A (Short) Guide to COVID-19

In case you have been living under a rock, or you have been on a ten-day silent meditation in the desert like Jared Leto, you know about the COVID-19 pandemic that has found footholds across the globe and has wreaked havoc. A number of students have reached out to me recently with some questions about COVID-19, and I feel that the best way to answer the broad-sweeping uncertainty is by compiling resources from people who know better than I do. So, here is a breakdown of some of the resources that I have selected to help you gain a better grip on what is happening and what it is going to mean going forward.

To start, it is helpful to have some understanding of COVID-19 (or the strain of coronavirus that is currently circulating) and pandemics in general. I have rounded up a few videos and created a playlist that will serve as a primer on all things COVID-19.

As many of the videos stated, it is important to get your information on COVID-19 and recommendations from reliable sources. Here are the sources specific to the state of Pennsylvania. I am also including a link to the COVID-19 resources through the state Department of Education to help you grasp how this could be affecting your education this year.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Finally, I know that a few of you are still skeptical on why you should be worried about social distancing if you are not sick and not in any particular danger should you come into contact with COVID-19. There is an excellent simulation available that will help to show you how various methods can help to mitigate the problem and ease the burden on healthcare infrastructure and personnel. Just remember that this simulation is not perfect, and you should take any articles that you find with a grain of salt.
COVID-19 Simulator

Finally, I just want to remind you to keep your distance, wash your hands, and remember that this too shall eventually pass.