10 Things about this virus and this quarantine that the people on the frontlines want you to know…

img_7802Because I’m tired of responding to posts individually and I’m tired of working the frontlines while people complain about being at home. I don’t have the energy for a back and forth, so if you don’t want to hear it, just keep scrolling. Please don’t troll me right now.

I’m tired.

  1. The government isn’t restricting your liberty, they’re saving people’s lives. This is global pandemic, get over yourself.
  2. This is not a conspiracy theory. It’s a nasty virus and if you saw what we saw, you’d realize we’re not spreading negativity or trying to induce panic. We too, are trying to save lives. We are frustrated that people are not taking this seriously and want them NOT to panic, but to understand the importance of their compliance and to be safe and smart.
  3. People are shedding the virus before they become symptomatic. Just because you don’t have symptoms right now, doesn’t mean you couldn’t have it and spread it. So stay in quarantine!
  4. Adjust your perspective. Americans have become accustomed to a lifestyle of convenience and instant gratification. This is a hard transition. But when you become frustrated or feel inconvenienced, please take a moment to re-evaluate what is truly essential and please try to minimize your trips out and stay away from other people. Please don’t let selfishness be this country’s demise! And please stop complaining about not getting your name brand whatever, it’s annoying. People are dying.
  5. When you do have to go out, masks are a good idea. Use cloth ones to save the professional grade ones for healthcare. And most importantly, wash your hands! Because transmission occurs via body fluids, if everyone keeps their nose and mouth vapors and hand touchy germs to themselves, it will help slow the transmission. (But leaving your nose uncovered or taking it off to talk kind of defeats the purpose and makes you look silly).
  6. The economy will recover. Yes this is scary. Yes a poor economy has consequences. But let’s remember 1. This is a global emergency which means it’s not just the US that’s screwed right now. A huge part of “economy” is how we, as a country, are fairing in relation to other countries. Everyone is struggling and everyone can rebuild together. 2. Dead people can’t boost the economy. If we lift the quarantine too early, it will be a death sentence. Instead, ask of our government that they help us the way other countries are helping their unemployed until this disaster passes.
  7. Back to perspective… at what cost do we attend a gathering…lift the quarantine before it’s advisable? Are you willing to accept that the price for doing so might be the loss of your loved ones? Might mean you not getting a ventilator if you need one? If you think you are immune, I hope you are right.
  8. The quarantine slows the spread, it’s not a cure. This is less about the number of cases and more about controlling them when they occur, (that’s what “flattening the curve” means.) If everyone gets sick at once, we won’t have enough equipment to help. That, increases preventable death exponentially. Imagine being told, “As sick as you are, we could’ve saved your life, if we had just one more ventilator, but we’re out. Sorry.”
  9. There is no sure timeline. How in the hell could we provide that? No one has lived through this or dealt with this virus before. No one has a crystal ball… but the more we socially distance, the higher the likelihood that we recover faster and with less death. And if the numbers never reach what the models project, let that be because we heeded the advise of the countries before us, rather than to blame the models, media, government for inflation or inducing panic.
  10. Search for goodness!!! Tired of the negativity? Me too! Rather than focus on the loss of jobs, the inconvenience, the media, lets hope that this brings people and families together. Let it refocus our priorities. Instead of hoarding, leave a drop off on someone’s porch. Instead of fear, be prudent and resourceful. Instead of focusing on loss, search for a way to help. Will some people lose their houses and businesses from this, yes, but better than their lives. Be the person that opens their heart and home to help another when that time comes. While the gravity is great, the fruits we stand to reap, too, are great. Sometimes in great sacrifice, we find our best selves… Let that be us! ❤️

 

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