Yes. It’s here.
It came earlier than I thought it would. It came like an onrushing tide. CoVid-19 arrived yesterday. The person who caught it lives in Jefferson Parish. He or She is being treated at the new Veterans Administration hospital in Mid-City, New Orleans. We haven’t yet been told much beyond that. I suppose we could deduce from the treatment hospital that he or she served the country.
However, that’s the least of our questions. Where did this person live? Who did he come in contact with? How long did she have the virus? Where does he work? Did she travel or did she catch it from someone else in Louisiana?
That’s not all.
There is the personal aspect. I’m old. I have a compromised immune system. I’ll stay within my community except for essential trips, like to buy food and water and soap. I’ll follow the protocol as laid out by the CDC. That leaves me with the ultimate question. If I catch the virus will I live or will I die?
It still may be too early to ask the question. If the virus’ rapid spread is any indication it’s time to think of some tactics to cope with this and come out on the other side with my life intact. Of course, we don’t know when the otherside will be, nor do we know if the summers heat will kill it, or if it will just return in October. The thing about our heat and humidity is that everything grows.
So.
I made this picture the other day. I thought the clouds are what makes it even a little bit different. I suppose it works on that level.
What do y’all think?
STORYTELLER 
sending love.
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Thank you. Now, we have six. It’s growing too fast.
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We’ll get by, together, dear friend from the other side of the ocean. We’ll get by.
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I hope so. We certainly need to look after one another.
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Good luck. Here, the numbers are growing but people are still denying its existence. “It’s just a flu, so what?”
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It is very scary here in Washington State as the numbers grow each time we here the news. Our kids and grand kids all have offered to do our grocery shopping. In the meantime we will be careful, follow suggested health guidelines and pray for humanity. We need to stick together through this which may be with us for a long time.
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Thank you, Doug. Yes it is scary. For those of us who are getting up there in age it’s scarier even more. In the intervening time between my post and my reply to you, two more people were diagnosed. Tomorrow we’ll take our trip to buy too much, including things for our 90 year old neighbors.
Ray
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Beautiful shot, my friend! On our global invader, the virus, over here doctors are advising strict home confinement for people over 70 and the ones with health issues. On that last note, the ones who already know their health issues [like you and me] are fortunate, as we are taking all necessary precautions. The ones who are not so fortunate are the ones who may have an issue and aren’t aware of it. So, to start with, consider yourself at an advantage! On staying safe. Washing hands is no1 rule [Virus survives for about 12 hours on metal surfaces, hands 5-10mins, tissues 6-12 hours.] – not touching face no2 – avoiding contact [I’d say with everyone however ridiculous it may sound] no3. On surviving it… the sooner one is diagnosed the better, so be open to any messages your body sends you! Warm beverages [herbal teas etc] as well as drinking water often may help a lot [and will definitely not harm you!] and may the goddess of good fortune be with us all! Oh, and no4: smile! š
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Well, I’m not over 70. Yet. I have a pretty good idea of what to do. I had to go grocery shopping this morning. I wore surgical gloves that are black because they are made for mechanics. Nobody came near an old guy wearing black gloves. I’m never gonna hear the end of number two… at home. We drink almost a gallon of water, each. Water is a cure for many things. There is a no. 5. Take care of, and look after each other.
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Yes, indeed! You are very very right about no5!!!! I find the black gloves a nice touch! š
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The gloves work in an unintended way. If I reach for something at the same time someone else does, they back away at which time I give them what they were reaching for. There’s more.
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ššš
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My company has directed that all of us who can work from home, in the Northern California region, do so (this exempts people on our manufacturing floors from the directive). So, here I am. As I’m also immune-compromised, I’d frankly rather be safe than sorry.
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We are working from home. Oh wait, we always work from home unless one of us is making pictures and the other is making music. You generally have to be out there to do both.
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Like the photograph – though can’t tick a like for the content… over here in uk we have a leader with a cavalier personality who has surrounded himself with challenged yes-men and one evil genius who thinks people should be genetically modified to be just like him – heaven help us. Our Government has handled the whole thing appallingly, but the people round here in the Borders have been great. I do the shopping, as my husband is seriously compromised (he hates this but what can you do?). I have a black, washable mask, which makes me feel like a bank robber, but masks do make people keep away. And the rubber gloves have become standard. I wish you safe and well, I know New Orleans has been hit hard….
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The content is, unfortunately, the truth. We sometimes shop in the next parish (county). They re;axed some standards. Almost immediately people crowed outdoor deck and bars. They were standing side by side. It’ going to take another surge and some of those people are going to have to die for them to take this seriously. We rarely use gloves because they care germs from item to item. We do keep sanitizer in the cars, our pockets and our bags. We have a bunch of masks. The only time I don’t wear them in public is when I walk the dogs. Stay safe. It’s a marathon not a sprint.
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