COVID-19 From the trenches I

I have been meaning to blog for a bit.  Then the virus hit the USA, and it has been all work all the time since then.  I am not one of the lucky ones who can cocoon amidst her snowfort of toilet paper, and knit.  

I spent too many hours at work, and too much time not listening to the panicked news reports in early March.  I missed the toilet paper rush.  Thanks to the Muse for setting me up with toilet paper!  I am blogging now because you need to hear me say things.

I just got a text from the state COVID public hotline that the nonessential businesses would be closed until early May, and the stay at home order will be in place also.  breathes sigh of profound relief  I was terrified that the state would not have the balls to do that.  The governor did, and he absolutely has preemptively saved lives.

During our times away from work, we are doing what everyone is doing.  Walking the neighborhood circuit is now a habit.  We see neighbors, stand many feet away, and chat at a low yell.  We met new ones last week.  Now we wave to all the people in passing cars.  It seems unmannerly not to do so.  They wave back.  We may be in better shape.  

The statistical models that informed us what the peak of infection looked like were what made the draconian measures begin in mid March.  The surge that is happening seems at least 2 weeks earlier than the models predicted.  Prolonged social distancing is the only solution to keep it from getting much much worse, and we now have that in place.

Anyone who says yes, I am young and I will survive the infection is falling prey to the hard-wired human belief that nothing bad will ever happen to them.  The more this happens (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/opinion/doctors-coronavirus-safety.html) the less likely survival is.  The more we find out about the virus' clinical course, the more frightening it becomes.  One of the difficult facts that I have seen recently is that 66% of Americans have a medical problem that can predispose them to a critical course of illness.  That medical problem is obesity.  Dr. David Ludwig wrote this today in the NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/opinion/obesity-us-health-coronavirus.html

We are cooking more at home.  An occasional foray into the world occurs to restock vegetables.  We missed the hand sanitizer and wipes hoarding.  Trying to find those is an exercise in futility, so we don't make worthless trips to find what doesn't exist.  Yes, we were working when all that was happening.  Please don't say "thank you for your service".  My ear hears you say "thank you for dying before I do because I got all the Purell".  

Health care providers in New York are having to make decisions about who lives and who dies because there aren't enough resources to care for everyone.  That is the scenario everyone feared.  It is now happening nearby.

So PLEASE stay home.  So many lives depend on it.  Despite social distancing, the medical system is beyond capacity.  Giving up on social distancing will make sure many more die.  Do not do the American thing and assume someone will step in to take care of you when disaster strikes.  I have echoed Mr. Spock, the Vulcan science officer in Star Trek, so many times over the last two months:  the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.  You may not be the one put on the last of the ventilators.  Here is another opinion:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/30/opinion/message-public-mass-doctors-nurses-ethicists-about-coronavirus/  STAY HOME.  Social distancing is not sitting in the same room with friends for hours, staying six feet apart.  The respiratory droplets spread.  

Dr. David Ludwig has been a voice of reason in the medical world for many years. If you know me at all, you know I follow his dietary guidelines most of the time.  Mr. Etherknitter points out that it is far too late from a COVID-19 standpoint to get metabolically healthy by losing weight.  He is right.  So the best strategy right now is to stay home.  STAY HOME.  

Knitters and spinners and weavers and introverts are not overly dismayed by staying at home for a prolonged time.  I miss my people, but know that this is what needs to be done.  I am finishing the front (after finishing the back) of the saddle shoulder pullover.  Two sleeves, and then we will see if this works.  I now understand my mother's "does it fit??" question when she unveiled our sweaters.  I have resisted buying yarn as consolation because a. I have yarn and b. money is not a given.  I am going stash diving today to see if I have yarn for Floatini.   Yes, startitis is alive and kicking.  I haven't given in yet, but I will.  Seems a benign way of coping.

The snowdrops are done.  Scilla are blooming.  Hellebores are blooming.  I see optimistic maples in early full bud.  I ponder the transient nature of humans on the planet while life that is not caring about a virus unfolds around us.  The chipmunks are awake.  The Cornell hawks have laid three eggs.  Life continues.

Any post that puts "COVID-19" in the title is not going to be a beacon of optimism.  But I hope to at least present to you what the data shows, what the data doesn't show, and what makes sense from a medical and epidemiologic viewpoint now.  Read.  Or do not.  The choice is yours.

Amended to add: "The views expressed on this post are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer."

February, The Valley of the Deer-

 

 

 

Comments

[Caroline Morris]

I'm pretty sure that I will have dressed the loom and reached the end of the eight yard warp before this shows any signs of getting any better. Today I'll cope with today's troubles and then tomorrow I'll sort tomorrow's.

I firmly believe that science will save us but we have to give it the time to do that.

[Carole]

I've been hoping you would blog because I respect your opinion and I've been worried about you. We are staying home other than a trip to the grocery store every other week - the last time I went was 3/19 and I probably need to go either today or tomorrow - and I go to the closed library once a week to do the payroll and bills. I don't understand people who are still living their life as if nothing has changed.

[Elaine in NYC]

I was also hoping to see a blog entry. Staying in more is not such a sacrifice when you think about the consequences. Drinking extra water while staying home is not a bad idea, either. People don’t realize the risk of dehydration when the heat is on. Stay safe and make sure to carve out some daily knitting time.

[CindyD]

Thank you for your blog post of information. May you and your family stay well.

[Marcia]

Thanks for posting...was pretty sure you would eventually! I have a doozy of a story for you but will put it in an email.

[Etherknitter]

Knitting as i can. Hydrating for sure. Not sad to be alone but not happy w projected duration.

L

[Judy Jacobs]

I am very happy to see you popping up here. I'll miss our biyearly show visits. When this is over... We chose to hunker down where we have a working oven and a washing machine. Seemed an easy choice. I feel so fortunate to be in an area where I can be outdoors and well away fro others. We've been thinking of both of you.

[Margene]

Spending all this time inside the house. bleh Thank goodness we have places to walk and breath fresh air. Our neighbors are happy with a distant wave and a hollered hello. Having all this time for reading, knitting, etc. just isn't all that fun. I miss my people and my constant going and doing. But, I am staying in, and being grateful for all that I have and finding new things to explore within these walls. xo