Greta Thunberg, a 17-year-old Swedish activist, urged young people to stay home after announcing that she was most likely infected with Covid-19.
In a post on Instagram, Thunberg said she felt better after being isolated for two weeks. Ten days ago, Thunberg experienced several symptoms of Covid-19: fatigue, fever, sore throat and cough. Her father, who traveled with her to Brussels earlier, experienced more severe symptoms and had a fever.
Thunberg said he was not tested for Covid-19 as there was no need for urgent medical attention.
"I haven't been tested for Covid-19, but I probably passed it considering the combination of symptoms and circumstances," she writes.
The teen urged young people to stay home even if they have mild symptoms or no symptoms as they can pass the virus on to others who are most at risk.
"This is the most important thing: I didn't feel like I was sick," Thunberg said. "The last time I got cold was many times worse than that."
The 17-year-old would not have doubted if her father had not fallen ill.
"And that makes it more dangerous," she writes. ?Many people (and especially young people) may have no symptoms, or mild symptoms. They do not know they are carriers and transmit the virus to endangered people. We who are less at risk have a great responsibility on our shoulders, our actions matter to life or death to others. ?
She advised people to "straighten the curve" and follow the instructions of local authorities and medical experts.
The activist's words are in line with the warning of WHO leader Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who recently addressed the youth:
"You are not invincible. The virus can take you to the hospital and take your life. Even if you don't get sick, the choices you make, the places you go, can take someone else's life, ?he said. ?I am very grateful for the young people who are making the public aware. As I've said, solidarity is the strongest weapon against Covid-19. "
