I remember standing in a long line to be vaccinated when I was a young child and again for the sugar cube containing the polio vaccine. I think the polio vaccine was put in a sugar cube back a lot of years ago. Then, as an adult, and working in public school, I got flu shots. And then there was Swine Flu, and again, I was vaccinated. Schools were closed with the Swine Flu outbreak, meaning, I didn’t get paid, but I was off work anyway because it had been a bad time for my husband who was in the hospital, and I used the Family Medical Leave Act because of how many days I missed work.
His stay turned out to be doubly frightening because you see, my husband had a compromised immune system due to his disease. We learned they had moved a Swine Flu patient to the same wing and floor as him. Yes, we complained. No, it didn’t matter because they were filling up with patients who had contracted the Swine Flu.
Coronavirus
Now there’s COVID-19. I hoped I’d never see this day and an outbreak that is affecting the entire world. Are you scared? I am though I’m not panicking yet. Ask me again when it reaches my state.
We hear about it on the news daily. By now everyone should recognize the word COVID-19, the name “the World Heath Organization gave to the Coronavirus in February 2020.”
However, there is more we can do like don’t touch our faces, keep office areas and public areas clean and sanitized on a regular basis, which sounds much easier “said than done.” Use a tissue to open and close doors and even to touch your face if you must.
My local news report the other night said people touch their faces around twenty times an hour.
I believe it, I say, while catching myself touching my face while reading over this post.
Take off your shoes when you come inside.
Don’t shake hands.
If you don’t have hand santizer on hand, try buying it now. My grocery store has signs posted that they are limiting sales on hand sanitizer and some cleaning products. I couldn’t find any in a local pharmacy. They were only a couple bottles away from having an empty shelf of antibacterial soap.
Wash your hands.
Wash your hands.
Wash your hands.
With what if we can’t find any? Wash anyway with hand soap. Every part of your hands. Use toweling to turn off water and to open doors. Carry tissues for when there are air-dryers.
The link below shows an infographic with important steps for taking care of ourselves and others around us. Let’s do what we must to remain safe.
From Johns Hopkins Medicine as of March 5, 2020.
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS MAY DEVELOP WITHIN 14 DAYS OF EXPOSURE AND INCLUDE*:
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of Breath
THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
See the full Infographic at: Coronavirus at a Glance: Infographic
By Lisa Lockerd Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H.
Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to stay updated as well as the World Health Organization.
Share Facts About COVID-19 at the CDC.
Harvard health Publishing: Harvard medical School- Coronavirus Resource Center
The good news is, so they tell us, most people who contract the Coronavirus survive. Is it true? The death count keeps rising. The RN at my doctor’s office told me last week that it attacks the lungs. Yeah, the doctor’s office was the last place I wanted to be, but that’s another post. While there, she reminded me to get my pneumonia booster shot since I only received the first one.
As of the last report, it hasn’t reached my state yet, but we all know it’s a matter of time. We had people being tested, mainly those students who had arrived from Italy. Results recently came in. They didn’t have it. One student said he had never been checked for a fever or sickness before getting on or after getting off the plane. Stupid mistakes like that CAN’T happen.
Sorry to stick a pin in your balloon, and of course it’s your choice, but don’t get on a cruise ship.
We have to participate in helping to prevent this disease. And if you’re the praying kind like I am, pray too.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
13 thoughts on “Worldwide Alarm and Anxiety: Coronavirus”
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Cathy Brockman
Great post. I’m not panicking yet either. I’m hoping this all calms down soon. Thanks for the tips
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
As daily reports come out, I’m becoming more fearful. Now more are being tested in my state. All the states surrounding me have reported cases and both states where my boys live have cases. Where does it end? No one knows. Stay safe, Cathy.
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D. Wallace Peach
I’m not too worried for myself, Mary, but if my parents contract this thing, they won’t make it. They’re so compromised already. So I’m taking ten times the precautions I would normally take. The cases in Oregon are on the rise and we’re preparing for some home time. Be safe, my friend. ❤ Thanks for the informative post.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
My brother is in poor health too. I fear for him. I’m not a spring chicken, either, and worried about that as far as the age of at risk patients. So scary. You stay safe too, Diana. I’m spending time at home as well and shopping for food when i have to.
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D. Wallace Peach
I’m a hermit anyway, but yeesh, the way they talk on television… best to be careful.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Cases here now as of today. A case in my county but unaware of what city so far. I’m being as careful as i can.
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Teagan R. Geneviene
Yes, Mary, wash your hands — but don’t forget to dance while you’re washing them! 😀
https://nypost.com/2020/03/04/coronavirus-spawns-viral-tiktok-dance-about-washing-your-hands/?fbclid=IwAR3p4o6Um1X8WyQMecjBsIrVCLwRez95mqUxO0gjnYlxKoXGRY7JsJeawZY
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Sounds good, Teagan.
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Jacquie Biggar
It IS scary, Mary. Like you, I have family members with low immunity who are at high risk of exposure. My grandson with his diabetes has to be in school until they close the doors- this worries me so much, schools are notorious for passing bugs.
My mom is elderly and needs regular blood work and doctor’s visits, both of which I’m reluctant to take her to. This is very serious, and anyone who brushes it off is endangering not only themselves, but their families and so many more.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Jacquie, can your mom do E-Visits for some of some appointments? If not for everything, then have her wear a mask to the visits and remove it after she gets outside. You too. I can’t blame you for worrying, and for your grandson too. When I went in my doctor’s office last week, you could get a mask from the receptionist, but it clarified if you were sick. Well, I want one so I don’t get sick. I didn’t see the sign until I was leaving, but one guy sitting in the waiting area had one on. I’m glad because he was coughing and sneezing. Like you said, this is serious and has to be taken seriously by EVERYONE.
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Jacquie Biggar
Thanks for the advice about e- visits, I’ll look into that. Yes, they placed a limit on masks because everyone grabbed them and caused a shortage.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Good luck with E-Visits. Same here with masks.
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