Today is the 14th day since we shut ourselves in. Who could have dreamed it would go on this long? Who could have dreamed that it could even happen?People continue to get sick. The death toll continues to rise. And our doors, at least mine, stay closed. I go out for necessities only, but each time I am afraid. How many times can I throw the dice and win? How many spins left on the wheel?
I had to take my son some food a day ago, and it shocked me to see so much traffic, even in the grocery store. People aren't staying in. They're still going about their business. Parking lots are less crowded, but only at places that are nonessential. The road traffic is actually heavier I think.
Sarah and I can't afford to go anywhere. I have a suppressed immune system, and she has a history of asthma. So, we stay in and each day we wonder if, when some break will come. She goes for short walks on the street. We've been on the patio twice.
I've done a bit of writing, but not what I could do. I've been doing cleaning and laundry when I can. I'm still having back problems, but far less since I bought the new mattress. I've tried a few exercises to help with it, but nothing works like the weights. I miss the gym. I've worked on the rebounder some, but not as much as I'd like. I've watched two videos that showed me some routines and now I just have to do them. I may take it into the garage since the ceiling is higher, but the floor is concrete and I'm nervous to try that this soon.
The only news we're getting is what I go scavenge on the web. I don't watch television news anymore or read newspapers. I got online and search as many sites as possible, focusing on Reuters and the AP, both are the main source of news distributed to networks and publications anyway... probably before they add their spin. I also look at sites that discuss the C-19 based on the science, rather than folks' suspicions. I read the other too, but I want what they science says.
I hope you're all protecting yourself and others. Stay at home! Please! You can catch this. How many spins do you have left before you get it? Will you kill someone by your actions? And will you survive? Don't risk it.
I agree
ReplyDeleteIt’s been one week since we invited strangers into our house - three men who installed the absolutely necessary replacements for our 22-yr-old HVAC system. The Friday before we had our last lunch out with friends, too. We’ve had to reschedule two doctor appointments - one we couldn’t get back in until August, the other is open ended and we just wait. With all the rain we’ve had, the pond in the east pasture is almost full and the great-grands spend time in Nancy’s kayak - and in the water! - after their homework. On an acreage, with four generations, we still have just eight people. Under the legal limit! Our pantries were in good shape - when the grocer is miles away, we’ve done that for decades. I feel so badly about people who cannot isolate. And I honestly do not understand how COVID-19 is taken as being more virulent than the influenza viruses we’ve taken for granted for years. We’ve responded here as China did in January - but there are about four “hot spots” here - New York City the worst, New Orleans, then Washington’s original outbreak in the nursing home. So far, the mortality rate is similar to the annual flu rate. I’m not understanding how this brought the world to a halt.
ReplyDeleteI think the virulence of the virus in China was frightening. The images of people falling dead in the street was shocking. I do think this is worse than the flu. The damage to the lungs that I've seen is horrifying and in normally healthy people. The flu doesn't cause this kind of damage. Nor does any other known virus as far as I can discover.
ReplyDeleteThe rapidity of spread is also a factor. Our first line responders are getting hit now and hard. Nurses, doctors, and even the postal services is being hit with it. The fact that the virus can live so long on surfaces is a huge factor. In my opinion, it is the most important factor. I don't think we can actually know the time it can survive.
If you compare this with the 1910 pandemic, I think there might be similarities in how fast it is moving but nothing in my experience is causing the kind of cellular damage of the lungs and death of otherwise healthy folks. That's radically different from anything other than Ebola. China acted irresponsibly in not giving more attention to this in the early stages when that doctor was saying there was a problem. It wouldn't have gotten this big. Once they admitted the problem (the barn and horse scenario) I think they acted appropriately, if harshly. The only way to stop the spread is total isolation. And I don't believe that will truly stop it based on it viability.
Sp, what if we did nothing? The worst that can happen is a lot of people who might not die, do. I suspect the death rate would be astronomical if people don't get help. As it was in China in the early days. Many more would have died if they had not decided to build a hospital in 10 days! So, do we let it go and run its course, thinning the population in the process?
I think this becomes an ethical question then. And I think that's how it brought the world to a halt. No one wants to get this virus because the unknown is so serious. We know the flu kills but we also know it isn't a long lived virus. Is this virus going to fade away with the season? They don't know.