COVID-19 Update: Emergency Alert

Hi Everyone.

If you own a smart phone, yesterday yours went off with an emergency alert that went somthing like this:

The coronavirus is spreading and our best means of saving lives is to stay inside and practice social distancing. In other words, to the extent possible, everyone should self-quarantine and isolate now.

Here's what happens if we ignore this alert -- within two weeks, our medical system could be overwhelmed, our hospitals crushed with the number of cases. Not enough ventilators. Not enough PPE for medical workers. Hundreds and hundreds of deaths.

(If you don't have a smart phone, you didn't get this alert, which is why I'm repeating it now.)

The emergency alert followed up on a press release yesterday morning issued by Couty Exec Parisi and Mayor Conway-Rhodes.  Here's a link that press release, which I encourage you to click on and read.

https://publichealthmdc.com/news/county-executive-madison-mayor-coronavirus-spreading-everyone-needs-to-isolate-now

While you're at it, here's something else to read, a thoroughly-researched article in the New Yorker, titled, "From Bats to Human Lungs: Evolution of a Coronavirus." 

This is solid journalism, based on facts.

Sticking to the facts will save us from the extremes of thinking this is all a hoax or freaking out as if this was the end of the world.

The facts tell us this is serious, but the facts also tell us there are concrete ways to fight this, the very basics we learned at the beginning: minimize contact, frequently wash your hands for 20 seconds in soapy water, and don't touch your face.

Earlier in the week I shared this video about safe grocery shopping.  I also want to share this article from the Washington Post that underscores that while there are real risks in going out for groceries or receiving deliveries, we need not panic.

In other words, the risks are manageable, provided we stick to what we know.

There is danger that we tie ourselves up in knots with panic.  Let's not forget that isolation can kill, just like the virus. Now is the time we recognize that social isolation can lead to anxiety and depression. Let's be aware of the warning signs in ourselves and sensitive to the same in our loved ones and neighbors.

I want to thank Annette C. in Bay Creek for sharing this very helpful article for anyone struggling with isolation. We will need to center this in our collective vulnerability moving forward.

Now is not the time to suck it up and think we can get through this on our own.

Lastly, here is a link to the City's website on coronavirus. It gets updated frequently, so please refer to it often.

In summary -- this is dead serious, nothing to take lightly. We must physically isolate to suppress the virus. While we do so, let's be sure we are sticking to the facts, practicing the basics, and looking out for each other.

That's how we get through this.

Be safe. Be well. Be kind.

With love,

Tag