I realize that two people out of millions is tiny, but that isn't alleviating my fears. In normal circumstances I wouldn't worry so much, but I have a daughter with a primary immune deficiency.
It means that she is very high risk, and there is no herd immunity for this illness because it hasn't been around long enough.
Herd immunity is the resistance to the spread of a contagious disease within a population that results if a sufficiently high proportion of individuals are immune to the disease, especially through vaccination. The level of vaccination needed to achieve herd immunity varies by disease but ranges from 84 to 95 percent.
My daughter gets what herd immunity she has by infusing herself weekly with immunoglobulin. She still spends much of her life with viruses, but coronavirus appears to be very virulent and she has lung disease as one of the autoimmune illnesses she has.
Yesterday I received a notice on my door about what to do to try and protect ourselves from coronavirus. It is from the CDC.
We all need to be aware of our surroundings and to take precautions, because we are just at the beginning of this virus. None of us know what will happen with it, but it is unfortunately spreading.
We of course can't spend our daily lives in fear. For myself I am practicing the recommendations. I keep a small bottle of antibacterial gel in my car and I use it every time I return to my car.
When I get home the first thing I do is wash my hands with soap and water. I have antibacterial wipes that I use daily on my cell phone, keys, door handles, and counter tops.
Daily living goes on and hopefully the majority of us will not be affected by this disease, but there is certainly nothing wrong with a few precautions.
I have two autoimmune disorders and asthma, so chances are, if I get this corona virus, things will go badly for me. We are stocking up on a few things at our house. They are things that we use anyway. I need to find out what prescriptions I can get filled so I can have enough for a 30 day supply if the medicines become unavailable or I am unable to go to the drugstore to get them.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that we need to panic, but I think we do need to take common sense steps to keep ourselves healthy. I am very concerned about my daughter who is an RN and her husband who is a plumber,and my son who is stationed in Japan.
This evening on the news I saw one of our politicians telling people in a very large audience to hold hands with each other. I was astounded by what I considered to be just plain carelessness, and even more astounded when the people in the audience did as they were told.
I think it is truly the time for people to take this virus very seriously and stop being reckless. It is for the good of everyone. If people are thinking that this virus is going to go away when we start having warm weather, check out how the disease has spread in the Philippines,where temperatures are around 90 degrees.
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteWe have 20 now confirmed cases here in the suburbs of Chicago. Further north where I use to live but with this virus being unknown it does give us all a little worry. Washing your hands always is the best defense against all virus. Most viruses are transmitted to ourselves through our hands in contact with our face/mouth. So washing hands it the first line of defense and hand sanitizer if you cannot wash your hands. We are having a lot of virus's up here because of our crazy weather. It is Spring for a few days and then winter but not cold enough to freeze to kill the virus's. Hope your daughter with her auto immune will stay well.
xoxo
Kris
There are two cases in Albany, NY which is north of us about an hour, so that's frightening also, Laura! Thanks for posting this, good tips for sure.
ReplyDeleteI have the gel in my car too. Have for quite some time. Don't like to eat anything without putting it on my hands. We have to be vigilant. This is a scary thing going on. I only hope the best of health for your precious daughter.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Of course you are concerned for your daughter who has a compromised immune system. I have a 30-year old friend with Cystic Fibrosis who has also received a double lung transplant, and she is concerned, too. While it doesn't hurt to be vigilant and take precautions like you mentioned, people are starting to panic and stockpile things to the point where nothing is left in stores. Earlier today, my cousin in NC posted a picture of a display rack in a store where ibuprofen and Tylenol is supposed to be. The shelves were wiped clean! My cousin in Tacoma went to Costco last night and there was no toilet paper left!
ReplyDeleteI hope and pray your daughter stays safe......
ReplyDeleteIt is scary stuff and I fear it will be much worse before it gets better. I feel sorry for your daughter because I am sure she lives a compromised life withe autoimmune issues...and, as her mom, I know you worry a lot, too.
ReplyDeletePraying you all are spared the onset of the virus. xo Diana
I hope your daughter and all of us stay healthy and free from coronavirus. The more we take precautions, as a group, the better. World wide and in our own communities. I ordered some hand gel sanitizers and some face masks (just in case) to share with my family.
ReplyDeleteHoping they get a vaccine for it soon! Praying your family is safe...xo
ReplyDelete