As we all wait, some patiently most not so, (I’m in the latter category) for science to discover the vaccine that will rid us of this very dangerous and contagious virus and for our quarantines to begin to show a down turn of the spread, I have found myself sinking under the avalanche of virus related electronic transmissions. And as if these statistics and charts are not enough to affect me, friends are sending me the very sad stories that come with this trail of sickness and death.
I have always been what my nearest and dearest say lovingly, overemotional. It is the trademark of the neurotic. I cry at supermarket openings.
It’s not just the virus that is contagious. It is the mood and spirit of us humans that is very catching.
And yesterday, in response to my being glued to my electronic instruments of torture, my blood pressure spiked. Ahhhh, I get it. I was stressing myself out.
Cease and Desist!!
There are things I can’t fix, like finding toilet paper! Toilet paper????
But I can fix my own mounting stress and if you will allow me, if any of this resonates with you, help you with yours.
Over the past weeks, friends and family have been sending me humorous cartoons, videos, and the like.
When I need to, and I find I need to more often as the quarantine continues, I go to one or two of my videos or cartoons and there is an immediate relief and release of my tension.
“I have not yet decided where to spend Easter, whether in the bedroom or in the living room…”
I have put together my antidote for stress. A compendium (I just love that word) of what makes me laugh.
This was sent to me by a friend and for those who still don’t understand the exponential characteristic of this virus (believe me, it has taken me a long time to “get” it… a Ms. Stubborn-Know-It-All… that’s me) it is a simple and clear explanation of why we should shut down until the curve turns the other way. Please self distance and stay safe.
Feeling confused as to why Coronavirus is a bigger deal than Seasonal flu? Here it is in a nutshell. I hope this helps. Feel free to share this to others who don’t understand… It has to do with RNA sequencing…. i.e. genetics.
Seasonal flu is an “all human virus”. The DNA/RNA chains that make up the virus are recognized by the human immune system. This means that your body has some immunity to it before it comes around each year… you get immunity two ways… through exposure to a virus, or by getting a flu shot.
Novel viruses, come from animals…. the WHO tracks novel viruses in animals (sometimes for years watching for mutations). Usually these viruses only transfer from animal to animal (pigs in the case of H1N1) (birds in the case of the Spanish flu). But once one of these animal viruses mutates and starts to transfer from animals to humans… then it’s a problem. Why?
Because we have no natural or acquired immunity. The RNA sequencing of the genes inside the virus isn’t human, and the human immune system doesn’t recognize it so we can’t fight it off.
Now…. sometimes the mutation only allows transfer from animal to human. For years its only transmission is from an infected animal to a human before it finally mutates so that it can now transfer human to human… once that happens..we have a new contagion phase. And depending on the fashion of this new mutation, thats what decides how contagious, or how deadly, it’s gonna be..
H1N1 was deadly…. but it did not mutate in a way that was as deadly as the Spanish flu. It’s RNA was slower to mutate and it attacked its host differently, too.
Fast forward.
Now, here comes this Coronavirus… it existed in animals only, for nobody knows how long… but one day, at an animal market in Wuhan China, in December 2019, it mutated and made the jump from animal to people. At first, only animals could give it to a person… But here is the scary part…. in just TWO WEEKS it mutated again and gained the ability to jump from human to human. Scientists call this quick ability, “slippery”.
This Coronavirus, not being in any form a “human” virus (whereas we would all have some natural or acquired immunity) took off like a rocket. And this was because humans have no known immunity… doctors have no known medicines for it. And it just so happens that this particular mutated animal virus changed itself in such a way that it causes great damage to human lungs.
That’s why Coronavirus is different from seasonal flu, or H1N1 or any other type of influenza…. this one is slippery AF. And it’s a lung eater…And, it’s already mutated AGAIN, so that we now have two strains to deal with, strain s, and strain L…. which makes it twice as hard to develop a vaccine.
We really have no tools in our shed, with this. History has shown that fast and immediate closings of public places has helped in the past pandemics. Philadelphia and Baltimore were reluctant to close events in 1918 and they were the hardest hit in the US during the Spanish Flu.
Factoid: Henry VIII stayed in his room and allowed no one near him, till the Black Plague passed… (honestly… I understand him so much better now). Just like us, he had no tools in his shed, except social isolation…
And let me end by saying…. right now it’s hitting older folks harder… but this genome is so slippery… if it mutates again (and it will) who is to say, what it will do next.
Be smart folks… acting like you’re unafraid is so not sexy right now.
#flattenthecurve. Stay home folks… and share this to those that just are not catching on.
Source: Kymberli Dawn, Nurse in Oakland California
Love, Sally-Jane
P.S. Self-distancing is the most helpful and unselfish thing we can do. Anyone who is offended by this necessary safety measure not only doesn’t get it… but worse than that THEY CAN’T COUNT.
If you have a computer you have already received many emails concerning the whys and wherefores and how-tos of the coronavirus.
I’ve put together my own list with my own introductions to my nearest and dearest. I am sure there will be much duplication.
I think of these emails as the trajectory, the progression, if you will, of my own very late awareness of the virus. And what it means to me and my loved ones and even not to just my loved ones but to all humans everywhere. Yes, even those politicians and leaders who refused to lead us into global awareness as to what was happening. I do not wish anyone ILL. However, it is important to see how the world is leaderless… Oh, yes, there are health workers, and disease agencies that are tirelessly working to correct the politicians-of-every-nation’s inability to gather globally to stem the tide of this virulent virus.
Borders closed. Countries in lockdown. I ask myself. Is that what had to happen before attention was paid?
I do not think you have to be brilliant. I am not. It is now the middle of March and I don’t know all the facts (I truly don’t think anyone ever will) but the Chinese Government began talking about the Corona Virus in the beginning of January. The first reports I ignored. After all, no leader anywhere, except China was saying anything. From my perspective, China is very far away. I keep forgetting. We are all globally connected. In today’s world, Wuhan is next door to Brooklyn.
In this forwarded mélange of advice, take what you want and leave the rest.
1. Important New Dispatch:Dr. Jordan Shlain Reporting From the Front Lines
To my nearest and dearest – Yes, another recipe for continued good health. And if you do nothing else do like it says and keep lubricated. (Take your mind out of the gutter) and drink water. That’ll teach that virulent virus to bugger off.
And always remember. Love will keep us together as long as you don’t touch me…
4. 👆🏼That Widely Circulated List of COVID-19 Tips Is a Hoax
Ok. That does it! No more advice! There’s too much hysteria and panic which looks for answers that just aren’t there. Hey, guys, there’s no magic bullet! Use you common sense until a leader comes along that can lead us out of the wilderness or through the parting of the Red Sea.
Remember when we had leaders who told the truth and in dire circumstances such as we are experiencing now could be there to support, encourage and help? I wish one and all good health as we try to chart a course to safety.
So, I lied! Here’s one more from me to youse. It’s because it kind of explains where I am in thought.
I’m already limited by age and its attendant physical limitations and now I’m being asked to be limited voluntarily in terms of social engagement. I think it requires a major life rethink for me (change my behavior) and if you will help me, I am sure I can do it.
Using numbers paralyzes me. Statistical charts don’t really make a lot of sense to me. But with this article I finally understood what it is that I can do.
Now that you are on information overload let me wish you well on your life journey.
I think if we are careful we can survive and most importantly I think there are some very profound life lessons to learn.
There’s been a great deal said about the human condition. Not all of it very positive.
The worst is the tale of toilet paper. Toilet paper? Really! I never thought toilet paper would be the arbiter of what makes for a civilized society. Who knew?????
I do not want to be thought of as a bleeding heart sentimental fool (all of which admittedly I am), but what an opportunity this presents for us to go beyond the base (toilet paper, really?) human condition into an atmosphere of service and caring and, yes, love.
Of course, I could be writing this because I am vulnerable and if they decide to take us elder vulnerables and put us on ice floes that take us out to sea never to return (of course, because of global warming – which of course “does not exist” – there are no more ice floes).
Here is where I harken back to inspired leadership.
Two Presidents and their speechifying come to mind. Historically flawed, like all of us, they understood the need and the desire to help their citizens aspire to a higher code of conduct.
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Ask not what your country can do for you. But what you can do for your country.”
~ John F. Kennedy
Right???? Of course, right!
Love, Sally-Jane
P.S. Without humor, with or without the virus… we’re dead!
Historically, logically even, enlightenment followed the Dark Ages. First the Dark Ages after which follows the Age of Enlightenment… dark and then light… get it?!
I’m not talking about those kind of ages… eras… I am talking chronological ages. Like I’m 86. Really???? Reallly!!!! That kind of age.
I am at the age/stage when occasionally I actually peek out of my navel long enough to think – as the song of the same name goes, what’s going to happen, AFTER I’M GONE. Listen my friends, since 2016, I don’t hold too much hope for the last and coming years.
How many times have we heard these phrases?
The children are the hope of the future.
We will create a better world for our children.
The Children shall lead us out of the dark into the light.
How is that possible?
Leading the future towards a better world is out of the question. The children sit, walk, ride, bounce with their faces glued to their electronic instruments.
I think we would call that the blind leading the blind. So am I just another olden person intolerant of the youngen person.
My granddaughter Ellie Maza is 18 and a budding artist. She is bothered by the direction the world seems to be taking her and her “bother” takes the form of collages, photographs, recycled furniture and clothing depicting a world gone mad in its excesses.
I shall stop here and simply exhibit her photographs for your perusal.
Left: Ann Boylen, by Unknown English artist oil on panel, late 16th century, based on a work of circa 1533-1536, Right: Ellie Maza Self(ie) Portrait, 2020
Ellie’s interpretation of the classic still life theme: Excess
I am inspired by her depiction of the world going mad. She is young. She is witness to the excess. She notes it to help others to see it. If enough people see it, might it curb our appetites and slow the disintegration.
Sally-Jane's Blah, Blah, Blog 