COVID-19 / Coronavirus, bet you're all sick of hearing about it already. On one hand I am pleased to get a break from hearing about Brexit.
With the world descending into madness it is hard not to get caught up in the panic, especially when you share your home with a small child with the ailments of the elderly and no immune system.
From Monday, we will be in isolation. My work, kindly without me even having to ask, arranged for me to work from home knowing that I would need to be extra cautious for Terri. I wasn't expecting it and didn't ask - but, knowing that other people care and aware of the dangers brings me peace and I feel so grateful.
I will still be out and about every now and again, to go to the shops/pharmacy for my Mum, Dad and Grandparents, but if I am not at home I will be at least 2m away from another person. I will probably get cabin fever and go mad.
It is all that is on the news, social media, papers and if you're nosy like me and listen to other peoples conversations in the street - it is all people are talking about. We are getting minimal information from the government and daily, things are changing. I need a routine or I stop being a functioning human being, so this could be difficult.
I spent some time doing my own research on Corona-viruses' and how they attack the body. Here is it in simplified, don't have to have a PhD to understand, terms.
The symptoms, as you will know from the news, include: Shortness of Breath
Cough (persistent)
Fever
With these, in severe cases, leading to pneumonia or kidney failure then death.
When the virus attacks your body it binds itself to two different cells; Goblet Cells (these are the cells that produce mucus in your lungs) and Cilia Cells (these are the cells that prevent build up and debris in your lungs).
In the first instance you will struggle to breath/cough as your lungs fill up, the fever is then caused by your body trying to fight the virus. Those who are more vulnerable, the elderly/poorly, bodies can send their immune system into overdrive, causing their bodies to not only attack the virus but the healthy cells as well.
Terri is very much more vulnerable due to her abnormal kidney function and the defects in her DNA repair mechanisms. So we're hibernating. Following the governments precautions as well as we can. *side note: as a family of 5 humans and 2 dogs we have still yet to panic buy anything, so can everyone else chill the fuck out*
Remember, just because you are healthy, doesn't mean those you interact with are, or their families - your actions could contribute towards someone losing a loved one. If we all just slow down, we can nip this in the bud.
There is a long road ahead of us, with so many people struggling daily now with work and money and worries. Every day I am going to try take a walk or doing something for myself to take a breather from reality. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
This could be the worlds way of telling us all to slow down, appreciate what we have and so very often take for granted. Sending my love to all those who are feeling scared and on edge - we're in this together.
Stay safe and look after each other, and hopefully, we will see you on the other side.
Lots of love and no hugs,
From Jody Patricia xx
( Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/covid-19-do-body-affect-coronavirus/ )
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