Keeping busy, How to not go crazy staying inside while Coronavirus COVID-19 is here

Birdhouse parts handmade by Anthony

When inside the house there is a constant barrage of coronavirus and stock market news of which none is good. I would rather be informed than uninformed but I can see how people can get depressed without any break in the constant flow of doom and gloom. It's important mentally to unplug and clear your mind. Read a riveting book (Keep the kids busy reading Nancy Drew Mysteries), work a challenging puzzle, plant a garden, bake a loaf of bread, walk down the street if still permitted, play some cards (remember Solitaire) or games if you are hunkered down with others! My husband just finished rebuilding a rotted birdhouse. I really feel for people that have to be confined to apartments or housing without a yard. No wonder people are going to balconies in Italy to cheer and make some noise!

Birdhouse assembled

I have to walk outside between the house and garage to get to my office loft and when I swing open the door I get a wonderful blast of fresh air and COLOR. Blazing white, yellow, and pink blooming Spring trees and shrubs - American Pear, Bradford Pears (pretty even though terrible trees to plant), Peach blossoms, Forsythia and Daffodils. It's so mind jarring that all of the stress washes away. I intentionally designed my office space to have 2 extra large windows so I could be up close and personal with nature. We hung a bird feeder 2 stories high because a bear decided he wanted to destroy the ground level suit feeder (pole and all). Sitting in my office I'm getting quite a show this time of year.

My neighbor with his jumbo tiller

I'm hearing of more and more people planting a Victory Garden in the US. We just finished cleaning up our vegetable plot, planting lettuce, kale, and chives. We often get critters dining on our crops so it's hard to know if we'll get anything for ourselves. Corn and beans are never successful. My neighbor is preparing his electrified garden that seems to always keep out the hungry wildlife. I have gobs of old seed that I'm giving to a friend to give a friend. Happy to share! I read about a local woman picking up some bread for housebound neighbors from a local bakery. We only have one case identified so far in our area. That doesn't mean there aren't more but we can still do a few things without extreme fear.

Big trees and birds, out my home office window

I did have to make an emergency trip yesterday to pick up a jumbo bag of cat food because they have discontinued the food our cats have been eating for 15 years! Perfect timing. I would have been stocked up otherwise. I had to investigate what food to switch to so had to make the trip to the store. The Charlottesville Petsmart was well stocked, it's a big open store, and very few people were there! I didn't see one mask which is disconcerting. I did have a scarf wrapped around my neck to pull up if anyone was coughing or sneezing or the clerks looked ill. I probably should have worn it regardless due to the fact that the droplets can stay in the air for 3 hours! 

Gus is glad Anthony is home 24 x 7 - FEED ME!

Anthony has not left the house for nearly a week. All families are undergoing some serious adjustments. Rules need to be set, that's for sure! In 12 hours I've encountered a sticky kitchen floor and crumbs all over the stove. My husband was kindly taking out the laundry and he smashed into me and I spilled my coffee and we don't even have what I would call close quarters! I turned around and nearly fell over a big box my husband had thrown in the floor. My friends with kids call it chaos! Life has changed but in the end hopefully we'll be saying that something IS worse than coronavirus --- going back to work!

~Rebecca

Coronavirus in the US, nervous binge eating from the storage pantry

My pantry items are growing

Over the last several days, I've been stocking up groceries and paper goods in preparation of a possible coronavirus outbreak in our area. Fear breeds panic and local stores could be temporarily wiped out of some key items. Minimizing your shopping trips can reduce the odds of infection. If you do get the virus in your household and have to isolate, game on, no trips to the grocery store! It certainly looks as if a community outbreak can happen anywhere. I'm particularly concerned because we live 15 miles from a large state medical facility, UVA (University of Virginia Hospital) and if someone needs urgent care, that's where they will be sent!

Only half of a Donut and a little Ice Cream blob.

As we wait for the virus to strike, my greatest concern is not eating my safety stash!! Having excess food tends to make one feel as if they can eat MORE! I decided to treat myself to a pint of Ice Cream and some Donuts, just in case there is no way to get SUGAR when in crisis mode. Might as well console myself and enjoy the top of the food chain delights before all hell breaks loose.

Nervous eating, obsessive thoughts, and worry does make you want to devour all that is bad for you!

Spirits must be booming right now!

It's normal to fear the unknown but it is not time to panic shop. First of all it's just plain rude and secondly there is no need for it. Read my prior blog post on what to stock up. If you get the virus, hopefully it will be a mild case and you will become somewhat immune to it. Of course the long term effects have yet to be determined because this is a totally new virus. I am concerned about my elderly mom and in-laws, not to mention that I have an auto-immune disease which makes it more possible that I could get really sick.

After we consume the fun foods, I'll eventually go retrieve some more of the boring stuff that can actually be saved for disaster use when the time comes. Be prepared but remember, this is not the end of the world and this too shall pass or at least become the norm.

~Rebecca

Preparing and survival of the Coronavirus COVID-19 in the US

It's time to keep it clean!

COVID-19 has now been in the United States, North America (NA) specifically, for 40 days. The first confirmed case in NA was on January 21, 2020 in Washington state by a man that returned on January 15 from traveling to Wahun China. As of today, sixty-eight cases are presumed or positive tested in NA. As of yet, test kits have not been made available nationwide so it is possible that other less symptomatic cases have been in communities or symptoms are waiting to present. Incubation can take 7 days or longer. This is a new virus and until more analysis, conclusions are based on what has occurred thus far mainly in China.

The good news is that 81% of those infected will have flu like symptoms and weeks of in home isolation can aid in the non-transmission of the virus to others. It doesn't seem to impact children as badly as adults but they can be carriers. The bad news is that the other 19% often with with depressed immune systems, respiratory disorders, diabetes, or other existing illnesses can become victim to a case requiring hospitalization or even death.

Treat yourself, get some goodies while you are stocking up.

So far, it appears the virus is very stable which is good, unlike the influenza virus which mutates. It is not yet been proven that it is seasonal like influenza. It is concerning that Singapore has 100 reported cases and the temperate is around 90 degrees right now! It is believed that it can stay alive on surfaces for 9 days which is not good as this makes it easier to pick up off of droplets left by those infected from sneezing, wiping nose, going to the bathroom, etc.

The CDC has stated that the best way to avoid contracting the virus is to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Even wearing a face mask has not proven to be as effective or possibly even wearing a damp face mask is even worse than none at all. Masks are becoming a hard commodity to find and in a pinch, one can be handmade for short term use. It may or may not be helpful. It probably would help to remind oneself to not put hands near your mouth, which is helpful.

I'll wear my vintage gauze witch mask

Another tip is to keep tissue with you at all times and to use as a buffer between any signature or number pads, door knobs, etc. Then carefully disposing of the tissue without touching the exterior surface which could transfer the virus to your hands.

Public bathroom use, especially in high volume areas should be avoided if at all possible as the virus can be transferred by excrement droplets that could be on toilet seats, door handles, sink knobs, etc.

It is estimated that 30% of the world population will get the virus. If strict measures and test kits are readily available and used, it can be controlled to some degree. Cases have been lowered in China with strict home confinement, closure of public events and schools, and restriction of travel. In South Korea citizens can be tested in their car and results sent to them in 2 days, which sounds like a much better idea than forcing people to go into a hospital to be tested, potentially spreading the virus to surfaces and others, especially those that are sick in the hospital with another ailment!

Air travel from infected countries such as Italy and South Korea are still permitted into North America which is problematic. Some restrictions seem to finally be coming.

Population density could certainly make community outbreaks more significant. Also the lack of test kits and availability of treatment facilities could exacerbate death rates. Asia, Europe, Africa and India have some of the denser populations on the planet.  

The best way to protect yourself is to not attend public events, not use public restrooms, wash your hands and at a minimum use tissues as surface contact barrier and keep hand gel on hand (which is not proven to work on virus germs but in a pinch might be better than nothing). Interestingly bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and possibly even vinegar might kill the COVID-19 virus but none have been specifically tested (they have been proven to kill other bad germs).

Time to make good use of the Tupperware

As more cases emerge in NA it can be anticipated that some shortages will occur. It is a good idea to begin stocking up on canned goods and the things you normally eat to avoid multiple trips to the grocery, thus reducing the possibility of picking up a contaminated item. As time goes on, stores will potentially have more shoppers with the virus and therefor fixtures and goods have the potential to harbor the virus. It's not time to hoard or panic, but it is time to stock up a little in order to minimize your exposure.

Stocking up your pantry, my beginning.

Extra pantry item ideas: canned beans, rice, instant potatoes, instant coffee (for desperate times), tea bags, canned fruit, pasta, nut butter, crackers, soup, dried milk, and water if you don't have good tap water. Stock the freezer with homemade soups and casseroles - remember the good old days! Rice, bread, and nuts can be stored in the freezer to extend their life. Certain items may be in short supply so get a little extra hand soap, bleach, toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels. You may have to make your own mask or shield.   

Time to hide out for awhile, rest, or recover?

It's not too early to ask your employer or school system if they will allow work from home, realizing that this is impossible for public service jobs. In this situation, it's not too early to ask for protective gear (disposable gloves, face masks, face shields) and to inquire about strict sanitary cleaning of surfaces and bathrooms. 

To watch a daily world briefing about the virus, I particularly like retired Dr John Campbell in the UK. If you are into data, Peak Prosperity is another good website that is tracking this virus worldwide.  

On a final note, life goes on, it's not the end of the world or the planet, look at it as an inconvenience but do your part to be prepared in a methodical way and if you think you are sick do not continue on as if "it will pass" and risk contaminating your community.

When employed in the food service industry, I learned that NOTHING replaces proper hand washing! Keep strong and carry on.

~Rebecca