One minute read. Written by a grade 6 student

I am a student of grade 6 and I want to tell you something about the Coronavirus.

First I want to tell you not to panic, because I think it is not as bad. I have read many stories about it, because I was scared. I feel everyone is really scared, and when adults get scared, children get even more scared.

But I think it is time for children to tell the adults not to panic. I read somewhere that we are reacting this way because this is new we don’t know how to deal with is. I also read that although it is very infectious and has caused deaths, the normal flu can also be serious for many people – like the old people and ones with other medical conditions.

Till now Coronavirus has made more than 100,000 people sick and caused more than 3,000 deaths all over the world. But, when you compare that to the seasonal flu (called influenza) the numbers are very different.  This season in America, about 34 million people have got the flu and some 20,000 have died.

So, I think it’s not time to panic. You need to take precautions and stay calm.

Please take these steps to stay away from the virus:

• Don’t touch your face
• Keep washing your hands – wash for twenty seconds and wash very, very well. Sing happy birthday twice while washing – that’s about 20 seconds!
• Cover your moth when you cough and sneeze – use a tissue and then throw it away in a dustbin
• Do not go near people who look like they have a cough and cold
• If possible, avoid crowded places
• If you feel sick, don’t go out meeting people – contact a doctor

Also, doctors are saying that you only need to wear a mask if you are infected or are taking care of someone who is. People are buying masks a lot and that is leading to a short supply – so the people who really need it are not getting it. Please stop panic buying.

Watch THIS video from the World Health Organization that tells you if, when and how to wear a mask. If you wear a mask the wrong way, it could be worse for you!