behavior often belong We all need to do everyone around us a favor and cease this to a younger demographic because COVID-19 has lethal and abundant carelessness and stoicism, as the end of the pandemic more consequential effects on an older demographic. Accordis not approaching. ing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight By educating yourself and others on this prevalent issue, out of 10 deaths due to COVID-19 reported in the U.S. have social distancing as much as possible, and following the govbeen adults 65 years of age and older. However, this does not ernment’s safety guidelines, you can help prevent a rise in cases validate the persistent inattention to the virus’s detrimental and thus a correlated increase in deaths. effect on a more vulnerable group of people. This instead Staying home saves lives; it’s a simple concept. emphasizes the unethical grounds of such actions, as it appears 16 HIGHLANDER OPINION
