Coronavirus anxiety? Me, too. Hand sanitizer? None to be had in my (once) bustling borough. Paper products? Disinfectant? Both are elusive, to say the least, though I think a box of disinfecting bar soap was just delivered to my stoop. Good humor? Is that in scarce supply as well?
And then the next day brought more worrisome news.
So where am I in all this? Where are you in the onslaught of obstacles to “normalcy” — physical, logistical, financial and emotional?
Wash Your Hands! Use Soap!
How are you doing with soap and handwashing?
First, let me say that I have found excellent and timely updates from CNN, particularly their frequent virtual town halls and ongoing answering of questions. Among those questions and answers — the importance of handwashing, frequently.
Bar soap? Apparently fine as long as you use the 20-second rule and hot water, though obviously if you have disinfecting soap that is preferable. Now if only I had tons and tons of hand lotion to accommodate my drying fingers and palms!
By the way, if you don’t have access to CNN on TV, the TuneIn app offers (free) access to all kinds of media options, just FYI. I have also been very appreciative of both The New York Times and Washington Post providing free access to their coronavirus updates, so do check those out online. And of course, you can visit the CDC coronavirus resource, with its information flow.
Now, on to more personal matters…
Hellooooo? Is Anyone There?
How are you doing with social distancing? Might you resort to new (and old) ways of connecting — using technology, but also the phone?
As a person who has worked remotely for years — as a freelancer, project worker, contractor — I’m very accustomed to being on my own. Given that I’m no longer a spring chicken — (dare I admit my age? Nah…) — I understand that I may be in the vulnerable population, theoretically.
My creative-problem-solving-superhero solutions? In addition to old-fashioned soap (and the disinfecting soap eventually), I’m taking my social distancing very seriously.
I’m keeping more to myself than ever. The (enjoyable) visits with a neighbor are no longer done in person, but via text or phone. I’m avoiding the supermarket, and unfortunately, the small gym where some work on my old injuries was underway.
And I do worry about our healthcare professionals, first-responders, and many others we may not think enough about.
Let’s Hear It for… Delivery!
Fortunately, I have been able to order select food products for home delivery — an increasing number of markets are offering online ordering and delivery — (my list includes eggs, cans of tuna, coffee beans, dried packaged fruit to arrive later this week), and I will avail myself of the “please leave it at the door” option.
I will pick up the packages wearing disposable gloves, do my best to unwrap carefully, and put my items away. I continue to be unable to purchase any sort of disinfecting wipes for my phone or anything else, however, the medical experts are telling us that the potentially offending “droplets” don’t live long on cardboard surfaces. And, the surfaces on which they seem to last the longest are hard surfaces (glass, metal, plastic, for example), where they could survive from a few hours to a few days.
This, of course, is precisely the reason for the rigorous handwashing and NOT touching your face!
Incidentally, I’ve been thinking about my devices, especially my smartphone.
Surfaces, Those Surfaces…
Washing hands and not touching your face? Okay, but what about what touches your face? How do you deprive disease of its ever-handy surfaces?
In general, this Wired article on phone, keyboard, mouse, etc. is helpful. The New York Times offers these do’s and don’ts on how to safely disinfect your cell phone.
My, but this brings a whole new meaning to “debugging” one’s devices!
Speaking of surfaces, have you ever stopped to count the number of surfaces your fingertips actually touch each day? I’ve pondered the number of decisions we make each day (staggering!), but I hadn’t thought about surfaces before this past week. And I confess that I am astounded when I start to focus on each item that I touch on a given day — the faucet in the bathroom, toothbrush and toothpaste; packaging that I open to pour out coffee grounds, the lid I remove on my vegan margarine, packaging again on my morning slice of bread; the cloth surface of a hand towel, a bath towel, a dish towel; a hairbrush, a hairdryer, curling iron; the container that stores my vitamin C, my vitamin D, my calcium tablet… my clothes, my laptop and printer, paper, newspapers, notes to check on my fridge, what’s in the fridge… my door key, my car key, not only the doorknobs on the inside and outside of my apartment doors but the doorknob to the garage, the light in the garage, the garage door opener, mail I put out and mail I take in… and everything that you or I cannot help but touch once we awaken to interact with the world.
Even the much tinier world of “social distancing,” much less social isolation or quarantine.
Feeling Anxious? Me, Too.
Listen. I’ll confess. I am feeling a bit anxious. Not terribly so, but noticeably more than any daily dose of usual angst. My sleep is more fractured, and my mood, more fragile.
No matter how much we soap and scrub and wash and wipe – and fret and fuss — what about our need for human connection, since keeping away from people is the Rx for “flattening” the illness curve on this menacing virus?
And are you willing to roll the dice by going out and congregating in groups, even small groups? Are you willing to take that risk even if the greater threat isn’t to you but to others?
How are you managing the uncertainty and conflicting messaging, especially if you’re responsible for children? How are you managing if you simply aren’t as comfortable with solitude? And are you increasingly worried about money, as I am, because your living is already (or about to be) negatively impacted?
The Beauty and Power of Storytelling
Storytelling. I leave that wondrous element of the human experience for last, but definitely not least. Personally, I adore storytelling, finding it soothing and connective like almost nothing else. I’m considering doing a little online storytelling of my own — something I’ve never done before — but now may be just the time. What do you think?
Meanwhile, let us share some stories here — our concerns, our recommendations, our moments of pleasure, our acts of kindness and encouragement.
Yours truly?
Sure, I’m losing some sleep over this. I have a set of very real concerns and considerations, no doubt like you. But I’m also catching up on some movies. I’m fixing my hair, doing my makeup, and putting on my favorite bracelets every day. I’m browsing old journal entries from my kiddos’ baby-and-toddler years, and I’m reliving (with a smile) some of those precious moments as I read.
I’m staying in frequent touch with my (now) 20-something-year-old sons, one of whom is in Europe (and not yet working from home, to my consternation), and the other, also out of reach (who is working from his home). I’m checking in with friends via text as often as I can. And all this contact is very reassuring, for all of us on the giving and receiving end.
So… How are you feeling? What are you doing to quell anxiety, to keep life’s rhythms as normal as possible, to establish new routines to accommodate the changes we’re all going through? Are you drinking too much or overeating? Are you suffering from not being able to participate in faith or other communities as usual? From not being able to see family or friends? Are you worried about our healthcare workers and first responders? The caged populations at the border and the immigrants afraid to show their faces and seek a hand? Our incarcerated populations and those who are living on the streets?
I welcome your thoughts.
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There’s the boredom of not being able to go out, even though when we could we often would stay home. So much to do here! Yesterday was a deep clean, which of course cannot be done in a single day, so it might continue today unless I work in the garden instead.
Eventually, most of us are going to get this virus, except for those who manage to avoid it until a vaccine comes along. The thing is not to overload the hospitals. I get it and am obeying. But my worry is how the bills will be paid. This month is OK, and maybe next, but the one after? I fear the economic effects will be felt for a few years.
Indeed.
PS: just read this on NYT re antibacterial soap:
Hand sanitizers with over 60 percent alcohol are effective in killing viruses like the coronavirus, Dr. William Schaffner, M.D., a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center said. But no one knows for sure if they will work on the current virus. Gels like Purell may be easier for small children in particular, who may lack the coordination to do the full hand washing technique recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vigorously scrubbing both sides and between the fingers for at least 20 seconds. But washing hands is still crucial, and potentially more effective in protecting you, since it both removes germs and the dirt they cling to. “You can’t do it enough,” said H. Cody Meissner, M.D., chief of the division of pediatric infectious disease at Tufts University School of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases. Antibacterial soap has no added benefit, Dr. Schaffner said. “Just be thorough — and don’t forget your thumbs!”
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-myths.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage
Makes sense–antibacterial is against bacteria; a virus is a different kind of microbe.
Yes! Excellent. Helpful. AND… in addition to between the fingers and including the fingertips, also wash beneath nails and around/ beneath rings as well.
By the way, I just heard a wonderful story about a distillery in Pennsylvania that has converted their operation to make hand sanitizer. And, rather than price gouging, they are giving it away and only asking for a donation if you can manage it. (I wish I could recall the name of the company.) FABULOUS.
Eight Oaks Distillery. I think that’s it.
We need to establish some kind of consistency during a crisis… whatever that may be for each of us. My gym and church are closed, so I’m working out at home, doing internet yoga, and I can always talk to God. Also it’s tempting to watch the news… for hours… I found myself doing that over the weekend, but it only fuels the worry flame. Early on, when I saw what was happening in Europe, I started buying everything I needed. That was March 7th. As of yesterday, Annie and I have slipped down the rabbit hole until further notice. Just do your best and don’t allow yourself to ratchet up the worry ladder. xoxox, B
No, anxiety is not what I’m feeling. I’ve had weird things happen to me health-wise over the past few years, so this is not something I’m anxious about. I’m also a realist and quite an unflappable type and am of the view that the majority of us will eventually get it but it would be nice to NOT get it sooner, so there is a new regime of sterilisation happening around the home. Viz., I’ve got a little station set up by the front door where I keep the box of disposable rubber gloves, isopropyl alcohol, hand sanitiser and a spray bottle with methylated spirits. As an example, the door handle and keys get the alcohol treatment then I go straight in to wash my hands with soap and water, every single time I come in the door and before anything else gets touched, like light switches. I live in an apartment block where the laundry, letterbox and garbage bins are outside my front door and there are a few communal door handles which need negotiating. Mobile phone also gets wiped over with alcohol when I come in from outside as well. It’s all about mitigating the risk, not eliminating it for me, since Mr P. works at the coalface every day and is always dealing with the Great Unwashed.
My neighbourhood is also densely populated, so those walks in an empty forest that you see others doing on Instagram aren’t a reality here, but it’s nice that personal space is being recognised again. Over the last few years, the sudden normalisation of kissing casual acquaintances in public, like we’re all of a sudden living in France, was driving me mad!
As to the economy, that’s another story and there is already one small business in my neighbourhood that has closed down – an elderly gentleman barber who has elected to retire rather than be a vulnerable statistic. And I already think the social disruption, or whatever it will be called one day, will make more of a lasting impression on the world’s population, faster, and possibly lighten our collective footprint than all the past years of exhortation for everyone to Do Something about climate change! For example, would you ever have believed nations would practically halt all flights, indefinitely, without such as a murmur from the citizenry? Interesting times is an understatement!
Do try not to worry. We’re all in this together, which is a nice change 🙂
Lovely to hear from you. And thank you for the thoughtful comment, Pipistrello. 🙂
WELL, I am on THE MEND AFTER FOUR YEARS…. I THINK!
TODAY is day 28 NO EPISODES!
I will jump up and down at DAY 45 because that’s the NUMBER I PICKED!
I was ANXIOUS YESTERDAY which was DAY TWO of LOCK DOWN here in Northern California!
NO going out unless you need food or doctor!
I was horrified that Southern California has NOT done that YET! Which I found out today on Instagram.
I have had a nice DAY slept late, fed the BEASTIES, got a box in the MAIL that I thought OH BOY But the pure JOY of what was in that BOX TOOK OVER! From another BLOGGER! HAD lunch then sat down at computer and am catching up with all my emails!
Next will be a bath and some old fashioned reading!
DINNER TIME WILL ARRIVE and then that TV will GO ON…….
THESE BOYS OF OURS!!!!!!
WHAT A WORRY ABOUT THE ONE IN EUROPE but I assume its NOT ITALY!
WE have family in ITALY SO…………..
I think we have many days in front of us!
XX
So glad you’re on the mend! Yup. Kids. The worries never end.