Don't Stand So Close To Me

Please.

COVID-19.  Coronavirus.  Everyone has been asked to exercise social distancing.  We are going to do our best.  We've already shopped for groceries, refilled our prescriptions.  This is a frightening thing that is happening.  So many people refuse to believe this is real.  I'm seeing far too many political conspiracy theories all over social media. 

This isn't just the flu.  And many young and healthy people still feel that it's perfectly fine to congregate in large groups.  This makes things all the more unnerving.  Because young, healthy people are spreading this virus without knowing it.  Any asymptomatic carrier could.  They could spread it to someone with an underlying health condition, and that person could become severely ill, or even die.  Thankfully, many will recover.  Some will recover, but have lasting and devastating side effects.  But many will not.  That's just a fact.  It is now being reported that more younger people are showing more serious illness.  

(I have hypertension.  One of the first listed underlying health conditions that has caused severe illness in some who get infected by the virus.  I also take thyroid medication.  Not sure my cancer treatment would even play a role, at 11 years out.  But I don't really know for sure.)

So, social distancing / self quarantine for us...  O and I have been together 23 years, and have worked together for 20 of those years, and a significant part of the work we've done and still do is done at home.  It's like we're already used to it.  I feel very lucky and so thankful that, even with all those years of so much togetherness, we still enjoy each other's company.  If I MUST be quarantined, I am glad it's with him.  However, our Anniversary next week will not involve the typical nice dinner and drinks out in a nice, fun restaurant.  And O's birthday the week after that, will very likely be different too.  And it's ok.  We do what we must to help bring this to an end and protect ourselves and others.

It's not fake news.  It's not an attempt to undermine the government or to have an effect on any political party.  This virus is very real and can be deadly.  It does not discriminate.  It doesn't give a shit which political party you belong to.  And our healthcare system is simply not equipped to handle what I fear will be happening in our hospitals in the very near future.  The confirmed cases are growing exponentially.  As of right now, there are over 8,500 confirmed cases in the US right now.  There were less than 100 at the end of February. 

Stay home.  Cover your cough and sneezes.  Wash your hands.  

I have started and deleted this post so many times.  Every facet of this thing feels like opening a big ol can of worms, inviting debate, and I can't cover all sides of every impact.  I simply am affected by it and scared of it. It is unprecedented, and I want to have a post on my blog about it.  

Let's all do our best to stay home.  Just stay home.  Yes, some can't work from home.  I am grateful to those who must continue to work and hope they are able to protect themselves from those of us who must come to their store or business for food and other needed things.  And of course our healthcare professionals and emergency responders on the front line of this thing, ready to care of us.  I also worry about the impact on our economy and all of those who will surely be out of work and those who may lose jobs and the businesses that are in jeopardy of having to close.  The whole thing is just bad all the way around.  

We have been asked that, if you must go into a public place, keep a 6 foot distance from other people.  SIX FEET y'all.  So, please don't be 2 inches behind me in a checkout line.  This has been an issue I've had a problem with looooong before this virus came along.  There is such a thing as personal space.  I will respect yours.  Please respect everyone's space and allow that six feet.

Ok, so sorry to be so ranty.  I did have to go inside a store on Friday, so I am still counting my 14 days since my last exposure to being too close to others. 

March 2020

So, if ya see me in line somewhere, be it in the next week, next month, next year into forever...

Please don't stand so close to me.  







*Note:  Please do not enter into debate with me in the comments.  This is MY blog and I can vent, rant and say whatever I want.