A New Way of Life: COVID | Disability Network Lakeshore

Doesn’t it feel like we are past the worst of the COVID-19 crisis? We are all relaxing now and, to be honest, I think most of us have let our guard down and aren’t all that concerned about contracting COVID anymore. Yesterday I started feeling like my throat was a bit sore. As the day wore on, I realized I had a sinus headache too. In the middle of the night, I woke and could barely swallow. I just knew I had COVID and so did my sister. She had said her throat was a bit sore too.

I began to worry. We are both older and have health issues we deal with daily. We both have pets and were counting on the other to care for them if we got sick. With both of us sick at the same time, what might happen to our beloved pets? What other people we might have exposed to the virus who are also compromised? We have placed friends, co-workers, and professionals we’ve interacted with at risk too. I hated the thought of having to go to them to tell them I’d exposed them to the virus.

All of this made me think about the need for having a plan to fall back on in the event this scenario is real. As it was, I did a COVID test this morning and it was negative. None-the-less, my sister and I are both still sick and it could go into something more serious if we aren’t extra careful.

I’m thinking through the elements of my new plan for responding to a positive COVID diagnosis. I’m making a plan now for friends to take my dogs if my sister and I get sick at the same time. I’m also looking at doing more COVID testing when I don’t feel well so I don’t expose my friends and family to the disease.

A plan does not have to be fancy to help. It can be a short list on paper or in your phone. It can include the people you would call first, the medicines you take, and the pets or tasks that need care right away. If you use oxygen, a wheelchair, a CPAP machine, or other supplies, you may want to keep extra items on hand if you can. It also helps to know where your test kits, masks, and hand soap are before you need them.

For me, this means I need to think ahead about the small things that become big things when I am sick. Who can feed the dogs? Who can walk them? Who could pick up medicine if I cannot leave the house? Who should I call if my sister and I both need help at the same time? These are simple questions, but they matter. A little planning can lower stress when your energy is low.

It also helps to tell other people your plan. If a friend agrees to help with pets, make sure that friend knows where the food, leashes, and vet number are kept. If you depend on someone for rides, let them know when you would want them to check in. If you live alone, think about who could be on your backup list. If you live with family or a roommate, talk through what each person would do if one of you got sick first.

Being careful does not mean living in fear. It means protecting yourself and the people around you. That can look different for each person. Some people still wear a mask in crowded places. Some people test before visiting older relatives or friends with health problems. Some people stay home when they feel sick, even if the symptoms seem small. These steps may seem simple, but they can keep a bad week from becoming a worse one.

We aren’t out of the woods yet. Living with this virus is a daily thing and although it’s not as “front of the mind” as it was, we still have to take care, not only of ourselves, but of the elderly and/or frail friends we interact with. I don’t want to get the virus and I don’t want to spread it. End of story.

That is really the heart of it for me. We may be tired of COVID, but it is still here. If I feel sick, I need to pause and think before I keep going. I need to ask myself if I should test, rest, or cancel plans. If I have been around someone who is at higher risk, I need to be extra careful about what I do next. That is not being overreactive. That is being thoughtful.

If you are thinking about your own plan, start small. Try these steps:

Write down one person you could call for help.
Keep a few COVID tests where you can find them fast.
Make sure you know how to reach your doctor or pharmacy.
List your pets, medicines, and daily needs in one place.
Talk with a friend or family member before you are sick.
Think about who would need to know if you tested positive.

If you have a disability, planning ahead can be even more important. A short illness can interrupt your normal supports. A ride may fall through. A helper may not be available. Supplies may run low. Having a backup plan can make a hard time easier to manage. If you need help thinking through emergency readiness or other disability-related needs, Disability Network Lakeshore can help. Our services are free, and you can call us at (616) 396-5326.

At DNL, we help people find and use disability resources. We know it can be hard to sort through the options when you are already dealing with pain, stress, or other health issues. Sometimes people just need someone to listen and help them take the next step. That may mean looking at service options, talking through a problem, or finding the right place to start.

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