COVID-19 and MAC: What are you doing differently to protect yourself?

Posted by kathyhg @kathyhg, Feb 27, 2020

Is anyone doing anything differently to protect themselves now that we are facing the reality of covid-19?

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Thanks for tour suggestions. Last year, the store I like did its own delivery. Now, they are using instacart. The fewer people who touch my "stuff" the safer I feel.

I'm glad you have something that works for you. I really like to do my own shopping - pick my bananas. I may change my mind and order delivery but I really want to go. Can't stop thinking about it and the shoppng list gets longer and longer.

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@ihatediabetes

I wear a facemask in public and try to maintain distance between people. But frankly I don't believe we can protect ourselves completely. I think the key is to get exposure but just a little bit. I think viral load is the key thing. These facemasks are designed to lessen but not eliminate exposure. I think our immune system has a better chance with a little exposure but not a lot. I think we will gradually build up immunity. But that's just my opinion. I don't know if just a drop of virus is enough to kill.

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@ihatediabetes I agree that we cannot protect ourselves completely without completely being isolated, something I cannot quite manage. "I don't know if just a drop of virus is enough to kill." Not likely unless someone is severely immunocompromised - it seems current research is beginning to show total viral load is a factor in getting ill, that is the more exposure, the more likely illness will result. This is what they believe is causing illness in so many hospital workers and first responders - LOTS of exposure over a short amount of time. And each level of protection helps lower the amount of exposure - that's why distancing, facemasks, hand washing and good sanitation work for moderate exposure. And why additional protective equipment - respirators, gowns, face shields or goggles, hair covers, etc - are so important for those with prolonged exposure.
Gradually building up immunity is NOT likely - in general this is not how viruses work. You must actually be infected with a virus for the antibodies to form, and for those with risk factors, what we are trying to avoid at this time. More likely, as widespread immunity develops in the public, there will be fewer infected people around, so less virus being spread in general. Most places are far from reaching that condition, so we have to be cautious until a vaccine is widely available.
Sue

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@esssbeee

Instacart is hiring! There was a huge email advertisement asking for applicants. I know each time I tried to use them I was told there were no delivery times available. Sounds like a great opportunity for those who like to shop......not me!

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While so many are out of work, some businesses are desperate for workers. The supermarket advertised for workers and said they could set their own hours and work as many weeks as they want. No commitment. Just apply. They need people to stock the shelves and companies like Instacart need shoppers as well as delivery people.

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@sueinmn

@ihatediabetes I agree that we cannot protect ourselves completely without completely being isolated, something I cannot quite manage. "I don't know if just a drop of virus is enough to kill." Not likely unless someone is severely immunocompromised - it seems current research is beginning to show total viral load is a factor in getting ill, that is the more exposure, the more likely illness will result. This is what they believe is causing illness in so many hospital workers and first responders - LOTS of exposure over a short amount of time. And each level of protection helps lower the amount of exposure - that's why distancing, facemasks, hand washing and good sanitation work for moderate exposure. And why additional protective equipment - respirators, gowns, face shields or goggles, hair covers, etc - are so important for those with prolonged exposure.
Gradually building up immunity is NOT likely - in general this is not how viruses work. You must actually be infected with a virus for the antibodies to form, and for those with risk factors, what we are trying to avoid at this time. More likely, as widespread immunity develops in the public, there will be fewer infected people around, so less virus being spread in general. Most places are far from reaching that condition, so we have to be cautious until a vaccine is widely available.
Sue

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Hey Collen, I make a mistake when I made my post name. I put down "lilyoaws" when it should have been. "Lilypaws" is there a way I can change it? For some reason I'm not scared of the Covid-19. I guess because I have to stay home, I can't walk outside because of my back, which I'm waiting to have surgery. I did go out yesterday and picked up my daughter and went to get a couple of my pants altered. We also stopped at Dairy Queen and got a shake from the window. Of course, with masks on. Went to the grocery store with masks on and my daughter handle the groceries. How great that was to get out, even though I hurt from walking through the grocery store.

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@tinaesims

Hi Jeanie. Where in Iowa do you live? I live in the Quad Cities. I have my prescriptions delivered by Hy-Vee.

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Hi Tina. "lilyoaws
I live in the Des Moines area. I can go pick up my prescriptions. I call ahead and they get them ready, then when I go pick them up there's a number posted that I call and they bring it out to my car. I could have Hyvee deliver, but I need to get out of the house. Can't do any exercise because of my back pain, so I've gained 10 lb's. But I got Gastro Perisis again and now have to eat small meals doing the day. It's where your stomach doesn't digest food. I feel better today, with less pain. Hope to lose weight now. Wish we lived closer.

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@lilypaws

Hey Collen, I make a mistake when I made my post name. I put down "lilyoaws" when it should have been. "Lilypaws" is there a way I can change it? For some reason I'm not scared of the Covid-19. I guess because I have to stay home, I can't walk outside because of my back, which I'm waiting to have surgery. I did go out yesterday and picked up my daughter and went to get a couple of my pants altered. We also stopped at Dairy Queen and got a shake from the window. Of course, with masks on. Went to the grocery store with masks on and my daughter handle the groceries. How great that was to get out, even though I hurt from walking through the grocery store.

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Lilypaws, you give me confidence about going to the grocery store next week! You went so many places!

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@lilypaws

Hey Collen, I make a mistake when I made my post name. I put down "lilyoaws" when it should have been. "Lilypaws" is there a way I can change it? For some reason I'm not scared of the Covid-19. I guess because I have to stay home, I can't walk outside because of my back, which I'm waiting to have surgery. I did go out yesterday and picked up my daughter and went to get a couple of my pants altered. We also stopped at Dairy Queen and got a shake from the window. Of course, with masks on. Went to the grocery store with masks on and my daughter handle the groceries. How great that was to get out, even though I hurt from walking through the grocery store.

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@lilyoaws, I have submitted the request to change your username to lilypaws.

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@ginak

@anniepie I’m glad you are able to get your deliveries. I was having such a hard time getting a delivery in my area, I finally gave up and went to the market myself. With my gloves and Clorox wipes and mask, (which fogs up because of my glasses, lol). I worry about the time we start to re-open. I think people will stop being vigilant and it will cause another “wave” of illness.
I’m sorry you’re so isolated, but you seem to still be in good spirits. I will keep you and the rest of us in my prayers.
And for anyone else with the fogging glasses problem, I heard if you fold a tissue and put it under the nose piece it stops the fogging. It works! Although if it moves you start getting little piece of tissue in your mouth! You have to be VERY careful with the folding and placement. LOL 😂

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@ginak Thanks so much Gina. Lots of people on this site have more difficulties than me -- so it's all no biggie, really.
True -- the food deliveries continue to be trial and error. It's really hard to tell what size things are. (So I ended up with huge meat trays when they looked so small in the photo! And giant bags of blueberries for my tiny freezer! Just crazy).
Yes! My glasses fog up heaps too when I wear a mask -- laugh. Thanks so much for the tip -- we'll see, but a stray tissue will also be good for a laugh anyway. You are such a balm, Gina. Please look after yourself. Annie x

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@lilypaws

First of all all your e-mails come in my suspected spam and I accidently erased them sorry I miss so much. This is Jeanie (lilyoaws) My thoughts go out to you. I also have an immune disease, but not as bad as you do. I can't go to the grocery store, but going to pick up my daughter today. My thoughts and prayers are sent your way. Don't use zoom, just skype. My husband is a security manager at Wells Fargo. It's very dangerous and can take info from your computer. I am going stir crazy too. I'm waiting to hear from Mayo Clinic to have a low back fuse from t-10, L5, and S-1. It's a big surgery, but can't wait to get it over with. They are thinking about opening elective surgeries up. Bless your heart it must be so hard for you. I do puzzles on my computer. I am in pain from my back and have to do an injection with a very small needle into my stomach to increase my bone mass. Sorry I'm talking about myself. Take care of yourself and pray.

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@lilyoaws Thanks very much Lilypaws (Lily?) and you please look after yourself too. All the best with the surgery. We'll all help each other get through this. Annie x

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@lilypaws

Hi Tina. "lilyoaws
I live in the Des Moines area. I can go pick up my prescriptions. I call ahead and they get them ready, then when I go pick them up there's a number posted that I call and they bring it out to my car. I could have Hyvee deliver, but I need to get out of the house. Can't do any exercise because of my back pain, so I've gained 10 lb's. But I got Gastro Perisis again and now have to eat small meals doing the day. It's where your stomach doesn't digest food. I feel better today, with less pain. Hope to lose weight now. Wish we lived closer.

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I wish we lived closer too. I know there are people in my area with MAC because my regular physician is mystified by my thyroid numbers going wacky because she has another patient with the same disease with the same meds and she's doing fine. I thought, she's a different person. She said my pulmonologist is also treating her. My insurance does not cover Mayo so I can't go there. So far I'm happy in Davenport but I can go to Iowa City if I see a need.

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