Monday, April 6, 2020

Week 3 - Don't Lose Sight of the Big Picture

As expected, the numbers of cases and deaths are continuing to grow; this is not a happy time. We are going to be sheltering in place for the next 4 weeks, minimum. The risk of contracting the virus will be maintained until a vaccine is developed (projected to take 1 year to 18 months), but increased testing and effective therapies will help mitigate the spread and thus hospital capacities. Returning to normal will come over time, in steps/waves and as new precautions/rules for safety will be implemented.

I'm questioning this association that some people are making of complete home isolation to the big picture of minimizing risk of contraction and thus spread. The virus is not transmitted in the air, it is from infected globules, which can live on surfaces, but unlikely to transmit from surface to human, especially if humans take proper precautions to wash hands and not touch face. Best way to reduce risk of infection is to not be around infected people. Does a mask really help protect me at the grocery store? Initially, the answer from CDC was no. If it's not really helping protect me at the grocery store, then it's not helping you, either, so why is the CDC recommending it? What changed?

I am hearing from friends and family a lot of anxiety around what other people are doing. Of course, it's important to follow the shelter in place instruction, but it's also important to focus on what you can control. I've seen posts of  an article chastising the driveway gatherings and I can't help but think this is a reaction to the fear of what others think of them/their behaviors, rather than considering that driveway gatherings, if socially distant are posing no real risk/threat to the general public. Perhaps without driveway gatherings, we all would need even more mental health support, which is also not readily available. I heard a clinical psychologist (Esther Perel) remind us podcast listeners that being healthy is not just not having a virus.

Be kind to yourself and to others, as the energy you're putting out there does impact others more than you think. We have a lot more time to process this and amend our behaviors and some people are more comfortable with some risk than others and as long as people are working within the guidelines, then they are not a threat to you or the public. 4 more weeks - I don't want to be questioning myself on all my decisions. I'm doing the best I can and I know you are too. I hope for you that you can release yourself of the anxiety. I'm available to talk it out, if needed.

I cannot express enough gratitude for our extended family to include Ronda, Kelly & Kendall through the shelter in place order. We are keeping each other sane through this.

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