Living alone during the pandemic and dealing with the isolation.

pip48 said:
I am your parents, I am 72 and that is why I don't see my children and grandchildren. I have also had a lobe of my lung removed, and I have COPD
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Well, you are not my parents, my mother is 95 and dad died a long time ago. Mother lives in Seattle, WA-talk about a place you really don’t want to be right now. 😂. While she is concerned and careful, she still lives her life. Three aides come and go, she sees family when they show up, she goes out as usual to the doctor. At her age, of course, she had already started going out less and less.

I am 73 with a great many health issues. Our state is almost completely open. I get take out food, go mostly to Lowe’s, Home Depot, grocery, target, the regular places and things. I won’t eat inside a restaurant or go to movies but otherwise life as normal for me. See family when they come over.

I wear a mask, recently added goggles, and wash, wash, wash, my hands. IMO, gear up and go out as necessary and/or needed. Walks are great. Or stay in and talk to us, 😂. Being here will raise your spirits and enrich your soul. I found us to be a feisty bunch of very interesting opinionated people.

Welcome to the forum.
 

Ruthanne said:
I hear your concerns and can relate to you on the lung problems as I have two nodules on my lungs that are being watched for signs of cancer plus I have diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver and I'm overweight and I vape which I know I shouldn't but I do. I worry too much about getting the virus because I live alone and I'm caring for a dog and two birds who are my family and I'm not so worried about dying or being sick but more worried about them and who would care for them. I live alone, too, and have no family near me to help out. I've used delivery for many months but just went back to grocery shopping and have been trying to be very cautious even though I saw one guy without a mask and a girl with a mask pulled down to her chin.

It's hard to live this way but it's going to end and a vaccine will be found. I have hope and faith in that thought.
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I wish that I had your faith in the idea that, " it will all end!". I can't see an end to it. Where I live, there are a lot of people out without masks, and it makes it harder for me to go out comfortably. Our Governor won't do a mask order! He has done it for certain places. Because there insn't a state mandated order, places like; grocery stores, Walmart, Target, who have mandated masks won't enforce them. So frustrating!
 

pip48 said:
I wish that I had your faith in the idea that, " it will all end!". I can't see an end to it. Where I live, there are a lot of people out without masks, and it makes it harder for me to go out comfortably. Our Governor won't do a mask order! He has done it for certain places. Because there insn't a state mandated order, places like; grocery stores, Walmart, Target, who have mandated masks won't enforce them. So frustrating!
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We had a similar problem here in England , so last week the govt ruled that anyone not wearing a mask in a public place indoors , including public transport, would be fined £100, and then doubled for the second offence, and then doubled again etc.. for any subsequent offence..
In Spain they have mandated that individuals can face up to a 6,000 euro fine for breaking lockdown rules.. and any business which doesn't adhere to the rules, for example Bars which encourage non social distancing face fines of up to 600k..and 5 years closure of their business , believe me that almost every Business in Spain are obeying the rules
 
In April, I had COVID-19 virus and it attacked my right sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses. So, for about 7 days I thought my allergies were -causing a full blown sinusitis. My doctor ordered antibiotics since I'd begun to run a low grade fever. Well, those meds -threw my immuno-suppressant system into overdrive and my fevers went through the ceiling. Now, I am 87, have some Emphysema, COPD, Cardiomyopathy and a couple of nodules on both lungs. I was tested and of course was positive. My main fear was the proximity to my brain since my sinuses were compromised. I went through hell for nearly a month and being quarantined meant nothing to me. I recovered with anti-bodies so they don't even bother to test me anymore since I was negative. I do live in a senior living facility which is comprised of independent,, assisted and Alzheimer's living, so the state of NJ mandates whether we can go out, etc. We can visit with family here for 30 minutes with precautions and if we must go out for any reason, as long as we are not gone longer than 2 hours it's ok. Beyond that and we must quarantine again for 14 days. Now, I also have a dog and she keeps me company and sane. My life style has altered tremendously and this has been the worst summer I can ever remember having. If all this turns out to have been nothing more than a political football or journalistic ploy, I will blow my top. I have not been in a store in over 6 months nor a restaurant, nor any where else. But, I am alive, thank God.
Karen Karen uploaded this image to 'Welcomes'….jpeg
 
hollydolly said:
We had a similar problem here in England , so last week the govt ruled that anyone not wearing a mask in a public place indoors , including public transport, would be fined £100, and then doubled for the second offence, and then doubled again etc.. for any subsequent offence..
In Spain they have mandated that individuals can face up to a 6,000 euro fine for breaking lockdown rules.. and any business which doesn't adhere to the rules, for example Bars which encourage non social distancing face fines of up to 600k..and 5 years closure of their business , believe me that almost every Business in Spain are obeying the rules
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Our government is doing a very poor job.
 
Lewkat said:
In April, I had COVID-19 virus and it attacked my right sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses. So, for about 7 days I thought my allergies were -causing a full blown sinusitis. My doctor ordered antibiotics since I'd begun to run a low grade fever. Well, those meds -threw my immuno-suppressant system into overdrive and my fevers went through the ceiling. Now, I am 87, have some Emphysema, COPD, Cardiomyopathy and a couple of nodules on both lungs. I was tested and of course was positive. My main fear was the proximity to my brain since my sinuses were compromised. I went through hell for nearly a month and being quarantined meant nothing to me. I recovered with anti-bodies so they don't even bother to test me anymore since I was negative. I do live in a senior living facility which is comprised of independent,, assisted and Alzheimer's living, so the state of NJ mandates whether we can go out, etc. We can visit with family here for 30 minutes with precautions and if we must go out for any reason, as long as we are not gone longer than 2 hours it's ok. Beyond that and we must quarantine again for 14 days. Now, I also have a dog and she keeps me company and sane. My life style has altered tremendously and this has been the worst summer I can ever remember having. If all this turns out to have been nothing more than a political football or journalistic ploy, I will blow my top. I have not been in a store in over 6 months nor a restaurant, nor any where else. But, I am alive, thank God.
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I think you, of all people, should know this thing is real having been sick with it. But, thank God you survived. They are now saying that the antibodies only last about 3 months, then you can get it again, so be careful.
 
Hi, Pip, and welcome. This has become the main way (and the safest) for groups of people to interact socially. And one plus is that we are reaching out to each other all over the world, which I find fascinating!

The cautions you are taking are what most reasonable people are doing, though you do go a bit further than I do. We all have our own level of the amount we are willing to risk, to have some semblance of a normal life. Here's what I do:

I go out once a day for a walk, usually alone, sometimes with a friend. Everybody around here wears a mask, so that's not an issue. The walk is good for me mentally, and gives me a little physical exercise as well. And it requires getting "dressed," at least somewhat.

I occasionally visit one or another of my children for a weekend. We are all healthy and wear masks most of the time anyway.

I don't worry about doctors' offices, though I was a bit nervous about that at first. I've found that they are very stringent, taking everyone's temperature before even letting you get in the door. They've drastically cut down on the number of patients at one time, so the waiting rooms are nearly, or entirely, empty. Every piece of equipment gets wiped down constantly.

I do my own grocery shopping with a mask of course, also I wear vinyl gloves. People are asked to stay 6 feet apart, and the aisles are one-way now, which is a nuisance but probably a little safer. At least they're trying.

Other than that, I'm also living in isolation. I tell myself that if this is a prison, it's a pretty luxurious one. I have weekly family get-togethers on zoom (you and your family should try it, if you haven't yet, it's wonderful!), lots of great streaming TV channels such as Netflix and Prime, I'm reading a really good book, the entire world of the Internet always available, other computer games, I always have a jigsaw puzzle going (and you can buy beautiful ones online), having fun with Alexa, tons of music to listen to, etc. Not to mention that I feel safe, have enough food and the important things of life, mostly the glass seems half full to me rather than half empty.

And I do keep reminding myself that this, too, shall pass.

Hope that helps, at least a little!
 
@pip48
As you can see, I'm from NYC. We got it the first, when other states were patting themselves on the back thinking it was only a NY problem that won't affect them.

We had, and still mostly have, 98% willing compliance with wearing masks, social distancing, etc. We have a great Governor, Andrew Cuomo who gave daily updates and was encourager-in-chief.

I am concerned it will come back, there has already been a surge in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

I know what you're going through, it's a mess!
 
Sunny said:
Hi, Pip, and welcome. This has become the main way (and the safest) for groups of people to interact socially. And one plus is that we are reaching out to each other all over the world, which I find fascinating!

The cautions you are taking are what most reasonable people are doing, though you do go a bit further than I do. We all have our own level of the amount we are willing to risk, to have some semblance of a normal life. Here's what I do:

I go out once a day for a walk, usually alone, sometimes with a friend. Everybody around here wears a mask, so that's not an issue. The walk is good for me mentally, and gives me a little physical exercise as well. And it requires getting "dressed," at least somewhat.

I occasionally visit one or another of my children for a weekend. We are all healthy and wear masks most of the time anyway.

I don't worry about doctors' offices, though I was a bit nervous about that at first. I've found that they are very stringent, taking everyone's temperature before even letting you get in the door. They've drastically cut down on the number of patients at one time, so the waiting rooms are nearly, or entirely, empty. Every piece of equipment gets wiped down constantly.

I do my own grocery shopping with a mask of course, also I wear vinyl gloves. People are asked to stay 6 feet apart, and the aisles are one-way now, which is a nuisance but probably a little safer. At least they're trying.

Other than that, I'm also living in isolation. I tell myself that if this is a prison, it's a pretty luxurious one. I have weekly family get-togethers on zoom (you and your family should try it, if you haven't yet, it's wonderful!), lots of great streaming TV channels such as Netflix and Prime, I'm reading a really good book, the entire world of the Internet always available, other computer games, I always have a jigsaw puzzle going (and you can buy beautiful ones online), having fun with Alexa, tons of music to listen to, etc. Not to mention that I feel safe, have enough food and the important things of life, mostly the glass seems half full to me rather than half empty.

And I do keep reminding myself that this, too, shall pass.

Hope that helps, at least a little!
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You are so appreciative of all that you have, what a great attitude! I try everyday to talk myself into exactly what you are saying, but can not always get there.
I also find myself angry, not about the virus itself, but about the awful way that our government and people are handling it. Then there is all the social unrest going on as well. And the politics are just dark and ugly. I think those things affect me too.
I do need to get some physical exercise though, that might really help. The weather is not always cooperative for walks, but exercise and the floor is always available.
I read a lot, which isn't moving the body.
 
pip48 said:
I think you, of all people, should know this thing is real having been sick with it. But, thank God you survived. They are now saying that the antibodies only last about 3 months, then you can get it again, so be careful.
Click to expand...
They say a lot of things that are still quite unknown about this evil virus. Perhaps one day, they will all get their act together and really know something about it. One think they have learned is this; it has been around for millennia and was an animal virus. Just what took place in that lab in Wuhan or where ever that turned it into a human problem is the big question. It is a fairly mild virus, but those of us with underlying conditions suffer far worse symptoms and even death from complications. Many people have had it and never even knew they did. Interesting.
 
Pepper said:
@pip48
As you can see, I'm from NYC. We got it the first, when other states were patting themselves on the back thinking it was only a NY problem that won't affect them.

We had, and still mostly have, 98% willing compliance with wearing masks, social distancing, etc. We have a great Governor, Andrew Cuomo who gave daily updates and was encourager-in-chief.

I am concerned it will come back, there has already been a surge in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

I know what you're going through, it's a mess!
Click to expand...
Yes, you guys have really had it up there, but with a governor that is behaving appropriately. I really admire Cuomo.

Here they to opened too soon, just ignoring all the advice of the CDC and our own state Health Board official. The Head doctor for our state recently came out and voiced her discomfort and dissatisfaction with the Governors actions. He will not mandate masks, he does half way measures when he does anything at all. Many people don't wear masks here. When Walmart said they were requiring masks, I was thrilled, then a day or so later they said, we are not enforcing it.

Now they are putting the kids back to school and he, the Governor, is insisting 5 day in classroom instruction. The school districts were going to stagger days of classroom instruction and he stopped it. I am really afraid of what is going to happen when they go back.
Georgia's already having major problems as they started already. Like hundreds of kids quarantined. They actually suspended a high school kid because she put a picture of crowed hallways on social media? What are they trying to hide? I just don't understand it?
 
Lewkat said:
They say a lot of things that are still quite unknown about this evil virus. Perhaps one day, they will all get their act together and really know something about it. One think they have learned is this; it has been around for millennia and was an animal virus. Just what took place in that lab in Wuhan or where ever that turned it into a human problem is the big question. It is a fairly mild virus, but those of us with underlying conditions suffer far worse symptoms and even death from complications. Many people have had it and never even knew they did. Interesting.
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Yes, but.........I saw where one young man, had a mild case and then came back 3 months later and had multiple organ failure and almost died. They haven't been studying it long enough to know about long term affects. Part of the reason it is so dangerously contagious is that people have it and don't know it. That is why everyone has to act like they have it and wear a mask.
 
Pip, another thing I've been doing, which I forgot to mention is writing postcards for our Democratic club, which I belong to. I live in a retirement community of over 8,000 people, so we are a force to be reckoned with. Not much else I can do at the moment, but at least the postcards are reaching people and reminding them how important it is to vote, and vote early.

Yes, there is lots of social unrest, and lots of ugly politics. I can't argue with that. But look ahead, things will probably change in November.

About the weather, I usually manage to get out and walk even in the rain, with an umbrella. I've found that morning is the best time for getting out. It isn't usually too hot yet then, and our daily tropical rainstorms usually start in the late afternoon. Sometimes in the morning, I meet up with a group of neighbors sitting out on the patio, 6 feet apart with masks, chatting.

And I write for our local paper, which is a lot of fun for me.

Try to think positive, it will cost you nothing and might help! Maybe I'm being a pollyanna, but there are worse things to be. :)

Lewkat, it's not a fairly mild virus. Read my other post in the Coronavirus Disease thread, about people who are "long haul" survivors; they are alive, but have lingering serious health problems. Probably not most survivors, but enough to matter.
 
My daughter tested positive twice, DOH seemed to think that she was somewhere in the middle of it, hence the double positive.
Oddly enough, she never had much in the way of respiratory symptoms, she had mostly G.I. but lost her sense of smell,this was April.
Fast forward to today, her hair is falling out in huge clumps, they have done all the usual bloodwork that comes back normal, my 1st thought was thyroid because it can be hereditary, but they have determined it’s a COVID side effect.
A news blackout is sometimes a good thing as it does at times sound overwhelming, having said that, at its peak my TV was pretty much on 24/7.
 
Sunny said:
Pip, another thing I've been doing, which I forgot to mention is writing postcards for our Democratic club, which I belong to. I live in a retirement community of over 8,000 people, so we are a force to be reckoned with. Not much else I can do at the moment, but at least the postcards are reaching people and reminding them how important it is to vote, and vote early.

Yes, there is lots of social unrest, and lots of ugly politics. I can't argue with that. But look ahead, things will probably change in November.

About the weather, I usually manage to get out and walk even in the rain, with an umbrella. I've found that morning is the best time for getting out. It isn't usually too hot yet then, and our daily tropical rainstorms usually start in the late afternoon. Sometimes in the morning, I meet up with a group of neighbors sitting out on the patio, 6 feet apart with masks, chatting.

And I write for our local paper, which is a lot of fun for me.

Try to think positive, it will cost you nothing and might help! Maybe I'm being a pollyanna, but there are worse things to be. :)

Lewkat, it's not a fairly mild virus. Read my other post in the Coronavirus Disease thread, about people who are "long haul" survivors; they are alive, but have lingering serious health problems. Probably not most survivors, but enough to matter.
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Thanks you give great advice. I wish I was more ambitious.
 
Giantsfan1954 said:
My daughter tested positive twice, DOH seemed to think that she was somewhere in the middle of it, hence the double positive.
Oddly enough, she never had much in the way of respiratory symptoms, she had mostly G.I. but lost her sense of smell,this was April.
Fast forward to today, her hair is falling out in huge clumps, they have done all the usual bloodwork that comes back normal, my 1st thought was thyroid because it can be hereditary, but they have determined it’s a COVID side effect.
A news blackout is sometimes a good thing as it does at times sound overwhelming, having said that, at its peak my TV was pretty much on 24/7.
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More and more people are having these long term effects. I don't have regular TV, only streaming channels, but I see the news articles on my phone on Google and read them. I can't spell her name but an actress Alyssa Melano has had the same result, but been sick for months with hair falling out. This is nothing to take chances with for sure. Those that aren't dying are suffering some horrible long term effects.
 
pip48 said:
More and more people are having these long term effects. I don't have regular TV, only streaming channels, but I see the news articles on my phone on Google and read them. I can't spell her name but an actress Alyssa Melano has had the same result, but been sick for months with hair falling out. This is nothing to take chances with for sure. Those that aren't dying are suffering some horrible long term effects.
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just today they are saying that infected children is on the rise
 
pip48 said:
My state (SC) and city is bad, it seems to be getting a little better but not much and they are going to open schools at the end of the month! I fear it is going to get a lot worse when that happens. We did just go from 1800 cases a day to 1200 today, so when I say improvement that is what I mean. If what they say about our case numbers being 10 times what is showing, and I think that they are, then 20% of the population of our state has been infected. I have quit my part time job. I just couldn't go back under the circumstances.

I play games on my phone, read, and do online crossword puzzles but there are days that I don't even get dressed! What is the point?
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pip48,
I live in SC as well and share your feelings about the pathetic response to the virus that we see in this state. The willingness to ignore science and believe BS is appalling. You will find a lot of kindred spirits on this forum. Welcome Aboard.
 
Until there is a viable vaccine, we need to stay home most of the time. Otherwise we and/or others will die because of us. Or as mentioned here have a lot of negative long term effect. That's it, flat out. We need common sense here. It seems to be a dead or dying commodity. We need to follow the science. Today on the news I learned that teachers in Arizona are doing a sickout because they do not feel safe going back to school and teaching. I give them kudos for this.
 
Pecos said:
pip48,
I live in SC as well and share your feelings about the pathetic response to the virus that we see in this state. The willingness to ignore science and believe BS is appalling. You will find a lot of kindred spirits on this forum. Welcome Aboard.
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I find myself angry at people in general at their poor response and furious at the Governor. Did you see where DHEC Doctor, came out and said she didn't agree with the Governors actions?
 
I'm so glad I live in Oregon. Governor Brown is doing the best she can to control a bad situation.
 

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