Is your mom working from home, shooing you out of the room all the time? Did your trip to Disney get canceled? Are you dealing with a lot of stressed-out people right now?
It’s probably because of coronavirus.
The coronavirus is a teensy little germ that makes people sick. It’s so small you can’t see it. It looks like a golf ball wearing a crown of flowers.
The virus is traveling the world to find a home inside our bodies.
It's a new kind of sickness, so doctors are hurrying to figure out how to stop it.
The coronavirus spreads just like a cold: through high fives, hugs, sneezes and coughs. You could get it by touching a doorknob or a phone that a sick person touched.
The good thing is, kids don’t usually get very sick from it. If you’ve ever had the flu, it feels kind of like that. You might feel hot or cough a lot. But anyone can pass it to other people, so schools and workplaces are closing to slow it down. This can be stressful for adults to figure out.
But should you be scared?
No. You can help others by being careful.
Why do you have to stay cooped up inside when you aren’t even sick?
Think of it like this:
The world is one big swimming pool.
The kids have floaties. They usually do fine.
Healthy, younger people are strong swimmers.
There are a small number of people who can’t swim well and need to be rescued.
But there are so many people in the pool, there aren’t enough lifeguards.
And it’s hard for the lifeguards to get to the people who need help.
The best thing to do is get out of the pool. Dry off, have a Popsicle and reapply your sunscreen.
The coronavirus is more likely to cause problems in bodies that are older and already have health problems. So it’s more dangerous for your grandparents than it is for you.
Scientists are searching for medicines and vaccines that can help. But the most important thing to do is to stay away from groups of people and wash your hands.
It’s OK to be sad if your birthday party gets canceled or you can’t play sports. If you miss your friends, you can call them or FaceTime them or send them a letter.
No one knows how long it will be until everything opens again. But it won’t be forever. Now might be a good time to set a big goal, like learning to juggle or play guitar or tie your shoes.
It’s also a great time to play outside, because germs don’t spread well outside. So go for a hike or plant some seeds.
It’s OK to ask a lot of questions. In the meantime, be a helper. Send a letter to someone you miss.
When coronavirus is over, you’ll be glad you did.
This story was produced in partnership with the Media School at Indiana University.