Glenda Soto-Gomez

I don’t know whether to say it is a pandemic or madness but I can say people it’s out of control.

It is funny how normal people do not follow hygiene procedures but just when a new virus is introduced, everybody wants to disinfect and be clean.

And what is the issue with the toilet paper, why are we buying toilet paper a lot more than necessary? I don’t understand. Is it because we don’t know how long we will stay at home or do we have more than 5 people in a house? But we gotta slow down with the shopping spree. Buy what it’s necessary, stores are open for our needs and wants. But we’re buying more than what we need.

They say to avoid being in crowded places, yet, people go on a mass shopping spree for needs.

Also people wearing masks. Even if they don’t have the virus, those masks don’t seem like they do much, why do we need them? Let’s the people who are sick wear them. They’re the ones who really need them to avoid spreading the germs. We ran out of them and now that is required by everybody to wear them is quite difficult to find one.

And now we think that everything that is going on might or will happen to us. If we believe that we’d be infected, we will probably get infected but, it more than likely is probably just a common cold or another kind of sickness.

Have some precautions just be mindful.

Is great to work from home, staying there while everything else is going on around the world. Take some time to spend with your family, listen to your kids if you have some (or get distracted by them). Avoid using the phone and enjoy the time with the family, conversations, exercise, have fun doing an activity that can get our mind busy without thinking about the virus, avoid the news-press, they talk a lot and add more worry than there already is. There is also fake news, and we should follow trusted sources.

Avoid the excuse of “Oh, we have to, we need to be informed” I think we already received a lot of information about it. Just enjoy the time at home while the pandemic season goes away and the world goes back to normal.

Prevent the spread of COVID-19 following these steps:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your cough using the bend of your elbow or a tissue.
• Wear a mask, if you are coughing or sneezing
• Avoid crowded places and close contact with anyone that has fever or cough
• Stay at home if you feel unwell
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early but call first
• Get information from trusted sources

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) who.int

Additional measures that we should follow:

• Quarantine: Understand that this is to protect us from getting contagious and it’s happening globally
• Social distancing: Avoid crowded places. Keep 6 feet (2 meters) between other people
• Avoid all nonessential international travel: All international travelers should stay home for 14 days after returning, avoid traveling if you are sick
• Remain calm: Educate yourself about the situation but don’t over-exaggerate
• Cooperate with authorities: Following their instructions and it will help slow and prevent the spread of the virus.

Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC) cdc.gov

I am particularly surprised about what is happening with the animals and nature, it looks like we had been doing terrible things to them for so long that nature itself is showing us they needed a break from us. Seeing lakes clean, the air is better in places where were difficult before and in some places the animals are enjoying their habitat without being in risk of going extinct.

I know, We are feeling fearful, sleepiness, and anxious to be inside our homes but understand that we are doing a sacrifice for all the human beings. These are critical times which everybody needs to collaborate instead of being selfish. Use common sense, we don’t need to wait for the authorities to tell us what to do, be aware of the consequences that bring if we don’t follow the necessary precautions. Let’s take a time to do the right thing and put everything in order.

Dedicate a moment to meditate or pray, whatever makes you feel better. Have faith and know that this is not going to be forever. We shall pass this storm. God, the universe or how you desire to call him will not leave us alone, he provides and he is showing us with every good action we do that he cares.

Thank you to the churches and schools in the United States that are providing food and resources to families and taking the necessary precautions for our kids. In addition to helping, there are businesses and organizations like supermarkets and police.

Stay safe but most importantly sane.

Thank you for Reading!

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Glenda Soto-Gomez