Sami Homran
Reporter
As COVID-19 continues without signs of slowing down in the near future, there are many people who have misconceptions regarding the virus.
“When I thought about a COVID patient in my head, they were struggling to breath and at the hospital, but that’s not what happened to me,” senior Kathia Arevalo said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the illness can be serious for some, but most cases consist of “a mild illness and [patients] are able to recover from home.”
People who are less educated about COVID-19 have more misconceptions about the virus when, in reality, it is rarely serious for a person with no underlying medical conditions.
“I am not worried for myself because I got COVID, and I only felt sick for two days and the rest of it felt like normal,” Arevalo said.
“I am worried about it but I do not think I will die. Then again, a lot of people have died not thinking they would,” sophomore Faith Rogers said.
While COVID-19 can be deadly to anyone, concern is placed onto any patient without taking into account their health and age prior to the virus.
According to the CDC, among patients from the ages of 15 to 64 there have been approximately 17,310 deaths. However, among patients from the age of 65 and up there are over 190,493 deaths. Social distancing and masks are needed to protect those highly susceptible. However, COVID-19’s misconceptions lead teenagers and adults with no other health complications and a healthy immune system to have an unnecessary fear of death.
Rogers was asked what the fatality rate of COVID-19 patients is.
“I do not know, probably 1,000 or something,” Rogers said.
According to the CDC as of October 15, 2020, 216,025 deaths have been recorded.
“After a person tests positive I would say 48 hours after, their symptoms and fever go away,” senior Guide Dowling said when asked about how long it will take to recover from COVID-19.
Misconceptions like these tend to undermine the severity of COVID-19.
According to the CDC, a patient who tests positive for COVID-19 should remain in isolation for 10 days, go 24 hours without a fever without the use of medication, and see other COVID-19 symptoms improving.
The precautions surrounding COVID-19 are mainly to stop the spread of the virus and to prevent it from reaching the elderly and people with other health complications, as it is highly fatal for them.
Although COVID-19 continues to spread and is dangerous, there is some avoidable stress surrounding it and its effects.
Comments