We have entered our fourth week of self-quarantine/shelter in place and outside, the numbers are still rising. The kids have distance learning for school until “further notice” from our governor and the husband has been busily working from home. It is now a much needed spring break for them. I’ve got more on my plate and days are definitely busier but I’ll take that as we are all together.
Our township government has asked that we “shelter in place, maintain your social distancing, practice proper hand washing and stay calm and rational.” What does all that mean to me? Easy. Venture out only when necessary, meaning limit your trips to the market and hang with the folks who live in your home. These next two weeks are going to be critical, according to the government, and we should ALL do our part. Stock up for two weeks and don’t run in to the market or big box stores for a few items. You don’t really need those items, do you? Perhaps my upbringing has led me to being equipped to handle this. I can get very creative with meals and stretch out what I have at home. I don’t have a need for more things within the next two weeks or so. If I don’t have it, I don’t need it. Be creative with your meals! I’ll sacrifice, so that way, I am not the sacrifice.
Hang with only those who live in your home. That’s hella important right now. The pals ya have may look fine and be fine but what if they are asymptomatic carriers and you bring that shit home. Maybe no one in your immediate family will take the hit but someone else you then come in contact with? Is it worth it to you? What if I am the person you come in contact with and I get it? Is that worth it to you? Social distance and shelter in place is something my family is very conscientiously doing.
My family has had the tradition of going out every Friday night for dinner since my oldest was a baby. Obviously we can’t do that now. There is always take-out but that carries it’s own set of risks. My husband has been able to find places that have no contact when picking up food as it gets placed directly into his trunk. Everything gets removed from the containers when it gets home and if at all possible, we dine outside. Technically, it’s still going out to eat but it’s a few feet from the door. How have your habits changed and what have you done to make it fun?
I am watching the numbers in our nation and state rise. I am watching the death toll rise. I am watching people not do the right thing stay the same. Please, the longer we don’t do what we have to, the worse this will be. Here is why this is so important to me. Everything is cancelled. Everything. Why does that matter so much? My oncology visits are all CANCELLED. Every single little one of them and that frightens me. Some huge universal miracle has allowed me to finish my infusions before this epic shit storm happened. I’m lucky that way. I squeaked through just in the nick of time. Some of my pink sisters are not as lucky. Some have had targeted therapies and immunotherapies put on hold. Chemotherapy postponed and pushed out. Double mastectomies, single mastectomies, lumpectomies are all on hold, as they are deemed not critical. Go back and re read those last few sentences. What if it were you? What if it were a family member, someone you love? There are many others like me out there and we are pleading for everyone to do the right thing and help protect us. This is a national emergency and we all need to be united for each other and come out on the other side of this, stronger.
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