I'm high-risk with asthma. How to stay safe with viruses?

@zeiracorp Thanks for your calming response.
@suerc She is right - we all need to do the best we can to protect ourselves and families, then figure out how to live the best we can as the medical and science industries get on with the business of finding treatments and a vaccine (neither of which can happen overnight.)
Here are some resources you might consider looking at to help you understand the virus, how to stay safe and how to manage your feeling of anxiety: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-7/
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-myths-and-facts-about-covid-19/
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-expert-answers-questions-about-the-dos-and-donts-of-social-distancing/
So, are you able to stay home and practice social distancing, or do you need to go out to work?

What precautions are you taking in your daily life?

One thing I always suggest to people anxious about Covid-19 is TURN OFF the news and social media coverage. Allow yourself a short time each day to read the coverage from a reliable source - NOT social media, then go on to more pleasant things or turn off TV entirely.

If you are isolated at home, reach out to family or friends, via phone or video chats, and concentrate on pleasant subjects. Or visit here on some of our "escape" groups like: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/humor-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/
As I like to end, Stay Calm, Stay Safe.
Sue

Great discussion to start, @suerc. I changed the title of the discussion to "I'm high-risk. How to stay safe when things start opening again?" I did this because I think there are many on this forum who are in a similar situation: high-risk and concerned how to stay healthy. I agree with the ideas that @zeiracorp and @sueinmn have shared. I'm confident other members will also weigh in.

@suerc I think I am like you, somewhat hesitant. I’ve decided to take it slowly and re-enter the world slowly. No huge group gatherings, no concerts, etc. I can always wear my mask for as long as I want to, also. Most people are nervous and will probably move ahead slowly. Only crazies will jump right in. Just relax. Remember the old children’s story of the tortoise and the hare—be a tortoise

High risk- that’s me too. I still have last year’s flu and hospitalization for pneumonia in fresh memory. I’m usually not doing much outside the home, but I miss my tennis group. The problem with the area where we live is a major summer tourist destination. The unknown factor. So far hotels and short term rentals are closed. A day at a time!

@suerc I'll be starting back out taking snail slow steps as well. I feel like I've invested too much time in self-isolation to throw that caution to the winds as more "before the virus" life resumes. The yearning to be out and about is real now and will intensify with time. I just hope I can keep to my resolve knowing that I am more vulnerable to exposure than many with fewer health issues.

@suerc; @astaingegerdm; @becsbuddy- I'm stage 4 lung cancer and am high risk also. Last week I began having horrible dreams and very agitated sleep. This, of course, carries over into the day and the inside of my head is not a happy place to be. I'm probably going to be one of the last people to mosy out into the public. Some of us have also delayed follow-up scans purposely because of the fear of COVID-19 exposure more than cancer. As @fiesty says," she's invested too much in protecting herself" to blow it all because some very misinformed people have decided when it's safe to be around others.
I will most likely have to see no viruses in my town and our adjoining town. The death rate in my state is still increasing and the virus is still spreading. I have to know that I can be safe around others, including my sister and her husband who live quite near.
What will determine your "coming out?"

I’ll be one of the last out and even then it will be mask and washing hands. I miss the road and hotels and restaurants. One day. One day.

I am so sorry you have cancer. May God bless and heal you. I, too, am at high risk. My age for one thing makes me. Also, I can't breathe because chronic sinus infections, had pneumonia many times, anemic: I can't remember more. I am not planning any outings. I don't want to go to any place enclosed where there are people. I love people but I just know I would get it if someone was a carrier. They might not realize they are, but, I don't want to take the chance. However, my friends are going out because they say their faith in God is preventing them from getting it. Well, I do believe God can, that's for sure.

I am curious. Why do you miss hotels? I do miss restaurants. I think Bob Evans has the most wonderful pot roast. I miss my grandkids.

@merpreb, I've started having these very disturbing nightmares as well. A friend and I became interested and attended a 6 part series on dream understanding and interpretation held by one of our hospitals several years ago. We went because both of us had stopped remembering our dreams and were curious. This lead to my buying several books on the subject...ways to remember more dreams; ways to interpret...etc. Of course, each dream can be interpreted differently by whoever is doing the interpretation. While practicing some of the tips helped me remember more dreams initially, when I stopped the practice, I also stopped remembering dreams.

If true that our dreams are another way of us attempting to deal with uncomfortable challenges or situations in our daily "conscious lives", it is not surprising that some of us are taking our present uncertainties to bed with us, yes? Mine typically deal with issues of being lost, alarm at the danger someone close is experiencing and I can't "save"... loss of my wallet...I.D. and means of "paying for services"...etc. Doesn't take anyone past 3rd grade to interpret these, right??? Know you are not alone...smiles