I am a senior; I’m upset that my graduation will not be the way I have been imagining it since I watched High School Musical for the first time. I am the son of a mom with preexisting conditions; she hasn’t stepped foot outdoors out of fear for over a month now. Most of all, though, I am an American citizen, and to say I’m mad would be an understatement.

A brief disclaimer: I am obviously no scientist, politician, nor any kind of professional. I just think it’s time we hear more from the average citizen’s voice.

I provide, today, utter transparency and authenticity from the layman.

I am no longer relying on our federal government to find solutions, implement them, help us. The only people I’ve seen substantial aid from are the frontline workers: healthcare workers, scientists and specialists, delivery people, you name it.

But, the group of people I expect the most from … those who have simple, harmless tasks compared to so many risking their lives, is the public: it’s you.

I’m not here to “quarantine shame” — so it’s been called — in a negative way. After all, everyone is just trying to hold on to their sanity as our lives are flipped upside down and thrown around. What was socially acceptable yesterday could be frowned upon tomorrow: but it’s crucial to consider these frowns.

It’s time to take a long, meditative pause in the mirror, the one I hope you are sanitizing every once in a while, to evaluate not only what is best for you, but what is best for others: those you love and those acquaintances that deserve safety, comfort and life. These 15-minute unregulated, not quite socially distant, mini-meetings matter.

We shouldn’t need the restrictions from an optimistic and hard-working governor nor a man in the White House who’s erroneous statements have been fact-checked an innumerable amount of times just to know what will keep us from infecting ourselves or others with COVID-19; all the information we need has been available across social media platforms and news sources — you can’t turn the corner without seeing a COVID-related headline.

So, instead of bulking up on exorbitant amounts of toilet paper, stock up on some verified knowledge of what’s going on with the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are people, just like you, for whom infection IS a matter of life or death for them or someone near them, and it pains me that I have to be saying this because it’s obvious. Just as the virus is blind in who it infects, many people out and about seem blind to the effects their casual conversation, discreet hug or quiet shenanigans can have on the infection rate and subsequent deaths in the county.

It has an effect on the lives of the friends, family, neighbors, mothers, fathers, grandparents, acquaintances and visitors in our community.

Now is not the time for selfishness, nor for lashing out and being rebellious. Now is not the time for teenage angst and making bad decisions to have a good time.

This is the time to be mindful of others, of your own actions, of things out of your control. This includes big things on a global and national scale and small things like a nice suntan in your backyard or board games with your family.

My sister and moms can stay inside all they want. We can wear masks and gloves whenever we step foot outside. But it doesn’t mean that someone with underlying conditions, like my mom, can’t get sick — really, really sick — from someone else who doesn’t want to play by the new set of ethical restrictions, moral rules or conscious efforts.

It takes a village: I need your help. My mom needs your help. Our doctors need your help. Our essential workers need your help. Our unemployed citizens need your help.

I promise to you, right here and right now, the sooner we give ourselves these stricter standards by wearing masks, using gloves, physical distancing and listening to knowledgable organizations like WHO and the CDC, we can once again resume our selfishness and our teenage angst and all the tomfoolery that follows.

But for now, we need our village.