COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

As someone who volunteers 7-10 hours/week for Backpack in our small town that relies on tourism, I'm thrilled that so many people and organizations have stepped to provide $$ or food for all the programs for homeless and minimum-wage workers here. When any helping organization has some sort of fundraiser, the first people to turn out are those who volunteer for/donate to other organizations. Because Backpack got a grant to buy two additional big frost-free freezers, we'll make our older, smaller freezers available to two other charities. If the board feels we should charge them something, I'll buy 'em as a gift. Even though two of my company's big jobs aren't happening, I'm fortunate and don't need a stimulus check, so that money will go toward helping others, like the couple who own a tiny coffee company whose cafe is closed...they came up with the idea of asking people to buy coffee for the company to donate to first responders. As a result, they're able to pay their rent (personally and for the business) due to the generosity of this town. They've also set up a walk-up so that we can buy their coffee by the pound.

@joyces I think the opportunity to be of service by volunteering in the midst of all the quaratining and isolation is admirable. In that spirit, I am asking @colleenyoung to move your post to the COVID-19 Isolation discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/isolation-how-do-we-handle-it/
I bet there would be many people happy to hear of your efforts, as they work to find meaning in their everyday actions right now! They won't necessarily look in a transplant group discussion for ideas.
Ginger

@fiesty76 He is probably going to call his dr tomorrow; what may be discussed or decided, who knows? He has been quarantining up here for just over 3 weeks, but needs to return to his job for critical on-site testing of some equipment he is designing. Some of that designing has been done up here, remotely. He plans to leave here this coming Wed.

He is a kidney transplant recipient [Oct 2016] and it would be helpful to know. We are both concerned when we see the cavalier attitude of many, and the thought of a second wave of cases is upsetting. Our county has 22 confirmed cases, with no deaths. We have about 111K persons in this county, pretty wide-spread.
Ginger

In response to Fiesty76's concern about the Texas Gov starting to reopen parks and retail and remove medical restrictions only 2 weeks after (finally) issuing a "stay in place" order: If you're cranky, how cranky do you think those of us fortunate enough to live in Oregon, where the Gov has been extremely proactive are? Gov Brown shut down restaurants and bars long before most states did anything, issued a "stay home" order shortly thereafter, closed all state parks, banned functions on site (including church services), set all the electronic reader boards along freeways and highways to say "stay home - save lives." The press conference was notable because she shared it with the Portland Mayor and Mult. County Commissioner--but all three stood far apart, took turns moving up to the mic to speak or answer questions. What a powerful message! If our national leaders had been doing that, it would have sent a message to everyone in the US!

Better yet, WA and CA, in spite of the fact that both states had early outbreaks that could have become huge, also have proactive Govs, so managed to contain the outbreaks without needing field hospitals, extra supplies, etc. All three West Coast states have sent ventilators that aren't needed here to NY. We also have medical people who've gone to NY to help where help is really needed. Still, all three west coast govs have agreed that they don't plan to reopen anything any time soon. Gov Brown says when the times comes, she visualizes allowing restaurants to reopen only if tables are separated by polystyrene dividers, people have their temps taken before entering, etc.

While we have a few idiots protesting every day at Noon in our town, they're considered fools by most. Virtually everyone here is being very careful to maintain distancing in stores, some of which only allow a few people inside at any one time. There are no clusters of people. Those of us who live adjacent to the ocean are allowed to walk the beaches (no one in their right mind would lie on a beach in Oregon except on an unusually warm day in August), but we must carry ID to prove we live here. Others are removed by the beach patrols. People walk outside, maintaining a distance, relying on the open air instead of masks for the most part. We're fortunate in that only 8,000 people actually live within our area, even though it ordinarily accommodates an additional 45,000-50,000 visitors most weekends. There is still lingering distrust for the VRD owners from other states who've shown up to use the houses that they usually treat like piggy banks and never use themselves; the police are called...and respond quickly. It's just not right that four cars (presumably at least eight adults, perhaps more if they have children) suddenly appear at a short-term rental property. Nightly rentals were shut down here almost a month ago.

Areas like this rely solely on tourists to support everyone in town, but we've tightened our belts and the town council is wrestling with how to operate without the almost million-dollar monthly income that flows in from TRT (transient rental tax) sources. If we can survive, why can't other areas of the country, especially those not totally reliant on tourism, survive through this crisis without "business as usual"? Shoot, the three most western states all rely heavily on tourism because we live in God's Country, but we've been setting a good example since early in this awful crisis. In our town, retired people living comfortably are contributing $$ and food to help us nourish all the people unemployed due to the total closure of restaurants and motels. It's great to see this hometown generosity!

@fiesty76 My thoughts are with you at this terrible time. I lived in the US many years ago and still have friends in Minnesota where it seems they have similar problems.. I worry so much about you folks right now. Here in Scotland, people are more or les saccepting the lockdown restirctions. Sunday papers today say over 95% accept the lockdown regulations although we have somweho don't ( Covidiots they are called in the press). Whether that will remain the case weeks from now is anyone's guess. All you can do is stay safe and avoid all those people who are flouting the rules. Sadly, many of them will get sick. As transplant patients, many of us have faced death before and we know what must be done to avoid it again. Stay safe.

@joyces.. I live in Southern California, Los Angeles County has extended the shut down till may 15. I live in Orange County and I think we're on the same path. We have Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood, Knotts Berry Farm, not to mention all the beaches up and down the coast, they are all closed now. Tourism is a big industry too, and alot of people are out of work. I feel very badly about that too. But if we could just hang tight a little longer and not rush to reopen, we could see better days. Otherwise we may never recover. I hope those who have would share with those who have not. We're in this together.

@mayofeb2020 If we look back at history, that is exactly what happened in Philadelphia, they did too much too soon and a terrible outbreak occurred. The people who are demonstrating to reopen everything are being very short-sighted.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/flu-epidemic-hits-philadelphia
JK

I believe peoples actions/reactions to COVID-19 are a direct reflection of their mental state and accumulated life experiences. On one hand, many families were devastated by the 2008 recession and it took a heavy toll: marriages crumbled, college funds were wiped out, homes lost, dreams dashed, mental stability shaken. When I look at the protesters through this lens I have compassion for their fragility and desire to change their perceived outcomes. On the other hand I am a transplant patient and came way too close to dying to risk my health. I think both sides are protecting themselves in the best way they can think of.

I am 13 1/2 years out on my transplant. Being immunosuppressed, am I going to have to wait until there is a vaccine before I am able to socialize again?