Coronavirus, too close to home
I’ve been avoiding speaking about Coronavirus because I’m not a health professional, and I don't claim to know all the science behind the dreaded COVID-19 virus. But after seeing so many mixed messages on social media regarding Coronavirus (especially those making light of the subject), I felt personally responsible to speak up for those I love.
So in this post, I want to address the very personal threat Coronavirus poses to me and my family. And ask you to consider its affects on those you love, too. (Even if you don’t realize it, yet.)
We all know by now that Coronavirus is affecting our planet and human race in a massive way. I won’t get into facts in this email, but I urge you to educate yourself and seek information from places like the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the WHO (World Health Organization) and not from social media. The WHO officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic earlier this month.
Mental health note as you learn more about COVID-19: make sure to take care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. I dug a little too deep into the hole of data and health stats this morning and found myself quite anxious. Listening to calming music and writing this is helping me to regulate my nervous system at the moment.
Personally, the threat of this virus weighs heavy on me. Not that I am susceptible to the virus, but because my mom (who has lupus and kidney disease), my in-laws who are nearly 70, and my husband and sister (who both have asthma) are at high risk. To be frank, if my mom (who’s only 54 years old, exercises with a trainer 2-3x week, and has been an organic vegetarian for over 10 years--AKA the epitome of health) were to get this, it would most likely be fatal.
I shared this on Instagram and Facebook earlier today:
To which my mom replied:
Though their cases may not all be as severe as my mom's, someone you love is probably at high risk, too, when it comes to COVID-19.
I don’t share this to shock you or to scare you. I share because we young people can sometimes be idealistic to a fault and think we’re impervious to life (and its threats). And while most of us are resilient, we have to consider those we love.
Each of us has to decide the right measures to take care of ourselves and protect those most vulnerable.
For this reason, I’m personally choosing to stay inside for a while, and keep my distance (physically) from others. I’ve canceled all future plans for coffee dates, dance class, and I’m definitely not flying anywhere until further notice. (And if you have the option to work from home and participate in #socialdistancing, I recommend you do the same.) I'm seeing the good in this situation by allowing it to be a time to focus on a few creative projects, playing chess with my husband, catch up on a few movies I've been wanting to watch, plan FaceTime dates with friends and let life slow down a little. I'm not choosing paranoia, I'm choosing presence.
On that note, if you do choose to stay inside or avoid crowds and large outings, consider these fun #socialdistancing activities:
work on a puzzle you've never done
catch up on your reading list
FaceTime that friend or family member you've been meaning to call for months
bake something and then watch your favorite movie
learn a skill you've always wanted to pick up (free classes at https://www.khanacademy.org/)
have an at-home solo dance party
tap into your creativity: draw something, write a song, draft a poem
go on a walk at a park or enjoy other outdoor spaces (where there's less risk for catching something)
If you are healthy, thank God for your health and please consider those who are not so fortunate (by no fault of their own). Like my mom said, you can’t see everyone’s disease. A vibrant 20-something woman with diabetes doesn’t look sick, but she’s at high risk.
Thank you for considering my point of view and remembering others in this delicate time.
Remembering to hope: I really believe that in a strange way, this disease could actually bring humanity closer together. We social creatures bond in times of struggle and we also learn to appreciate those we love even more. Life is beautiful, but it is also frail. Let’s not forget it.
In love and health,
Devin
Resources:
CDC Resources for Households
WHO Updates