The classroom is silent and all of a sudden a loud “achoo” is heard. Everyone turns to see who it is and In a panic tries to move away in an attempt to not get sick. But if there’s one thing to know, the students work hard but the Prospect plague works harder.
For Prospect High School, getting sick is somewhat of an epidemic. Once one person gets it, it spreads like wildfire. Students at Prospect experience symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat, fevers, headaches and many more.
The Prospect Plague is a name students came up with. For Prospect nurse Cheryl Novak, the “Prospect Plague” is not anything new.
“I think what’s getting kids sick now, ” Novak said. “Is everyone back in school sitting close together and eating lunch close together and sharing and touching each other. That’s how germs go from one person to another.”
Novak says she has heard the term “Prospect Plague” since she has been here. Although she isn’t sure where it comes from, she hears it every year from the staff and students.
There are some really easy ways people can prevent themselves from getting sick and some simple precautions to take.
“If you are sick, stay home,” says Novak. “If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose with your elbow and not your hand and number one, wash your hands frequently.”
According to Novak, it is still safe for kids to come to school with mild symptoms and there’s no fever.
For Prospect junior Ellie Rosean, symptoms were mild but still impacted her day to day life.
“I had a little bit of a sore throat, a runny nose, I was coughing and my voice was kind of gone,” said Rosean.
Rosean is very busy with activities at Prospect such as color guard, which takes a lot of time and energy, so she makes sure to take care of herself.
“I’ve been making sure to get lots of sleep,” said Rosean. “I’ve been drinking tea and taking vitamins. I also take time to focus on getting better while still trying to fit everything in.”
