Hello @lewisma9, I would like to add my welcome to that of Colleen's! I'm glad that you posted on Mayo Connect, we are happy to have you join us. I'm also an introvert in disguise and I can be perfectly happy for some time with a book and a cup of tea and talking to my cat. Pets are a great company, aren't they?

I really like your idea of sending a cheery email to your friends and family. What a great idea. What else have you found to do with your time of solace?

This is an excellent essay that describes what we are facing now with needing to be isolated and our feelings of wanting community interaction. We really do need each other now more than ever. https://medium.com/@shannonstoby/that-time-we-realized-we-needed-each-other-c6be092498a2

@shortshot80 I also live in Oregon and drive Interstate 5 up to Eugene to the cancer center. Beautiful trees and mountains on that hundred plus mile drive each way. There has only been one time in the last year that I didn't have rain at some point on that trip! Oregon is just such a pretty state no matter where you're at.
P.S. Happy birthday!
Ginger

Hi @jenniferhunter,

Thanks for sharing that post. I especially like the phrase about being "selectively social" that describes me (and probably many others).

I think being alone and isolated can be considered two different things. Like others here, I am an introvert by my base nature. But there are still sometimes when I want to have some interaction with people. I rebel against those who say I have to be isolated. Of course, I just don't do well with rules anyways LOL. Being able to go for a walk and wave at neighbor helps, as does watching people in a distance, or even hearing people doing their yard work. That serves to not feel so isolated.

In this time of mandated isolation or less frequent contact with others, I'm fine with grabbing art supplies or books to keep myself busy. So far I have not Resort it to taking on long overdue projects like sorting through old papers or finding things that need to be recycled. To me those will always be there!
Ginger

@colleenyoung Have you heard about the Malaria drug being used for covid-19 ? I read it somewhere that Bayer is sending out alot to Labs to see if it will be the answer to this virus Does Mayo know anything about this?

Hi @lioness, there is certainly some confusion about chloroquine and its potential to treat COVID-19. Chloroquine is one of the oldest and best-known anti-malarial drugs. It has not been approved for coronavirus. FDA is researching to see if chloroquine can be effective in the treatment of COVID-19.

Here's further information from the BBC and the FDA:
– Coronavirus and chloroquine: Has its use been approved in US? https://www.bbc.com/news/51980731
– Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Continues to Facilitate Development of Treatments https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-continues-facilitate-development-treatments

News is changing by the hour. It is always good to check only trustworthy sites and verify the validity of the information and the date it was published.

@colleenyoung Thanks for the article it is interesting and I just saw recently that in Washington state there is a clinical trial going on whether it is the chloroquine or something else I don't remember . Some lady got the injection I,ll have to see if I can find any information on this

Normally I am out and about, rather than a homebody so at first, this was so hard. Now I am organizing all my genealogy files, as well as just organizing my life. Phone contact is now seemingly the form of contact for many of my friends, I am amazed each time the phone rings. I use the Senior "happy hours" at the local supermarket and it is pleasant enough. The two human contacts, phone, and store or working out so far.

Jennifer, If all would stop and read this thought provoking essay, there would be less fear and more harmony and unity among all people of our country. I've copied it to share with family and friends. Thank you for taking your time to post "That Time…We Needed Each Other".

I should have done this a couple of yeas ago, painting a bathroom an bedroom. People tell me I shouldn’t be doing this but, I take it slow! Have one wall to go… My world is looking so much brighter in there! What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.. Blessings, Celia

Cecilias, I appreciate both your ambition and the happiness brighter looking rooms will give all who enter them!