What day is it? A Redpoint Perspective, and an update on current research.
This cat is a master at relaxation and doesn’t care what time of day or day of the week it is. We can learn from her!
You get to a certain point in self-quarantine where the days start to run together. Even getting out of the house 2-4 days per week to work, I find myself confused about what day it is, what hour it is, what meal we’re on, and whether or not it’s an appropriate time to open a bottle of wine. Yesterday was an easy one… it was Easter, and wine was appropriate all day. But today is a new day, and these are uncertain times. Who knows what lunchtime will bring?
Despite my concerns, my kids appear to be thriving in this new, strange lifestyle where I play the role of Principal as well as mom. My Pre-K has mastered the alphabet and basic math, and my 2nd grader has uncracked the mystery of math strategies for solving double-digit problems. Both have proclaimed they shall never return to formal schooling. On top of that, we’re catching up on essential screen time such as Flight of the Navigator and the Back to the Future series, and classic novels like James and the Giant Peach… obviously important parts of childhood that we may not have otherwise had no time for.
Oddly, during this period of “social distancing,” I feel I have more time to connect with my friends through phone calls and virtual hang outs, and feel my down time is filled with better quality interactions and activities. Unexpectedly, the stress levels in our household are relatively low, compared to what I anticipated. The kids are very matter-of-fact about Covid-19 and its effects. My 5-year-old keeps saying, “When Cuh-wohna-viwus is over, I’ll [fill in blank activity with named friend].” My 7-year-old is clearly more of an introvert like her mother, and is handling the break from life relatively well, only asking occasionally why she can’t play with her best friend before shrugging and answering herself, “Oh right… coronavirus.”
As the eternal optimist, I am finding so much positivity in this time off. But I know this is not the same for everyone. This time period is filled with uncertainty and anxiety, ranging from, “when will they restock toilet paper and Lysol wipes,” to “when will my next paycheck come?” While our ability to pay the bills or avoid unknowingly infecting a loved one is not a matter of perspective, I still find it helpful to look at life from a different angle. Let us remember, while we hole up and create physical distance from one another, will still maintain the capability of social interaction from the comfort of our homes. We have the luxury of staying home and enjoying the wonders of the internet and all it has to offer, watching pretty much any movie or TV show on the planet. We can still send our kids outside to play. Most of us can appreciate a fully stocked fridge and pantry, and the power to cook meals with light and music, in stark contrast to the harder times in our families’ histories. It *could* be worse, for sure.
Chins up, we’ll get through this. If we’re lucky, we’ll even learn from this experience. I hope to retain my new-found appreciation for down time, me-time, and a simpler life. What will you take from this experience?
Here’s a compilation of the latest research and recommendations:
Recent studies recommend that we all wear a mask in public to minimize the potential spread from asymptomatic carriers. My mask protects YOU from me, and you mask protects ME from you. Since 4 out of 5 of those infected may be symptomatic, this is an important step. Masks should NOT be medical grade – those should be saved for health care workers. Cloth masks will help limit the spread of this virus. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
You SHOULD still go outside and exercise, but probably best to do it alone. https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a31439358/running-during-coronavirus/ The 6 foot distance is effective if you’re standing still with minimal wind, but 6 feet is not enough if you’re running, biking, or maybe even walking. https://medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08 Remember, exercise strengthens your immune system, so you should try to get outside and get your heart rate up regularly.
Should you run with a mask? If it makes you more comfortable, yes. Your mask is meant to protect others from you. However, masks are not effective when wet, so if you are running or biking, the recommendation is for a wick away buff or neck gaiter. https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a32051593/wearing-a-mask-while-running/ But your best bet is to run somewhere where you will be alone, and please remember to stay home if you’re not feeling well.
Stop wearing gloves everywhere! There are too many sources to pick one to cite, so if you’re curious, ask the Google Machine if you should wear gloves to the grocery store and see what it says. Gloves are only useful if you don and doff them correctly, and the average person does not. Also, you’re probably not changing your gloves between every interaction, and you’re certainly not washing or sanitizing them, so it’s likely spreading germs with them. If you touch a contaminated surface with your gloves, then take them off correctly, you have now contaminated your hand. You are FAR better off to just wash your hands regularly. I keep hand sanitizer in my pocket and in my car, and always wash my hands when I walk in the door. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, IF YOU STILL WEAR GLOVES, PLEASE DISPOSE OF THEM PROPERLY!!! You may not drop your contaminated gloves on the ground for someone else to deal with.
As always, we remain here for you as a resource. If you need advice on an injury, you’ll notice a new Telehealth tab on our website with a link to request a visit. You know where to find us! Stay well!