coronavirus and chronic illness…

I’m not worried I will get COVID-19. Perhaps I should be, given that those of us with preexisting conditions are at a higher risk, and my last two blood tests showed a low white blood cell count without explanation. If I catch the virus, it might be a tough journey. But about 10 people in my city (of 1+ million people) have tested positive. I expect that many more than those 10 have it and aren’t showing symptoms, but right now my chances of contracting COVID-19 are low. With my low WBC count, I am still much more worried about coming down with the standard flu virus.

I do, however, enjoy watching the rest of the world finally understand what it’s like to be afraid when someone next to you coughs. The fear they seem to have for the coronavirus is the same fear many of us with chronic illnesses have for EVERY ILLNESS OUT THERE, including the ones you regularly show up with at work, even knowing you are sick. Social distancing, washing hands, face masks, and over use of disinfectants are already a part of the daily lives for many with preexisting conditions.

My biggest fear in all of this isn’t catching the virus, it isn’t even catching the virus and passing it on to my 79 year old father-in-law/roommate. My biggest fear is the hysteria of other people. My local supermarket has been out of necessities like toilet paper, soap, tissues, and face masks for weeks. Last night, I stopped at the store to buy some milk, and the checkout line was a two hour wait that wrapped around the entire store. They are now out of eggs, milk, pasta, water, most fruits and veggies, and most canned goods. People were getting frustrated and yelling at each other. Fortunately, we have plenty of food at home and the milk wasn’t a necessity, so I went home. I don’t understand people’s irrational fears that they have to buy up all the food, sanitizer, and toilet paper. Meanwhile, us average folks who just want to keep our hands clean and wipe our ass sometimes won’t be able to because everyone else has bought three years’ worth of supplies.

Many of my autoimmune friends rely on sanitation supplies like hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and hand masks. By hoarding all of those supplies, people who do not need truly need them are keeping them from those who do. Your city isn’t going to shut off the water supply, farmers aren’t going to stop growing crops, and chickens aren’t going to stop laying eggs. There was never any fear that we were going to run out of those things until people went insane and started buying everything in sight.

Perhaps those of us with chronic illnesses are already immune to the panic because we deal with it on a daily basis. We’re already hesitant to venture out in public, touch communal surfaces, and sit next to someone who is coughing. Coronavirus – new name, same threat.

What can you do?

Please only purchase the supplies you need which, according to health experts, includes two weeks worth of food and water, prescription drugs, bathroom essentials, and regular cleaning products – there’s no reason to buy 50 rolls of toilet paper. This isn’t a pooping virus.  Leave supplies for those who truly need it. If you overstocked, offer to share. We’re all in this together, and we’re going to keep passing this shit around if everyone doesn’t have the supplies they need.

Check on your elderly neighbors and friends who may be afraid to go out. You can always call them or drop books and food off at their doorstep and still minimize their risk of infection.

Keep your immune system as healthy as possible. Take vitamin C. Check with your doctor about whether you should also take zinc, echinacea, and vitamin D. To the extent possible (if your store isn’t running out of fruits and veggies like mine), eat whole healthy foods. Now is a great time to try new recipes.

If you’re a little fearful of COVID-19, please search the internet for articles or news videos about those who contracted the virus, described it as similar to suffering from a cold, and have since recovered and living their lives again. The vast majority of people who get it recover quickly, but it’s difficult to remember that when the nightly news isn’t showing those stories.

Please respect others’ concerns, even if you think they’re irrational. You may not be afraid of the virus, but those who are older or have compromised immune systems may view it as a death sentence.

When all of this is over, I hope those healthy people who freaked out and bought the entire supermarket will be a little more understanding to those of us who face this kind of threat on a daily basis, and manage to do it without putting others at risk.

“No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.” – Voltaire

For other bloggers’ take on the COVID-19 situation, see Coronavirus from Jak and A Message to Coronavirus Stockpilers from Caz

Smell ya later.
– Linds