INDIANAPOLIS — Medical professional and government officials have a good reason for reminding everyone to stay isolated when possible to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Todd Fuqua knows how important it is to follow official guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"It's not just about am I going to get it, it's about am I going to have it and give it to somebody else," Fuqua said.
Todd is considered at risk because he was diagnosed with HIV seven years ago.
"If I wasn't on medication this situation would be a lot worse," he said.
The medication means his HIV is now undetectable and he can't give it to anyone else but he knows there are many others out there who might now know their HIV status. Getting the novel coronavirus would make things worse for them. Fuqua is encouraging everyone to follow social distancing and hygiene guidelines.
"When you say, 'This won't impact you, this is the flu,' or whatever, I know different," Lisa Terrell said.
Terrell is another person who could face major issues if she catches coronavirus.
"That would more than likely cause me to be hospitalized," Terrell said.
Terrell is one of the estimated 10 million people in the U.S. who are immuno-suppressed.
"A lot of times it's people who look just like me," she said.
The mother of seven catches colds quickly and if it's the flu there's a chance she could be hospitalized. Terrell said she does everything she can to stay healthy and wants others to do their part to help out folks like her that the virus would really impact.
"If there's a ban on going out or they're asking people to limit traffic or even just use common sense measures in the store," she said.
