Learning to fight a universal bully
Advertisement
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/12/2020 (891 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
At this time of year, we are usually making resolutions for the new year. But at the close of 2020, our sights are set on another kind of resolution — protecting ourselves from a bully called COVID-19.
This analogy came to mind while listening to the never-ending commentary on a virus that seeks out the vulnerable, attacks the weakest, and threatens those who want to help.
To following through — how do we deal with this universal bully?
One way is to try to avoid it by social distancing and wearing masks, as we have been doing. Another way is to muster a defence, and according to one medical expert, that means getting healthy so we can boost our immune systems and fight the virus. Even when the vaccine is distributed, there will likely be other viruses, he said. What we can do at an individual level, in addition to the protocols of hand washing, mask-wearing and social distancing, is protect ourselves by developing good habits that include eating nutritious food, exercising and getting a good night’s sleep.
Of course, that advice only works for those of us who are relatively healthy in the first place. What about the most vulnerable, such as those in personal care homes?
As we know, COVID-19 has preyed upon the older population and those who have underlying health conditions and, after it attacked the weakest, it sought out those who cared for them.
COVID-19, however, didn’t create the systemic problems that allowed it to take hold in personal care homes. It exposed them. The shortage of staff has been a disaster in the making for some time. As anyone who has any involvement with a loved one in a care home knows, more resources are needed to provide proper care to our elderly. Now everyone knows. And just maybe this long-standing crisis will finally be addressed.
This pandemic has exposed weaknesses in other areas of health care as well, including the lack of mental health resources. Anyone who has mental health issues is more likely to be affected by the stress, anxiety and loneliness this pandemic has delivered, according to mental health experts. Will there be help for those who need it?
There have been attempts to find something good that has come out of this pandemic, but I have a little trouble with the sentiments offered up.
I do acknowledge that it has taught us a few lessons — that shaking hands really isn’t necessary, and that blowing out birthday candles adds virus particles to the frosting. Now that we know about “moist talk”, I don’t know if I’ll ever again feel comfortable eating at a table for four — or any number, for that matter.
Once we get the vaccine, maybe we’ll forget these lessons and resume some kind of normalcy. But until we actually get a needle in an arm, our best defence against this bully COVID is to try to avoid it by following protective protocols, staying healthy and hoping that the powers that be can come up with the necessary resources to fix a failing health care system.
Donna Minkus
Charleswood community correspondent
Donna Minkus is a community correspondent for Charleswood.