Finest Greetings on the day!  

“Every day is a new beginning- a day for a new plan and new action. If today, in conscious awareness, you choose the same plan as yesterday, you are wise. If you choose a different plan, you are equally wise. Whatever you choose, choose with intention.“
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I’ve heard it expressed that the term “physical distancing” should replace “social distancing.” I like it. The clarification in verbiage emphasizes that we can stay connected even when we are so physically restricted from each other. It may be just semantics, but I like the idea. It’s more accurate. We can pass a masked stranger in a store and step away from each but share a gesture or a word of encouragement that socially connects us even though we are physically remote.

We might be doing this for a while.  We might as well rename it every now and again.

Let’s face it. The next couple of years are outrageously uncertain. While optimism is a undeniable source of power, and nothing can be done without hope and confidence (as Helen Keller said), we need to prepare for the possibilities that uncertainty brings.

While facing the possibility of unprecedented global shortages, we will want to have used this exact moment to get ready. In normal times the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and CDC all recommend you have a home emergency preparedness kit for disasters such as hurricanes, fires, floods, a solar flare, etc. We all have somewhat started this process with what we have been through this Spring, and my message for you today is to get serious on your preparedness now.  Here are some thoughts on emergency COVID preparedness.

Pre-pandemic, a few days of supplies may have made sense, now 6 weeks is smart and even longer is better if you are able. Many people have it as a policy to store a full year’s supply of food. I never thought along these terms until now.

•Food. We want to have a big supply of food. Canned foods are the obvious items to have. Don’t forget staples like sugar, salt, pepper. (You may want to store special foods such as pet foods.)

•Water. Red Cross recommends one gallon per person per day. A two week supply would be a minimum.

•Medicine You may want to have a several month supply of any prescription medications if it’s possible to acquire them.
Also worth having are over-the-counter pain relievers, antacids, cough and cold medicines (zinc), and vitamins (especially D).
Razors and shaving cream, extra eyeglasses and contact lenses (as well as contact lens solutions) and heavy duty garbage bags (for personal sanitation) are among FEMA’s other suggestions.

•First aid kit. Gauze bandages, antibacterial ointment, antiseptic wipes and non-latex gloves are among the items recommended by FEMA and the American Red Cross. Include masks, hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies.

•Lights and power sources. If you don’t have a generator you might consider getting one now. Have flashlights and extra batteries (for the lights and other products including hearing aids), the CDC suggests. Other worthwhile items include car chargers and adapters, jumper cables, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and a surge protector strip.

•Medical and personal identification records. The CDC also recommends you collect important medical and insurance records and other items such as living will documents. You can also prepare an emergency plan with important contact information and personal information. Copies of important records kept in a resealable bag and in your backpack could be invaluable should you have to evacuate because of a flood or fire.

•Other items. Remember a can opener, scissors and perhaps a multipurpose tool. Also likely to come in handy are matches, blankets and rain gear. Set aside some actual cash for emergencies.
You can compare your emergency kit with the American Red Cross survival kit.

•Home protection plan. You don’t have to own a gun to be smart about protecting your home. Pepper spray, a security system, adopting a guard dog, and even a stun gun are nonlethal options to protect yourself and part of being prepared for the possibility of an uncertain future.

Start somewhere. Ask for help if you need it. Preparation is the key to success.

Now I want to switch gears and share a picture from my med school days. That’s me in the top row, next to the man in the jacket and tie:

Ok, that’s not me, but we are fascinating bunch, aren’t we?

“Five doctors and the wise Paracelsus stood around a dead person contemplating the reason for his death due to cholera at an early age. The first doctor said the patient definitely died from the cholera infection – as he saw many people die of this. The second doctor said: I do not think so for I have seen many people survive this illness – he did not follow healthy life rhythms in eating and sleeping, work and stillness, causing a weakened immune function. The third said: Oh no, a good healthy immune system depends on clear positive thoughts and healthy relationships – he was lacking in positive thoughts. The fourth said: I know many people who have survived through horrible circumstances and still have positive thoughts – it is the character of personality and constitution that matters – he must not have cared for or could not identify with himself and was not yet centered in his personality. The fifth said that this all sounded rational, but he had learned about destiny and divine guidance and some die young and some die old – as destiny is God’s will – he must have been called home. The wise Paracelsus said: You know, dear colleagues, you are all right, there are many aspects of illness. If you isolate your reasons you will never understand the cause. The human body is complex and it is wise to reflect on all aspects of life.”

It’s wise to reflect on it all.

Stay whole.
Wishing you all the best.

Dr Cooney and staff