The COVID-19 cases have gone up around the whole country and it is hitting record breaking numbers. With 10.1 million cases across the nation, people still don’t seem to care with flu season approaching as well.
I think people are becoming desensitized to the virus because things haven’t gone back to normal. In reality, people are still adjusting to the new normal. Wearing a mask, taking vitamins and getting tested regularly has become the new ordinary.
The election, I believe, has also played a role in this. With early voting taking place in many states and candidate’s rallies, there is a sense of normalcy in this pandemic when we should all be vigilant in avoiding the virus.
Graduate student Corrie Watt said, “I believe I have become desensitized to COVID-19, however I am still cautious. If I forget my mask, I am no longer panicking, especially since it is not a requirement for state or county anymore.”
College students in Tallahassee are back to going out regularly and seem to pay little mind to the virus.
Many people have become okay with catching the virus, they don’t see it as a big deal anymore. People now think you are bound to contract the virus by any means, so they live their life and adjust.
The National Public Radio and government health organizations have reported in a study that hospitalized cases have been steadily going down. At the beginning of the year, those who caught the virus had a 25.6% chance of dying. There is now a 7.6% chance.
Aaron Torres, a recent FAMU graduate said, “Since I had the coronavirus, I take my personal space very seriously although others may not. I am very aware and conscious about my surroundings.”
In America, flu season occurs during the fall and winter and now with the coronavirus, Americans really need to protect themselves and stay healthy.
Jasmine Moody, a senior psychology student, has been very cautious of COVID-19 and has gotten tested multiple times. All of her tests have been negative.
“I have been out of my house, in restaurants and other public places,” Moody said. “I still think COVID is a big deal but not as much as I did in March.”
I think people should take this virus more seriously because the number of positive cases are going up and many people aren’t really paying attention to it. I would hate for people to have to contract the virus in order for them to take it seriously again. Prevention should be key but if people don’t care anymore, how can we as a nation protect each other?
Hopefully President-Elect Biden will work with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to implement necessary precautions to protect Americans from the rising number of cases.
The virus has been here and we should care about how we proceed in the near future. Everything we do could either put us at further risk or help save the lives of others.