What we are up against right now

I’m very glad you are well, Sharon, and being busy sounds quite helpful at a time like this. Thank you for sharing first-hand what’s going on there, to help us see (and prepare for and try to mitigate) what’s coming here. I hope enough people pay enough attention.

Scott,

It is so much worse than I can even describe...800 deaths in Spain today and 380 in France...there are no words to describe the sadness that I feel for those poor families that cannot even be by the side of their loved ones as they expire...

I cannot tell you how horrible it is for a parent to let an ambulance take their child away and not be able to follow.

I spoke to my BFF in Toronto today. They are living their lives as if...as if nothing is wrong, as if this is just a really bad case of the flu...shorter work days, school holiday...but they are still 'getting together', going shopping and traveling...what will it take? How do I tell those that I love not to do the things that they love doing? NOT to go to the bank or work? 

I know that we are not any less immune and probably for many of us, more so...although it is a lung problem, your guts may be involved (6% of all cases) we are just as vulnerable.

Please do not become a statistic.

Sharon

Thank you for your explanation of what you are experiencing.  It is a true tragedy at every level.  I am a Canadian nurse and it makes me cry when I see people together, not respecting the order to stay at home and physically distance.  I am terrified to go to work but grateful to have a job.

I implore everyone to STAY AT HOME, only one person in the household go out to get ESSENTIALS.  When that one person is out practice perfect physical distancing.  WASH YOUR HANDS.

So I am showing signs of being sick...headache, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, heaviness in my chest...I am sincerely hoping that this is a cold (went out today and forgot my scarf...colder than usual and all of the stores were closed so I had to walk 2 miles to find something open)...the incubation period of this disease is 2-3 weeks so I know that today did not do it...

If I did catch it, it was at the beginning of the month of March while taking the subway to and from work, teaching in a large school, going to restaurants of just hanging around people.

Inspite of the isolation, I have been out 1xs/week for the last 2 weeks for essential supplies; although careful and wearing gloves I did not cover my face or have a mask...

I would like to believe that if by some very slight chance, I have it, that it will be a mild case and I can stay home and treat it simply with isolation, medication and time.

To be sure to be prepared no matter what happens,  I have prepared a medical emergency letter for my hubby with my essential information (medications, K pouch information and the need to intubate or 'hook up' regularly, allergies and medical conditions.)

Please do not neglect this step as well as preparing a 'go-bag' if you have any special needs. Photocopy your scripts. Carry doubles of whatever it is that you use or need. 

Do not become a victim of unpreparedness.

Stay home, stay safe and be prepared.

Sharon

Great discussion and opportunity to compare notes. I was hopeful that our country (US) would learn from the advance warning from China and Europe. Some states are doing better than others . I am in California, where we were fortunate to have aggressive local and statewide shelter orders. It seems draconian at first, but we are coping. Being retired, my life is not that much different, other than not being able to shop at will. Plus, being super careful about keeping things clean.

So far, we are all healthy and watching a lot of TV, but still go on walks.

The biggest issue right now is that my Marketplace health plan provider inexplicably terminated my health plan with no notice. I can’t get through to the call center, so I am anxious about that. The good news is that I stocked up on my scripts before this happened, and I immediately filed an appeal to keep my plan in effect while this gets sorted out.

Everyone stay safe and encourage everyone to take this very seriously!

Jan

We are very fortunate here (within the scope of our misfortune) because we have comprehensive healthcare...social health insurance is a Godsend when you have no choice or are facing something like this.

I do not know if I am sick or not. I doubt that it is Covid 19 (more probably a banal sore throat) but no matter what it is at least my primary health insurance cannot drop me.

Take good care of yourself Jan, stay safe and fight that insurance company...it is ignoble on their part to drop you as this horrific epidemic has hit.

Sharon

Thanks Sharon. I am reenrolled, as the website allowed it only after my plan terminated. It was not Kaiser, but Covered California (our marketplace for Obamacare coverage here) that terminated my plan. Not a fun thing at any time, but quite anxiety provoking in these uncertain times. 

Jan

Hi Sharon. Just checking in. Hope you're feeling well. 

I am better thanks...I had a couple of bad days where I wasn't sure what it was or where it was going (no fever and very rarely a cough; mostly a sore throat, exhaustion and pain in my right lunch). It seems to be almost over (could it be that the weekend is here and I am more relaxed?)...

At any rate, whatever it is, I hope that it does not return...lots of people around us who are sick, both family and others...people who we know and are shocked to find out are no longer around...Suddenly, sadly, incomprehensive, inconsolable...but that is what we are up against.

A silent killer. 

Do not be impatient to run out your door to hug a friend or a loved one...be patient to make sure that no one infects you and you infect no one...

Be kind to each other, call each other to hear their voices, their sadness and their fears. People are either scared to death, in denial or oblivious...

As one person said, if you are conscious then you should be scared...

Take care people...be safe, stay home

Sharon