COVID-19 

Last week, the United States came to grips with COVID-19 (also known as the Wuhan coronavirus). Many in our country are in two camps coping with the outbreak. One side shrugs the whole thing off as “it’s just a cold” and another is unnecessarily panic-buying toilet paper, locked into a state of hysteria. Uncertainty triggers different responses in different people.

The truth, as it typically happens, is somewhere in the middle. COVID-19 is more contagious than the flu or a cold. It’s a brand-new, rapidly-evolving virus with no vaccine. 

An overwhelming majority of those who are infected with COVID-19 have very mild symptoms. A small percentage of those who fall ill with COVID-19 require hospitalization. However, if we all get sick at once, even that small percentage of those requiring medical attention will overwhelm our healthcare system. Rural Nebraska is stretched thin already, both in staffing for our healthcare facilities and in other critical areas, such as emergency response. 

Slowing the spread of COVID-19 will ensure that our services aren’t stretched beyond their limits, which is why you see so many cancellations of gatherings. The NSAA limited attendance of the 2020 Boys State Basketball Tournament, March Madness has been halted, the College World Series is cancelled, and Disneyland is closed. This is unprecedented. Life as we know it will pause for a while. No, this is not the second coming of the bubonic plague or Spanish Influenza. However, this is not merely “just a cold”. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment, and the aggressive steps being taken now will save lives and minimize impact.

There’s an endless stream of uncertainty with COVID-19, but I do know a few things for sure- the sun will continue to rise in the east and set in the west, crops will still be planted this spring, and COVID-19, like all things, will eventually pass. 

It’s up to us to follow the recommendations of our local health officials to minimize risk to ourselves and our community. We’re all in this together.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604; telephone 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov