Many think that COVID-19’s mutations and its contagious behaviour is the reason that this pandemic has been going on for a gnarly 9 months. However, the fear associated with testing and the vaccine could very well be the reason for the end of the pandemic seeming so far away.
As 2020 officially wraps up, it is evident to see the hope and excitement surrounding 2021 being the year that is the saviour for the UK – helping us conquer the Coronavirus with vaccines and mass testing. However, there is also an impending fear on the new regulations and protocols we may have to follow and if this fear makes people deter away from government guidelines, it may be a lot longer until we can see normalcy again.
When most schools reopen after the winter break, which now seems later than anticipated, they have requested for their secondary school pupils to get tested before entering the premises to minimize the spread of the new mutant strain at school. Even though this is not compulsory, this is an inevitable requirement that is going to be normal throughout the New Year. The fear of a positive test result causes some not to get tested which could result to the mutant strain to spread like wildfire all over the UK.
Something people need to be open-minded about is that a positive test result is not the factor that is resulting in many deaths. The factor that is actually playing the antagonist is the time taken to treat or become aware of having the virus. Diseases like cancer or diabetes can be treated early on but become detrimental when reaching Stage 4. In the same way, by going and getting a test done when you have minimal symptoms and getting the positive test result does in fact give you and the other vulnerable people around you a higher chance of overcoming and beating the virus.
Additionally, the discomfort felt whilst taking the test also has been spread across the secondary school students – also playing a factor in why students do not want to get tested. A secondary student states ‘The feeling of someone sticking a stick up your nose and in your mouth is obviously going to be terrible - I don’t think anyone would look forward to doing that.’ This further shows that testing is being avoided now more than before within the secondary school age group.
Overall, mass testing and vaccines are the way forward for us. By dismissing and neglecting the fact that tests and vaccines are going to have to be done is essentially expanding the spread. Just by adjusting to a little bit of discomfort and putting our faith the governments upcoming guidelines, the normal life that we know is ready to come back by spring of 2021 - stay strong and safe and stop the spread!
Written by Priyadarsine Suthan, Woodford County High School
