Feeling kind of low.

[Cousin Dupree]

I’m old, I have chronic medical conditions, my lungs have always been my weakness because if I get sick, the lungs always cause problems, I’m a retired RN and I think I know what’s going to happen with the world pandemic, and on top of it, the people on tv are always focusing on how younger people will probably be ok if they get Coronavirus but us old farts, well kiss your butt goodbye! Very scary times. Trying to keep busy and not focus on this but it’s difficult.

[hlthe2b]

1. I understand. To say the messaging is both insensitive and morally wrong is beyond obvious.

Realizing it reflects attitudes of so many in the media and obviously the administration--is beyond devastating. If and when they lose those close to them, I'll bet we'll hear a far different message.

Do your best to stay healthy and SHOW THEM!

[Blecht]

3. I always remind anybody who says crap like what the babbling baboon said in his Fox interview

I remind them that it's true that they will probably be OK, but their attitude is going to kill a lot of people's grandmas, maybe even theirs.

"Are you OK with that?"

[Cousin Dupree]

11. Thank you!

[Fresh_Start]

2. You've got this

You are trained and experienced and have subject matter expertise.

It is scary, but you are smart and can take positive steps to help yourself.

[Cousin Dupree]

12. Thank you so much

[Brainfodder]

4. I feel it too, I'm not 100% either but 50+ and parents and family over 60, is probably 40+ people?

Some over 80, one over 90, one already near death from heart stuff is 75+ and has pacemaker as it is keeping him at barely alive, so worry, yeah big time, but using cannabis to keep me chill.

Add to that healthcare potential issues, good grief the fine print assholes will surely be out in full denial force or price gouging or some unforeseen BS?

In summary: GOOD LUCK TO YOU and yours everyone!

[Cousin Dupree]

13. And to you! Thank you!

[ibegurpard]

5. Take all the reasonable precautions that you can

Like washing your hands thoroughly and regularly. Keep your hands away from your face as much as possible. Avoid unnecessary public gatherings for the time being. And that's about all you can do. I know that it's really easier said than done but once you've done what you can then try to let it go. There's nothing else you personally can do. You're taking it seriously. Turn off the TV and focus on doing something that brings you joy.

[Cousin Dupree]

14. Turn off the tv. A very good idea. Thanks!

[TheBlackAdder]

6. Got the elecampane, Lung Tonic, guaifenesin, extra D3 and the Vick's Steam Inhaler for the lungs.

.

This coronavirus attacks the lungs and the above is battle gear for me. I am someone who has been living with chronic bronchitis for decades, and since keeping these in my reserve haven't had to take powerful drugs, three times a year for about a decade.

Several other in family/extended family have respiratory issues, inc. COPD, and they are managed or abated as well.

I bought a shitload of these products to distribute to the clan, when things gets real.


A co-worker just got back from South Korea and Manila, and are in a 2-week home quarantine and they bought this stuff too and had it expressed from Amazon to their home.

.

[Cousin Dupree]

16. Good suggestions. What is elecampane?

[TheBlackAdder]

23. It's a root that is highly effective in anthrax, viral and bacterial infections of the lungs.

.

AFAIK, there are no drug interactions and and not prone to create anti-bacterial resistance.

My worry is that taking Z-Pack 10s and other drugs might form a resistance, when I really need to take it.

.

[musette_sf]

19. Thank you for the suggestions.

They make sense. Just placed an Amazon order for those items. If I never need them, great. And if I do need them they will be here.

[Freddie]

27. Thank you for this

Will order. I’m fine, my husband has asthma which is normally controlled by Singulair and the occasional puff of rescue inhaler. He’s going to need extra help if he gets this.

[Tanuki]

7. You raise an excellent point about how appalling the message is:

"Younger people will be fine. The old are expendable, tough luck for them." This does indeed need to be called out for what it is.
Please take heart. You still have a voice and you matter! Your OP undoubtedly raised the consciousness of many people about this intolerably ageist and cavalier attitude.
Be well and take care! I can only imagine the blessing you have been to so many during your career as a registered nurse!

[Cousin Dupree]

17. Thanks for being so understanding.

[LiberalLoner]

8. I understand. I'm in close to the same position,

Probably won’t make it when the virus hits.

But to be honest the thought gives me more relief than sadness because life with MS isn’t much fun.

But I hope you make it. In the meantime, sending you hugs.

[Cousin Dupree]

18. Hugs to you too!

[LiberalLoner]

24. 😀

[yardwork]

48. Seriously, the vast, vast majority of people are going to be fine.

There is no indication that this virus is going to cause mass casualties. The media is being irresponsible in suggesting that.

Influenza is a much bigger threat, and we all live with that every year.

I'm so sorry that you have to live with MS. Please know that you are appreciated as part of the DU community.

[LiberalLoner]

50. ❤️

Thank you!

[Blecht]

9. Please take care of yourself

You're an RN -- you know how to do all the important things to keep yourself healthy. Remember that. Even when this blows up into a worldwide pandemic -- which it will due in large part to the USA's pathetic early response -- your chances of becoming infected are much smaller than the average person.

What each of us can do is to try to set a good example for all the people we know and hope they do what they can to minimize the spread of the virus. And we can write letters and make phone calls to anybody who tries to minimize how horrible a global pandemic will be.

[Cousin Dupree]

20. LOL. Nurses always expect the worse because we've seen the worst over and over.

It’s a nursing curse.

[MFM008]

10. Me too

❤❤

[Cousin Dupree]

21. Thanks.

[Skittles]

29. I work in the IT field

I remember when a group of nurses would call us from factories - when I started the job I was advised *NEVER* TRY TO BLUFF A NURSE, THEY HAVE HEARD IT ALL and you *WILL* pay

[MerryBlooms]

15. We're a household of 3 sisters- I'm the youngest at 56, middle 62, eldest 76.

I am feeling it too. The 2 elder have a myriad of health issues, including 1 with congestive heart failure and asthma. Cold and flu season is always a huge concern, so now with the covid-19 addition, definitely ticks up my anxiety for them. We're in southern OR, people are clearing out the shelves, which also adds to my anxiety. Disinfecting items and our bags after grocery shopping, mainly because it's still flu season. We had our flu shot and have been a little more cautious than usual, no illness in over a year.

Hang in there. Keeping busy is the best, but we watched some silliness on tv yesterday which also helped.

[Cousin Dupree]

22. Wishing you and your sisters good health. Maybe binge-watching Curb Your Enthusiasm tonight

instead of MSNBC is a good idea.

[littlemissmartypants]

25. Stay encouraged, Cousin Dupree. ❤ nt

[Skittles]

26. we care, Cousin Depree

I too am appalled at how the elderly / those with chronic conditions are just treated like collateral damage. WE ARE HERE and we care. Take the usual precautions and keep your chin up.

[LizBeth]

31. As an old person, that is so nice.

[emmaverybo]

53. Also appalled. Elderly have loved ones. Many elderly are care-givers, volunteers. They provide

life wisdom to young folks. They are students, adventurers, artists, donors—even their small amounts can help. They are role models. Sick or still well, they, like the young, have a future worth protecting, be it a day, a year, or ten years. And so often, when they die, they show us how to do it.

Thanks for this post. If nothing more, we are here to fight ageism, the last acceptable prejudice.

[Skittles]

55. some of the advice is strange

"stay away from sick people"

well, what if the sick people are our friends or loved ones? At this point it seems certain that even if you don't get this virus you WILL know people who do

[emmaverybo]

57. It is for sure that unless we stop living, many of us will be exposed.

[Shemp Howard]

28. I am persuaded by the Vitamin D argument.

Like you, I’m getting up in years. And I think it’s a reasonable precaution to increase my intake of Vitamin D. I’ve also upped my Vitamin C intake.

Plus all the usual things. I’m avoiding crowds, washing my hands, and not touching my face. Plus I’m playing with my cat more. Unlike with people, she calms me down quite a bit. 🐈

Best wishes to you!

[LizBeth]

30. I am center of, I cannot get myself out of, I wash and disinfect. I can't do more than that.

I have to work. I am old. And you know? It is what it is. Life is good, Life has always been good, thanks for that and if this takes me down, it is what it is. The odds are so in my favor even old.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

32. So sorry about the chronic health/lung issues.

That's not at all fun.

Please do what you can to protect yourself.

[lunatica]

35. So you get it now?

How meanness can be cruel?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

36. I have always gotten it.

But I'm also pragmatic and realistic.

We all have different risk levels. That's the reality. If you have lung and health issues you need to take different precautions than some of the rest of us. It's not meaness. It's not cruelty. It's facts.

[lunatica]

38. If you say so.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

39. So what do you want me to say?

Remind me again how many millions have been infected? How many hundreds of thousands have died?

The claims that 3 or 4% of everyone will die is so completely outblown as to barely warrant debunking, but I'll do it once again.

That 3% number of deaths is based on those who went into hospital, NOT all those who got sick. And the more they test, they more they find that a large majority of those who test positive for the virus have few or no symptoms.

Let me put it this way: 270,000 people hospitalized. 30,000 die. Figure that death rate.


























And those are the numbers of those hospitalized for flu in this country and those who have died. So I guess the death rate for flu is some 14%, right?

[wiley]

33. Read Camus' The Plague again

And act. Demand action from your state authorities. Because that is our only hope. Let them know you are here, loved, and will not be ignored. We see you!

[applegrove]

34. Remember COVID-19 is covered in a fatty layer so if you don't have purell use

strong soap and water and lather up your hand, wash off the elbows of your clothes if you have been coughing into it. And wash your face too. Wash wash wash. Order some Ensure from Amazon. That way you can skip going out of the house during the worst of the outbreak in your area.

[lunatica]

37. Hugs to you Cousin Dupree

Get your groceries through Instacart. If you don’t know what that is you can find it online and download an app to grocery shop from home and have the food delivered to you. I have tendonitis so I have limited movement so I order groceries from home. It’s a great service. The drivers are independent (like Uber drivers).

Make sure you have a full tank of gas in case you need to go to the hospital. Just stock up and stay indoors. The less exposure you have the better. At some point they will have enough tests and the doctors will get this under control.

Please try to keep your mind occupied with enjoyment. You can get all your news here and online.

[mahina]

40. Man, I hear you. My lungs are my weakness too,

And I understand that the danger lies in contracting pneumonia. I hope you have had your pneumonia shot. Fingers crossed for all.

[Girl powers]

42. Head South

Lie in the sun, soak in salt water, have a couple of drinks while saying, “screw you, “World”.
And don't worry about paying for it - you deserve it.

[samnsara]

43. (((hugs)))... we will all stick together...

[PA Democrat]

44. Hugs to you Cousin!

I have elderly parents with chronic medical conditions and find comments by many extremely callous. Please take good care of yourself!

BTW. I love your advice of binge-watching Curb Your Enthusiasm.

[steve2470]

45. so sorry the TV messaging is so negative, I understand

As others said, I would just turn off the tv or change the channel as much as possible. You already know how to protect yourself. Hugs for you and good luck.

[panader0]

46. A good post by heartstrings of Dan Rather's encouraging words:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213049866

[yardwork]

47. Infectious disease experts are saying that most people won't have ill effects from this virus.

It appears to be a mild disease for most people, including most older people. Influenza is a far worse threat.

The emotional and psychological effect of this is real. Please consider talking with a counselor or health care professional. It sounds like you may be feeling anxious and depressed. Those are very real responses to the uncertainty. Please reach out to professionals you can trust.

[MuseRider]

49. With you.

66, retired RN, had pneumonia 4 times and getting concerned. I just keep telling myself that I am not going to get sick and die because of that stupid asshole in the White House. That fires me up and at least keeps me motivated. I know it will not help in the long run but motivation gets me out of bed.

[HarlanPepper]

51. Staying off DU would be a good start.

Lots of amateur analysts and infectious disease specialists. I think I’ll go back over to the Primaries forum where it’s safe.

[dewsgirl]

52. I don't know if you know who David and Sally Abel are,

they are a lovely older British couple from the Diamond Princess. I have followed their journey from the beginning, they were doing a few videos a day during the quarantine/testing process, when they tested positive their son took over for a bit, they are now back streaming from their hospital room in Japan. She is testing negative now, but he is still positive. Their biggest fear after 50 years of marriage, was them being separated, fortunately they haven't been...I find their story comforting, maybe it could help.
Try to unplug from TV/internet..I hope all will be well for you and your family.

[emmaverybo]

54. Nice to see examples of survival to offset the vision of a zombie apocalypse. Thanks for posting.

[dewsgirl]

56. I know.