Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

ChiSandy

Judy, one of my earliest memories was at age 3 & 4, of the two summers in my Brooklyn neighborhood before the Salk vaccine came out. We kids walked around with stinky little cheesecloth bags filled with garlic & asafoetida dangling like necklaces. It seemed like every other week the ambulance came, and someone was carried down their stoop on a stretcher (no gurneys back then), portable iron lung on their chest. One of my playmates lost her mom. Years later, one of my BFFs showed us his withered leg--he caught polio back in Battle Creek, MI, after one oral Sabin vaccine dose but before he could get the second. He began getting post-polio syndrome in his 40s. Then, of course the most famous polio victim: Joni Mitchell, who had it as a baby. (Bet you thought I was going to say FDR--but the consensus now is that what he had was really Guillan-Barré).

The excitement of going out in the sunshine today to ditch the trash and recycling (no housekeeper to do that till at least May) proved inadequate, so I decided that before my gels fall off (it's been 3 weeks) I'd better write something and get it up on YouTube. It's my take with coping with the "cooping up" and the chorus includes a little Yiddish & Italian. Here goes:

Today, cat litter dumping, tossing the trash and recycling, and getting the creative juices flowing (an excuse to put on mascara and lip gloss); tomorrow, changing sheets and doing laundry (I haven't used these front-loaders yet, so it could be "interesting"). Maybe go totally wild and even iron!

Judy, I did have one no-chip-gel lift and fall off, but fortunately, I have the matching non-gel polish for just such an occasion. I've done soak-offs the way my salon does: with acetone-soaked cotton balls, foil-wrapped fingertips, and a heating pad on top. Usually, it the gel scrapes off easily with an orangewood stick. Amazing that it's >3 wks since my last mani!

petite1

Good morning. Most of the documents I esigned from home. They needed one notarized, so I drove down there. The notary did pass a paper through the window, looked at my ID and I signed. She was very careful and brought wipes with her. I had my own and hand sanitizer. It took about 1 minute and I drove back.

3M developed the molded bra cup, about 1970. It not go over very well at the time when women were burning bras, so they turned it into the N95 mask and shoulder pads. A little trivia. A doctor in Russia designed a bra that can be taken apart and used as 2 masks. It is the EBbra. It also comes with a radiation sensor.

I tried using the removal cups from my special bras, but I hate to say it, I think my nose is bigger than my breast.

MCBaker

My right foob is a bit larger than my left boob, so I got some pads and sewed them into the left cups of my three bras, the all elastic front-hook bras. It does look much nicer.

I am busy making masks. Our cooperative is getting another shipment of elastic on Monday, so I need to get ready. I am experimenting with interfacing on both sides of the insides of the masks. Mostly seniors (18) in my small apartment complex, I am going to make maybe 36 masks and put them on the freebie table in the community room. We need to protect each other.

As soon as I got dressed I took Tippy out for a walk. He refused to come in, so I left him on tieout. He dug a hole, and was having so much fun that I let him dig for a few more seconds once I discovered him doing what dogs do naturally.

Yesterday I had a video interview with a NP about my sleep problems. She thought it might be apnea, and I am soundly opposed to the idea. But she ordered an at-home test, and agreed with me that the results are more valid than those done at the hospital. I was thinking of medication, for when it gets too hot for my weighted blanket. But she said apnea is very common among active sleepers. Sigh.

Then a volunteer delivered a massive amount of groceries, which I had to put away.

Then Tippy and I had a scooter-ride to the PO, third one in about six days. I had ordered some electronics to alert me to dog-barking, doorbell and phone ring during the night. I used the small grant that the state offers for HI people to order a bare-bones kit, but it worked for only the phone. So I had to return it and apply for the larger grant. Problem is that they assumed it was just age-related hearing loss (even though I got my first HA's 25 years ago), when actually it is more serious, with recent loss in the low frequencies, indicating Meniere's. I had to get the old kit in the mail quickly so I can get the right one. A lot of communication with various people, including audiologists, who are taking turns with office hours.

So, at the end of all this, I got a phone call from my difficult neighbor. I refused to answer, because a) Tippy picks up on the tension, especially when he hears his name. b) Her condescending attitude just reeks, and adds to the tension. I understand that there is a backstory about all this. I immediately went out and swept the dirt off the sidewalk, filled the hole, and put grass-seed on top. Checked my voice-mail, which has a transcription function. Yep, she was wondering why I hadn't yet swept the sidewalk. So glad I did not answer.

I got another message that a friend in Texas wants some masks for her multiple-generation, large and busy household. I am afraid for them. Put them in an envelope for yet another trip to the PO.

Then I got busy making a double batch of jam. I could have eaten the rest of the berries, but I had crushed some of them before I realized I had enough already crushed for a single batch. I now have three pint jars with blackberry jam, with a touch of raspberries and kiwi. LOL. I need to find a way to get rid of my extra jam. Freebie table with note to return jars?

As all of this was winding down, Tippy started shivering, and was looking up to me in a very pathetic way. We went to the sofa, and he gradually quits shivering as he went to sleep, in full body contact. He slept with me last night, and, as usual, it interrupted my sleep. I think it is a reaction to his heartworm pill. He will be obnoxious tonight, so I will put his kennel in the hallway.

Anyway, I got a lot of things taken care of, but busy days like yesterday I have enough of.

Betrayal

ChiSandy: I loved the song. Thanks for providing a vocal diversion that was humorous and timely with wash your hands. Was this an original song? You are so talented.

petite1: Thanks for the laugh about the bra cup and nose. The history lesson was interesting as well. Who knew?

Wren44

Great song, Sandy! Thanks for posting.

IllinoisLady

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,

committed people can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead

Idealism detached from action is just a dream.

But idealism allied with pragmatism,

with rolling up your sleeves and making the world bend a bit,

is very exciting.

It's very real.

It's very strong.

- Bono

Individual commitment to a group effort -

that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.

- Vince Lombardi

IllinoisLady

Loved the song. Wish I wasn't late today -- would have been a good pick-me-upper earlier. All is fine here in our household, but we have been struggling with one of Dh's brothers. He has two living here in our town, one in South Carolina, and we also have a bil in the town next to us. He was married to Dh's sister who passed on about 4 yrs. ago. At any rate this brother is the one who had the quad by-pass a yr. or two ago. He had to have an arm port and some antibiotics ( I don't even know for sure why ) and had some sort of allergic reaction to the weeks worth of meds. Two months later he is in the hospital Behavioral Unit here with brain damage and dementia from that. No one knows how this will turn out.

Sometimes you wonder -- aren't the virus issues enough. Well, I think we can be glad he doesn't have that going on but the prognosis doesn't sound good at all. Sigh !!! So thank you for the song.

MC -- your neighbor is definitely not of the jewel variety. You do have a bit of a coping mechanism -- sort of build in, though I sure wished you didn't. It likely has saved some REAL un-pleasantness though. Interesting about the sleep apnea. My Pulmonologist says I have it, but I don't have any of the evidences that I've been told might tip you off. I am the same as I've been most of my life -- an early riser with plenty of energy and enthusiasm in the morning hours and beginning to wane in the early afternoon 1:30 - 2 p.m. I can however work until 8 or 9 at night though I will admit to dragging as though I'm hauling 3 people with me by then. Good that you won't have to do the away from home for the night routine. I think most people might learn more if they could stay in their own comfy surroundings.

I'm laughing about the bras and that was another nice cheer-me-up and get my mind off of some of the things going on around here. I usually don't let these things get in my way, but I feel a bit weighted down right now with all the changes this virus has dumped down on us.

MC -- meant to say -- how great that you are willing to share your talent with those where you live. That is nice. We will get though helping each other. Blessings for that. Hugs to you and Tippy.

MCBaker

Sandy, I hadn't listened to your song until just now. I skimmed over it when I saw it, because I didn't have my ears in. It helps us express our disgust with the situation without self-pity. I like it, and thank you.

ChiSandy

Thanks for the reviews of my song! Yes, it's an original. It's a combo of what my mom used to say in Yiddish when she didn't want to jinx something, as well as what the Sicilian landlady we had when I was in college would say whenever bad things threatened to happen. (I have no idea as to the literal translation of "kinahurra," but "scutta malocchio" literally means, "Scram, evil eye," followed by dry "spitting"). Cami, over on the "drinking" thread, got it right away. (She's Italian). The melody just sort of fell into place around the lyrics, but I'm sure there are bits & pieces that may be somewhat derivative. Close enough for folk music...in captivity...

"Went" to temple tonight--live-streamed on YouTube. Bob & I may look for an online Seder for first or second night of Passover. He's contemplating watching the live Palm Sunday Mass from Holy Name Cathedral at noon on Ch. 7, but is definitely virtually "attending" Easter Mass livestreamed from our parish. We contribute to both St. Gertrude's and Emanuel Congregation. Covering the bases...

MCBaker

It is amazing how intense vicarious participation can get, when it comes to religious activities in this season. I pray that we get all we need to sustain ourselves. The spiritual needs are equivalent to the physical and social when we are in a situation that our lives are threatened. We also need to pray for members here who are at stage 4.

carolehalston

I watched numerous videos yesterday on making cloth face masks. I will get out the tiny sewing machine today and try following the instructions. The pleated mask looks easy enough. There is also a fitted mask. I will make the pattern that leaves a pocket for filtering material which is discarded after use. I don't have as much cotton fabric on hand as I thought I had.

DH read that microwaving the cloth masks kills the bacteria.

Day before yesterday I watched tutorials on replacing washing machine parts. We have tried to diagnose my machine's problem with the agitating cycle and have ordered parts. Here's hoping we don't replace the parts for naught. That's a possibility.

It's a bit dreary looking outside. We need rain. During our wet January and February I couldn't imagine saying that.

Thankful that we have nice neighbors. Of course, they live some distance away. If we yelled inside our house, nobody would hear us.

MCBaker

" I will make the pattern that leaves a pocket for filtering material which is discarded after use. I don't have as much cotton fabric on hand as I thought I had."

A great use for the toilet paper so many stocked up on. Except I don't think those who stocked up on TP will be among the first to don masks. Our local quilting shop owner is donating elastic, and I think even donating fabric. However, the charity quilting club has plenty for the members who have started making masks. I am busy cutting out the 8X9 pieces, with one dimension ripped. Woke up this morning with ear congestion, and realized that I can wear a mask to protect myself from the cotton particles released. Doh!!

petite1

Good morning, ladies. I too, worked on making cloth masks. I made the one with the 18" x 18" square and hair bands. Today, I will make the CDC one from a Tshirt. I will sign up for Publix grocery delivery. It all seems surreal.

IllinoisLady

Passion doesn't come from business or books or even a connection with another person. It is a connection to your own life force, the world around you and the spirit that connects us all. You are the source. Books, work, music, people, sunsets all provide sparks, but only you can light the fire.

Jennifer James

IllinoisLady

Hard to believe we are at this place. I am thinking we have a couple of masks here to use. They are not the cloth kind ( I think I'd like those better ) but they will get the job done. Our Walmart is roped off so coming in and going out is controlled. They had all the baskets washed and ready for use. Well, I hate to be so picky ( at this time we need to be extra picky ) but I imagine I've always done my cart much differently than they do. I wash not only the handle where you push it, but all the surrounding metal. Also the plastic dividers ( kids are placed on these with legs sticking out so parents can shop ) front and back and all around those -- both sides all around the top and most the way down. I can't do it all --- but I'm thinking Walmart likely is only doing the actual handle. I wasn't there to see how they did it. I took a chance and took the basket -- but when I go back I'm going to re-do my basket until I'm a bit more satisfied. It could still be a problem, but I will at least have satisfied myself that it got a bit more chance at cleanliness. Sometimes a little OCD is handy.

I'm starting ( feel like we need it even more now at this time ) to get hopeful that my laundry machines keep working properly. They are starting to age now. I think I've had them around 12 yrs. now and while they seem fine, I do know nothing much is made like it once was with long range durability in mind. Hate to say it, but I think a lot of these items ( kitchen and laundry ) now have something of a shelf life and it is not necessarily all that long. Dh, many of you know worked for Sears for yrs. He told me when we bought our last ( it was a Bosch and I love it ) dishwasher that he hoped it would last at least 7 yrs. I nearly fell over. My old one ( Kitchenaid ) was 22 yrs. old and actually still worked. The issue was we had to take the front panel buttons apart once a week because they would stick ( the 2 or 3 that still worked fine ) in the IN and ON positions and it was difficult to get it to run normally as it didn't pause like it should. So after 22 yrs. a good sale came at Sears ( which helped me afford what I really wanted ) and I decided to say goodbye to the old but still operating fine machine in favor of a new and energy efficient model. That is how it goes. Come to think of it -- it seems fine but I've had my kitchen appliances all for a fair amt. of time as well. Sigh !!

I have been hearing as of late that Speed Queens are ( I don't know about shelf life on them ) a best bet for the laundry now. They are what laundromats use though the ones there are 'commercial grade' but my bill's researched this and seemed to think that overall, the 'home' models were better too. So, when I do need some I will have to try and find info. I think it was said that some of the SQ's came w/o all the bells and whistles ( excellent right there ) and had agitators still so there do seem to be plusses.

Rained overnight but I'm hoping for some sun. It will be a fair amt. cooler today, but that is okay. Hope you all have a great Saturday.

CindyNY

Carolehalston - no sewing machine here so I made a mask like Dr. Oz showed. Folding over material & rubberbands over my ears. Not pretty, rubber bands pulled my ears out LOL, but functional. FYI - partner & I watched YouTube to repair our dryer a few years ago. It still works. Good luck with your washer (harder than a dryer).

IllinoisLady - I have a speed queen washer in NY and love it. As the guys installed it, they said something like - these last forever. So I said, I'll be gone and it will still be kicking? They said yes. Unlimited setting for water level, easy wash settings too.

Enjoy the day the best you can. We need rain here too, They re putting on the sprinkler system twice a day due to drought.

IllinoisLady

A view of my state right now:

Illinois passes 10,000 known cases of COVID-19, with 1,453 new known cases and 33 additional deaths

Illinois now has 10,357 known COVID-19 cases and 243 deaths since the outbreak began, officials said Saturday. That's 1,453 new known cases of the coronavirus and 33 additional deaths reported today. Read More Newspaper mentions this a.m. that we now have three cases in our county, Marion County.

keywestfan

Sandy, Love the kinahurra with the dry spit. How great to use your creativity during all this- like everything is grist for the mill( as we therapists used to say.) My late MIL, mother of my late first husband, was always saying “kinahurra.” When I was in Turkey and we’d see a mother wheeling a new baby, our guide told us the custom was to go over and say, “ That’s the ugliest baby ever born. It’s hideous,” so the Gods wouldn’t get envious and take the child away. Your song and humor brought this back to me. Also the way my late MIL would spit.

The only positive note in these horrible times is I’ve learned a few things that everyone else already knows- like Zoom, andhow to deposit a check using my iPhone. And I will learn how to deal with my long gel nails. I didn’t know the gel popped off, but will figure out how to clip, file, use the acetone and foil or the clips that hold soaked cotton balls in place. My eyebrows are turning white. Tempted to use a black Sharpie, but won’t.

I also wrestled with sheets today,laundry, vacuuming, windexing- have been relieved of these tasks for many years. Though I’d much rather not, there is satisfaction in creating order.

It’s scary in retirement living. Too many here don’t recognize the importance of distancing. Almost no one is yet wearing a mask and one woman told me I looked like I was from another planet when I had mine on. Maybe she was envious, maybe it was a kinahurra.

ChiSandy

On Nextdoor, somebody mentioned a couple of guys in Uptown, DBA "Infinity," are making and selling sturdy pleated cloth masks in a variety of patterns. Mine came yesterday--a "blue wave" tie-dye style and "brown triangles" foulard-esque. I'm finding that wearing them fogs up my glasses; Bob replied, "Welcome to my world." Christ Hospital finally issued him partial PPE (a Tyvek gown and an N95 mask, which he's expected to reuse till it falls apart--he already has gloves. But they won't give him a paper cap).

But he just came home (midnight)--suddenly his days are longer because of mask/gown/glove procedures. My heart sank when he told me he was at Little Company of Mary, where he saw 22 patients--15 of whom have COVID-19. He was not in the ICU, and he stayed 6' from their beds, but still...none of his colleagues (all younger) are going there. The rival cardiology group on the SW Side has forbidden its doctors to see any but strictly cardiology patients--and not at all at Little Company (where those two Evergreen Park Wal-Mart workers died).

Yet he won't spray his clothes down at the hospital, won't leave his coat in the car, and won't take his shoes off inside the door. He promises he will go upstairs to strip & shower. I'm now terrified to do laundry (I will now have to wear gloves)--we don't have a separate hamper or laundry basket.

And the only masks the nurses get are the simple surgical ones.

It's getting real. There's a possibility I could lose him before our next anniversary.

petite1

ChiSandy, I can understand. Could he strip by the washer and drop the clothes in, before spreading it through the house?

I am glad I am retired. I was in healthcare as a nurse, teacher and finally an administrator. I use to throw my clothes in the washer before going in.

CeliaC

ChiSandy, understand your worries for your DH. Maybe if you could somehow lay out a change of clothes for him and a pillowcase or somthing to drop the "outside clothes" into, he could at least shed the clothes/confine them in a central spot?

My brother & SIL in Cleveland, OH area are in healthcare professions. He is a paramedic & she is a psychiatry PA. Luckily, she can treat most of her patients via phone/internet & only sees those who need meds via injection, unless there is some other problem with meds. They have advised me they are taking all precautions.

Prayers for all those in the healthcare professions & for their loved ones as well.

IllinoisLady

Humility does not mean false modesty. Humility does not mean taking a back seat. When you take a back seat consciously and deliberately in order to show others how humble you are, you are not being humble at all. False humility is what slaves show to their masters. Slaves know that if they do not obey their masters blindly, if they do not show this kind of outer humility, the master will punish them. True humility is something totally different; it is the feeling of oneness. Humility means giving joy to others. Here on earth we want to get joy. But how do we get joy? Real joy we get from self-giving, not by possessing or by showing our own supremacy. When we allow others to get joy, then we feel that our joy is more complete, more perfect, more divine. By making others feel that they are either equally important or more important, we show our
true humility.

Sri Chinmoy

IllinoisLady

All we can do is the best we can in our situations and pray for each other. I think I've read a couple of times that people are working VERY hard on medical solutions and I am grateful for that, but knowing that the best solutions are very distant right now and we all have a long way to go before we likely can look for vaccines to bolster our systems to overcome this problem.

I also read ( chromosome differences ) that women actually seem to do better than men with this virus. Thinking of what you said Sandy about your Dh. It is a bad thing for all of us, no matter.

Cooler here as of late. We had some rain. I hope that is over for a bit. I'd love to see some sun but have no idea if it will come out. Getting difficult to come up with menu's here at home. We were at Walmart ( the ever needful cat food supplies ) and I picked up some food for us as well. Got the last two cans of Steak & Shake chili sauce. So make some spaghetti, chopped some onions, heated some Hebrew National hot dogs, the chili sauce, put it on plates, with some Sargento shredded cheese and viola', a nice 'restaurant meal ( 5-way chili mac ) w/o being there. We felt great. No restaurant noise, no tip required, and no 20 mile drive home afterward. That could end up a staple around here.

I hope you are all going to have a wonderful day.

MCBaker

I yesterday I got about 100 masks started. One local nurse asked for as many as I had on hand (for herself and co-workers). She then asked me how much they cost! I lol'ed, then said "THANK YOU!" I discovered that one local supply of elastic is exhausted, so ordered some more. Scrounged around some in my stash and other places and found some shoelaces and some more elastic. Once I use that up, I will make binding until my order comes in. I also have packages to an online friend and a cousin to send on Monday. That will be the last of my delivery by mail, folks. PO does not want to become a focus of infection.

I need to go to the local grocery store today and get some items.

Thought I lost my fitbit charger and ordered a pair of knock-off replacements, then found it. Let my order stand. I often lose things. Decided to set alarms for daily devotions. I lack in self-discipline, need to get some external cues to substitute. After all, I had alarms for every out-and-about errand, how about errands to God, now?

Already logged 1 1/4 mile with Tippy. I usually let him determine the route, gets more interesting that way. I logged 13000 steps yesterday, supposedly, but a good share of that was sewing. At least it feels good. I slept well, though.

I could say more, but it is talking to myself.

Beaverntx

DH and I met in Cincinnati so we have "Skyline 6 way chili": spaghetti; chili sauce made with ground meat, onions, beans, and tomatoes; topped with shredded cheese. At a Skyline restaurant, oyster crackers are also included!

CeliaC

Beaverntx - Currently living in the greater Cinci area, so very familiar with many "chili ways", although I am not a consumer of chili. Did you experience another "local" favorite, Graeters ice cream?

Beaverntx

Celia, oh, of course. We are both UC grads and any alum event is likely to serve Skyline and Graeter's. We were back for a visit a while back and both places were on our to-do list. Don't get to Cincy very often. When we go to Ohio we are usually in the Dayton/ Fairborn area where DH has family and that is no more than every other year or so. We are the elders in our family and both of our sons are currently here in Texas with their wives and children, although in current circumstances we cannot see them. They live 3 to 4 hours away and we are all under stay at home orders. Thank goodness for telephones and messaging!

CeliaC

ChiSandy - Went back in these posts & just listened to your You Tube posting. Such a creative & catchy song. Your voice/guitar are lovely and it nice to "see" you inperson. Looking good! Hope the hamsa & thoughts of kinnahurra ward off the worries about your DH.

HikingLady

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES DURING PANDEMIC Hello, popping on here because we're all over 60. I will share our current household procedures and why, in case any of these ideas are helpful to anyone on this thread.

My husband is an RN, front-line. He manages a team of hospice nurses, and also has to do patient visits for complicated cases, but now the visits are very occasional, with full PPE. Our son-in-law is an ER doctor and medical school professor, and our daughter is a primary care provider APRN/Family practice NP. I also have 6 other doctor friends (two ER docs, family practice, pediatrician, pulmonologist, surgeon) Every single one of these providers insists that we do all the following protocols, and for the following reasons. And, they all are following these rules in their homes.

Anyone over age 60, or with any comorbidity (=underlying health condition) that makes us vulnerable to COVID-19 (diabetes, a compromised autoimmune system due to disease or medications, any pulmonary issues such as asthma, pneumonia history, COPD, smokes cigarettes, emphysema, etc.) should be sheltering in place 100%, and someone in another risk group should do any errands or any necessary grocery shopping.

Worse outcomes, more respiratory distress issues, etc. do increase with older patients, so over 70 or over 80 is successively more at risk.

Find a younger person without a comorbidity to do the shopping, or hire a delivery service, etc.

In many households, front-line/exposed providers (ICU pulmonologists, ER docs) are choosing to quarantine themselves apart from spouses in the same home, not sharing bedroom with spouse, not couch/lounging spaces or bathrooms. Imagine how difficult that is, but it's a choice many providers are making, to minimize the exposure to other household members. If one household member is regularly exposed, so is anyone else in the household, of course, due to the possibility of asymptomatic contagion.

Most committed health care providers are out there no matter their other risks, and that's true for my husband, who has a comorbidity and is 63 years old. He has a calling, and he would not dream of retiring or sitting this out. So, the only thing we have left is to make sure, as far as possible, that he's not bringing something home to me, and minimizing his own exposure. What we're doing probably has holes in it, but here goes; all following the advice of the people I mention above:

PACKAGES/DELIVERIES 3 days is the longest we've heard that the virus can live (on cardboard, so maybe also on paper), so, if possible, we don't touch packages for that time, or we open them over the recycling bin and wipe everything down that we take out of packages. Same with mail.

ERRANDS AND SHOPPING:

• In your car: hand sanitizer, gloves and wipes in a zip-lock bag. The wipes should be lysol-treated. Also some alcohol wipes to clean off credit card.
• Don't pay for anything with cash.
• If you have to go where other humans are, put on your PPE when you leave your (clean space) car. A mask, disposable gloves
• wipe down credit card after using with alcohol
• wipe down every single thing that comes inside (grocery bags, etc.)
• get out of the store quickly
• Treat everything you touch as if it's contaminated.
• AIR SPACE: Consider 6' really too close---new studies of aerosolization of droplets and their viability in the air suggest 20.' Unfortunately, the safest distance might be much farther than 6.'
• Set groceries in back of car
• Remove those disposable gloves that you shopped with to drive home, (turn inside out without touching outside part, set them into a garbage bag in the trunk, and you're safe to touch your door and get into the car now).
• Or, use lysol wipes to wash car door handle, if possible.
• Keep the mask on until you strip at the door (info below).
• At home, new gloves on again to bring things to the porch or in your house to a decontamination zone
• Set groceries aside for 3 days if possible,
• Wipe down car handle, seat, steering wheel, gear shift and anything you possibly touched, with lysol wipes
• wipe down anything you put away (CDC link for what to sanitize with is below)
• wash vegetables and fruit in a soapy bath in the sink. (doctor's PSA video link below for how exactly to do the cleaning of food that you bring home, containers, bags, etc.)

INSIDE/OUTSIDE CLOTHES and our DECONTAMINATION ZONE: When one of the people in the household has been anywhere other humans are, sharing air space or touching anything he/she is considered completely contaminated. Whoever lives there is now exposed, so everything coming in is treated like biohazard.

NOTE: we don't do all this when we just walk around the block 20' from other people. But, who knows, maybe we should.....we consider this the protocol stuff for when we have to get gas, husband has to stop at the office for something, someone HAS to go to a medical appointment or to the store. That's ALMOST NEVER, but if we do:

Strip naked at the door, and set all clothes carefully into a pillowcase. Leave shoes outside. Shower immediately. Wash shoes, if they're sneakers, or leave untouched for 3-4 days, if you can rotate shoes. Or, wear shoe-covers/hospital booties over shoes, and discard those safely when returning home.

Sanitize anything that was "OUT" in the world or possibly touched: your glasses/ earpieces (alcohol wipes or soap and water), phone, and anything you touch (door handles, backs of a chair, handles anywhere in the house), hearing aids (alcohol wipes), belt, etc.

To wash the "outside clothes:" The laundry person puts on gloves and a homemade fabric mask or kerchief over face. Sets that pillowcase into the washer, empties the clothes inside the washer, now removes (washable, homemade fabric mask or kerchief, etc.) mask in sterile fashion and puts it in last, into the washer, and closes door of washer with shoulder if it's a front-load. Remove gloves in the sterile way (turn inside out) and discard, and now use a Lysol wipe to hold onto the dials and the door of washer and the laundry detergent. When finished, wipe all that down with the wipe. Now wash hands the usual way (20 seconds scrubbing 10 seconds rinsing).

Clothes are probably cleaned just fine with soap and warm water. However, using the dryer adds to the safety, so this might not be a time to hang clothes up outside--sanitation will be best with the added heat in the dryer.

Sneakers? We're washing them in the washing machine, then setting aside for 3 days to dry. Or, just not using a pair that's been out in the world for 3 days---setting them into a quarantine zone.

CLEANING THE GROCERIES: A doctor shows how to clean any food that comes into your home

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sjDuwc9KBps?rel=0

WHAT DISINFECTANTS TO USE: CDC instructions for what disinfectants are effective, and how to make bleach solution, etc.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-your-home.html

SEWING MASKS: I ordered fabric from Amazon, it arrived 2-3 days later, I'm using some narrow, insulated wire at the nose (or pipe cleaner, etc.) for an adjustable fit (set into a little channel, zig-zagging over it so it stays in place), I have no elastic for ear attaching, so I'm making 4 ties for the corners. You can PM me if you'd like my tips and info on how I'm making them. There are many patterns online. I found some tightly woven 100% cotton fabric around the house, including napkins and sheets, and now more fabric is coming, thanks to the gig economy, so I can make more soon.... We will wear them now when we go out where humans are.

ChiSandy

Most of this is impossible for us because of the layout of our 112-yr-old house. The garage is detached, opening out on to the alley, so he can't leave his coat in the car. We don't have a mud room—the washer-dryer are in the (extremely unfinished) basement, down rickety wooden stairs. The back door opens directly into the kitchen. He still refuses to leave his shoes at the door. We have only one working shower. I know this is hard to imagine for those of you living out in the suburbs or rural, with more contemporary homes that aren't an open rabbit warren of rooms, but it is what it is.

Dr. Fauci's advice re: groceries, delivery, etc. is not as extreme as that Grand Rapids FP. (He was asked about it last week on the Daily Show). Handwashing, Lysoling touched surfaces and non-porous packaging, washing produce as I use it, gloves for laundry (a mask won't protect you, only protect others from you; so until I get symptoms I'm not wearing one inside my house). Bob follows sterile protocol in the hospitals (and gets a fresh gown & gloves each time he sees a patient, discarding them after). He is expected to use his N95 not just for the entire shift, but until it falls apart and can no longer be sprayed down with peroxide. He does get a face shield, but his hair keeps falling down into his eyes—ordered him some headbands but until then I'm gonna insist he wear a hotel shower cap.

And as to that video: I am skeptical about taking health advice from a beefy family doc who eats sugary dry cereals, potato chips, white bread, and junk fast food.