Since late February the news cycle has been dominated by one thing: COVID-19. And for good reason, as we are in the midst of a global pandemic involving a deadly disease that has the ability to devastate major organs. 

The US has just reached the grim milestone of 60,000 deaths caused by the virus as of April 29, according to CBS. However, even though it is evident how destructive this virus is, some still aren’t taking it seriously. People are instead discounting the prospect of a massive loss of human life in favor of the economy. 

We may be missing that daily serotonin boost of hugging friends and joking with classmates, but we are saving lives by social distancing and helping to flatten the curve.  Thankfully, most Americans have been adhering to state-wide and nation-wide orders to stay home and stay safe. However, there are still many people who refuse to listen to government recommendations.

The aforementioned people range from those who are still having gatherings with friends and family, to those going to the Capitol to protest the fact that their rights are being “taken away.” I personally know ,and am related to, people who are infected with COVID-19. I also have many relatives who are working on the frontlines as healthcare workers and are describing it as something they’ve never seen before. 

Most of us have the privilege to not have to see illness-stricken patients hooked onto ventilations in Intensive Care Units, and we should be thankful for those who are doing their jobs still. You can still talk to friends and family through video chat avenues such as Zoom, FaceTime or Houseparty, but it is imperative that the public stays home. 

It is not a violation of your constitutional rights to be told you can’t leave the house during a global pandemic, and this isn’t an attempted coup by Democrats to overthrow President Trump, an especially absurd theory which I have seen all over social media recently.

It is quite frankly pathetic that people are clustering together in several states to protest the executive orders to stay home. How is it that these protestors don’t realize we are navigating unknown territory and that we are living through a public health crisis, to which they are in no way immune? I watched, on the news, protestors wave Trump 2020, Confederate and Don’t Tread on Me flags as they crowded together in Lansing, many without masks or gloves. The audacity and privilege of these people escapes my understanding as there are thousands of people dying everyday fromCOVID-19, along with millions of essential workers still having to go to work and risk getting infected daily. 

I want everything to go back to normal just as much as everyone else. However, I am a 15 year old and I still have enough common sense and empathy to realize this is not a government conspiracy, and that staying home is essential for the lives of those around me. 

Additionally, the fact that some states, such as Georgia, are beginning to reopen businesses like restaurants and hair salons is almost farcical. We are not out of the woods yet by any means. There are more and more infections being confirmed everyday, and the number of unconfirmed cases is expected to be much higher than the number of cases that were tested positive. 

The constant buzz and worry about the economy is a little unwarranted, and we should be focused less on bailing out large corporations, and more on the economic plight of small businesses and individuals without jobs. The health of our economy is important of course, but of more importance is the health and safety of individuals. A $1200 one time stimulus check isn’t sustainable for families, and there will need to be more economic support for those out of work, which should include weekly unemployment benefits.

All in all, the COVID-19 pandemic needs to be taken with all the seriousness it warrants. We may not be able to go to work or school, but many of us are getting to spend more quality time with our families and picking up new hobbies. Social distancing and isolation will not last forever, and it’s up to us to stay home to stop the spread and save lives.