Recently this year, the U.S. has been in a form of lock down. The cause for this lock down is from a newly-founded and globally known virus by the names “COVID-19” or “Coronavirus.” The first cases of COVID-19 in America were reported in January of 2020, and now the number of  cases have widely spread. As of right now there have been around 11.6 million total cases in the United States since the start of the outbreak, and this is what has caused America’s version of lock down.

How to Know if You Have the Virus or Not

First of all, after being exposed to somebody with the virus, it may take anywhere from two to fourteen days to start experiencing symptoms. If experiencing the following symptoms, then it may be possible that you have the virus: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you have been exposed to somebody with the virus, or if you are experiencing these symptoms, then you should stay home and quarantine for 14 days before returning to your regular routine. If you test positive, you should immediately go into a 14-day quarantine. If wanting to know exactly whether or not you have the virus, then you could go to different testing sites to get tested.

Guidelines and Rules

Here in the United States, we have multiple guidelines and/or rules that we have to follow pertaining the COVID-19 virus. If you feel sick, you should stay home, don’t go to work or school, and contact your medical provider. If someone in your household has tested positive for the corona virus, the entire household needs to stay home; do not go to work, do not go to school, and contact your medical provider. The virus is most dangerous to the elderly or those with health issues, so they shouldn’t be getting out and doing things if at all possible. If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk, (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system) stay home and away from other people.

These guidelines are just the ones ordered by the government, but there are also some other important guidelines we must follow. In some areas and public places, we are required to wear masks or face coverings. In some others, we are not required to wear them. Just like here at our school, we are ordered to wear masks on the bus, but not in the school building.

Face Coverings/Masks

What is the deal with face coverings? When should we wear them? CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Cloth face coverings may prevent people who don’t know they have the virus from transmitting it to others.

Are masks effective in preventing COVID-19? Wearing cloth masks can help prevent people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading the virus. Make sure your cloth mask: fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, completely covers the nose and mouth, is secured with ties or ear loops, includes multiple layers of fabric, allows for breathing without restriction, and can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. Cloth masks should not be worn by children less than 2 years old or anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Having read the article, is there anything new that you have learned about the topic of COVID-19? Or possibly, is there anything else that you think most people should know about the virus or the guidelines and rules we must follow in America?