Well, about a month ago, I posted in regards to the lovely Coronavirus, and our stay at home order. We now have another month to go, and I have formed some OPINIONS. Let’s be real clear, I respect what everyone chooses to do for their family. Only you know what is best for your family, and that’s 100% ok by me. You do you!
In my last post, I noted that it was like I had already been prepared for quarantine….4 years of chemo treatments and 2 Stem Cell Transplants will do that, I suppose. I am sharing some similarities/differences between transplants, and how that relates to this quarantine, or shelter in place order.
I’m just gonna put it out there that I think a continued shelter in place in Central Il seems a bit extreme to me. I am basing this on numbers from the interwebs, and experience caring for someone who was immune-compromised. Tazewell County has about 131,000 people, and 41 cases of the Rona (0.03% of the population affected). Cook County ( which is actually where John passed) has 5 MILLION people, and about 39,000 cases of the Rona (0.7% of the population affected). Basically, what’s right for one part of the state isn’t necessarily what is right for the entire state.
Again, you do you….if locally, they decide to “open things up”, and you don’t feel it’s right for your family, don’t go out. I have friends and family on all spectrums of this thing. Some who wipe down their groceries, some who haven’t left home but for a grocery pickup, and some who have thrown caution to the wind. Will everyone continue to do these things? Possibly…. Look, I’m actually kinda pissed I can’t get a grocery pickup in a reasonable time b/c EVERYONE is doing it now! Do I think one round of shut down was necessary? YES! Have we flattened the curve? YES, I think so anyway.
I, personally, have mostly followed the stay home order. I have gone to the grocery store about weekly, following distancing, and sanitizing throughout my trip. I have spent time with some friends who also work from home and also my parents. I have essentially been in 3 homes since this started, and then my office for about an hour or 2 every 10 days or so….and no one else is there. Yes I have also supported a few businesses with take out, and a drive thru McD’s coke when the mood strikes.
So, here’s the thing….if the Rona can cause the most damage to those who are already previously compromised….These are the people who are already taking precautions! For those not familiar, a Stem Cell transplant erases your immune system completely, and starts over with fresh cells and marrow. We had strict instructions after John’s first transplant. Instructions after the second were’t as strict, in my opinion. Did we follow them 100%??? Nope, but only b/c John himself was willing to take the risk. So, you may find some of these things interesting, because I sure did! LOTS of dietary restrictions as far as what is safe to consume. NO fast food. NO buffet’s because those things have a sneeze guard for a reason. NO pizza delivery because who knows whats going on inside that warming bag?? NO fresh broccoli, frozen is ok…NO leafy greens without being thoroughly washed. NO fresh berries, but frozen was ok. And the worst part, NO beer for 100 days post transplant. Now, after the second transplant we were allowed to order take out while IN the hospital, and I don’t necessarily recall the strict food restrictions, but we followed the first round instructions anyway. He was also to avoid crowded places, grocery stores, malls, and had to wear a mask when out in public, and sanitize often (sound familiar)? “Rules” were different for transplants simply due to the number of people they treat in each region. Peoria has 3 transplant beds….U of C had 40 transplant beds at the time, and now has almost 80, I think.
Essentially, John avoided school aged kids (aka…germ factories),crowded places, ate home cooked meals, didn’t do the grocery shopping, sanitized frequently when visiting with anyone, and wore a mask in public. Now, what did he ultimately die of? Death certificate says Lymphoma, followed by Influenza. Influenza that he couldn’t shake for 6 months before his passing. Could we have taken better precautions? Apparently. Who knows how one could get Influenza in the middle of the summer…..but lets be honest, weekly clinic visits probably didn’t help.
I really don’t think that anything is going to open up balls to the wall anytime soon. But I do think that if a hair salon wants to open up, and its stylists are willing to take extra precautions, as well as its clients, then so be it. I personally feel terrible for my lash artist and hair stylist who have been out of work for weeks, and are incredibly passionate about their jobs. Something I learned in 4 years of care taking and counseling is that self care is SUPER important! Not because I really don’t want to know my true hair color, or because I have one lash extension hanging on for dear life….but because these ladies, and anyone else in a non essential business, deserve to be able to make their own decisions for their family, just like the rest of us. Then there’s nursing homes…..I have two loved ones who are basically in lockup with limited familial contact. I may have to do another post just on nursing home protocols during this time vs normal times.
In conclusion, as a person who endured two transplants, and basically had a 3 month old husband TWICE. My personal opinion is that the average Joe isn’t at as great a risk as has been portrayed in the media. Those who are more compromised are very likely already taking precautions. I feel comfortable going to the store to get my groceries since all the other ass hats in this town have scooped up all the grocery pickups. Will I wear a mask when required? Yep. Will I sanitize? You betcha! Face it, the Rona isn’t just going to disappear. We have done our best to flatten the curve thus far and as time is passing, treatments and vaccines are being developed.
You do you, and I will do me, but don’t forget to #WashYoHands
Stronger Than A Fifth Of Whiskey 