As I write this, I hear the 17th ambulance that has gone by my neighborhood today. Although we live close to a hospital, we never used to hear the sirens wailing around the clock like this before. Although there are fewer reported cases of COVID-19 than many other states and nations, our numbers are still rising.
One piece of data that is crucial to understand is that we as a country have been bereft of testing kits since the pandemic started. As we have more test kits, which is ESSENTIAL, of course more people will be tested, therefore more positive cases will be reported. Additionally, the test kits that were being used when there was the greatest dearth were reserved for patients and essential workers with severe symptoms, so the demographics of who is able to obtain a test will change. In Ohio today, our numbers nearly doubled--not necessarily because today twice as many people have it as yesterday, but because testing is more widely available.
Yes, the numbers of people with COVID-19 is rising, and so is testing capacity. So numbers of positive test cases will continue to climb for awhile. The length of time will depend on our state's citizens' ability to follow CDC and state government health guidelines to keep the risk as low as possible.
Please, when you hear the rallying cry to "REOPEN!" resounding through your community, wait until you hear your healthcare workers agree to demonstrate your support.
Of course none of us want to be stuck at home. But we are SAFE at home. Healthcare workers, grocery store workers, sanitation crews, federal employees, etc. do not have the choice. Mothers are leaving children with their other parent or family members so they can go to work and not infect their children when they come home. Delivery workers are working hard to sanitize their hands in between each item they pick up before putting it in your grocery bag and dropping it off on your porch.
I am still waiting for the day I can go for a walk around my neighborhood. I have needed between 5-10 doctors' visits to manage my various health conditions and most have been converted to telehealth even though it means my issues are not resolving as fast as they normally could. And yet--this weekend I have talked to more people than I can count.
We played two games of D&D; one on Saturday with my best friends from college, and one with family members today. We had zoom calls with family for happy hours and movie viewings. Alex and I refuse to let go of our creative spirit, even when physical hibernation makes mental hibernation so incredibly tempting. We got in our zumba and puppy training today. We shared a meal. We planned out what his next week back to virtual school will look like. We prayed. We played. We rested. ANd we are going to keep going not just for our health, but for the health of our local, national, and global communities. While I shy away from the phrase that Dr. Fauci used describing the actions of citizens staying home making us into healthcare workers, I agree that we have a ALL part to play. The global equation involves every single person on the planet and it is our choice how we want to impact the overall problem. When you have the power, choose to be on the side of the solution.
Prepare, don't panic.
-Allison
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