HOW THIS PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED LIVES
Most lives have been drastically changed since the COVID-19 pandemic started. For instance: 95% of our food is now delivered. We are asked to shelter in place by remaining in our home most of the time. We are asked to be careful to wipe down everything we touch. We hurry and grab essential items (such as toilet paper) whenever it becomes available. And I find myself frantically shopping online before items run out of stock! Case in point – we decided to join all three warehouses in our local area (Sam’s, BJ’s, and Costco) so the chances would be greater of finding an essential item. While working on my laptop this morning, had an urge to check Sam’s Club for gloves. I found them and excitedly added two boxes to my cart. But to my dismay, this item disappeared from my cart during the checkout process!! So, I frantically went over to Costco’s online – but all of the gloves were sold out — no gloves. So, I quickly went over to the BJ’s online store – and voila! The gloves were in stock!!
EXPERT MEDICAL ADVICE
This type of consumer experience is the process we have seen happen over and over again since the pandemic outbreak. Despite this common occurrence, the most important thing that has guided us during this time is receiving the science-based advice of the medical experts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Anthony Fauci, an American physician and immunologist who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984 and has become one of the most trusted experts during the pandemic, is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on infectious diseases. These organizations have been instrumental in keeping America safe, and it would be beneficial to us all if we listen to them and take heed.
STAYING SAFE!
One thing that the CDC, and Dr. Fauci, have recommended is that we responsibly do our part by covering our faces when we go out to public places where it may be difficult to maintain 6-foot social distancing, such as in grocery stores. I admit that my thought was that the only effective mask against infectious diseases was the N-95 mask. However, officials from the CDC have reported that the use of a simple cloth mask can be effective to help slow the spread of the virus. In this report, certain populations are cautioned from ever wearing such a mask, such as children under the age of two or individuals with trouble breathing or those who are unconscious.
The CDC recommends that one should:
- Wash cloth face masks regularly
- Use a washing machine to sterilize and clean the cloth face covering
- Carefully remove the cloth face mask, by refraining from touching the eyes, nose, or mouth
- Wash hands immediately after removing the face mask
You can find instructions to make your own face mask here directly from the CDC’s website.
During these unprecedented times, stay safe!
xo ~ Dr. P.
