No matter what you think about COVID-19, you can't ignore it. Events are being cancelled, schools are being shut down, businesses are closing their doors. Its impacting buying selections at grocery stores and affecting travel. Whether you're of the opinion that this is being blown out of proportion or whether you think we're not raising enough fuss, we can't pretend it isn't happening. The term "global pandemic" shouldn't be taken lightly.
A DISEASE
Simply put, this is a highly contagious disease with no cure. Researchers are working to figure out how to combat it. Some people contract the disease, experience mild symptoms and recover just fine. Others have died from it. As with most illnesses, its affecting the elderly and those with underlying health issues the most. I take a medication for Crohns Disease that weakens my immune system. I'm in the category you don't want to be in.
SYMPTOMS
A major downside to this virus is that you can have it for 2 entire weeks before you experience any symptoms. Yep, this beast can fly under the radar for half a month before it pounces. Sources say that when it manifests there's a low grade fever, a dry cough, and shortness of breath/fatigue. Maybe you just feel a little under the weather. If the immune system can't fend it off and the virus becomes more extreme, it can cause difficulty breathing and turn into pneumonia. Pneumonia is when the air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid. Breathing can feel like drowning.
WELCOME TO MY GERMAPHOBIC LIFE
Being worried about getting sick is a new game to a lot of people. I deal with this concern literally every day of my life. Public gatherings can cause high anxiety for me. I have to constantly be mindful of the possibility that a common cold could destroy me. Its like others are finally getting a taste of what its like be ever aware of communicable diseases. I personally become livid when people don't stay home when they're sick. They are putting people like me in danger. This risk is what leads me to live a germaphobic lifestyle.
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| #germaphobe |
For this reason there's a few randoms I do:
-I've always preferred self-checkouts at grocery stores. The alternative being, a cashier handles all my items after touching other people's. I don't trust that the customers before me or even the cashier washed their hands after picking their nose.
-I don't share plates of food or beverages.
-I sanitize everything with Norwex. Silver is a natural antibacterial agent and is woven into Norwex fabric. Once the silver gets wet it suffocates bacteria on surfaces. Supply shortage on Clorox/Lysol wipes? No problemo for me because I've got Norwex!
CRITICAL CARE AVAILABLITY
"You can't keep waiting for the bomb to drop
I live in Montana, which, as I write this is one of 4 remaining states in America that doesn't have any confirmed cases of the virus yet. I'm sure by the time I finish editing this post that will no longer be accurate. (Spoiler- no longer accurate)
I've read many articles and looked at charts comparing COVID-19 to other diseases. Conclusion: this threat is spreading fast and people are dying. Everyone has a social responsibility to help not spread this disease. All of us that are more susceptible are counting on you guys.
SELF QUARANTINE
This ought to be something people do anytime they are sick. Not just when there's a global pandemic involved. In America we're so darn stubborn and are more concerned about a paycheck than the damage we could do to those more vulnerable. Truth is we all have bills to pay. Being immunocompromised, there have been SO many times I've suffered loss of income because I was exposed to a disease a coworker shared. Is that fair? I think not. I've had conversations with coworkers that say they feel guilty calling in sick to work...and I've wanted to scream in their faces....BUT YOU DON'T FEEL BAD COMING INTO WORK SICK AND BREATHING YOUR DISEASE ALL UP IN MY AIR?!? Inconsiderate much?! Rant over.
A PLEA FROM ME
With all the craziness and uncertainty in the world, I will say one last thing: We shouldn't give way to fear, but to wisdom. Its great to have a positive attitude, but don't be ignorant. There are thousands of lives like mine at stake. I beg and plead with you all: don't go out when you're ill. Not just during this time, but always. Let's be better people and learn to think of others first. Oh, and share your dang toilet paper if your neighbor runs out!
Here's a site with up-to-date counts associated with the Coronavirus outbreak (death toll, recoveries, etc.)
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
CRITICAL CARE AVAILABLITY
The Coronavirus threat is like any other illness for me, in that if I get it, it could be more severe. The odds of needing emergency care would also be higher. However if the hospitals get overwhelmed with patients, it could be a very bad scenario. Too many cases of pneumonia+only so many breathing machines available= unfavorable outcomes. Saying this isn't far fetched because its what's happening in Italy right now. Their facilities are experiencing an influx of patients and the doctors and nurses are getting sick. There are simply not enough ventilators or hospital beds to help everyone recover. People are dying. The people of Italy made a short collaboration video to open your eyes. This is not fiction, its real life - hear them out.
Its not unreasonable to be asked to take precautionary measures and stay home during this time. Do not take your kids out because of getting stir-crazy. I'm aware its going to hurt businesses. Would you rather kill businesses or people though? Your choice.
"You can't keep waiting for the bomb to drop
and hope everything just stops
and falls in place while dark clouds roll away
you can't keep waiting for the bomb to drop
and watch the ticking clock
the hourglass, the shadows pass away"
"Bomb Drop" by Less Than Jake
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYI live in Montana, which, as I write this is one of 4 remaining states in America that doesn't have any confirmed cases of the virus yet. I'm sure by the time I finish editing this post that will no longer be accurate. (Spoiler- no longer accurate)
SELF QUARANTINE
This ought to be something people do anytime they are sick. Not just when there's a global pandemic involved. In America we're so darn stubborn and are more concerned about a paycheck than the damage we could do to those more vulnerable. Truth is we all have bills to pay. Being immunocompromised, there have been SO many times I've suffered loss of income because I was exposed to a disease a coworker shared. Is that fair? I think not. I've had conversations with coworkers that say they feel guilty calling in sick to work...and I've wanted to scream in their faces....BUT YOU DON'T FEEL BAD COMING INTO WORK SICK AND BREATHING YOUR DISEASE ALL UP IN MY AIR?!? Inconsiderate much?! Rant over.
With all the craziness and uncertainty in the world, I will say one last thing: We shouldn't give way to fear, but to wisdom. Its great to have a positive attitude, but don't be ignorant. There are thousands of lives like mine at stake. I beg and plead with you all: don't go out when you're ill. Not just during this time, but always. Let's be better people and learn to think of others first. Oh, and share your dang toilet paper if your neighbor runs out!
Here's a site with up-to-date counts associated with the Coronavirus outbreak (death toll, recoveries, etc.)
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
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