COVID-19 is in full swing and causing panic for everyone. Colleges and work are closing down for millions of people across the globe. 

Students now have to address having classes online instead of on-campus with their peers and support systems.

Many people are starting to hoard supplies, making it harder for the public to get the items and food they need to survive on a daily basis since everyone is now self-quarantining at home. 

Toilet paper is not going to protect your family from a virus, but stockpiling these supplies in unnecessary numbers may make others more vulnerable during this time, particularly the elderly, people with preexisting conditions and low-income individuals. 

When the elderly and disabled are forced to go all over town to find necessary supplies for their health and well-being, they are exposing themselves to the virus more than they should.Furthermore, low-income families who rely on programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are at risk of having their already limited food supplies taken. 

Now is not the time to be driven apart over supplies. People will die if we don’t start to take this public health crisis seriously and act responsibly. 

Even worse than hoarding supplies, countless Asian Americans are now at the epicenter of COVID-19 inspired racism. Asian Americans have been attacked and slandered by people in the public based on their race. 

“COVID-19 is a public health issue, not a racial one. Calling it a ‘Chinese virus’ only encourages hate crimes and incidents against Asian Americans at a time when communities should be working together to get through this crisis,” Assembly member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, said in a statement.

This is not the time to be racist, to attack, or to use an entire group as a scapegoat.  “To be clear: there is zero evidence that people of Asian descent bear any additional responsibility for the transmission of the coronavirus,” the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo said.

Attacking innocent members of the public will not protect you or your family from a virus. The truth is, the world was not and is not prepared for the repercussions of COVID-19. 

The coronavirus is changing lives for everyone around the world. It’s been hard for everyone to adjust but instead of division, we need empathy, unity and compassion. 

With your family, friends and professors now at home, you could be in contact with them virtually. Just because you can’t be in the same room with them doesn’t mean you can’t be there for them and comfort them during their time of need. 

Now is not the time to go to Florida with your friends. Going out with groups of people only helps spread the virus to others–don’t inadvertently infect someone for the sake of a cute Instagram photo. My grandmother’s health is worth more than a party in sunny Key West. 

Continuing to refuse social distancing due to selfishness will result in self-quarantining going on longer. Do yourself and the world a favor and just stay home. You have your entire life to hang out with friends. 

Listen to the government and health professionals’ recommendations. Stay inside to stop the spread, wash your hands and stay calm. 

It’s easy to go crazy while you’re at home, but having a positive mental attitude is key for everyone during social distancing. You should take care of your mental and physical health. Go on a walk in your backyard, read a book, binge-watch that series on Netflix you’ve always wanted to watch but didn’t have time for.

Let’s change the world for good by showing compassion and love to others in this unprecedented time. Be generous and kind with your words and actions. 

Let’s set an example for future generations right after we wash our hands.