With Shedd Aquarium Closed To People, Penguins Get To Wander Around, Scope Out The Dolphins And Fish

CHICAGO — The Shedd Aquarium is shut down because of coronavirus — but that meant its penguins got to play tourist this weekend.

The aquarium keeps a colony of penguins, and their caretakers regularly create special treats and plan activities to help the penguins stay active, explore and “express natural behaviors,” according to the Shedd.

This weekend, the staff was able to get particularly creative because the Shedd is closed and empty of tourists.

So they took the penguins on a tour of the aquarium.

Wellington, a rockhopper penguin, went to the Amazon Rising exhibit. He was particularly interested in the freshwater fish, including the red-bellies pirahnas.

“Those same fish seemed equally interested in Wellington, meaning the penguins aren’t the only animals receiving enrichment from these pop-up field trips,” the Shedd noted.

Other penguins got to see the dolphins

Watch the video:

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A post shared by Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium)

Fans of the Shedd and its animals can keep up with them on Instagram while the aquarium is closed.

Symptoms

Coronavirus can be deadly, but the vast majority of cases have been mild. Those most at risk from the virus are people who are elderly or who have underlying health conditions.

Symptoms of coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after a person has been exposed to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control. People with no symptoms may have the virus and spread it to others.

The virus spreads between people through coughing and sneezing, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

If you or someone else has difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, become confused, cannot be roused or develop a bluish face or lips, get immediate medical attention, according to the CDC.

How To Protect Yourself

The CDC only recommends those are already sick wear facemasks because they help you avoid spreading the virus.

Here’s what you can actually do to prevent getting ill:

• The CDC and other officials have said people should wash their hands often, including before, during and after eating; after using the bathroom; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  The CDC has a guide here for how to properly wash your hands. Remember: Wash with soap and water, scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth, with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces you touch frequently, like cellphones and light switches. Here are tips from the CDC.
• Stay home when you’re sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you have to sneeze with a tissue, throw it out immediately after using it, according to the CDC.

What To Do If You Think You’re Sick

Even if you’re not showing symptoms, the Chicago Department of Public Health recommends people coming from high-risk countries (here’s a CDC list) self-quarantine for 14 days after returning home.

If you do have symptoms of coronavirus, contact your primary doctor or a health care facility before going in. Explain your symptoms and tell them if you’ve come into close contact with anyone with coronavirus or traveled to an area where corona is widespread (here’s a CDC list) within the last 14 days, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

From there, the experts will work with your local health department to determine what to do and if you need to be tested for coronavirus, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

And, of course, if you think you’re sick with coronavirus, don’t risk exposing other people to the virus. Anyone who feels unwell has been advised to stay home.

Those with questions and concerns about coronavirus can call the Illinois Department of Public Health at 800-889-3931.

Block Club Chicago’s coronavirus coverage is free for all readers. Block Club is an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom.

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