My mind is still tremendously distracted as I try to adapt to life in a pandemic. Instead of writing a full post for today, which would require a bit more concentration than I have right now, instead I would like to highlight a few pieces I found on line and have been referring to frequently.
No one can argue that health care personnel need protection with proper PPE. But experts are more ambivalent about the need for masks for all. Some states are asking their residents to wear masks if they are going out, such as to the store.
One of the big issues in the discussion about masks-for-all is to make sure that PPE isn’t being diverted away from medical settings. A cloth mask won’t protect the wearer from inhaling airborne viruses, and therefore shouldn’t be used by healthcare workers in the hospital (or nursing home), but might protect others if someone sneezes or coughs.
I have been referring to this post to make my own cloth mask while going out for a walk. The mask isn’t nearly as good as a surgical mask, let along an N-95, but does allow me to cover my nose and mouth when I go out. Also, there is some real flexibility to try different cloths for the mask.
One of the other big issues these days is the question of hoarders. Where is all the toilet paper? It must be that hoarders bought it, is what I hear.
This article from Medium offers another explanation. Maybe, now that kids aren’t going to the bathroom at school and the library, and adults aren’t using the loo at work or the coffee shop, everyone needs a little more TP at home.
I suspect the same goes for groceries, since we aren’t eating at the cafeteria at school or work, let alone going out for lunch.
Lastly, I keep thinking about this post from Mr. Burrito Bowl. I even made my husband read it.
What I took away was the imperative to take care of business if you find yourself in a bad situation. It is worth noting the external factors that make life unfair, and working to fix injustice is still a worthy aim; but in the end, you need to work with life as it is.
Every time we hear about yet another way in which the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t handled perfectly, I want to show this article to the newscaster.
19 year olds partying on the beach 3 weeks ago? Yes, that’s awful, but it’s in the past; we need to take care of the mess now. (It’s OK with me if the government wants to shut down party beaches.)
Hospitals are out of proper PPE? This is a disaster. Please don’t waste my time pointing fingers now, just figure out how to get masks/shields/gloves/covers to the people who need them. We can take notes and figure out how to prevent this happening again…soon.
Of course, what I really need is something to make me laugh. Many thanks to the Physician on Fire Facebook group for posting silly memes and links to lift the spirits.
Stay safe out there!