Art Supplies

During this COVID-19 crisis, I have been trying not to order "non-essential" things from Amazon. I want the workers to be focusing on things like getting essential supplies where they need to be. I order some of my necessary supplements and medical supplies from them, so I want those to be a priority. 

However, I also need to stay sane and feel like I am contributing something during this crisis. I am doing this by making sure a 90-year-old friend has the things she needs, and by making cards for my friends who are currently confined not just to nursing homes, but also confined to their rooms. No visitors. No activities. No socializing even with each other in some cases. Having been in nursing homes to rehab hip replacements, this would have been nothing short of Hell for me. 

So, when my paper cutter blade went dull and I ran out of tape runner and pretty printed paper, I debated whether is was right to order replacements for these things so I could continue making cards. After a day or so of inner debate, I finally decided to make my order. In my case, right now, art supplies are as essential as just about anything else. I am not a TV watcher. I can only read for so long before my eyes give out. I have to take Social media breaks for my own sanity. But, I can make cards as long as my hands will let me. And they are something tangible that might bring a smile to someone's face. I hope those wonderful workers at Amazon didn't mind packing my art supplies too much. 

I have seen several posts dubbed #covidcrafts.

 I guess I'm not the only one. 

Manners in the time of Corona

I am one of those people who, even in the best of times, needs personal space. I can't stand having anyone right on me and I avoid crowds for that reason. I also avoid crowds, even in the best of times, because I am immunosuppressed. 

Of course, now, the need for social distancing is making this even more crucial. I go out very sparingly and only for food, medicine, and physical therapy (in a carefully controlled environment). I also try to take food every few days to a 90 year old friend who does not have any family nearby and who does not need to get our for any reason. 

Today, I was trying to help out a local business by getting takeout from one of our awesome Vicksburg restaurants. As I drove up, a car pulled up beside me with 4 men in it who were obviously coming from a workplace. I could tell that they were NOT practicing social distancing. I came in before them (I had already called in my order) and took a seat in the corner as far away from these men as possible. However, one of them was determined to stand way too close to me. It would have been too close even if we were not dealing with COVID-19. I politely asked him if he would mind moving away from me because I was high risk. 

The man became annoyed and walked out of the restaurant. I got a "look" from the person at the counter as she tried to get him to come back in. I did not think I was being unreasonable to ask for proper space. 

I learned my lesson and will not go to any place that does not offer curb service or drive-through for the duration. 

How would you handle this situation? Suggestions welcome! 

Getting Real

I got up before daylight this morning to make a quick trip to Corner Market. Being a small, Mississippi owned company, it is seldom crowded and I felt like I would be safe going there for the few things I needed to pick up. I had seen pictures of empty shelves in large places like Wal-Mart and Kroger, but I was not prepared to see empty shelves at my little Corner Market. 

One of the items on my list was ground chuck. I was able to get the one small package that was left. The stocker told me to come back by and there might be a little more. When I went back, one woman was stacking up every single package of the limited amount now available and putting it in her cart. I went to look for the brand of tea I can drink and it too was all gone. I talked to sweet Mr. Doyle Martin from a safe distance, but missed my customary hug from him. There was no Jif Creamy peanut butter, so I headed on down the aisle. A group of older men was sitting close together and drinking coffee around a table. I stayed away from them. I sure hope they are being careful in other places! 

Fortunately, I am not completely out of the items I could not purchase today. And, sadly, I was not surprised at the actions of one woman grabbing every available package of an item, seemingly not caring if anyone else got any or not. I was a little surprised at the men around the table seeing as they were all obviously in the higher risk demographic. 

Compared to times like WWII, when people were asked to put their lives on the line, make many sacrifices, and do things for the common good, I honestly wonder if America could survive another World War. We have grown so selfish. If people who are able can't even do relatively simple things like social distancing or leaving anything for anyone else, could we pull together as a country the way people did during hard times of the past? 

As for me, I am going to do my best to keep my family and friends safe. I am going to check on my elderly friends who do not need to be out under any circumstances and get them what they need if possible. I am going to find not crowded outdoor spaces to get a little walking in. And, if I have it, and you need it, let me know. I'll share. 

Even my toilet paper. 

Immunosuppressed

I am what is known as immunosuppressed. I have to take steroids every day and will have to take them for the rest of my life. These steroids help keep me functioning and fill in the gaps of my faulty adrenal system. But, they also make me more susceptible to getting infections and illnesses. To complicate things, I also have a neuromuscular issue and asthma. 

I am not panicking. I am not buying up everyone's share of hand sanitizer or toilet paper. But, the good Lord gave me a brain and the ability to use it, for the most part. As a person more likely to get what is going around, I try to keep a safe distance between myself and anyone who appears to be ill with anything. 

The thing I am most concerned about, however, is the possibility of contracting COVID-19 and potentially passing it on to my more vulnerable or elderly friends. There is a good chance that I would recover. My friends, not so much. I have a surprising number of friends who are over 90 as well as quite a few over 80. I would not put them in jeopardy for the world. 

Yes, I am trying to keep a sense of humor about all this. I post funny stuff on Facebook. I did joke about stocking up on Girl Scout Cookies. But, I am keeping up with current information from reliable sources, and I know not to trivialize this by making it political. I also don't question the strength of my faith because I do take COVID-19 seriously. 

Stay well, everyone. 

Visiting Hours

I went to visit a friend today in the ICU. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I could go in at any time I wanted and stay as long as the patient wanted me to be there. They now have "open" visiting hours. 

How I wish this had been the case when my mother was dying in the ICU at Vicksburg Hospital that Christmas night back in 1990. We got a strict 10 minutes on the hour. Only two people could go in at a time and they were supposed to be family. Mama was an only child, but no one at the hospital knew that. So, her dearest friends became her "sisters" in order for them to be allowed to visit Mama. 

That Christmas night, everyone knew that Mama was not going to make it. It would have been so much more humane to let us be with her for every precious second that she had left. About the last hour or so, they relented and finally let us come in and stay. It had to be enough. 

I firmly believe that the presence of loved ones, (as long as the patient is happy with that arrangement), is as crucial to recovery as medicine. Kudos to Merit Health River Region for getting on board with letting patients and families be together as much as possible, either for the purpose of getting the patient well, or allowing them time to say their goodbyes. 

I am thankful that in the future, we have that time. At least at Merit Health River Region.