Hey Young People, Are You Paying Attention to COVID-19 Yet?

Hello!

I hope this letter finds you well and socially distant. It's been a rough go of things for sure. I'm closing in on 30 years old so I'm finding myself worrying about my at-risk and older family and friends. I look at my peers, many who work in industries that are nearly at a standstill. I worry about them too. I see the state of things as nothing less than serious.

I think most people are right there with me. But, there are those who aren't taking things seriously.

Just look at the interviews with spring breakers over the last week. God forbid a global pandemic get in the way of your partying, bro.

Thankfully, the guy in the beginning of the clip has issued an apology.

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I’ve done a lot of things in my life that I’m not proud of. I’ve failed, I’ve let down, and I’ve made plenty of mistakes. I can’t apologize enough to the people i’ve offended and the lives I’ve insulted. I’m not asking for your forgiveness, or pity. I want to use this as motivation to become a better person, a better son, a better friend, and a better citizen. Listen to your communities and do as health officials say. Life is precious. Don’t be arrogant and think you’re invincible like myself. I’ve learned from these trying times and I’ve felt the repercussions to the fullest. Unfortunately, simply apologizing doesn’t justify my behavior. I’m simply owning up to my mistakes and taking full responsibility for my actions. Thank you for your time, and stay safe everyone. ❤️

A post shared by @ bradysluder on Mar 22, 2020 at 10:34am PDT

It's easy for people, especially younger people to feel invincible. Plus, the narrative has mainly focused on COVID-19 being especially dangerous to the elderly, those who are immune-compromised, lung issues, etc. I don't fall into any of those categories so, admittedly my concern over my own health is relatively small.

But I also heed the warnings of how contagious this can be. I couldn't live with myself if I knew my carelessness and selfishness caused another human to fall ill, or worse. So I've been washing my hands like crazy and staying socially distant. Not the easiest feat for an extrovert, but necessary.

For some, the idea of spreading the virus isn't enough. Admittedly I was far from concerned before Maine had its first confirmed case. Then it became real.

It might not be real for you yet, you young, healthy 20 something.

Did you know an otherwise healthy California resident under the age of 18 died of COVID-19 recently? According to the Los Angeles Times, the child was a teenager who likely caught it from their father.

While young adults and children are more likely to be able to recover from the virus, no one is invincible.

Did you know an otherwise healthy Bates College athlete and alumni is now in a medically induced coma because of COVID-19? According to News Center Maine, 25-year-old Jack Allard is currently at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and will receive an experimental treatment. Allard is an All American Athlete. The pinnacle of health and yet, he's in a coma. His parents can't be there with him and their only connection is seeing him through an iPad.

So, will you get sick? Maybe. If you do will you recover? Probably. But why not err on the side of caution? For your sake and that of others. Don't make your mother worry about you in a hospital bed from home. Don't spread the virus to someone who could end up in that position.

This is real.

This is scary.

But this is something that will pass. It's a matter of when, and how much damage is done in the meantime.

If we work hard to flatten the curve, the carnage will be less than if we all keep going out and not taking the proper precautions.

We live in a time where people are literally telling us to hang on the couch and watch Netflix. We have the ability to connect to our loved ones via text, audio, and video.

You can do this.

With socially distant love,
Brittany