Lucky you, but this isn’t about you. This is about me and the millions of other Americans with underlying health conditions that leave their immune systems compromised. This isn’t about whether or not a healthy person will quickly recover from a virus. This is about keeping the otherwise healthy people out of the hospitals so there is room for the sick. This is about our doctors having to avoid deciding whose life is more important and who deserves to be put on a ventilator and who doesn’t. This is about avoiding the spread of a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus to those who are most vulnerable.
Of course, I was disappointed when I heard the show I had tickets for was postponed. My sister bought the tickets for me as a birthday gift and I had been looking forward to it for months. It was going to be a huge post-chemo milestone. But I was also really thankful to the theater for postponing, now I didn’t have to decide between risking exposure to a scary virus or forfeiting my tickets.
I get it, staying home sucks. Not seeing your friends, missing fun events, making your own dinner and cocktails is not nearly as fun as socializing. Watching Netflix is hardly as exciting as seeing a live band. But as someone who has already been stuck home more often than not over the last six months, as someone who rang in the new decade in bed, skipped their own birthday, couldn’t visit NYC to see the tree, believe me when I say you’ll find ways to make it work.
I’m not a doctor or even an expert, but here is some advice I’ve collected over the last few days:
- If you don’t have to go out, stay at home.
- If you must go out, only do so if you are not showing any signs/symptoms of a cold or the flu.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds.
- If you do not have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clean any commonly touched surfaces frequently, including your cell phone.
- Need to have a meeting? Zoom has a free option to host up to 100 people for 40 minutes.
- Missing your friends? Call them on FaceTime or another video chat service.
- This is a terrible time for network television to start their mid-season breaks. Check out this article to get free trials of popular streaming services and have a binge-fest.
- Feeling stressed? Adult covering books are a great way to chill out, kill time, and get creative. Order on Amazon.
- Is your local library closed? Access thousands of e-books through The New York Public Library. Or sign up for Book Perk for daily deals on e-books.
- Learn a new skill like how to knit or crochet. We Are Knitters is a great place to get a full kit with all of the supplies you need (and they have free shipping going on right now).
- Get out and go for a walk! For the most part this is still a safe option, just be sure to avoid large crowds.
- Let’s not forget to take care of our local businesses. Ordering takeout or delivery are great options, as are purchasing gift cards to use when things calm down. Let’s do our best to help keep small businesses in business while staying safe.
- If you have kids stuck at home:
- 27 indoor activities: BuzzFeed
- If your school hasn’t provided a curriculum yet: Scholastic Learn at Home
- Here is a list of sources providing free resources during school closures.
I’ll continue to share ideas of ways to stay busy on my Facebook story over the coming days. What are you doing to stay healthy and safe? Please share other ideas or resources in the comments below!