In February, quarantine was mandated in order to protect the public from the air-borne COVID-19 disease. During this time of self-isolation, many businesses, stores, and schools were closed down, with much panic over the spread and contamination of this disease. As of now, there seems to be less seriousness surrounding the self isolation policy, as more people are starting to meet with others without maintaining social distancing. Following along with the more lenient enforcement, is it safe to end quarantine now or should there be a longer period of self-isolation?

I believe that it is not yet safe enough for quarantine to be lifted, as the numbers of infected are still climbing and there is news of mutations in the virus, which would lead to a stronger and more infectious disease. It is important now more than ever-in this period of confusion and disorder- to take all the necessary precautions. Until we are certain that it is safe for the public to have extensive social interaction, meetings should be limited and reintegrated gradually.

Looking at statistics, there are over 8 million cases of the coronavirus, and more than 2 million are from the United States. Not only is the US leading with the highest number of cases, these numbers are continuing to steadily rise. Although there are obstacles that the coronavirus presents, it is far more beneficial to maintain a safer environment than jump into social interaction quicker than possible, as numbers prove that the virus is still present and active.
As Lois Chun, a freshman from Cypress High School states, quarantine is a method of keeping the public safe. If quarantine were to end early without complete knowledge of safety, then the problems associated with the pandemic will become worse than they already are, and cases may possibly reach a peak.

In addition, there is research supporting the possible mutation of the coronavirus. According to researchers at the Scripps Research Institute, the outside spikes of the virus are mutated to become more stable, allowing them to attach and enter cells more easily.

The consequences of this change is to our disadvantage; the virus will be about ten times more infectious than it already is. Eunice Kim, a junior at Cypress High School, has heard of this second wave, and she expresses her hesitancy and concern over returning back to normal life. Kim trusts that the government has the best epidemiologists who understand how the disease progresses, and the quarantine orders are rightfully not lifted earlier than necessary. The implications of this mutation are certainly a source of worry, and prematurely lifting quarantine may lead to the risk of the more rapid spread of cases.

Considering the lack of knowledge and the unpredictability of this pandemic, the safer move would be to extend quarantine and keep social-distancing policies. In a situation where many lives are at risk, hurrying to lift self quarantine may result in more danger and lives lost.