We’re well into the summer which brings three digit temperatures some days here in Southern California. Given that I adhere to staying indoors during such times, my air conditioning system having been serviced to prepare for such weather, I haven’t been bothered by this heat.
Perhaps, like many of you, I continue to follow the “stay at home” health scientist’s admonitions we’re given to minimize contracting Covid-19. I find it incredibly unbelievable that there are those continuing to fail to recognize or respect the seriousness of this virus for themselves and others.
They seem to not have a mind of their own, blindly following our nation’s leader – as do so many in his administration, our Congress and even the Justice Dept. – by taking few precautions to lessen the potential of spreading this contagious disease. Future generations studying history will read of this time, incredulously wondering how so many people could use such poor judgement as to make no effort to stem the tide of illness and death in the U.S. from Covid-19.
We do know life is unpredictable but there are some actions we can take to enhance our own lives and minimize events we might wish to avoid happening. My own most recent unpredictable experience has resulted in my welcoming visits from a home health nurse who has aided in addressing some continuing frustrating medical issues.
I recently chose to use our city’s local senior transportation system as I have done twice in past years when it was either most convenient or I felt it was unwise to drive myself. Unfortunately, this outing was not as satisfactory, but I may be able to avoid the issue in the future. The driver returning me home told me how to circumvent her office’s repeating the problem.
Those I’ve encountered have worn masks and observed the recommended six feet separation. I’m still able to avoid grocery store shopping between internet ordering, and younger neighbors purchasing items I request when they shop for themselves. I expect to soon drive myself to occasionally pick up orders and go to select restaurant drive thrus as I had been doing.
When I encounter limitations causing changes in my daily activities I can find myself simplifying my life, reassessing what is necessary, establishing priorities. I’m frustrated with having to allow some needed tasks to go undone, but sometimes we have no choice but to proceed taking care of only the bare necessities.
Simplicity and what is necessary is relative, perhaps on a continuum as I’m reminded of reflections I’ve had on the topic. Time spent housecleaning is one such item for consideration. My view about what matters, what is important, has changed through the years, just as has my differentiating between wants and needs, a matter of judgement.
If I want to get down to the basics/minimum, all I need is food/nourishment, shelter to stay dry, cool, or warm, and clothing though some might question that latter need. Everything after that may be optional, governed by what else I have incorporated into my life. However, I must admit there does seem to be much more I’ve grown accustomed to thinking of as necessary that has evolved over time in terms of possessions and their care including the house interior.
I’m not really desirous of acquiring many items so that poses little problem. Caring for my house interior does present a problem as I’m reluctant to have someone unknown to me come to provide interior help during this virus, but I’m way past due in being able to keep up.
A most recent contact I was given seems to no longer be available with the phone not accepting calls. So, my challenge has become reconciling myself to seeking assistance elsewhere and trusting it will be a safe experience. Clearly, this is a need at this point, a necessary simplification to my life.
I'm with you on this Joared as I have to let my help go due to her increasingly erratic behaviour (could be dementia related to Covid) and I couldn't manage the stress of dealing with her along with others in my circle who take more of my limited concern. Limited, I should add, by my own demands on myself.
ReplyDeleteSo I am looking for some new homecare but very nervous.
XO
WWW
Hope you’re able to find some assistance thats safe in this world we’re living in.
DeleteCalifornia seems to be climbing the charts with infections! Well done for staying in! This pandemic has reinforced the lesson that I cannot control the actions of others.
ReplyDeletei think they re-opened Calif. much too soon which is a tragedy.
DeleteI pretty much face your problems about hiring help. I need help with the yard. I can mow with no problems but really need help with the border weeds. They have taken over. Would love help in the house but can't see that happening right now. Let us know how it works for you.
ReplyDeleteHope you're able to get help you need. Having someone come in the house is an issue now.
DeleteI ask myself how I would have reacted to the COVID-19 crisis had I been born 65 years later...were I a college freshman at this time. I suspect that I would feel completely different about the whole situation for several reasons: 1) I would not have lived through scarlet fever, measles, polio outbreaks, 2) I would be much more influenced by hormones, and 3) I would still feel invincible. I can't really blame younger generations for wanting to be out and about.
ReplyDeleteIn the long run, it is beginning to appear that we old, old people will have to "take the hit" - or - stay isolated. It sounds callous when I write it, but maybe this is another way for Mother Nature to winnow the far-too-numerous pool of humans.
For the moment I shall, as my 61-year-old daughter admonishes us all: wash your hands, wear your mask, try to stay safe - and - try to keep my memory-impaired husband doing the same.
For whatever the reasons, i was always a little more sensitive to older people even when i was young, so don't think i would have been in the crowd who flagrantly flaunt health admonitions today. But then, i didn't embrace a lot of the most popular culture attractions of my generation as i marched to my own drummer. Hope you're successful keeping yourself and husband safe from the virus.
DeleteFinding help as one ages is tough. Our best friends are facing it with him having been diagnosed with ALS. It's not life ending, which has made it uncertain if they can get hospice, which would be ideal. I have thought of it for myself if my husband died first as I would not want to be dependent on my kids as my mom was. In an aging culture, it's a problem.
ReplyDeleteAs for whether you know who is why people resist masks, etc, I don't think so. I think they have liked him because he fit their thinking and if he changed, they'd drop him. It's like some of the radio guys. They don't create the mentality. They are basically servants of it. From what I've seen on the mask resistance among my larger 'friend' list on FB, they can be lefties or righties. It's insane is what it is as we are going to be with this virus for a long time and people need to get real about it. I read some youths are having virus parties to get it is their thinking. Just nuts and bet none of them are right wingers given the rest of their lifestyles.
Many people have a mix of beliefs which is why i reject and dislike use of labels to try to pigeonhole people into, such as liberal, conservative, left, right which serves to complicate intelligent discussion of specific issues. Once a label is plastered on to someone a whole lot of false assumptions are then made about what they believe on other issues.
DeleteIt'd be nice if it was that way but I have a lot of contacts on FB and it seems some just go one way or the other with no ability to think about what doesn't fit that agenda. It makes real discussions possible about issues.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt that is true for some people in some social circles, but to apply that perspective to all, a vast majority of people i believe, is a serious mistake that I i personally resent.
Deletewell, you know what they say-- if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck-- what is it? I have never labeled you; so taking on personal resentment for someone you may not know is up to you. Doesn't work for me. I call someone what they are based on the stuff they put out, which on FB is pretty much one way on both sides of the partisan divide. Very few take one side on one thing or another on something else.
DeleteMy comment was simply my opinion that individuals jumping to conclusions on the basis of a persons known viewpoint on a few issues, then labeling them is a gross mistake that leads to false beliefs. All too often assumptions are then made by the labeler and others about what the labeled person believes on other issues, too, which can be completely false. If you interpret my opinion on what occurs all too often with such labeling as a personal attack on yourself then I can only say that’s your choice though hardly what my words say.
DeleteI am guessing you are not getting a lot of what is out there on social media. When I call someone a leftie, it's because of a LOT of posts mostly attaching the GOP but also on political ideology and same with a rightie. I've posted what I thought on such threads and been attacked at being a trumpster or gaslighting just because I saw an issue differently. It's a rare place where someone can say what they thin, on ideology, and not either get an attaboy or an attack. I didn't say I felt attacked. Just that the terms aren't not to me insults but just where the people are voting and posting. I could use progressive but don't see it has as much meaning as left or right wing.
DeleteLabeling is what it is whether its on social media or anywhere else — often abused and falsely applied to people as I described IMHO.
DeletePeople in Northern Ireland have been very strict about distancing, and the infection rate here, as in the rest of the UK, is now very low. The danger ahead is a second wave, as a number of cities and countries have reported. The British government wasn't prepared for the first wave and I doubt if they'd be any more prepared for a second.
ReplyDeleteClearly there are places whose people have intelligently taken precautions to minimize the infection’s spread. I find it tragic we have so many people in the U.S. who do otherwise. Hope any second wave effects will be minimal everywhere.
DeleteI think Cop Car makes a really good point. Those of us who are older aren't as affected by lockdowns and such. We already lead "smaller" lives--aren't going out to bars, don't gather in huge groups, don't go out to eat all the time, etc. We've also learned patience over the years. We know our health isn't boundless.
ReplyDeleteAs for wearing masks, I'm worn out from the endless ignorance and willful contrariness, no matter who and no matter what the reason. Period. The SCIENCE is unassailable at this point, and the information is everywhere. You would have to choose to be an idiot not to mask up. That's it, plain and simple. And the so-called medical reasons would have to be severe that would keep anyone from masking. If that is the case, perhaps that individual would be better sheltering at home, taking advantage of services to bring goods and help to him/her, and not risking his/her fragile condition being exposed.
Your points are well-taken. Defies common sense why some people will jeopardize their own life, that of loved ones and others.
DeleteJust like you Joared I find it hard to believe that some people are not recognizing how serious this virus is. Today I was talking to my neighbor – she told me her sister refuses to wear a mask because she said she does not know anyone with the virus, that it is overblown, if not she would know someone. I replied that I am a senior now and have never known someone with diabetes, friends or family, does that mean then that diabetes does not exist? She looked at me dumbfounded and said – I had never of thought of that as an analogy, I’ll give my sister a call and tell her. Good grief!
ReplyDeleteAmazing the reasons people give for not wearing a mask.
DeleteYou have met some of the people that seem to surround us in this red state. The other day in a medical office, one old guy was whining to another about the whole thing being a hoax and, for gosh sake, why would "they" make us wear masks. They parted with one telling the other, "Be sure to vote for Trump." Said the other, "I will, I will!"
DeleteJust heard on the news someone was spotted with a sign.....
ReplyDeleteWear a mask
Don't be a turd
Protect the herd