100 Comments
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I am an essential employee but only working 1/2 my normal hours due to Covid 19. I have to use my PTO to make up the difference. I am having a hard time convincing my 82 yo mother to stay home. She thinks if it's your time, it's your time. She lives in a senior apartment building. We are both healthy for now. I live in Michigan where our Most Awesome Governor Gretchen Whitmer is giving Trump a big F you and not kissing his giant orange a**! I truly think we will come out of this better and stronger than ever!

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I am happy you are on the upswing, Aimee. This has taken a toll mentally/emotionally. I live in the midwest--in about two weeks we are going to be slammed like NYC. I have a daughter who is an epidemiologist thousands of miles away and she'd been sounding the warning bells since January. She works 7 days a week now. Another daughter is a nurse, a thousand miles away. She was just informed that she will be floating as needed, extra shifts, from L&D to other units. No overtime, and oh, yeah, no PPE. I worry about her health and also the health of her laboring patients. She works at a hospital whose patients are primarily the underserved population. I have another daughter in Brooklyn, which as we know is just awful right now. Her job has been cut in half, but we are thankful she still has a few dollars coming in. She is social distancing the best she can. I have a mother in Florida who adores our (pretend) leader. I can't even say his name. She is not taking precautions. She has drunk the Republican kool-aid and believes that this is not that big a deal. She explains to me that she hasn't heard that Florida is bad; no one in Florida ever gets sick. I've finally decided that whether I reason or yell...it's not getting through to her and I have to just let her be. It scares me. People don't want to politicize this, but I disagree. The election is in November and if we continue to allow his rhetoric be broadcast without calling him out, we can be in real trouble. He knew, but chose to ignore the warning bells. Now my daughters and my mother could become very, very ill - or worse. And I can't be there to help them. I feel frustrated, too, because I am still a licensed nurse (not practicing), but my pulmonary issues make me more of a problem than a help. I don't know where my place is to help people, and as a health educator and former nurse, that is really difficult. So I continue to write, and am learning the art of the tweet. I'm grateful I can stay home--I have so much to be grateful for. But, like everyone else, I'm waiting to hear if a close family member falls ill --almost like a game of Russian Roulette. As my epidemiologist daughter says....just stay the fuck home, everyone. You save lives by literally doing nothing. I wish you continued healing, Aimee.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

My husband is an M.D. so he's working. Son 26 is an EMT. Daughter 21 is dietary aid in a nursing home. My cousin in NJ died of Covid19 two nights ago she was 76 Grandmother of 4 mother of 2. Great lady. My friend from high school who lives in Florida has it. He's one of the healthiest people I know he's a triathlete and this virus put him on his ass. Praying for him. So that's my life. I'm a nurse I signed up to go to NYC but I haven't been called yet. I've heard they don't want nurses over 50 and I'm 54 so maybe that's the reason.

Glad you're feeling a little better

Take care

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I've been sick for a month. I went the hospital, on my Drs direction, (because I have asthma), earlier this month. I was told my Covid-19 test was negative, I have RSV. To be safe, self-quarentine, and drink plenty of liquids. Well, I can barely breathe now, my chest hurts, and my cough is worse. I'm pretty sure I'll be back in the hospital soon. This virus is terrifying. My Aunt is the head of Risk Management for a hospital in NJ, also a nurse. She's now on a ventilator triage team. They're running out of ventilators and, as head nurse, she decides who needs one more. Then there's my Dad. He's just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Just before this nightmare started. He's 76 and they won't start treatment. They're putting treatment off for a month. He's medication now, that will "delay" the spread. Delay the spread of cancer.

I'm so angry that Chump, the GOP, and this Administration, are so cavalier about this virus, about their handling of this virus. It's disgusting and disturbing. He got his war, only it's us. It's us dying for his election.

Expand full comment

My son is an anesthesiologist, and works in an ICU in Florida. He cares for coronavirus patients every day, and has two young children at home. I can only pray to God that he won't get sick. Please pray for him.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Good morning! Aimee I am so glad to hear from you. I was worried. My husband is in end-stage CHF and on oxygen 24/7, so we have been home for a couple of weeks already. I'm terrified of bringing COVID home to him. Thankfully, I have been working from home as a logistics consultant for the last 18 months. Business has slowed, but we should be OK. However, my daughter is an RN on the front lines at a hospital in suburban Chicago. She has 12 COVID patients they moved into her oncology ward because they are running out of beds. They are given one mask per shift delivered to them in a paper bag. The shortages they are facing is real. She is distancing herself from her husband and 3 sons. When she gets home from work in the mornings, she takes her clothes off in the garage and they and her shoes go into a plastic bag. She immediately showers and then wipes down everything she touched on the way into the house. Then she goes to her room and stays there. The boys facetime her. They borrowed a camper that is now sitting in their driveway for when she is exposed to isolate herself and still keep the boys safe. I've stopped watching 45's press conferences. I just can't anymore. Governor Cuomo is a breath of fresh air to watch. I live in VA. Gov. Northam just put a "shelter at home" order until June 10th. He's a medical doctor. I trust him. My son thinks this is nature's way of forcing us to slow down and as a result save the planet. The air is cleaner, canals and rivers are clearing. Just a thought. In any case, I don't know that life will ever go back to exactly how it was, but maybe we will continue to think a little harder and keep the pace a little slower. Take care of yourself.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Amee, Good morning, I’m a nurse. I am on day 7 of what ever it is I have... I say that because unless your temp doesn’t hit 100.4 you don’t get to be tested...

I started with dry cough, slight runny nose and fatigue, over the days I developed a deep chest pain and shortness of breath/ shaking and bad fatigue with any activity. Low grade temps daily by end of day. At this point I’m not worried about my sx. My concern is my husband has asthma and is way too stoic for his own good.

I also work with other health care providers and see sick ppl every day.

I fear passing it on to others.

This Administration has really compromised our country’s health by not providing early and wide spread testing.

Hope you continue to feel better.

Much love and please ppl stay home!

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Good Morning Amee, it's good to hear that you are on the mend.

I am managing because I work from home anyway for a company that is deemed an essential employer.

But, I lost a dear friend who was like a brother to me late Sunday night, I found about it early yesterday and it hit me extremely hard. I was up practically all last night with an upset stomach. His birthday is Friday and instead of me calling to check on him last week because he was on my mind, I said no, I'll just wait until this Friday. Well, it's too late now, he's gone. He had some underlying health issues and was diagnosed with coronavirus about a week ago. He lived in a State that is experiencing a rise of coronavirus cases in the deep South.

I've been practicing social distancing and staying at home. Although, I had to venture out for a MRI last Wednesday that paranoid me so, I said I was never going out again. We will all get through this coronavirus crisis some way, some how. Praying for all...

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I sent this description of my new work-day to my mom...this, on top of the family stuff that really matters ...

Teachers have found that tele-teaching is an extraordinary amount of work - it’s like having a dozen balls in the air at once - Did I update that? Did I hear from her? Did anyone turn in that assignment after I updated the grade book? Did I send him the make up quiz? Did I remember to include the parent on the video meet invite? When is the meeting? Is this lesson accessible to all? Did they really understand the task? Will this text cause them more anxiety? Who of my colleagues are sick? When will they announce that the state is taking Covid money from education? Will they lay me off or ask for a salary cut? And on and on...

Sending you, Amee, and all, best wishes.

-SWM

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Good morning Aimee!

I'm scared. There is only the 3 of us. All of our families are long gone. My husband and I are high risk. Our daughter graduated college in December, so she is living with us. She had been applying for jobs, in her field, then everything changed. My business came to a screeching halt, so we're down to one income. We live in a rural area, our closest neighbor is a quarter mile away. Our county has 1 case, so far. Mentally and emotionally, well it's a roller coaster. As long as we greet the morning, we're ok.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I was furloughed first, then the Governor issued a state-wide stay at home order. I’m terrified of having to go back to work. I work directly with the public. Across a counter with no barrier. They hand me money, they hand me paperwork. I’ve seen their noses drip on my counter, I’ve wondered when the last time was they washed their hands... Before the stay at home order my boss was trying to wrangle how to continue operating while simultaneously limiting contact. It doesn’t matter what she tries, unless we’re in hazmat suits, we’re going to be exposed. No way around it. I wish I could just fast forward to a year from now & not go through the terror & uncertainty... Then there’s the disagreement I just had with my mother while checking on her well-being. ‘It’s China’s fault’ she said, ‘if they had done something sooner’. Fuck Donald Trump I hope he rots in hell.

That’s how the Coronavirus has affected me so far.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Amee— my experience tracks with yours. I got sick on the 14th and was in bed for 9 days before I could make it to the couch. I used my inhaler copiously, along with mucinex, Tylenol, and a cough suppressant. I’ve been in quarantine since the 14th and we have extended due to a coworker testing positive. I telework right now, but there are things I cannot do on that platform. I miss yoga classes most and just freedom of movement. I didn’t buy any toilet paper during the panic buying, so if you know where any toilet paper is, let me know! :)

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I’m so glad you’re feeling a bit better Aimee. Here in Canada we are waiting for the first ramp up to see how how well social distancing has helped. I’m in a small town & my husband and & I are in the vulnerable group. Age & underlying conditions. So we are in isolation. Canada has universal health care, is replacIng 75% of salaries for small business employees, small contractors like my husband who lost work are getting $2000 a month starting March 15 for 4 months, and our unemployment ins and child benefit has been increased. We never lose our health care. We have had universal health care here for 60 years. Employees keeping us going are getting pay raises. This really helps as we are scared enough & don’t have to add economic insecurity. Our PM gives a daily briefing with facts, news and plans. I’m praying for the US to rise after this and have a Renaissance. Heard a quote today: the veneer of civilization is thin but what lies underneath is not always savage. And it’s wonderful to see the wonderful hearts of most Americans rising to this challenge. Wish us luck. We have no idea if what we’ve done has worked or not. Best to you all

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Hi. Aimee. Hope you are feeling better. I have no complaints. Just feeling extremely impressed and concerned about the wonderful people in our healthcare system. What heroes.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Amee, I’m so glad that you’re getting better! This virus has changed a lot for me already. My dad is a lung cancer survivor with half a lung on one side. Typical stubborn 77 year old wouldn’t listen about staying home. Turns out it didn’t matter because his wife got infected with it at her friend’s house. Now they are both hospitalized. She’s doing better. He is not yet. I’m hoping he’s strong enough to get through this. He’s used up a great deal of strength already fighting the virus. I hope he can dig deep and find some extra strength to beat this thing. I’m truly worried. My dad is my rock. I’m also worried about my daughter who is a bank teller. She works two days a week at this point. She’s asthmatic and recently got over pneumonia. I’m hoping that somehow my family will beat the odds and be spared from the tragedy so many families will face from COVID-19. The real problem is that I don’t think that we can ever go back to the way things were prior to this viruses outbreak.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Hi Aimee, hope you are getting better, thinking of you every day. I just discovered I’m in the Silent Generation (born pre-1946), so I’m hunkering other than walking my dog 2x a day. Have a daughter in CA and MASS and one nearby who works at one of the top hospitals. Eventho she’s in admin., I still worry about her health (asthma) and the tremendous stress she and her team are under trying to prepare for the peak and keeping all their docs, nurses, hosp. staff safe. Think she uses me as a sounding board, somedays she’s hopeful they’ll see this crisis through, others she is not. Unfortunately, our president has not risen to the occasion, guess I shouldn’t be surprised. We’ll make it through in spite of him. Give huge kudos to my R Gov. DeWine and Dr. Acton, they are on it and keep me calm. You, Aimee, continue to recover!

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Amee, I am praying your health is soon restored. COVID-19 is rampant down here in Tennessee. I had to run people off from my sister's house 3 weeks ago. My husband and I both are having to clamp down on his 89 year old Mom. She wants out of the 🏠 so badly, it's really hurting her. Otherwise, we're staying home. Essentials only.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Aside from working from home all days and not just twice per week (and the shutdown of non-essentials), my personal life has not changed all that much. I miss my weekly self-care appointments that are off-limits currently, but I am enjoying the extra time home in all honesty. I've spent far more time connecting with far more people in my life than I used to "have time for"... which has made me realize that I just wasn't making the time or was letting myself find excuses. As of now, I do not know anyone directly who is affected though I do see people I "know" like you and other people in the media whom I follow who are affected. The whole situation is just a strange, strange time.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

We’re hunkered down in Los Angeles. Mu spouse and I are essential personnel but his heart condition makes him high risk. He has permission to work from home. Courts are limited access right now so I only go once a week. I can draft orders from home. My kids are adapting to homeschooling and we try to make it fun. My cousin who is a nurse at UCLA says they haven’t seen the numbers like in New York but they are bracing for it. Anyone have any ideas on how to convince stubborn 80 yr old parents to stay home, I’m all ears.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

My aunt and uncle became very ill and tested positive. They live in the New Orleans area. My aunt is home in isolation and recovering, thankfully. My uncle, on the other hand, has been on a ventilator and in ICU for more than a week. To say the entire family is worried about him is an understatement.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Good morning everyone. Aimee I am very glad to hear you are improving. I work part-time in a retail department store which announced yesterday it is furloughing all of its employees as it is hemorrhaging money and online sales are not cutting it. I just bought a condominium in September and I'm really frightened at the prospect of no job. It was only part-time but it really made a difference! So far I have been able to find everything I need in my area including twice being in a supermarket and luckily due to timing being able to get toilet paper!!! I've read some of this morning's other posts and I know many people are way worse off than I am but I am 65 and alone. I am in recovery and have been able to do Zoom recovery meetings every day and that is extremely helpful. I do have two children that live in my state my son has two toddlers and keeping them entertained all day has been a challenge. My daughter has mental health issues and so far she's been okay... I was thinking if anything happened to anybody how terrible it would be not to be able to offer to nurse them as they hopefully get back to health. As I did when my children were small. My daughter lives in a roommate situation everybody's unrelated and if she were to get sick I don't know what would happen... reading a earlier post from a Canadian with Universal Health Care and strong leadership makes me long for normality back here in the United States. Take care of everybody I hope we all stay well and survive this.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Hi Aimee - I hope you are on the mend and healing fast. We are working overtime having completely adapted our manufacturing facility to assist with the medical industry production of physician & nurses hospital gowns. It is so bad some are using plastic garbage bags!! It is now up to US the good and faithful people of the United States to fix what our atrocious Republican administration has created! Down with the GOP. Down with Donald J. Trump the TRAITOR to the American people. Putin can HAVE HIS WHOLE ENTIRE WRETCHED FAMILY!!! (I apologize for the angry post - I am working on only 4 hours of sleep in three days - I may be a tad feistier than usual.) A gigantic THANK YOU to the Nurses, Doctors, Military and Care Givers on the front lines in this battle for our lives!! ~ Aunt Titi - aka Ms. Resister ~

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Amee, How are you doing? I think about you each day and hope you are getting better. I'm perfectly fine and being extremely cautious so no worries.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I’m guessing I had a mild case but without testing I’ll never know. It presented like a bad lingering head cold that settled into my chest for a few days as a dry cough. My NP quarantined me and it’ll be over in 4 days. I feel completely back to normal now but I have no idea if I’m still contagious so I’m wearing a mask for the duration.

I live in a SRO with a large population of elderly and/or people with chronic preexisting conditions. We share kitchens & baths that aren’t all that clean on a good day. Hardly anyone is self-isolating. A week ago they were running the halls like a bunch of coeds on Spring Break. I’m dreading the next month.

They evacuated an elder care SRO in the neighborhood for COVID this week. I don’t know where I would go if they did that here.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I know that it would not matter at all to him because he is a sociopath but Trumputin should read these stories. They draw a much more accurate picture of how this virus is crushing people socially, economically, emotionally, physically. I'm 72. Nothing I've experienced has had the same everyday-life impact that this pandemic has.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Hi Amee, i lost someone who lived in my neighborhood. He was tested and was found to have the virus. Sadly the test results came after his death. He was well-known and loved. It hit the community hard. I also know people who are sick and have covid-related symptoms but have not been tested. I still have my work so my daily reality is similar to what it was prior to the pandemic, except I work from home now. My daughter and her partner from NYC left the city a couple weeks ago and are staying with my wife and me. They are musicians, so they are doing what they can to make ends meet: virtual lessons, applying for grants, and writing music. Most everything else has shifted to life with a pandemic. We’re having family zoom sessions with those who aren’t living with us, discussing the latest statistics, and also doing what we can to enjoy each others’ company with long dinners/conversations, music, and some binge-watching is our favorite shows. Oh, and my wine consumption has increased a tad.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I'm a Hospital Physician in the upper Midwest, literally peering into the abyss right now as we await the surge. I am the only local physician who works at my small community hospital and have picked up extra 24 hours shifts as the doctors who normally fly in from other states(specifically NYC) have been quarantined by our Hospital (most recently while she was on the flight here). I have been reviewing all data from US and International hotspots and attempting to convince the hospital administration to 'gear up' with regards to current recommendations from MGH/UW/UCSF etc. I'm not sure that they are listening. The freefloating anxiety on our medical floor is unnerving.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Good morning Amee

So glad you are turning the corner and feeling better. It was impressive to read how you kept yourself together in the midst of a frustrating series of calls with so-called public health resources that were of no use to you. You triumphed, thank god.

My family is sheltering in place, and I am occasionally out to the grocery store for stocking up. We are homeschooling our child with guidance from her regular school, and it's a new experience for us and we are managing. I am out a little bit each day, walking or sitting in my chair looking out into the neighborhood. Life has not changed much, although with type 1 diabetes I try not to go out into crowded stores very much. Reading many books, luckily the library here has a great selection and I stocked up before it closed. Starting to refresh my memory of accounting and finance, don't want to lose this opportunity for learning old and new things. Looking for work at this time feels futile, as though nobody will ever hire. I left my job three months ago and have not found anything since. I won't give up, hut it's hard to get motivated when the exponential growth of the virus, the deaths, and the general quiet has dominated the news and permeated the mind. Am I depressed? I think about that more often while sheltering in place, hoping that things will turn better soon but not expecting a lot in the interim. Prison camp survivors know that the ones who easily perish are those who think they'll be free tomorrow, and are disappointed each day. I try to just sit in the moment, not worry about what happens with COVID-19, and read and learn.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

My family so far is fine. Both adult children and their spouse/SO work from home. My wife is in the high-risk category who just had a cardiac ablation procedure and is a nurse, but cannot risk exposure at work. My niece, an ultrasound ER doc in CA, is very stressed - one mask all day, for example. Her father, a cardiologist running a bone marrow transplant program, is usually low key about health issues in general but is very very concerned about this; he, and his wife and I, are high risk because of our ages. Staying at home is not that hard for most of us but not for the docs. It's worrisome for us because of their exposure risk. If nothing else, among the people who take this virus threat seriously, we've been reminded how very much we depend on hundreds of other people doing their job just so we have food to eat.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Aimee, Take good care; you seem to be improving. Your posts remind us that someone we know, albeit peripherally, is affected by the coronavirus. Sadly, my friend and neighbor, actor Mark Blum, died of complications from the virus. He was 69 and, according to news reports, had some asthma issues. My daughter, son-in-law and their son decamped from NYC to New Jersey two weeks ago. My husband and I have migrated from NYC to Maryland. He is on conference calls and video meetings throughout the day. There is a deadline to help medical students accelerate their graduation so they can volunteer in the hospital. I already worked from home, so this is not new to me. Let’s hope others catch on to the seriousness of the situation. Yesterday afternoon, as we left the public tennis courts, a man and kids wIt’s a dog on a leash approached. Keep away, we said. Social distance. Don’t freak out, he replied. No dogs on the court, I said. No idiots either, he retorted. You’d feel differently if a friend died of coronavirus, said my husband. Sixty minutes earlier, Maryland’s governor mandated stay-at-home rules effective at 8:00 pm that evening. Stay safe and here’s to your speedy and complete recovery.

Expand full comment

Hoping for your continued recovery Amee. I have an underlying lung condition (bronchiectasis and asthma - yeah, just paint a bull's eye on my back.) so have been self isolating since March 8. So far so good, but I live in Manhattan, a dense city. Terrified for my elderly parents (80 & 90 yr olds) in Sarasota, FL, a Red state that is following Trump's lead and is late to the game about social distancing. I'm drilling into them not to go out an not to let anyone in. My Dad starts radiation treatments soon and my fear is he'll be exposed at the hospital in Tampa. Scheduling a family zoom chat to discuss "What happens if..." so we are ready and can prepare ourselves. I just hope if anyone gets the virus, it's me and not my dad.

P.S. - Bought a pulse oximeter. Ordering a flow meter ;)

Expand full comment

Bless you, hope you are feeling better. Am very lucky, thankful to be housed now for the past 2 months. Am still ill from 3 years of sleeping in my car. Keep to myself due to stay home orders & was doing so before due to lack of money and now no money. Empty shelves are terrible. People are scared crazy. There are good people helping others, innovations and creativity, kind folks who keep me inspired. But I am 70, with heart and lung issues so am on my own but do have a visiting nurse and home health aide now. People / seniors without homes are in real danger, more so than ever because here in the US, the poor and middle class are suffering while the rich are stealing from us. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/30/las-vegas-parking-lot-homeless-shelter. thanks again for ALL you do !!!

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

My grocery bill was 25% more this week. I asked around on Facebook and about 1/4 of friends are seeing higher prices. That $1200 isn’t going to go far if there’s a food shortage.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Amee. You're having such a rough time. Stay well!!

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Hi Amee - I’m so glad you are better. I have been worried about you. I follow you on Twitter (but go by Lynn on there). I’m thankful that this is our third week of working from home. The Governor of Virginia came out yesterday and told everyone to stay indoors through 6/10, except for essential people. So far, my family and friends are well. Although, I have a daughter who lives in Philly and has been majorly impacted financially. I just don’t know how she is going to make it. I had to go to Walgreens drive thru for prescriptions and while I was there bought some (real) Sudafed, Mucinex and Tylenol. They had all of that behind the counter so they were readily available. Take care and hugs to you.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

No change yet but waiting on more about pending medical appointments/surgeries (elective) which may not get done until after need a scan but can't get an appointment so far, limbo I guess..

Glad your feeling somewhat better good luck...

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Always looking forward to your posts and how you are doing...glad you have the energy to write. I’m in Austin TX seeing varying degrees of people staying at home. I take walks and grocery shop once a week. That’s it. Since the beginning of march I have had a weird lung thing - feels like I’m breathing on a smoggy day. Is it allergies? Is it acid reflux? I don’t know because my doctor has closed his office and you can only contact him via email thru his website. A friend tells me he has not replied to her emails. I wonder how many people have lost contact with their PCP? I have no other covid 19 symptoms tho and am worried about social isolation as I live alone. Zoom and phone talk don’t really replace in person connections. And to think I’m an introvert! I wonder how many introverts like myself are experiencing that the little bit of socializing we normally do (I work from home) is now erased and it’s pretty isolating.

Expand full comment

Hope that you are on the mend as I write this! I've pretty much sheltered at home, only leaving the house for very short periods to go to the grocery store, pharmacy, etc., or for walks in the neighbourhood (on those rare days where it doesn't rain here). My kids are with me right now, but they go back to their mom's house soon (probably tomorrow). Really, really dreading how empty and quiet the house will be once they leave. Social distancing is one thing, but when it becomes social isolation, that's not good at all.

So far, I've shown no symptoms, but since I'm asthmatic, this thing has me pretty nervous. I'm still working, at least. I get up at my normal time (6:15 a.m.), only now my office is in my dining room, so I shave, get dressed and schlep myself down the stairs to start my day. I read somewhere that one of the best ways to maintain some sense of "normal life" is to do the things that you would normally do during a day, to the extent that you can. So, I'm trying to do that. It's not easy, because working remotely isn't always very "workable". Sometimes, you NEED to see the actual files, etc. But, this is life in the time of the Coronavirus.

Hope that all of the readers of this tremendous newsletter are healthy and doing well.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Hi Amee, Here in rural eastern NC, if you ride through town, it looks like business as usual. Of course, I have not left my house since the 23rd when I went to the doctor and then was sent to the hospital for testing. I still have not received my test results. Finally, today is the first day since March 12th that I have hardly coughed and all other symptoms are gone, yet here I sit in an upstairs room in isolation because my doctor says I must wait until my test results are back. My two adult sons that live at home, deputy sheriff and electrician, are not allowed to return to work per their supervisors until my test comes back. My husband's work has allowed him to continue work pending a positive result of my test...alas, they are closing their doors for 4 weeks beginning April 6. The irony of it all is that by the time the test results come back, you are either well or .......well, you know. The isolation is very difficult, but as an introvert, I have enjoyed the quiet time to think and pray. I have had to go on news fasts to calm my mind and reduce stress, but I often pull up the COVID tracker to see if the curve is flattening yet for new cases. There was a teasing dip over the weekend, but it has headed north again.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I'm an essential worker, so I have been going to work, wishing other people would stay home. Have not gotten sick, but have allergies, so that freaks me out at times. My daughter is upstate, I'm downstate NYC, so you can imagine the stress. Taking it one day at a time.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

I so appreciate you and your ability to share so well, what's happening. So far, so good, but we here in Minnesota anticipate the return of snowbirds who will insist themselves upon our communities by going to their cabins. Please, stay at home for a few months. The lakes will still be there.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Within our family, friends, and friends of friends we know at least a dozen who have been ill, in different parts of the country. Thankfully, the majority are recovering but the ones recovering don’t believe they’ve been counted by anyone since they haven’t been tested. Feel better!

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

While I haven't lost a family member, two friends-of-friends have died of the coronaviris. It's hitting Detroit & environs very hard. I hope you're feeling better.

Expand full comment
Mar 31, 2020Liked by Amee Vanderpool

Hi Amee, hope you're well on the way to recovery. I've not shown any symptoms yet, and am barely sticking my nose outdoors. However, I was on a teleconference with my family last week, and I noticed one of my sisters was coughing and she mentioned her throat felt a little scratchy. I hope it's nothing, but we're all well past 50, and her husband just had open heart surgery, and she usually sees our dad every week for dinner (he's 87+). I'm a little concerned for her, but especially for her husband and our dad if she is infected. Anyway, crossed fingers for now.

Expand full comment

Thankfully, at this time, the isolation is the worst we’ve seen. I’m spending more time with my husband. It’s just the two of us. We live in NYS and are over 60. My family spread up and down the Eastern seaboard all seem to be well so far. I do have a niece who works as an ICU nurse and has 3 small children. My heart breaks for her every time she goes to work.

Expand full comment

Many thanks to ALL the Front Line people putting their lives on the line to help us move through this surrealistic nightmare.

Suggestion for article. I’m Doing Fine:The New Theory of Relativity

Not trying to be flippant, but ‘doing fine’ now has a narrowed spectrum.

Expand full comment

I caught a virus returning from Rome in 2018. I was 58. Symptoms the same as COVID-19. Felt nothing first 10 days then a strange malaise for three. On 14th day felt something wrong went back to bed. Within hours was delirious. When paramedics arrived I had 104 temp, low bp, low pulse, low oxygen. I was in bed 2 weeks with fever (4 days) cough and low oxygen. Could not abide tv; stared at the ceiling fan and slept. Lost 6 lbs laying there. Previously a runner 45+ years and had never been sick before. Dr. said 'I know. Your file was empty.'

I am taking this virus very seriously. My daughter has returned from LA and works from our home here in Silicon Valley as an environmental engineer. My husband works from his office at home as a software security architect. And son has resumed classes from Univ of Oregon here at home as well. Everyone is using Zoom but me (I'm conference calling into the grand jury - Santa Clara County will not pay for Zoom). The good news: are all well and eating dinner together like the old days. Hubby and daught love to cook so meals have been amazing. We played a 3 night continuance of Duckopoly (UOregon version) and everyone works out on the treadmill. Despite a couple of annoyances we are closer than ever. Best wishes to you and everyone else. p.s. After recovering from my virus I got in better shape and ran another 5K before turning 60.

Expand full comment

I caught a virus returning from Rome in 2018. I was 58. Symptoms the same as COVID-19. Felt nothing first 10 days then a strange malaise for three. On 14th day felt something wrong went back to bed. Within hours was delirious. When paramedics arrived I had 104 temp, low bp, low pulse, low oxygen. I was in bed 2 weeks with fever (4 days) cough and low oxygen. Could not abide tv; stared at the ceiling fan and slept. Lost 6 lbs laying there. Previously a runner 45+ years and had never been sick before. Dr. said 'I know. Your file was empty.'

I am taking this virus very seriously. My daughter has returned from LA and works from our home here in Silicon Valley as an environmental engineer. My husband works from his office at home as a software security architect. And son has resumed classes from Univ of Oregon here at home as well. Everyone is using Zoom but me (I'm conference calling into the grand jury - Santa Clara County will not pay for Zoom). The good news: are all well and eating dinner together like the old days. Hubby and daught love to cook so meals have been amazing. We played a 3 night continuance of Duckopoly (UOregon version) and everyone works out on the treadmill. Despite a couple of annoyances we are closer than ever. Best wishes to you and everyone else. p.s. After recovering from my virus I got in better shape and ran another 5K before turning 60.

Expand full comment

Good afternoon..

For the last 15 months i have been my sister's primary caregiver (we are both over 60). She is an invalid, semi controlled diabetic, has lymphedema , an inoperable brain tumor and other things.

Will I be able to refill her many prescriptions? Will hoarding by individuals and hospitals keep her from the medications she needs?

Right now a home health nurse takes care of some big issues with my sister three days a week. If COVID19 gets worse will the nurse continue to visit?

My biggest fear now is should she get sick, the hospital might not take here because of her condition. I'm not sure if it's the doctors or hospital or insurance company that will make the decision should she need hospitalization. If the virus gets worse, will someone decide she's not healthy enough to save? Will she get sub-standard care?

Prior to the COVID19 crackdowns, my day was spent caring for my sister (which often means just being there) and getting a blissful two hours in the gym every day. My gym is now closed.

Since the stay in place orders, my only free time is spent hiking on a number of trails within 15 minute of my sister's house. North Carolina says it will keep the trails open but several have already been closed. My guess is most will be closed in the near future.

My personal Panera Bread is closed except for drive-through. One of my socializing times was to sit a bit drinking coffee and eating a bagel. No longer is that possible.

My biggest problems today are not being able to get supplies I need. Between hoarding and the need of the medical community i can't get latex gloves, disinfectant wipes, bleach, cleaning disinfectants, paper towels and the COVID19 fighting necessity, toilet paper.

Because I'm a trained cook, I can make due with whatever I can get at the market so food shortages haven't been an issue yet.

I find myself playing the guitar more, reading more and writing more. I'm also spending more time at the keyboard or talking on the phone to friends and family, staying in touch more frequently. Those conversations are usually longer than before COVID19.

I'm also wearing out my Amazon Prime video membership, something i rarely used prior to COVID19.

Yoga and meditation are now more of a salvation.

I realize that because of the "Rona," which is apparently the new street name for COVID19, we must all make sacrifices.

I have a great deal of compassion for those who have it worse than I do. All things considered, this is a pain in the neck but we must do what we can to keep the virus under control.

At my age I've lived through polio and measles outbreaks, Vietnam, The Cold War, The Civil Rights riots, multiple politics assassinations, world turmoil and upheaval, Legionnaire's Disease, H1N1, both of OKC's massive tornadoes and all sorts of calamitous events.

I've survived all sorts of personal events.

One thing I've learned in my 68 years, this is one more thing to get through the best way we can.

With love and compassion we all can endure this and come out stronger. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it.

Namaste

Expand full comment

I just got back from a month abroad (half unplanned) and wrote about it here (TL,DR it was insane):

https://medium.com/@eemscully/coronavirus-in-real-time-over-three-weeks-on-three-continents-d5ef37e56ec4

Expand full comment