Since the first day of school, you can basically see your fellow classmates and peers with red, stuffy noses accompanied with a raspy sore throat. Something has taken hold of the Hoover students, and this is quite unusual for the first few weeks of school. Everyone seems to be getting sick! What is the meaning of this? I am bringing attention to this epidemic, and I am calling it “The Hoover Virus.”

We do not know where it came from, or how it spread so quickly. But do not be alarmed; it is not fatal! However, you should not be reckless and carefree. Let’s take some action to combat these germs! The first step is prevention. If you see your friends or classmates coughing their lungs out or sneezing like there is no tomorrow, recommend that they stay home for a day or two. Or you can have hand sanitizer on deck and share with your peers. Also be aware of what you share with others. Before saying yes to letting that person get a sip of your drink, ask if they are sick, vice versa if you want to get a sip of their drink. You can never be too safe.

If you are unfortunately affected by this “Hoover Virus”, do not fret! There is a way to fast recovery. First things first, DO NOT SPREAD IT TO OTHERS. If you are really sick, please stay home and visit a doctor. Take your medicine, and get plenty of rest. Sleep is the key when you are sick. For people like me who do not prefer to take medicine when sick, try drinking lots of water and vitamin-C packed fluids. Also make sure to keep warm, have tissues ready, and use hand sanitizer before interacting with people, food, and objects touched by others. The bottom line is, you have to get better! Starting off the school year being sick is not so fun, and getting all of your friends sick is not nice either!

Thankfully, everyone is getting better now. But it does not mean that you are safe! Continue to cover your sneezes with your arm, wash your hands, and avoid sharing with EVERYBODY. It is our responsibility to take care of our own health as well as make sure we are not infecting others. We got a long school year ahead of us, and it will be much better if we are healthy!