Social Distancing – Globally, we have done pretty well when it comes to social distancing during this coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I must also commend the United States for those who HAVE complied with the social distancing efforts in the last 6-12 weeks. Thousands across this country have made major sacrifices when it comes to their families, workplace and their everyday livelihood in order to comply with the social distancing orders put in place. We all are affected by this in some form of fashion. My dear 98 year-old mother is in a nursing home, and this particular nursing home has been sheltered in place with no visitors for the last 4 weeks. It tears me up inside knowing she cannot have visitors and that that nursing home and many other nursing homes may face the reality that the virus could spread to them. There are still too many who have not complied though, even 3-4 months into this raging virus. Please, let us sacrifice a few weeks of our normal disruption of life in order to get this virus contained and so that no more lives will be lost! We are already 2-3 weeks behind – the quicker we comply with the stay-at-home and social distancing orders, the quicker we can ALL get back to some type of normal life and get the economy going strong again.

Stupidity – This is the part of my blog that I have to get really real. I am normally a pretty positive, upbeat and happy person, so not to say that this is negative, I am just going to hit you with the facts -the reality of what is really happening… So there are still many out here, even after 3 months of this pandemic, that believe that this global health crisis isn’t “real”. There are thousands of human lives lost during this crisis!! How is that not real??? There are millions who have actually had the virus and thousands who have recovered. How is this not real??? Then you have state orders that were issued for people to stay at home, but again, all state leaders feel for one stupid reason or other that they do not want to comply with the orders or they “didn’t know that asymptomatic people could also spread the virus”. That person who made that comment is in the same state where the home office of the CDC is located – the very agency who set out that guideline weeks prior…… (sigh).

You have some churches who are just bent and bound on continuing to have church services, even thinking it’s okay to still give hugs and shake hands and “pray it away”. You are still infecting people by doing foolish stuff like this!!! Stop it people, just stop! I am a true believer in God, have had many struggles in my life and know it was no one but God that brought me through each and every trial, but I also have a brain that God gave me to use!! I am one of those who have underlying health issues and there is no way I’d be going to anyone’s church. First, you’re being disobedient. Second, there is a real live pandemic going on and I’d be a straight fool to go harm myself or others by congregating with people, just to say I went to church!!! There are many churches who have live-streaming of their ministers giving you a good sermon, many who are offering online giving as well. Maybe this is God’s way of telling us to SIT DOWN AND STAY HOME!!

Selfishness – Then you have those who are so use to being selfish, arrogant and self-centered who, actually have gone into a state of panic because their lives were disrupted. You have those selfish people who feel this is only happening to me and I shouldn’t have to work or I should hoard everything from the stores. You are not the only one that this is affecting! It is affecting every human life on this globe – whether directly or indirectly.

This is the time, more than ever before, that we need to come together, at a distance, to help stop the spread of this coronavirus. Utilize the tools we now have – the internet, all the different social media platforms, etc to get the word out to stay at home as much as you can to end this pandemic. Follow all of the tips that have been so greatly shared through the various health organizations, federal, state and local governments and the media. If you’re unemployed, follow the steps to file for unemployment, whether online or via phone, no matter how many times you have to repeatedly call to be able to get through! If you do not have health insurance, please – now is the time to get your health insurance. Remember, if you have become separated from your job, you DO qualify for the American Health Act (AHA) health exchange right now – you do NOT have to wait until open enrollment.

When we do go out and about for only the necessary things right now, take all the precautions of washing your hands before you go out, washing when you come back home and sanitizing yourself and your household.

While we are sheltered at home for awhile, find safe ways to help ALL of those working so hard and tirelessly on the front lines to help save livesl Find ways to give back in your community. Stay informed of factual things around you and not panic. Stay healthy yourself – keep your immune system strong and stay at home!!

As of today’s writing, the global confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 660,173. Unfortunately, the United States leads the way of confirmed cases with 121,489. Why? Because we cannot STAY HOME!

I understand the need to get out, I get it – we ALL get it. But, in order to quickly resolve the contagion and get back to normalcy, the better off we’ll be.

What I’m more upset about is the fact that this country, supposedly the richest country in the nation, hospitals across the nation are scrambling to find masks, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and even Tylenol I heard one nurse say! This is totally unacceptable. This just shows how we are NOT prepared for any type of disaster or pandemic.

Right now is not the time to blame or get upset. Now is the time to empower ourselves and help one another. When you do go out to the stores, think of others – the elderly, the hospital workers, EMTs. Show your appreciation by saying thank you to all the truck drivers, store clerks, stockers, etc who continue to work hard and long hours by trying to keep us stocked with needed supplies. Find creative ways to help others who are in need. Check on others as well, via phone calls, internet, etc. Once you’re done shopping, listen and take heed to what your local Governors and Mayors are saying – if they have orders, please abide by them and stay inside! We ALL want to and are tempted to go out and about, but actually, where are you going? Most businesses and offices are closed – there is no need to GO anywhere!

I hope everyone have their sanitizers as well as your vitamins to keep your immune systems healthy. This I feel will at least help you from having a weak immune system and becoming sick, especially those of us with already underlying health issues. Take your vitamins, drink hot liquids, get some vitamin D and C. I am not speaking for everyone but for myself, I have also found that even taking allergy meds (I have been taking since at least 2015 while living in Georgia with their extreme pollen count in the Spring, and continue to take even while temporarily working here in Arizona) to clear the mucus from your lungs/respiratory area, since this version of the coronavirus hits the lungs/respiratory area very hard. Stay, healthy, stay safe and stay at home!

So much has happened since my last blog (which was over a year ago), but this pandemic virus has brought practically the world to its knees!

Sooner or later, the REAL truth will come out as to the sudden and quick spread of this virus, which has been around since the 1960s, although this particular strain, COVID-19, of the virus is new.

Where did coronavirus originate

The coronavirus first originated in the 1960s as an infectious bronchitis in chickens where it then developed in two humans. Other coronaviruses are SARS-CoV in 2003 and MERS-CoV in 2012. Fast forward, this newest strain, COVID-19, began in Wuhan, China, first reported on December 31, 2019.

Is COVID-19 highly contagious

According to some articles I’ve read, it is not as contagious as the SARS virus. I’m no doctor and it does not take a rocket scientist to see how quickly COVID-19 has spread!!! This has been my burning question in my mind as to WHY is this virus so contagious? This virus is spreading like a wild fire…. literally! Countries literally closing for weeks at a time. This is why I said earlier that eventually, probably 10-20 years from now, the truth will come out because either someone is lying, trying to cover up something or there are a lot of scientists, clinicians, etc that wasted their years by going to medical school, because they have learned nothing!

Uncharted territory

As of this writing, the entire world has reached unchartered territory, times we’ve never seen before. So far this date, the virus has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide, and killed over 5,600. All we can do is take heed to the necessary precautions that have been placed to prevent ourselves from getting the virus. My hats and heart really goes out to ALL those working in healthcare who are working the front lines of this pandemic, ie., phlebotomists, nurses, aides, lab techs (having to do the testing of the virus) and all healthcare workers dealing directly with patients who do have the virus, as well as law enforcement having to deal with those who are panicking or just taking advantage of a very vulnerable situation. Instead of every man for himself, let’s try and care for one another and create ways to HELP those that ARE working the front lines of this virus.