Self-Isolation

With the corona virus, we are hearing a lot about self-quarantining and how to adjust "life".  I've been living this "life" for about 4 years when I was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis.  Because my body is trying to reject my own liver, I needed to take drugs to lower my immunity level.  This means I'm more likely to get sick, now.  It also means inactive germs lurking in my system could become active again----germs like tuberculosis (I test positive because I came in contact with TB twice).  It also means skin cancers will accelerate in growth.  These last items freaked me out so much that my doctor sent me to an infectious disease specialist.

She was wonderful and talked with me about an hour helping me develop a plan.  The big "take-away" was "keep a social distance of 6 feet to people during the cold and flu season---3 feet the rest of the year".  She assured me I'd probably be fine in small groups or with family.  But, large, close crowds might require me to wear a mask.

So, I wear a mask in large, close crowds: getting on a cruise ship, elevators, Target check out, and anytime I'm walking into a new situation (it's easier to take a mask off than it is to suddenly put one on).  I discovered early on I needed to curtail fitness classes where it was difficult for me to get 6 feet away from people---yoga mat type classes.  I'd find the perfect place in the back on the edge and someone would always come in late and squeeze their mat next to mine.  It's difficult to do yoga with a mask or with the anxiety of someone coughing within my 6 feet border.

There's a lot of talk about masks not being necessary for healthy people----that they are meant for the sick.  Although I wear one often when I'm healthy, it achieves one goal---it keeps people away from me.  If I'm on an elevator with a mask, they wait for another car.  If I am in a waiting room, they find another chair.  And, yes, I have discreetly coughed on occasion for those not taking the hint.  I also find the best possible seat in a waiting room or church, set my purse in one chair and my coat in another---giving me a little "social space".

Also, I wear gloves that can be washed.  I even bought several pairs of white cotton gloves that I wear in the summer for "passing the peace" at church.  I tried elbow  and fist bumps but people were confused and it was just awkward.  So, I finally gave in and bought white and black gloves that are light weight and washable---I keep them rolled up in my purse.  Now, with the corona virus, the church is trying to offer other ways to  "pass the peace" including touching your heart or just a wave.  So, now I won't be "the weirdo"

This year I've also, changed non-essential doctor's appointments to be at the beginning or end of flu season not in the middle of it.  Corona virus is going to skew that a bit and  I may have to postpone them a little longer.  There are some doctors who have large spacious waiting rooms, but some try to squeeze as many people as possible in a small space---I try not to go to them.  One oral surgeon has a room so small, I am less than three feet away away from people sitting across from me (mask time even in the summer).

Shopping is a bit of a challenge.  Of course I order on line, but sometimes I just need to go to a store, so I go very early in the morning or late in the evening when the store is less likely to be crowded.  Google sometimes has a section which shows the busiest times to shop---the above graphic is for Schnucks Town and Country which is my most frequently visited grocery store.  I  often don't have the selection, have to weave in and out of workers stocking the shelves and once at Target, I had to use self-check out (with a cart full of groceries, I threw a fit and they did open a line for me).

Use your shopping cart to maintain a distance.  You can keep 6' away from the person in front of you, but what about the people behind?  Walk in front of your cart letting it be a barrier between you and that person.

Church is also one of my most frequent "activity".  I have to stay away during the worst of times.  This year I was able to attend through January because I monitor the flu through our county web-site.  Although Type B was active in January, there's another chart that shows what age group that impacts.  As this chart shows, B was active in children and their parents not the grandparents.

We can still participate in church in small ways:  we can listen to the sermon and some discussions on line, we can interact with our friends on Facebook, I still can send cards to the elderly, sell items on ebay, edit the church blog so I feel like I'm still a part of the church community.  Large church dinners are a big no, but small group bringing take out over is great.

We can do things outside---take a drive, walk in a park, pull weeds, get our prescriptions at the drive-through, do grocery pick up, talk to neighbors in the back yard, drop off a load of items to Goodwill.  None of these demand close contact in closed spaces.  We catch up on a lot of movies watching them on TV not in a theater.  We "eat out" by bringing it in.  Last year our daughters even had our anniversary dinner delivered by one of the delivery services.  They were stymied on how to get the cake to us from Nothing But Bundt until one of their friends came to the rescue and delivered it.

Of course there are phone calls, Facetime, text messaging that keeps us social and up to date with friends and family.  I play Words with Friends which keeps my brain active and includes socialization, also.

This year, the self-isolation will be extended.  It won't be hard to extend it because I know it's very important for both of us to stay healthy.  As of last year, we are both immune suppressed.  But, I may have to curtail my weekly library visit---it's hard to de-contaminate books.  So, back to Kindle, it will be.  I decided to write this blog because it might help others "self-quarantine" themselves if they need to during this out-break.