In the story about free community testing, the Adair County Health Department administrator and assistant administrators Jim LeBaron and Lori Guffey, respectively, spoke about how not many Truman State University students are utilizing the free community testing.
We, the Index Editorial Board, believe more students should be getting tested for COVID-19.
Many students know how it goes. You wake up, feel sick and either have to decide to go about business as usual and wait for it to go away, or stay home and wait for it to go away.
This is less dangerous, though still not a great idea, when it comes to having colds or the flu. When it comes to COVID, however, this kind of mindset can be deadly.
COVID symptoms are less severe and can seem more like a cold as the virus has progressed, Guffey said. What might be a cold-like sickness to a young college student without comorbidities can be a different story for an elderly person who is immunocompromised. By either continuing with “normal life,” or not quarantining or wearing a mask, young people can spread the virus to someone on whom it will have a greater effect.
Obviously, more people getting tested is not necessarily a good thing, since it could mean more people are getting sick. However, we, the Index Editorial Board, are not sure if people are not getting tested because they just think they are not sick. We think it’s possible either students do not know about the testing or choose not to get tested, or the day of the tests comes after symptoms are over.
Regardless, the tests are quick and free and located on campus beginning every Wednesday, April 1. If you’re not sure if you have COVID or not, this is a great way to easily find out.