Schools are closed. Kids are home. Grocery and big box stores are insane. But we can't lose our cool. We must not feed into mass hysteria. There is a proper way to overcome a pandemic and I believe it begins with kindness, common sense, and forward-thinking. Here are my best tips for surviving this pandemic.
1. Social Distance Yourself and Your Family
This doesn't mean run to the stores and clear off shelves. This means go home, stay home, and limit your exposure to people. The Coronavirus can survive 24 hours on cardboard and up to two or three days on plastic and stainless steel. People can be infected with COVID-19 and not show symptoms for up to 2 weeks. It is possible people are spreading the virus, unknowingly, at the store as we speak. And because it can survive on surfaces, they could have coughed in the bread aisle hours ago and you can pick it up now. It is not believed to be the main way the virus is spread but it can happen. Distance yourself and keep this in mind when you do need to go out.
2. Don't Clear Shelves
There are some necessities you will need to go out for like medicine, food, baby formula, and diapers. We get it. Try to take advantage of Walmart Grocery Pick Up and other services to limit your exposure to crowds. Purchase what you need and leave stock for others. It is a good idea to have an extra bottle or month's supply of your medications on hand, be cautious when purchasing more than that.
If you need to shop. Shop local! Local businesses will see the biggest financial hit. Hit up locally-owned grocery stores, pharmacies, and stores.
3. Check On Your Elderly Neighbors by Phone
Exchange phone numbers with your elderly neighbors now. Check on them. Make sure they have toilet paper, meals, and their medicine. Make sure they have a plan. Let them know they can call you and you will be checking on them via telephone and not in-person to limit their exposure.
4. Cancel Service Calls and Cleaning Services
Cancel non-emergent service calls, tutors, and cleaning services. Give them the time off to socially distance themselves. If you can afford it, consider still paying them. If they can tutor, teach piano, or provide a speech therapy session virtually, go for it! It will keep you busy and these people paid.
5. Postpone Parties, Meetings, Conferences, etc.
Look at your calendar and start canceling things now. Don't make people have to make the hard decision of whether they should come out or not. Cancel meetings and parties now. If it is something that can be done virtually, do it. Keep people at home as much as possible.
If you are a boss or business owner, see if you can find a way for your employees to work from home.
6. Stay Out Of Emergency Rooms, Healthcare Facilities & Urgent Care Clinics for Non-Emergent Events
By all means, if it is an emergency GO. For non-emergent medical issues consider rescheduling. Distance yourself and keep these places open for people who are actually sick and need medical attention. Call your doctor's office and speak to nurse tirage before scheduling an appointment or consider doing virtual doctor visits through programs like Doctor On Demand (my insurance provides this service for free) if you are concerned.
Checkups and physicals may be able to be rescheduled for a more appropriate time.
7. Share
Are you a couponer with a lifetime supply of everything? Do you happen to have a chest freezer full of food? Share with your neighbors who may not have made it to the store. Did you get crazy and buy 4 jumbo packages of toilet paper at Sam's Club? No shame. It happens. Just share, if you got a square to spare.
8. Be Respectful
See someone with a mask? Don't laugh. They may be wearing it because they are protecting you from what they have. They may have a compromised respiratory system and are protecting themselves.
See someone with 3 packages of toilet paper? Maybe they are purchasing for elderly neighbors and parents. Be respectful and kind.
Did someone ask you to back up or deny you a hug? They are just trying to protect their family and you.
Is the cashier a little testy? Be kind. You have no idea what they have seen and put up with today.
9. Stay Home if You Are Sick
Fever? Stay home.
Flu? Stay home.
Under the weather? Stay home.
Think you've been exposed to COVID-19? Stay home. 100% stay home.
Wash your hands. Wash your clothes. Clean commonly touched surfaces. And for the love of humankind, cough and sneeze into your elbow and then wash that shirt at the end of the day.
10. Don't Hug Me. Don't Hug My Kids. Don't Shake My Hand.
We can all hug in June. Keep your distance so I don't have to tell you to back up. Don't make this awkward.
If we all have a little grace and common sense we will make it through these challenges times just fine.
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