Where do we go from here? – Coronavirus health and home activities tips By: Marissa Moore

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” - Og Mandino

 During the current COVID-19, or coronavirus, outbreak, many are facing the pressures and stress that naturally accompany the announcement of a world-wide pandemic.


Truly these are the times in which the world may seem more frightening than ever with many losing their jobs, health and even precious loved ones due to the virus. 


However, it is also during these dark periods that we as a people worldwide, must stand together in support of one another by practicing the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) mandated health and safety tips that can ‘flatten the curve’ of the virus’s spread. 


First, what does it mean to ‘flatten the curve’ of the virus? 


To put it simply, this is the act of slowing the spread of the virus from person-to-person by employing protective health measures, such as staying inside, that medical professionals will have enough equipment and personnel to properly provide care for those who still become infected. Below, is a chart depicting this:

Think about it like this, if more people than the hospitals can handle become infected at one time, hospital equipment and personnel may become limited. If this happens, as it already has in other countries such as Italy for example, then extremely tough choices will have to be made such as: who should receive life-saving care? The 80-year-old doting grandmother with the virus? Or the 65-year-old loving husband and father? 


These impossible choices will have to be made by those who have sworn to care for all their patients, but it shouldn’t have to be. 


By taking the proper steps the CDC have outlined below, we can all work together to flatten the curve of the virus and keep as many people safe as possible, together.


Tips to slow the spread and avoid contracting COVID-19:

• ·   Demonstrate thorough handwashing: As many of you know, proper hand washing takes about 20 seconds, that’s enough time to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ or even the chorus to ‘Oops!...I did it again’ by Britney Spears. Find a song you like and sing the chorus as you wash thoroughly with soap and water. 
•     Use hand sanitizer to kill the germs if you do not have a sink available near you, however if you do, get those songs in your head ready and lather up.

• ·   Social distancing suggests that we keep six feet away from others. Yes, that means that you need to stay indoors.  Although it may be hard to do, especially for all you extroverts out there, the best thing you can do right now is to quarantine yourselves within your homes. No, visiting your friends in their homes and staying inside the whole time doesn't count. Keep your family and your friends and their families safe by staying inside your own homes. You might get cabin fever but that sure beats the one COVID-19 may give you. 

• ·   Wear a mask if you absolutely must go outdoors. You can easily make a mask from a bandana and two rubber bands at home, no sewing required. As hospitals are already running low on this type of medical equipment at the moment, the best thing you can do to support your health care providers is create your own mask at home. Here is a link to a YouTube channel showing how it can be done in under 5 minutes: 

Finally, I know it can be hard to find the light in this situation but we have to try. We can’t let our spirits get down if we can help it, as cheesy as it sounds. 

During this period of stress and uncertainty, try to find the time to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. 

Watch a favorite show, paint along with Bob Ross, read that book you’ve been putting off, or be better than me and actually exercise at home by doing yoga, or whatever it is healthy people get up to. Believe it or not, we’re truly all in this together and we can come out of this together too. See you on the blog next time, until then stay safe and maybe read more about art on this blog alongside me!



References used for the article:

https://www.nytimes.com/article/flatten-curve-coronavirus.html

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/featured-topic/coronavirus-what-it-is-what-you-need-to-know