Take proper precautions in these difficult times

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/03/2020 (2222 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My girlfriend is a nurse and she’s working hard right now. I really respect what she’s doing and her bravery is exemplary. My only fear is that she may end up sick because she comes into contact with sick people so frequently. 

I don’t want to bring it up, because I know she has a lot on her plate. The only positive is that she’s working so much she isn’t home all that often right now. But when she is, I worry. What do you think is a reasonable stance to have here?

— Worried Like Crazy, Winnipeg

Dear Worried: The reality is COVID-19 for healthy people under the age of 60 is usually a milder infection. If your nurse girlfriend and you are young and contracted it, you’d probably experience “what feels like a cold,” says a Winnipeg doctor. “It becomes more problematic with conditions like diabetes, cancer, immune suppression and chronic lung problems. The two of you need to avoid in-person contact with people in your lives who are over 65 and have chronic health conditions.”

The doctor added: “Medical people and the rest of us are taking stringent protective measures, not because COVID-19 is going to kill them; we’re doing all this because it’s super-contagious and we don’t want to overwhelm the health-care system, as we need it there for those who may need it.”

As a nurse, your girlfriend will be taking excellent protective precautions at work. You can help at your end by being fully aware of the precautions yourself — really study up — and carefully do all those things at home, your own place of work and in your life outside the house.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: With all of the news surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, my dad is constantly making Corona beer jokes and it’s getting on my nerves. I still live at home and finally told him to shut up the other day. 

Now he is sulking around the house as if I said something terrible to him. We are stuck here for the next while and I’d like us to be able to get along with each other. What should I do?

— Dad is Sulking, Winnipeg area  

Dear Dad is Sulking: Your dad is nervous about COVID-19, as are many people. Nervousness sometimes comes out in silly, stupid jokes that are rude and insensitive. You’ve shut your parent down severely by telling him to shut up. In fact, he’s so upset he’s still sulking. Warming up to him now won’t bring back the rude joking. You might also refer him to the information in the letter above. 

You should also say, “I’m sorry I spoke so harshly, dad.” If your father told you to shut up, you’d appreciate an apology. It’s amazing how much apologies help ease upset and tension. Parents want to be on good terms with their kids and a fight needs to be over as quickly as possible.

What you can do now? Share with him what you know about COVID-19, make sure there are lots of disinfecting wipes around the house and sit down and discuss the kind of behaviour that makes sense, as in not inviting people over now and not going out in groups or crowds. 

Can you get dad into board games or online games, or teach him the fun of video games? He’s probably familiar with streaming services like Netflix, but show him the broader range of what you can see. It could forge a new link between you to interact this way.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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