The “Cortland Plague” is back. I sit in class and all I hear is coughing from all around me. I have even fallen victim to the plague and took it upon myself to take a COVID-19 test and thankfully, it was negative. I’m sure it’s normal for allergies this time of year, but there’s something about the sound of people hacking up their lungs in Cortland that makes this sickness a little different. We are a very social school, so illnesses spread fast.
Here are a few things to remember to try to keep yourself healthy.
Stay ahead of the cold
Remember that in order to stay healthy you need to be practicing healthy habits. Make sure to eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and stay active. If you feel a sickness coming on, take some Vitamin C to try and fight it off. The weather is getting colder so bring a jacket when you leave the house. I know it’s not fun walking around in a tank top when it’s 30 degrees, and you’ll regret it when you wake up and feel awful the next day!
Go to the doctor
Once you find yourself at the point of no return, the plague has caught you, don’t be afraid to go visit a doctor. There are several places around Cortland where you could go and SUNY Cortland offers its own health services for students. You might think your sniffles are just a little cold, but it doesn’t hurt to go to a doctor to get a professional opinion.
Stay home
If you know you’re sick, don’t force yourself to go out just because you don’t want to miss out on the fun. Staying home is the smart and healthy thing to do. You don’t want to make yourself feel any worse and you don’t want to get anybody else sick too. They’ll be plenty of days to go out and have fun, take your health seriously, throw on some comfortable pajamas, pick out a movie, and give yourself some well-needed rest.
The Cortland Plague is one of those things that is challenging to avoid. It catches up to most students eventually but these are just a few things to keep in mind. Cortland is a fun place, so stay healthy and be responsible so you can make the most out of it!