Covid-19 - Game Changer or Just Another Day?

I have been following the ever evolving COVID-19 situation carefully. I do this not just for my family but for friends around the world and loved ones who fall in the at risk category and for my work. I see the concern and panic, and I understand it, because truthfully this is the current that runs under our lives on a daily basis.

At this moment I am watching my youngest child sleeping peacefully with tubes running into his throat, his belly and on his foot, monitoring his vitals and helping him breath and gain nourishment. The terror that hits me at the thought of what this virus, a respiratory virus, could do to my son with chronic lung disease and neurological impairment, is quickly absorbed and not focused on for very long. Why? Because this terror could always be there for everything from the flu or even a common cold.

I read about how in Italy doctors have had to make unimaginable choices as to who is to be treated and recognize that my son would not make the cut. This is not being pessimistic, this is realistic. We have already had to fight with everything in us to convince doctors to keep him alive, and that was when he was only a few weeks old. So, if I wanted to go down the what if road, I could drown in it. We could live in fear or terror, or we can try to think positive and do the best we can.

I hope the upside from all of this, is maybe people will realize what life is like for those who are medically compromised and that a sense of caring for others and helping those in need will win out against this hoarding and taking advantage of others that has been cropping up this past week. Let’s work together to protect us all, because we can’t stop it completely but we can certainly help.

So here are some tips we have learned so far. I am sure you have all heard at this point, but a gentle reminder might not hurt.

* WASH YOUR HANDS PROPERLY! NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) moms and dads out there will tell you, we were trained - wash up to your elbows! You don’t have to go to that extreme all day long, but you should be washing up past your wrists and for long enough to be able to sing Happy Birthday twice. I now sing the tune with the words “wash your hands real well” and it does make me chuckle to hear the kids humming as I pass the bathroom.

* HAND SANITIZER: Not a bad idea to carry it with you. (I have it in our car, my purse, William's wheelchair, the kids' backpacks, mounted in several places in the house, - this was from way back when we first came home from the hospital) but please please please remember this does not replace good hand washing! We need both people.

* GOOD HYGIENE: Cough into your sleeves (just like a vampire into his cape - credit to my best friend Stacy's brother Dan!), throw tissues away properly immediately and disinfect any area close at hand.

* THINK HEALTHY: Eat healthy (I admittedly struggle with this as for some reason my mind does believe that chocolate is a food group), drink lots of water to stay hydrated and get some form of exercise. Luckily we are getting into nicer weather in Canada and there are no more excuses not to go for a walk around your block or open the windows and do an exercise class online, or those with kids - this all calls for a dance party in the living room to dance off the stress!

* NOT HEALTHY? Stay away from large crowds and self-isolate if you don’t feel well. Yes I know many of my medical mom and dad's already do this the whole flu season, so why not give them a call and get tips and tricks from them (and remember what this feels like next flu season when you don't see them at get togethers and make sure you check in to see how they are doing!)

* CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN: Disinfect commonly used items and surfaces on a regular basis. This includes your phones, keys and door handles. One place I find I have to remind people about is the coffee maker!

* REACH OUT TO OTHERS: Check on friends and family and share resources when needed. We all know someone, whether it is our parent, grandparent, or neighbour, that could use a quick phone call to say hi. My Mom found that she was disappointed when she didn't receive many Christmas cards in the mail right now. Looking for an activity for the kids - draw Nana or Grandpa a picture or write a story for them.

Daily, I pray for our friends and family members in the medical community. May our nurses, doctors, administrative staff, cleaning staff, all those involved in the medical field, who are the ones in the trenches right now, know they are appreciated and that we pray for their health and the health of their loved ones.