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

You, in Ca., are lucky to have a smart Governor. I am in S.C. with a Repub Governor who insists on opening schools here as the covid is raging here right now. Our hospitals are reaching capacity in my county. I personally know someone on a ventilator; a contractor who was not ever wearing a mask, nor his crew, or practicing social distancing. The public at large here are not wearing masks, sitting close together in restaurants and sports functions. I fear it is going to get a whole lot worse here.

Hi Liz. To help with my self quarantine, I adopted a sweet little chihuahua, and had my daughter move in with me. We both stay in the house or in our yard. Dog walks help with the exercise. We have enjoyed cooking, eating, and watching tv, along with gardening and yard work. I have been thinking of some long drives myself, but waiting for the weather to be a little cooler.

@windwalker. Even though our governor is doing his best. There are people who still openly defy safety measures. Two young guys with a box of masks were giving them out in one of our beach cities where no one was wearing masks, there were no takers, instead they were harassed! In the same city there was a religious gathering of over 1000 people on the beach, no masks, no social distancing. The hole is deeper and deeper and I don't know how we can ever get out of it here in CA. Very depressing.

Good afternoon @windwalker and @liz223. What a fabulous idea. I so need a sweet puppy, but not for enduring the coronavirus life, just because a puppy would be a great answer for me both mentally and physically. I wish there was a different type of sharing group. Then the care burdens would be shared as well as the laughter and the joys of being around a Love Sponge once in a while,

My adopted granddaughter wants a puppy because she is home all day alone. Hmmmmmm? Maybe there are some solutions to be had, especially under the umbrella of waiting for the educational systems to be back in full operation. Hmmmmmmm........

May you be safe and protected.
Chris

Yes, you are so right Chris. Dogs are wonderful in so many ways. There are many senior dogs who need “ furever” homes as well. Senior dogs have a lot to offer. We only have one of our five furry friends left now, and when our dear sweet Ekaterina(Katya) is gone, we will most likely get an older dog. That’s how it was when we adopted children as well. Older children have a lot to offer. They know where they have been and, for the most part, 🙂 are appreciative of their new life. irene5

@irene5 Irene..I love your approach to adoption. Of course, older pets already know the ropes and are so deserving of a chance in a home. They often get overlooked as the youngsters are sometimes cuter... but the adult dogs have the heart!! Good for you to advocate for the oldsters. Haha...after all, I believe most of us are oldsters too.

@windwalker So glad to hear that you have a new pup for company and that your daughter has joined you. It must make the quarantine so much brighter! Though SC is sounding a little scary, you should be pleased that you have moved away from the epicenter. Really!! Florida is a hotbed of germs and virus and people act as though nothing is going on. So frustrating! Our Governor is a mini Trump (not to get political). But says there will be no rollbacks or mandatory masks and my County Commissioners are basically taking a nap. I hope we all get through this pandemic and feel that it will be from our own individual diligence. Enjoy you new pup and returning daughter !! Kate

Wearing any type of mask is better than not wearing one at all! I also wear gloves.

I was a teacher of Advanced Therapeutic Massage until last winter. I have a AAS degree so I have lots of hours under my belt in this field. I was always telling my students to go wash their hands... ALWAYS. After a sneeze, a nose blow, a face rub, a nose pick, etc. And they would always push back saying things like "I used a Kleenex!"or " I used my sleeve" and, of course, I would still make them go wash their hands. I was called the hand wash police. I took it very seriously... I still do! Because of all these experiences with educated bodyworkers who have 100's of hours of anatomy, physiology, and pathology and they STILL needed to be reminded (and forced) to wash their hands, I do not trust anyone to be clean. Not a massage therapist, a restaurant worker, grocery store worker, my best friends, my family, no one. I can always rely on myself to hand wash, wear a mask, sterilize surfaces, clean groceries, etc. and I could still get sick. In the end, the virus does not care what you or the government believes and will look for every opportunity to find a host. SO, PLEASE be safe, be patient, and be super vigilant. Remember the virus doesn't care about you.

@bluesplashgirl. Thank you. My thoughts exactly. But i was told I am paranoid. A neighbor, who is a retired nurse told me she's having friends over for meals and card games, that like any other virus, there's a cure for covid and she will not live in fear. Well, I am fearful that I will get it if I am not careful. I have gotten take out food once, only food that i can reheat again, and it took me some time to take it out of the container, reheat food, dispose of containers, must have washed my hands ten times before I sat down to eat. I don't think i will be eating inside a restaurant for a long time.