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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@lilypaws

I'm sorry Sue. this is Jeanie (lily0aws) I didn't read the question. I have been staying home, except to pick up a couple prescriptions where they bring the prescription to you and you don't have to get out of the car. Today though I have to pick up my daughter, I am immune is low. I will where a plain mask. I missed yesterday, because the notifications come into my spam and I forgot to forward it to my inbox. I am lucky I have a good husband, but he is so scared that I'm going to get to Covid-19. I'm having a big back surgery at Mayo clinic ( I live in Iowa) so it's out of network. The most I have had to pay is $650 for my Tymlos and injection to get my bones stronger. They are thinking about opening up the elective surgeries. I'm have anxiety, because I want to get it scheduled. Bless to all who suffers. Prayers are sent your way.

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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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@alleycatkate

@ginak ...Thank you for that wonderful tip on fogged glasses!!! Are you here in the US? (somehow I am thinking NY??) I am buying groceries online through Walmart. I drive to their designated parking spots and they come out and load them into my cargo space- no interaction whatsoever. I still do wear my mask as when they load they will lean into my SUV. It takes sometimes several days to get an order placed but keeps me out of the stores. Kate

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Thanks! Besides challenges breathing with physical exertion, this is the other reason people don’t want to wear masks.

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@ginak

I’m not sure if that link actually loaded. It was showing the tissue for anti-fogging.

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It did. Thank you.

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@ginak

@alleycatkate Yes, Kate, I’m in NYC. For more than a week, I tried for deliveries through Shoprite, Stop and Shop, Peapod, Instacart, Shipt, Costco and Key Food. I don’t have a Walmart near me. The nearest one is in NJ. I finally just gave up. My husband usually “gears up” and goes every other week. I haven’t even tried to order any more. But, honestly, I prefer to go, so I know EXACTLY how careful I’m being and getting exactly what I want. Lol. It really hasn’t been that bad. We go early.

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I feel the same way about grocery delivery. Last year, after a 17 day hospital stay, I used it a couple of times and it wasn't great nut it wasn't awful. When I tried to do it again 5 weeks ago, first they said 5 days then, suddenly they said 5 hours. They also said they would make substitutions. Last year, they texted before they made a substitution which gave me the opportunity to tell them that the product (french bread) was always available and ask the Baker. They won't do that now. Also, I'm pretty sure I saw the 5 hour delivery I decided not to do. When I took my dog out that evening, a man was unloading groceries from his car and lining the bags up on the sidewalk. He also took something out of a cooler. No mask. No gloves. And someone else was in the car.

I don't believe that I can get the groceries I need through delivery and, although the delivery person will leave them outside my door, I would have to carefully sanitize them and even then I wouldn't feel safe.

I went to the store myself 5 weeks ago. I couldn't breathe at all in my mask and the store was crowded - senior hours. But it was worth it. Recently, a friend picked up a few things for me but I need a big order and it's not fair to ask him. Everyone else who offered to help previously is quaranteed in their homes. I'm out of so many things! So, I'm thinking of going myself. The store opens at 6:00 and people in my state are going to be required to wear masks everywhere on 5/1.

I'm nervous but I am also excited to be in a supermarket again.

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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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@rits

I feel the same way about grocery delivery. Last year, after a 17 day hospital stay, I used it a couple of times and it wasn't great nut it wasn't awful. When I tried to do it again 5 weeks ago, first they said 5 days then, suddenly they said 5 hours. They also said they would make substitutions. Last year, they texted before they made a substitution which gave me the opportunity to tell them that the product (french bread) was always available and ask the Baker. They won't do that now. Also, I'm pretty sure I saw the 5 hour delivery I decided not to do. When I took my dog out that evening, a man was unloading groceries from his car and lining the bags up on the sidewalk. He also took something out of a cooler. No mask. No gloves. And someone else was in the car.

I don't believe that I can get the groceries I need through delivery and, although the delivery person will leave them outside my door, I would have to carefully sanitize them and even then I wouldn't feel safe.

I went to the store myself 5 weeks ago. I couldn't breathe at all in my mask and the store was crowded - senior hours. But it was worth it. Recently, a friend picked up a few things for me but I need a big order and it's not fair to ask him. Everyone else who offered to help previously is quaranteed in their homes. I'm out of so many things! So, I'm thinking of going myself. The store opens at 6:00 and people in my state are going to be required to wear masks everywhere on 5/1.

I'm nervous but I am also excited to be in a supermarket again.

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@rits Good luck on your shopping expedition. Here we find it best to avoid Friday through Monday and shop senior or first-open hours on Tuesday - Thursday. Today I broke my own rule and went to the grocery for a few things at 10am - mistake! Aisles weren't too crowded because they count the people coming in and out, but too many not wearing their masks properly (mandatory here for 4 weeks already) and the shelves were sparse already. Our county has extended the stay-home, masks, etc for several more weeks in spite of the governor pushing to open it up. It does feel good to get out occasionally though.
My poor 4 year old grandson, at home since March 18th, was crying to his Mom yesterday "I want to go anywhere!" I suggested she take him to watch the trains from the overpass above the local train yard (a favorite activity) and call it a mental health appointment. She did it first thing this morning and reports he is a much happier boy.
So everyone is getting tired of the shut in feeling.
Sue

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@rits

I feel the same way about grocery delivery. Last year, after a 17 day hospital stay, I used it a couple of times and it wasn't great nut it wasn't awful. When I tried to do it again 5 weeks ago, first they said 5 days then, suddenly they said 5 hours. They also said they would make substitutions. Last year, they texted before they made a substitution which gave me the opportunity to tell them that the product (french bread) was always available and ask the Baker. They won't do that now. Also, I'm pretty sure I saw the 5 hour delivery I decided not to do. When I took my dog out that evening, a man was unloading groceries from his car and lining the bags up on the sidewalk. He also took something out of a cooler. No mask. No gloves. And someone else was in the car.

I don't believe that I can get the groceries I need through delivery and, although the delivery person will leave them outside my door, I would have to carefully sanitize them and even then I wouldn't feel safe.

I went to the store myself 5 weeks ago. I couldn't breathe at all in my mask and the store was crowded - senior hours. But it was worth it. Recently, a friend picked up a few things for me but I need a big order and it's not fair to ask him. Everyone else who offered to help previously is quaranteed in their homes. I'm out of so many things! So, I'm thinking of going myself. The store opens at 6:00 and people in my state are going to be required to wear masks everywhere on 5/1.

I'm nervous but I am also excited to be in a supermarket again.

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@rits I don’t know if this would be helpful for you, but maybe it will help. Our neighbor uses Instacart. She calls a few of us elderly neighbors, and we add to her list up until a certain hour when “shopping” begins. That way no matter how much or how little you want, it works. She delivers the groceries to us or we go next door to retrieve them. In terms of substitutions you can say no to that or substitute with another familiar brand. Mostly my daughter and/or grandson do our groceries, but I did use the Instacart service once, and I learned that they actually are risking their health to do that for us. They wear masks and are careful in picking out groceries. I have also learned that some things especially particular brands fly off the shelf first. One of my children told me BJ’s stocks the shelves on Sundays so that’s when she and her husband do their shopping. Please be extra careful ( sounds like you are) if you do go to the store. irene5

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@irene5

@rits I don’t know if this would be helpful for you, but maybe it will help. Our neighbor uses Instacart. She calls a few of us elderly neighbors, and we add to her list up until a certain hour when “shopping” begins. That way no matter how much or how little you want, it works. She delivers the groceries to us or we go next door to retrieve them. In terms of substitutions you can say no to that or substitute with another familiar brand. Mostly my daughter and/or grandson do our groceries, but I did use the Instacart service once, and I learned that they actually are risking their health to do that for us. They wear masks and are careful in picking out groceries. I have also learned that some things especially particular brands fly off the shelf first. One of my children told me BJ’s stocks the shelves on Sundays so that’s when she and her husband do their shopping. Please be extra careful ( sounds like you are) if you do go to the store. irene5

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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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