As the coronavirus spreads, field trips have been cancelled. All GUSD schools are not allowed to go on any field trips, as a safety precaution to the coronavirus, according to an announcement from Vivian Ekchian on March 4. 

Clark students have expressed their concern as the growing number of cases of COVID-19 (the illness caused by the coronavirus) were reported in the United States in the past few weeks. 

“In Health [class], we recently watched a movie, [Contagion], about a pandemic that swept over the entire world,” said freshman Emiliya Isagholian. “After watching that movie, I became very scared and worried. I thought to myself, ‘This might be me in a few days or months.’” 

On March 5, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) announced a total of 100 coronavirus cases in the U.S. Over the course of the week, GUSD Supt. Vivian Ekchian wrote several emails regarding the coronavirus, sharing prevention methods and a reassurance that there are protocols being established if someone gets the coronavirus. 

Some may feel panicked, but the CDC advises during these kinds of situations it is best to remain calm and to be prepared for what could happen. It is important to keep good hygiene habits, washing your hands very often to avoid direct contact with disease, according to the World Health Organization.

The coronavirus has also started a new trend on Tik Tok, the new social media app that everyone is obsessed with. It is a sound where people are dancing and celebrating, while the sound playing is “It’s corona time!” 

“The newfound virus is nothing to joke about,” said health teacher Shari Scott-Sawyer. 

And it really isn’t. According to the CDC, on March 5, there have been 19 reported deaths in the U.S. 

Now, the state of California and the state of Washington are both under state of emergency.  

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams said, “I want folks to understand that we knew this was coming, we told folks that this was going to happen and it’s why we’ve been preaching preparedness from the start.” 

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department advises that “there is no immediate threat to the general public,” and that “Los Angeles County residents, students, workers, and visitors should continue to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene as this is the height of flu season across the County.”    

The CDC suggests prevention methods such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; stay home when you are sick; cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 

Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html for more information.