This past week on Monday, I started having sinus issues but because of the weather and my everlasting sinus issues since I was a child, I brushed it off. By Thursday, I lost my sense of smell. By Saturday, I was called by the Coles County Health Department to tell me that I am positive for COVID-19.

Let me begin by saying that I have taken all preventive measures since the beginning of this pandemic. I wear a mask religiously, wash my hands more than most people and I social distance. The only places I go are work, a friend’s house maybe twice a week and the store when I need to. Contracting this virus was a complete shock to me.

I have a few things to say to anyone reading this article.

First, I’m seeing anti-maskers still. People who claim that the government is trying to control us by making us wear masks, you are a part of the problem, if you are one of these people. COVID-19 is a very contagious and real virus.

According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, the U.S. has had 11 million cases and counting. I think that speaks for itself.

We could even be on the road to another lockdown. I don’t know about anyone else, but I definitely don’t want to go through that again.

If you try to tell me that this virus is just like the flu, I will tell you that you are ignorant.

Yes, younger people like myself may not experience severe symptoms and will recover, but how is that enough justification to risk getting it? I’ll be honest, how people treat this pandemic alters how I view them as a person.

This virus is extremely under-researched, meaning that we don’t know the long-lasting effects it can have on people. We have no idea how this can affect the immune system. Do you really think that is worth it? Is going out to the bars or to parties that important to you? Is refusing to follow the simple guidelines that the CDC has given us that hard? If you’re an adult, start acting like it.

Are we that greedy of a human race? Do we really have no regard for other’s health? These are the impressions I have been given by many people.

Stop being stupid. Stop ignoring the simple instructions we have been given to follow. Obviously there is some inevitably to this virus, but it’s still preventable. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Social distance. Be proactive in fighting this virus.

Gillian Eubanks junior health communications major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or gdeubanks@eiu.edu.