Medical experts are predicting that we are not yet done with the coronavirus pandemic. I suspect that’s true. People want it to be over so life can return to normal, and because of that, they are moving forward as though it is over. The problem is, coronavirus is still out there and it’s still capable of hurting a lot of people.
As someone who is at high risk, I’ve tried to be level-headed about what’s going on and to remember the basics I’ve learned so far: wash my hands often, don’t touch my face, wear a mask in public and avoid large gatherings of people. These steps are simple, but they matter. They are the kind of habits that can help lower risk day after day, even when life feels busy or uncertain.
I carry antiseptic hand wash in my car so I can clean my hands when I come out of the store. That has become a regular part of my routine. I have a mask at work, one in my car, another in my purse, and one by the front door at home in case I need it. I do not want to get the virus even if it might not be a big deal for me. Perhaps most important to me is not spreading it. The population I work with is also at high risk, and I don’t want to infect them.
That is why I try to think ahead. If I know I may need something later, I keep it where I can find it. That way, I am less likely to be caught without it. A little planning can make it easier to stay safe without having to stop and scramble every time I leave home.
So, as we move forward, I’m cautious. I’m preparing to “shelter-in-place” if the Governor calls for it. She’s tightening up on the requirements for staying safe again as the number of people testing positive for the virus is increasing with more frequent outings. Basically, sheltering-in-place means staying home and not interacting with others. I have food and water set aside, and I have my finances set up so I can pay most of my bills from home without going outside at all. I’m taking this pandemic seriously so I don’t get hurt, and so I don’t hurt others.
Preparing before you need to
When I think about being ready, I think about the basics first. Food, water, medicine, and a way to pay bills are all important. If you have these things ready before you need them, you may feel calmer if you have to stay home. You do not need a big stockpile to start. Even a few extra days of supplies can make a difference.
It can help to make a simple list of what you use most often. For example:
- Food you can eat without a lot of extra steps
- Water for drinking and basic needs
- Any medicines you take on a regular basis
- Soap, hand wash, and cleaning supplies
- Masks you can use when you go out
- Cash or a plan for paying bills from home
Put these items where you can reach them. If you use a wheelchair, walker, cane, or other mobility aid, keep supplies in places that are easy to access. If you have trouble with memory, try writing a short note and putting it where you will see it often. Small changes like this can make daily life easier.
I have my masks, cleaning agents, antiseptic hand wash, and the other supplies I need. I hope you’ve made a plan for staying healthy during this crisis too.
Making safety part of everyday life
The longer a crisis goes on, the easier it is to slip into old habits. That is normal. But the virus does not care if we are tired of hearing about it. So I keep going back to the same basic steps. Wash my hands. Don’t touch my face. Wear a mask in public. Avoid large gatherings. These are not fancy ideas, but they are useful ones.
It also helps to make those habits fit real life. If you drive, keep hand wash in the car like I do. If you go from one store to another, clean your hands before touching your phone, your wallet, or your face. If you wear a mask, have more than one so you can wash them or replace them when needed. If you know you forget things easily, keep one in several places. I keep one at work, one in my car, another in my purse, and one by the front door at home for that reason.
For some people, wearing a mask or limiting outings can feel hard. It may be uncomfortable or annoying. But it can also be a way of protecting your health and the health of the people around you. That matters to me. The population I work with is also at high risk, and I don’t want to infect them.
If you are trying to build a safer routine, start with what you can do now. You do not have to do everything at once. Choose one or two habits and practice them until they feel natural. Then add more when you are ready.
Thinking about sheltering-in-place
I’m preparing to “shelter-in-place” if the Governor calls for it. That means I may need to stay home and avoid close contact with others. It is not the same as giving up. It is a way to lower risk. In plain terms, it means changing how you do things so you can stay safer.
For me, sheltering-in-place means I want to be ready to handle life from home as much as possible. I have food and water set aside. I have my finances set up so I can pay most of my bills from home without going outside at all. That gives me more control if I need to limit trips out in public.
It may help to ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Can I get food without leaving home for a while?
- Do I know how to pay my bills from home?
- Do I have the supplies I need for basic safety?
- Do I have a plan if I need help?
If the answer to any of these is no, that does not mean you are behind. It just means you have a place to start. Make one change, then another. A plan does not have to be perfect to be useful.
If you need help thinking through those steps, Disability Network Lakeshore may be able to help. Our services are free. You can call us at (616) 396-5326 for support, information, and help planning for safer days.
Planning for what may come next
Everyone wants life to return to normal; this may be our new normal! If things go back to the way they were, great. If they don’t, I want to be prepared so I don’t have to try to get by without the things I need to stay safe.
That is really what this is about. It is not about fear. It is about being ready. Being ready can lower stress because you are not left guessing what to do next. It can also help you protect other people, which matters just as much as protecting yourself.
There are days when staying alert takes extra effort. On those days, I remind myself that planning now may save trouble later. I keep my supplies ready. I keep my bills organized. I keep my routine simple. Those things do not solve everything, but they help me face the next day with more confidence.
I hope you’ve made a plan for staying healthy during this crisis too. Be well, and be safe.