Tag: Coronavirus in Indiana

Posted on

SOCIAL DISTANCING DIARY: WEEK 1

Sunday was probably the end of normalcy in our house.  Some of our kids stopped by for brunch, but we probably won’t be seeing them in person again for awhile. Everyone’s in lockdown.  Here’s my staying home/ social distancing diary: Week 1.

Tuesday,  shopped for groceries at the new supermarket. It’s an enormous place, and the few shoppers looked grim.  No one smiled,  as we maintained our social distance. The store was  out of meat, eggs, paper goods,  water, and soft drinks.   Strangely , there was plenty of fresh produce and fruit available.  I thought people were supposed to start eating more healthy foods.

Today, I’m wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday.   Usually, I’m involved in so many activities  like card games, tai chi, swimming, walking, etc. that I often change clothes twice a day. But now, I’ve worn the same jeans and t shirt for 2 days. Why? Because , I’m not leaving the house for anything more than taking out the trash, getting the mail, and running to the store for necessities.   I’ll probably put on a clean outfit tomorrow.

Feeling lethargic.  At first, I thought I would start my spring cleaning, or initiate a new project.  But the wet, gloomy  weather and  coronavirus crisis  is sapping my energy.

Cheering up my husband, and trying to fix foods that won’t upset him.  The VA messed up  his stomach medicine, and he’s been without for over two weeks. Worry about the virus is making it worse. Called today and they said the prescription was  mailed Tuesday.  It finally arrived Thurs.  Hope it helps.

Obsessing about new cases, checking the internet.  Indiana Cases doubled in two days. Strangely, each county only reports one or two cases.  There must be more who haven’t been tested.  First case reported in my county last night.

Neighbors walking in the rain alone. Social distancing diary: Week 1
Some people are walking in the rain alone:   Social distancing diary: Week 1

Watching neighbors walking in the rain with umbrellas.  They’re probably going stir crazy.  I’d like to join them, but I might catch a cold.  Then, I’d think I had the virus.  And I probably couldn’t get tested.

Libraries closed.  Reading a Kindle book that isn’t very good but it’s something to do.  Instead of skimming our two newspapers in the morning, we’re reading every single story in great detail.

Playing bridge online.  I can only do this for about an hour before I get bored.

Trying to avoid nervous eating, afraid to step on the scale.  It would just depress me.  I’ll listen to my meditation app, instead.

It’s been a gloomy week.  But when the sun comes out, I’ll take a walk in the park.  By myself.

And thank heaven for the internet!

Posted on

SCARED SHOPPERS WEARING FACE MASKS

We aren’t accustomed to seeing people wearing face masks in  the grocery store.  Here in the USA, they’re mostly worn in hospitals.  Anyone seen with one in a public place raises questions.  Is the masked person sick, afraid of getting sick, or about to commit a robbery?  We used to see them occasionally  in Mexico and other foreign places like Asia.  But now,  the coronavirus has brought out our worst fears.  Scared shoppers here in my Indiana hometown are wearing face masks in public places. 

Most hospitals and doctor’s office provide surgical masks at the door.  You’re  asked to wear them if you have a cold or the flu.  Their purpose is to prevent you from spreading infectious diseases and contaminating the air of those around you.   Therefore,  if someone  nearby coughs or sneezes, you are still  at risk of catching whatever it is they have.     Infectious disease specialists  say that the masks are too thin and loose fitting to completely prevent the inhalation of unfiltered air.

Scared shoppers wear face masks so they won't catch the coronavirus
Scared shoppers are wearing  face masks, but they don’t offer much protection against the coronavirus.

And yet, this past week, I’ve seen one or two people wearing a face mask every time I go out to shop.  But  Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University has said that regular surgical face masks will not protect you from the coronavirus.

Consequently, respirators are the only thing that will protect you from the coronavirus. They are heavy duty, and form fitted to your face.  The CDC says they filter out about 95% of airborne particles, including viruses and bacteria.  But there are drawbacks.   Respirators aren’t comfortable, and many people have trouble breathing while wearing them.

Meanwhile, I took comfort from a news report last night about the coronavirus.  Apparently, 85% of all cases are mild, 12% are severe, and only 3% are fatal.  Which seems pretty much like the seasonal flu we experience every year.