20 things I am doing in light of the virus

I’m not a doctor or a scientist, but I am a person of reasonable intelligence. I hesitate to give recommendations (with the exception of #20) in this time when everyone has become an expert, but I will share the twenty things I am doing.

  1. Washing my hands like crazy. 

  2. Using a hand towel only a couple of times for drying OR using a paper towel. 

  3. Stocking the house with tissues because if we get it, we’re most likely to have cold symptoms. 

  4. Making sure we keep the basic foods on hand because if workplaces or educational institutions close, we may have more mouths to feed and more meals at home. 

  5. Making sure the special young people in our lives who are in schools close by know that they can hole up here as long as we are all symptom free. I have asked them to bring whatever groceries they have on hand, though!

  6. Keeping sheets and towels washed and ready for guests. 

  7. Using the sanitize cycle on the dishwasher. 

  8. Wiping knobs, rails, and other surfaces more frequently. 

  9. Opening the windows during the warmest part of the day. 

  10. Keeping a crockpot of water on high all the time to help moisten the air.

  11. Organizing the bathroom cabinet with labels so that anyone staying with us can find OTC medicine, tissues, extra toothbrushes, etc. 

  12. Mailing cards of hello to friends and family (This is a good time to cheer someone up!) and using a glue stick for sealing the envelope. No saliva! Let me know if you’d like to be on my snail mail list!

  13. Texting family members pictures, jokes, and family updates to give them something besides the virus to think about. 

  14. Getting more sleep than usual since my immune system and mood are directly linked to my sleep. 

  15. Walking 2-3 times a day and not going to the gym or yoga classes. 

  16. Avoiding crowds and gatherings. 

  17. Preparing meals that are nutritious - lots of green veggies. 

  18. Making sure we have a few non-essential happies at home - cake mix, brownie mix, and a special bone for Leo, the dog. 

  19. Keeping up with the science and trying very hard to avoid the political news about it. 

  20. Recommending you get your flu shot if you haven’t already. 

“A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it.
— Nikki Giovanni”