The pandemic is not over

The pandemic is not over; stop acting like it is

Natalie Doud

Nine months.

That’s how long it’s been since California’s first shelter-inplace order was issued. For the first few months, our communities worked hard to sanitize every finger, wipe down every grocery item that entered our homes, and maintain a distance of at least six feet from people with whom we didn’t live.

However, it seems that one day, a myriad of people, mostly teens, decided that COVID-19 would no longer control their lives.

Thus, many Carlmont students have rebelled against the government’s restrictions, both state and local, and continue as though these restrictions do not apply to them. However, this nonchalant attitude towards the pandemic can seriously put others’ lives at risk.

Many students are finding it challenging to remain in their social bubble, and I know we all miss the days when we could roam around freely and see our friends closer than six feet away. We all miss having these frequent social interactions, but that doesn’t justify the many students going to parties, better known as COVID-19 incubators, and disregarding the pandemic’s safety requirements. No, it doesn’t count if you’re wearing a mask at a party with 100 people; that’s like putting a 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 now for several reasons.

This lessened regard for COVID-19 restrictions affects everyone, not just the person who chooses to break regulations. For instance, a lot of students, and people in general, are struggling with being so isolated at home, with their main interactions being solely through Zoom. Seeing people out and partying is like rubbing salt on the wound. It’s disappointing and frustrating since this lack of care will only increase the COVID-19 cases and the time we need to isolate ourselves in a social bubble.

Moreover, by deciding to expose yourself to potential coronavirus carriers, you are doing a disservice to society and causing a dereliction of civic duty. This behavior can put both those in and out of your social bubble at risk, no matter their susceptibility to the virus. The more people who have COVID-19, the more likely someone older or immunocompromised is to catch it, which, if you’ve forgotten, can be deadly.

Many of those following this careless behavior often belong to a younger demographic because COVID-19 has lethal and more consequential effects on an older demographic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight out of 10 deaths due to COVID-19 reported in the U.S. have been adults 65 years of age and older. However, this does not validate the persistent inattention to the virus’s detrimental effect on a more vulnerable group of people. This instead emphasizes the unethical grounds of such actions, as it appears

16 HIGHLANDER OPINION

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 not solely exist among teenagers, as I’ve noticed this in my own home. Our groceries have not received their usual intense sanitization in a few months, and going to the mall is no longer a scary experience. Restaurants are opening indoor dining, and many people are “forgetting” their masks when they go out in public.

Additionally, social media is a prominent contributing factor to this decrease in safety precautions and care for COVID-19. This is because a handful of influencers and celebrities on social media can be seen going on luxury trips or partying with large groups of people, setting a poor example for their millions of young and impressionable followers. By seeing these celebrities proceed with their lives normally, some of their followers may do the same if they see no consequences resulting from their negligence of the ongoing pandemic.

Celebrities’ social media posts can skew their viewers’ perception of the pandemic. This is mostly because the majority of users’ feeds now consist of influencers posting about their “exclusive” and “socially distanced” events and gatherings. In reality, these events are just coronavirus hubs and shouldn’t be idolized. For example, according to CNN, influencers Bryce Hall and Blake Gray hosted a few large parties, consisting of several hundred people. They were consequently charged with misdemeanors in August 2020 for breaking local health orders.

In a time where social media has such an immense influence on our generation, it is imperative that celebrities use their platforms to adequately inform their followers on the pandemic and other prominent world issues as well. Instead, they’re flaunting their privilege and fostering an unconcerned mindset among their followers.

Furthermore, COVID-19 case numbers have not dropped significantly enough for anyone to be out with their friends or stop worrying about their safety. According to The New York Times, the U.S. is approaching its third peak in COVID-19 case numbers. At least 17 states are seeing higher spikes in case numbers than any other time during the pandemic.

The coronavirus has not subsided, and the cases are only increasing as the months go on, leaving no excuse for people 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 those who are.

We all need to do everyone around us a favor and cease this abundant carelessness and stoicism, as the end of the pandemic is not approaching.

By educating yourself and others on this prevalent issue, social distancing as much as possible, and following the government’s safety guidelines, you can help prevent a rise in cases and thus a correlated increase in deaths.

Staying home saves lives; it’s a simple concept.

COVID-19 CASES IN SAN MATEO COUNTY AS OF OCTOBER 2020 OVERVIEW

TOTAL CASES IN SAN MATEO COUNTY TOTAL TESTS ADMINISTERED % OF POSITIVE TESTS TOTAL DEATHS AGED < 49

AGED > 50

CASES BY AGE GROUP

CASES BY CITY (NOT ALL SHOWN)

CASES PER 10,000 RESIDENTS

Belmont East Palo Alto Foster City Redwood City San Carlos

San Mateo

BelmontEast Palo Alto Foster CityRedwood City San Carlos San Mateo

Natalie Doud