The other things you should be doing to prepare for the coronavirus
As the US moves into the more dangerous stages of the coronavirus epidemic, I’d like to emphasize something critical about our response strategy that has not received as much attention.
From everything we’ve seen so far, the virus disproportionately impacts the elderly, persons with respiratory ailments, and persons with compromised immune systems — to a frightening degree, in fact. For most of us, COVID-19 will be like a bad case of the flu. For some of us, it will be a life-threatening experience. As the virus spreads, an unprecedented number of people will require immediate and significant attention from our health care system, and there is a very real possibility of our ICU capacity being taxed to the breaking point. Preventative measures like hand washing and voluntary self-quarantining will not stop the spread of this virus, but they will, if practiced broadly enough, hopefully slow its spread to a sufficient degree that our health care system can operate effectively without being overwhelmed. I will not speculate here on what the next few weeks and months will look like, but I will say this:
Your actions matter.
The degree to which we manage this epidemic is directly tied to things that you can effect:
1. Be ready to help — Are you healthy and young? If yes, great! Other people will need your help. Your asthmatic friend, your elderly parent or grandparent, your post-cancer neighbor — they will have limited mobility, but they will also be facing isolation if they are taking steps to protect themselves. Don’t assume everyone has Amazon Prime. Offer to pick up groceries and sundries for folks who are trying to minimize their time out in public. Loan them books. Call or message them. Read up on how to minimize virus transmission. REACH OUT NOW to those you know will be vulnerable. Make arrangements ahead of time to help them (if you are able to take on that burden). Or at least plan on keeping in touch with them.
2. Stay healthy — I know, easier said than done. But our healthcare system will be under strain for several months. Eat more vegetables. Reduce your sodium intake. Drink another glass of water. Get a little more vitamin D. Wear a helmet when you ride one of those damn scooters. Drink a little less booze. Life happens, of course, and if you need to see a doctor, by all means do! But be smart and take a few extra precautions. Anything you can do to that reduces the probability of a visit to the doctor isn’t just helping you, it’s helping everyone.
3. Prepare ahead of time — Keep your prescriptions filled. Keep your gas tank full. Make sure you have a plan for your family and pets if you need to go to the hospital, or if your significant other needs to go to the hospital. Or, even more importantly, if both of you need to go to the hospital. Collect your health documentation and keep it somewhere accessible. And prepare a will. Right now. Not to be morbid or defeatist, but people are dying. Do right by your people.
Don’t panic.
Be ready to help.
