Coronavirus – Lessons to Learn

In 2020, our lives have changed in ways we could never have imagined. There are many lessons we can learn from this time. Most of us are adapting well. Others are having a hard time. And unfortunately, some are choosing to live their life as if this doesn’t concern them, putting themselves and others in danger.

Stay Calm.

There is enough food and water. Unfortunately, some have chosen to hoard supplies, making those that really need them, unable to find them. Things like rice, ramen noodles, eggs, flour, milk, paper towels, diapers, formula, water and toilet paper are difficult to find. If people had stayed calm and only purchased what they truly needed this would not have happened.

Last week I waited 40 minutes to get in my grocery store because they were limiting the number of people that could enter. That should not be a big deal. It’s for our safety. It was an opportunity to have some great conversation with those in line with me, who were a shopping cart away (social distancing.)

Be Safe.

Listen to our leaders, both State and Federal. Practice social distancing by staying six feet away from people in lines, when you are out walking, and other times you are near people. If you are sick, stay home. If you have symptoms that you feel may be the Coronavirus, call your doctor and follow their instruction. Do not go to the Emergency Department or your doctor’s office. Wash your hands regularly. Carry hand sanitizer to clean your hands after touching things at your bank, gas station, etc. Cover your cough in your elbow, a sneeze with a tissue and your elbow. Do not touch your face. Regularly clean surfaces in your home. Many grocery stores are now setting special hours for the elderly and health compromised to keep them safe. If you fall into this category, please take advantage of this.

Shelter in place whenever you can. Cancel your plans and vacations. If you have been ordered by your county or state to shelter in place take it seriously. Don’t try to run to the mall for something – it is probably closed anyway. You can call places to see if they are open before going out. There are places open to cover your needs, not your desires. Grocery stores, banks, laundromats, gas stations, take-out and drive-through restaurants, car service centers, hardware stores, plumbers, utilities, garbage service, pharmacies, electricians, construction, many government offices, are all open, however, some are only allowing visitors by appointment or online access. Places like gyms, bars, entertainment, clothing stores, hobby stores, beauticians, schools and malls are most likely closed.

Be Kind. Be Helpful.

We are all in this together. A grocery store employee answered the phone and was yelled at because the store did not have milk. Eventually, the employee had to hang up on the caller because he/she could not understand. Employees are doing their best to assist us at this time. They deserve kindness. They didn’t cause a shortage. I blame the hoarders, who instead of caring about anyone else, took advantage of the situation. This has caused shortages of some items that are critical purchases like diapers, formula and distilled water for CPAP machines. Now that there are shortages the grocery stores need more deliveries, which can be difficult because of a lack of truck drivers without prior commitments, not because their warehouses are sitting empty.

A father of young children went shopping with the family grocery list. He soon realized that he wasn’t going to get everything on his list at one location. So he took up the challenge by calling a relative that was also shopping. They were able to pick up items for each other as they shopped at different stores. And sometimes they received tips from other shoppers as to where they might locate items like diapers and milk. They made it a game of finding what they or the other one needed. It became fun for them as they helped each other and accepted this as a challenge to find what was on the list, just like it was a Black Friday Christmas scramble. They turned what to some would be a cause for anger and replaced it with kindness and a bit of fun.

Help out your neighbors, when you can. Volunteer childcare or run errands for them while you are out anyway. Call anyone you know that is house-bound to be sure they are staying healthy and see if you can help them in any way.

Share.

Food Banks are in need of food, however, some may only be accepting money. They are also in need of volunteers to work at the Food Bank because many of their normal volunteers are elderly and have been told to stay home. If you have extra supplies or food share with your neighbors. Similar to a neighborhood free library, you could set up a box of food in your front yard to encourage others to take what they need and drop off their extras. Your children can create homemade flyers and place them on the doormats of homes in your neighborhood. Be especially aware of family or neighbors who have lost jobs and are having a hard time financially.

If you are healthy and able to donate, now is the time to make an appointment to donate blood. Since so many people are staying home, there is a blood shortage. Blood Banks are taking appointments to help with social distancing.

Special note to any “hoarders of food and paper products,” this is your opportunity to share. Donate to homeless shelters, food banks, neighbors, churches and anywhere else that can use them. I saw a man on the news that loaded up his car and was passing out rolls of toilet paper to people who can’t find them anywhere. Many stores like Costco have posted signs at their registers and other locations that when this is over, they will not take back your extra stock of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc. Sharing is a great way to put those items to good use and not end up with a supply to last you several years. Also, note that selling items for a higher price can be price gouging, which can lead to fines, maybe even some jail time.

Adapt.

This is our new “temporary” normal. It could be a longer “temporary” than we expect. So we need to adapt. Restaurants may be closed, but many are offering take-out, drive-through or delivery. Some of that delivery is free.

Last week I went grocery shopping, to the bank and picked up lunch. At the bank, I went through the drive-through teller for the first time in years, and then for my first time, I went through the drive-through at Panera Bread to get my lunch. Everyone I saw was nice and I survived. I adapted to new ways to do things. Even my physical therapy appointment this week is on the phone.

Distilleries and chemical companies are helping make hand sanitizer to help the hospitals, retirement homes and the general public that are not able to purchase what they need. Car manufacturing has been stopped at some plants and they are switching to making ventilators for hospitals.

Dental offices are closing down, except for emergencies to prevent the spread of coronavirus and to reduce their use of protective equipment currently needed by doctors, nurses and other medical staff. Elective and non-urgent surgeries are being postponed. I am someone who was expecting to have out-patient surgery in March or April, who will have to wait.

Ronald McDonald Houses, used by families so they can remain close to their hospitalized children, have changed their rules due to the coronavirus. Some, if not all of them, will not allow parents to return to the Ronald McDonald House if they return home to visit their other children. And they will shut down completely if anyone in the RMH tests positive for coronavirus. Hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and retirement homes no longer allow visitors, not even immediate family members.

Military moves are on hold while the country is in a state of emergency. This is affecting my daughter and her family who were moving to California in May or June. They are now on hold. If you have neighbors or family or friends affected by this, encourage them. They must adapt to major plans put on hold. Possibly moving their children in the middle of a school year. Maybe taking their home off the market or needing to back out of a new purchase in their new location.

Stay Informed.

In California, several counties were put on stay-at-home orders. And then the entire state was put on stay-at-home orders effective immediately. This changed a lot of people’s plans in just a matter of minutes. If I had not been watching the news, I might not have known until the next day. There are currently six states on stay-at-home orders in the United States. This and other orders and statistics, change daily, so now is a good time to be watching the news. But, don’t spend too much time watching the news because it can be disheartening at times.

At the same time, do not believe everything you read on social media. There has already been a post being circulated, promising something that will prevent you from getting infected. Tell the person that posted it to shut it down and do not share it. There is not anything currently approved for this. It is a scam. With the government working on a plan to give families financial help be on the lookout for emails and posts that will “help you get your money sooner” or “increase the amount of money you will receive.” They will be scams. Delete them and do not pass them on.

Trust God.

Only God can stop the virus in the next minute, if He chose to do so. Trust Him with your health and wellbeing during this time of uncertainty. He has a plan for your life and this virus has become part of that plan. Pray often, not only for your family but for people in countries across the world. Trust your leaders but know that if God has other plans, your leaders cannot stop the virus. Trust God, He is always in control and always loves you.

Remember that everyone is affected, some to a greater degree. Make these lessons a part of your life. Let’s come out of this period of fear, anger, selfishness, worry and distrust and become a kinder, calmer, safer, smarter and more trusting people. Take a minute to think about it. What can you do to help others this week?