Monday, March 16, 2020

Self-Quarantined

I am among the group of people being described in all the news reports as the 'vulnerable elderly.'  I prefer to think of myself as a 20 year old with 53 years of experience, but as much as I like to pretend I am not old - I am.  And I have health issues that place me directly into that category of 'vulnerable.' 
In order to have a fighting chance at staying alive much longer so I can continue to annoy my children, some changes needed to be made.

Self-quarantining isn't much of a stretch, for circumstances make it very difficult for me to leave my apartment even on the best of days.  But I needed to limit the comings and goings of others.

I use a cleaning service to help keep my apartment clean.  The cleaner has another job in a fairly large group home that has the potential to become a virus petri dish as have nursing homes across the country.  Another cleaner would still have outside contacts with the general population, so tomorrow I am cancelling that service.  My son will haul my trash out for me and I think I can manage the rest.

The nurses who deal with my legs call me the day before a visit to set up the time they will arrive.  The nurse who called yesterday is the one I have known the longest and trust the most.  She asked if I wanted a Monday visit.  I told her that would depend on what precautions she was willing to take.  She will do the hand washing, glove and mask wearing while here.  She also suggested that I have only one nurse see me for the duration and she is setting that up with her manager.  This is a service I can not do without, for if the treatment of my legs is not done properly, chances for infection and the resulting hospitalization are nearly a given.  The procedures are something I can not manage on my own.

I will continue using the grocery delivery service every two weeks.  The same person does the deliveries each time and this is the only way I can continue to get fresh fruit, vegetables and other essentials, although if this service were eliminated, I could still live nicely on what I have stored.

My oldest son will still have access to my apartment.  Living in the apartment next door, he is in the habit of checking up on Mom from time to time and that gives me a sense of security, knowing that if something bad happens, he will be there to help.

Youngest Son called me yesterday.  He was doing his weekly grocery shopping.  He said the people at the store were going crazy.  Oldest Son went to the store where my delivery service shops and came back telling me there was no TP or paper towels on the shelves and very limited amounts of flour and sugar.  Lucky for me, there still was some Easter candy available and I now have a small stash of chocolate.  Chocolate makes everything better.  :)

If nothing else good comes from this whole virus thing, it is my hope that just maybe some will finally see the wisdom of stocking up ahead of a crisis.  Those who have been saying they don't need to prepare because there will always full grocery store shelves are finding out there is no truth in that statement.  I know that my family will be fed for a long time due to my shelves full of food.  I am not inclined to gloat over the situation and feel real compassion for those who are now having to put themselves and their loved ones at risk by needing to enter crowded stores in order to keep their families fed.

The coronavirus is not the flu.  It is an insidious disease that can be passed from one person to another long before the infected know they have it.  It is bad enough that many will contract this virus, but it is even worse that those infected can unknowingly pass it on to their older friends and relatives and put them in grave danger.  Literally.

I can take precautions but I can not guarantee that I will not become infected.  All I can realistically do is to keep on prepping.  And pray.

21 comments:

  1. Same age here! "full grocery shelves" I laugh when I hear that.

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    1. Linda...'Full grocery shelves' exist in the same land as unicorns and fairy dust. There are no guarantees, which many are now finding out.

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  2. At one time a few years ago, I was interested in making butter. One of my brothers asked me why. When I can just go to the store and buy it.

    My mother is in an assisted living facility. They stopped all outside visits yesterday. Family included.

    The nurse you like is a smart one. Glad she suggested what you were probably already thinking.

    God bless and watch over us all.

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    1. LindaG...I have had similar remarks about my canning. Why do all that work when you can buy whatever you want at the store! Try doing that today!

      It was the restrictions of visitors to places where the elderly live that pushed me to make the changes. The fewer people I see on a regular basis, the better.

      Take good care.

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  3. Do everything you can and leave the rest in the Lord's hands. That where everything really is anyway, unless we're stupid. - lol

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    1. We do what we can and more important - pray. Take care, Gorges.

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  4. We can only do what we can do, Vicki. Otherwise we go crazy. Much of life is up to God.

    Us prepared folks... Funny; no one's laughing at us anymore... Of course, now they're blaming us for "hoarding..."

    ...Stand by for heavy rolls as the ship comes about...

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    1. Agreed, Pete...I have taken the steps necessary to keep the virus at bay. The rest is out of my hands.

      I noticed recently that the word 'hoarding' is being bandied about. But we are not the ones who are shoulder to shoulder with other crazed shoppers. We already have enough stored so that heading out to the closest Walmart is not necessary. A small part of me wishes to shout, "I told you so." But I won't. Those people are in enough trouble already without rubbing their noses in it.

      You are spot on about the heavy rolls. No telling what our world will be like when all is said and done. On the up side, the news no longer seems to be full of candidate debate issues. :)

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  5. I'm 'in' as well. Even made a note of '10AM' on my calendar to indicate the first day.
    The tipping point for me was 'one last' trip to Safeway. Since starting to prep in earnest years ago, I've often wondered what that 'last' shop would be like before having to use my preps/pantry in earnest. Now I know.
    SJ in Vancouver BC

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    1. SJ...I hope you were able to avoid the stampede in the TP aisle. :)
      I have decided to put the food preservation on 'hold' for awhile and use my grocery delivery service for items like milk, fresh fruit and veggies and maybe a bit of comfort food. I have most everything I need, including TP, in my storage. I would hate to be one of those who is now scrambling, trying to find the necessities.

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  6. I called my Vet's office about my two cats and their shot status. They are now both up to date with vaccines. I did a delivery order from the local Restaurant supply store. It seems all the eggs, bacon, napkins and whole chickens were not available. They did deliver the OJ, Half 'n Half and the Safflower oil. Home Depot delivered our garden soil and pipe order. He drove it right back on the pallet so we did not need to shift the bags. I surprised the driver with a bottle of water, a pack of Emergency C and some lemons. He thanked me and said now he doesn't need to track down lemons as he has a half every morning in hot water. Remember that small kindnesses go a long way. Stay safe everyone. Red

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    1. I am amazed at the grocery items that are now out of stock. Sure didn't take very long to empty the shelves.
      Small kindnesses do go a long way. I saw a post on FB today by one of my daughters who was volunteering to take meals to those neighbors in need, and there were several who commented that they, too, would like to do the same. We may have to separate ourselves from others, but the spirit of helping others in troubled times lives on. Stay safe and take care.

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  7. Vicki, the sooner we all stay away from everyone else, the sooner this nasty virus will disipate.

    Also, just a little reminder to everyone: if you do not have bottled or stored water close at hand try to locate clean, empty containers and get them filled as soon as possible. We cannot be guaranteed we will always have running water and other utilities/services. Hopefully, you will be able to boil the water if needed for drinking. You need a minimum of a gallon of water per person, per day. Secondly, make sure your doors and windows are locked and as secure as possible. As things deteriorate people will begin to take advantage of others. Do not trust anyone you do not know. Desperate people do desperate things.

    Try to call or email others who are alone and anxious. You may be the bright spot in their day.

    Praying you are all hunkered down for the duration.
    Be aware of your surroundings and continue to be thankful for God's blessings, CW

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    1. Excellent suggestions, CW...People think about food and TP, but don't often think about water storage other than cases of bottled drinking water. There has been speculation that if the workers at water treatment plants become sick, the quality of the water may be compromised with nobody to do the work involved. I keep bottled water on hand, but use empty, well washed 2 ltr soda bottles and large juice bottles filled with water for washing, for doing dishes and for anything else I would use tap water for, as well as several 5 gallon buckets full of water for flushing or washing clothes. I hope I never need them, but if I do, I have them.

      People are already fighting for the last roll of TP. If the food supply is compromised, it could get ugly in a hurry. Be aware.

      Take good care and continue praying!

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  8. I pray for you and the rest of my friends,now all the bars and restaurants will close down, only take out, and drive thu..

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    1. Thanks, Rob. You and yours are in my prayers. I heard about the shutdowns here in MN. Seems like nearly everything except retail stores are closed. I am glad the grocery stores are still open for those who need them. Take care.

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  9. I agree with Trump that this is all a giant hoax. Glad he's getting the truth out there.

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  10. Vicki, my friend. May the Lord bless and keep you. May He make is face to shine upon you, and give you Peace. Now and forever more.

    I pray we will continue to converse on the other side of this.

    Blessings, Fern

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    1. Thank you, Fern. You and Frank are in my prayers as well.

      We may no longer be as strong in body as we once were, but we are strong in resilience and determination and faith. We will get through this.

      This whole situation brings 'don't get on the bus' into stark reality, doesn't it. Take good care, my friend.

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  11. "Wash your hands and say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere"
    Take care Vicki

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    1. Jean...True, that! I believe the prayers will serve us best. Take good care.

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