Day 127: In This Together Ohio

Tonight we waited in eager anticipation for a 5:30 briefing given by the governor of our state. We are expecting a follow-up "normally scheduled" one tomorrow, but the landscape changes so quickly that our leadership has to be able to pivot and jump with a frightening amount of precision and accuracy.

To pass the time earlier today, I read Alex an excerpt from a book I loved reading in 8th grade to see if it might be up to standards for something he might want to teach next year. Read-alouds have always been something we enjoy in our relationship so a new book was a fun change of pace.

I also got permission to begin a (modified) exercise regimen. I have been waiting so long to be allowed to get up and use my body.

As of my last doctor's visit I am still fighting off the symptoms of a bad illness that is continuing to get better. At first, we really thought I had to have COVID-19, but after the initial test, the mandatory test in the ER during my hospitalization, and my mandatory one before my procedure last week, still no sign of COVID-19. Also, believe me, I am not going back just for kicks and giggles, although that test is not nearly as bad as you might think considering what they are looking for in there.

As it stands now, two of my ribs are still healing after breaking in a couple places from so much coughing. Unfortunately I also have one upper abdominal muscle tear and some other lower abdominal muscle sprains, also from the repetitive coughing. When we last had imaging done, my lungs were both partially collapsed with some fluid (infection) in the lower parts. I really, and I mean like really, don't recommend it. You know, the title of this entry really should have been the "anti-bucket list"...I dunno, what do you think?

All that said, my cough has gotten better and using some tools we received from a pulmonologist I have been able to do some "physical therapy" for my lungs to help inflate and just feel better. It has been hard, especially with the added pain and the inability to leave my house. So here is the exciting news-today I left the house for 15 minutes and 47 seconds to do one mile (masked the entire time even in an empty street). I am following my protocols so that I continue to move forward.

That moment of sun on my face and my favorite sneakers propelling me on the cracked pavement was exactly what the doctor ordered--and boy was she right!

Here is the hard news. While outside, I saw a man coming down my side of the street with no mask. Masks are MANDATED in my part of Ohio with rampant community spread. He wasn't going to move, so I moved to give space. He mirrored my motion trying to come toward me head-on. I had never met this man. He was in my space so quickly I instinctively jumped into a neighbor's driveway and faced myself away from him.

"You need someone to protect you, princess?" His voice was gruff and he was trying to get me to engage.

I heard him right behind me and I took off, clipping his ankle when he lifted his leg up to block my moving out out of range. I was really grateful for the self-defense and basic martial arts classes I have taken not knowing how far this guy was going to go. A quick spin keeping my face away from his while I focused on a weird martial arts move my friend Marya taught me that is usually used for sweeping an assailant's feet, but I didn't want any more trouble than possible so I kept my balance and broke into a run. It's what I was taught.

Run. Fight. Hide.

He went his way and I went mine, so grateful that I had my mask on the whole time. Not just when I thought I might run into someone. The whole time. Thankfully it was getting toward the end of the mile so I got back home and got my "dirty" mask off and got settled back in.

I just can't believe how mad that guy was-and we had never even met...he may be someone with a gym he loves and misses; maybe he feels his "freedoms" are being trampled. I miss my gym and I have heard the same arguments from people I used to admire before this pandemic uncovered some pretty wacky priorities. I dunno, I feel like it's best to try to find the good behind the anger, the fear that has us all in a vice grip. In that moment, I was both angry and fearful myself.

The fact that I as a woman have always been scared to run alone, now as an immuno-compromised woman in the time of the coronavirus, I feel so scared to run without my husband or my dog, now a mask...and I do believe that is a loss of my freedom.

And yet.

I refuse to let that guy take it away from me. I disinfected, grabbed some water, and revelled in the moments of frolicking in the sunshine.

In fact, after a few minutes home and safe I felt so happy for the fresh air that I did one of my low impact workouts for another twenty-ish minutes and then even did a small amount of weight training.

That was the humbling part, although still good. I couldn't believe how much lower the weights needed to be for me to be able to lift them. Less than the doctor recommendations. Jeez. But even though it was hard and humbling, I feel hopeful. Fitness people like talking about our personal records, also known as "PRs." Well, my last one mile time was 11:57. But that was pre-pandemic. Without 30 extra pounds of prednisone weight. With full lung capacity. On a treadmill. In air conditioning. So today I hit my new outside, recovery PR: 15:47. And I fought alongside my body instead of against it, grateful for the grace it has given me during this hard time. We only get one body in this world, and every day I am so grateful that I have this vessel to occupy and experience life in.

Maybe it's just endorphins, but I believe it. :)

After watching an excellent EPL showdown between Arsenal and Liverpool (resulting in a 2-1 victory to my squad), we turned to the fireside talk from our governor.

The message was simple, despite all the facets of nuance that people are attempting to stick to the issue. We need to protect each other.

Governor DeWine spoke to where are we now as a state as the virus spreads with a vengeance across the state. Here are the statistics as of today, July 15th:

• We have lost 3,075 Ohioans to COVID-19

• This is as many Ohioans died in the Vietnam war

• Today 1,027 Ohioans are in the hospital suffering from COVID-19

• Today 316 Ohioans are in intensive care

• Today 146 are on a ventilator

Scarier than these trends emulating the current crises in Florida and Arizona, even those people who have recovered are still facing life-changing lung damage and other life-long health issues as a result of contracting COVID-19. Last week we saw 1,500 cases in a single day compared to the 400 cases per day a month ago. Like I said, this is not a good trajectory. We need to get back to flattening the curve.

Also, before anyone interjects (this is a bad habit of mine actually) this is not just due to increased testing. Testing has increased by 87%, but the positive cases have spiked to 200% from previous levels when scaled to the number of tests being given.

On June 9th Florida had 1,200 cases per day, this past sunday Florida had 15,300 new cases per day, 50 cases per 100k per day--6 times higher than last month. Arizona is also seeing 2.5 times more cases per capita than last month.

If we do not change course, our future will look like the present in these states.

The governor read an excerpt from the Spanish influenza outbreak in 1918 that seems pretty relatable right now:

"This is our second chance, we won’t get a third. If we don’t get the growth of this pandemic under control the cold weather will create a disaster that dwarfs the situation today."

Ohio is sliding down a very dangerous path and the once flattened curve is starting to spike. This reversal should be a stark indicator of how quickly our fates can change. Weeks can be the difference between who lives and who dies in the state of Ohio. The people we love in Ohio.

He was decisive: WE MUST ACT NOW.

This is not a drill, not a hoax, not a dress rehearsal. This is real and this is our second chance.

Ohioans have come so far and we can get it controlled again. We have come too far to cede ground now. Once things move downhill with COVID-19, they move downhill very quickly. We together have the power to change the future. This is a defining time for all of us. I personally see this like voting: a right and responsibility.

Here is what our governor asked of us to keep the economy up and running, keep citizens alive, and fight our best battle possible. At a minimum, every Ohioan should wear a mask every time they go out in public. Period.

He cited evidence that the "verdict is in" that masks are critical tools in preventing COVID-19 and if everyone put on a face covering now, we could drive this pandemic in the ground in 4-6 weeks (CDC).

Masks will be looked at as an alternative to lockdowns and they led to a real slowdown in the spread of the virus. We get to choose. Shutdown? Or facemasks? I mean, you really told me as a 12 year old girl that I need to cover my breasts while men do not have to, and we as a society are okay with that, but when it comes to wearing a face mask which is arguably much more comfortable, that's the issue? No, the issue is entitlement. So let's help be part of the solution here friends and don those masks and capes.

Two directly quoted questions Gov. DeWine asked us to ponder:

• "Will that family reunion be worth it if our grandmother catches COVID-19?"

• "Will that playdate be worth it if kids don’t get to go back to school in the fall?"

This virus will end and we all want to be around when it does so we can enjoy our families, friends, and special milestones with everyone. Let us not risk one person's life for the sake of convenience. Let this moment be the spark that ignites passionate, positive change for the best in all of us. Everyone can help someone. These are one in a hundred year sacrifices we are making right now, but unity can come from collective sacrifice in a time of crisis

“Our strength is our unity of purpose.” -FDR

Let us be the Ohioans to once again unite against a common enemy and show that we are a resilient people (remember when we have been called on before: the underground railroad, pioneers, immigrant populations and so much more). Our way of life in Ohio is in danger and our state’s life is in danger. Let us put ourselves on the frontlines to stand between this virus and our neighbors so no one feels unprotected out in the open: be it running, hugging, or just watering the flowers.

Ohioans set an example for the rest of the country in March and April and showed what is possible when people work together. A beautiful moment in history that is already signed, sealed, delivered. So let us take Gov. DeWine's closing remark to heart and believe "we cannot grow weary of doing good and we cannot afford to give up this fight. We are in this together, Ohio."

We will emerge tougher and more resilient from this virus because we will not give up.

I protect you, you protect me because...let's say it together, people are good, people.

Prepare, don't panic.

-Allison