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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@fair2all

When it comes to how to stay safe, and what is the level of isolation you have to exercise, it depends on who you are trying to protect. The Health experts recommend, and at this point even requires, almost from all none essential people, and for understandable reasons, to stay home, even if you are healthy, young and fearless! Because as we all know, we are all part of an invisible link that attaches us all one to another, when it comes to the ability of this Viral infection to get to us.
In our family's case, we live in a suburb of New York, we are blessed with a 43 years old son, that has Chronic Cardiac issues since birth, and he is of course extremely vulnerable if he will be exposed to this contagious virus.
He is not part of any statistics, that calls for percentages of people that will survive from this age group or another. He has 0% chances to recover from such a viral infection, no matter where he is going to be treated, or how many respirators they will have available.
His only chance of survival, is what we decided to do 4 weeks ago, when we realized that this Pandemic, will be everywhere, and we went into complete isolation with him at home. We don't go out, we don't allow anyone to cross our door front, we have medications for months, and for his sake we will stay in this isolation for as long as it takes.
But these vulnerable and elderly people, need the help and cooperation of the young and healthy people around us, by staying home, practice social distancing, even if they feel it's difficult. Yes it is difficult, but as a healthy society that wants to have as little victims as possible, in a crisis like this we cannot behave in a egocentric way, and think only about ourselves. They say it's a War, that is true, and in this war the war zone is not in a faraway country, like we have known in the past. It's right here, and yes the soldiers are the caregivers in hospitals, and those that keep providing us with the daily needs, but in addition to these soldiers at the front, we are also part of this ongoing war, and we have to do our part, by acting with responsibility.
Stay Safe, and this Black Cloud will melt away eventually, and we will come out of it better in all aspects of Life.

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Best of luck to you all. I am originally from Westchester County but now in MI where we are really getting bad bouts of this virus. We climbed to Number 3 on this morning's news. Stay safe. Jane Brown

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@lorifilipek

Kate, thanks! The video made me cry. I needed that.

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Lori...makes me cry too!!!

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@irene5

Much appreciated by this “old hippie!” I recently started playing my beautiful 1960 Goya guitar again. Thank you Kate. That was a great “feel good” video. Irene

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@irene5 I sit up in the middle of the night watching it. Somehow soothes my soul. Great that you are playing again. Kate

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@windwalker

I am not even trusting the take out food. I have worked SO hard over the years to get my health back. I am not chancing anything concerning this virus. We have well over a two month supply of everything, so we are staying put.

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Terri, I'm on your team. Starting my 15th day of self-isolation,far ahead of any notice of cases in the city or even county. From childhood, my weak spot has been respiratory issues starting with tonsilitis and graduating to frequent strep (a teacher) and then to chronic bronchitis. I've not left my house except for walks. No take out, no delivery, no curbside.

At 76 yrs, I've lived alone for many years and learned long ago that having an extra supply of basic foods, meds, and household items made it much easier to get through times of illness without unnecessarily calling on others for help. Like you, I am staying put and so incredibly grateful that so far, I can.

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@windwalker

@ajp2019 Hi there! I am curious about your thoughts on social distancing since you last posted this. The fact that some countries and New York are spraying streets and sidewalks with disinfectant makes me wonder just how contagious is this? I know they are doing the spraying in heavily populated areas, but still....

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Hi, Terri, I'm not sure which of the subgroups you are writing the above on but there is one that is "just want to talk" or something like that which has many posters each day. This may be the same thread. I anticipate fewer posters as this virus strikes closer to each of us personally.

Agree we need to continue to support and encourage each other and so glad for this great "connection".

I know there have been reports of being cautious with shoes and I'm beginning to wonder if the spraying you mentioned may be due to concern that the virus may be also air borne...haven't read anything from trusted sources to that effect but do know a virus can mutate.

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@alleycatkate

@windwalker ...I think we are all in a little bit of a panic mode over this. The good thing is it makes us super cautious. My husband is still taking follow up apts on the sale of houses that are in the works. It is disconcerting...but understandable. I have nagged him almost to death on precautionary measures....so much so, that I am sick of nagging...hahaha. Never thought I would get there. I just did reschedule my yearly April apt with my pulmonologist for a date in June. Perhaps being optimistic but I hope not. Terri...I hope you are doing well and hope all of our brothers and sisters on this site get through this terrible plague with no infection. Good luck to us all and may we find good health, peace and hope. Yes...I am an old hippie... Speaking of old hippies...This is completely unrelated but I want to post this video just in case a little happiness is needed...you may not be from the same musical time and genre but thought I would take a shot. Best to all !! Love and Peace
Kate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1GU1qQ1zQ

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@alleycatkate Loved it! Thanks for sharing!

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@alleycatkate

@windwalker ...I think we are all in a little bit of a panic mode over this. The good thing is it makes us super cautious. My husband is still taking follow up apts on the sale of houses that are in the works. It is disconcerting...but understandable. I have nagged him almost to death on precautionary measures....so much so, that I am sick of nagging...hahaha. Never thought I would get there. I just did reschedule my yearly April apt with my pulmonologist for a date in June. Perhaps being optimistic but I hope not. Terri...I hope you are doing well and hope all of our brothers and sisters on this site get through this terrible plague with no infection. Good luck to us all and may we find good health, peace and hope. Yes...I am an old hippie... Speaking of old hippies...This is completely unrelated but I want to post this video just in case a little happiness is needed...you may not be from the same musical time and genre but thought I would take a shot. Best to all !! Love and Peace
Kate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1GU1qQ1zQ

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Kate, thank you so much for this. I love it! We may be having to physically distance ourselves from one another but as this shows, regardless of where we are located, music can unite us like nothing else. This oldie thinks you hit the jackpot with this!!! Best to all.

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@fiesty76

Hi, Terri, I'm not sure which of the subgroups you are writing the above on but there is one that is "just want to talk" or something like that which has many posters each day. This may be the same thread. I anticipate fewer posters as this virus strikes closer to each of us personally.

Agree we need to continue to support and encourage each other and so glad for this great "connection".

I know there have been reports of being cautious with shoes and I'm beginning to wonder if the spraying you mentioned may be due to concern that the virus may be also air borne...haven't read anything from trusted sources to that effect but do know a virus can mutate.

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Absolutely, feisty, it can be airborne. If someone sneezes it can project 10 feet into the air and then drops to the ground. I am staying in my home or take myself out for a drive in my car to stay safe. Take care and blessings to you and yours.

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@windwalker I totally agree, they keep saying nurses dealing with broken bones etc dont need masks, how do they know the person with the broken arm doesnt carry covid, its not right. and those surgical masks dont do much anyway, they need N95 up! Our Queenstown hospital has just had a nurse contract covid-19 so all the hospital staff are in isolation! We on this site are the smart ones.

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@windwalker

@ajp2019 Hi there! I am curious about your thoughts on social distancing since you last posted this. The fact that some countries and New York are spraying streets and sidewalks with disinfectant makes me wonder just how contagious is this? I know they are doing the spraying in heavily populated areas, but still....

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@windwalker, it seems very contagious. In a small rural town here, they had a st Patrick day do at a small pub, there are now 23 cases from that party and it will probably grow. Be careful and smart everyone, take care.

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