How Careful Are You Being?

While I usually try to keep what I write about light, it’s hard to do so in these times. During this pandemic do you ever wonder how safe is safe?

Sometimes I feel like so many people are not taking this pandemic seriously. You hear stories of people still traveling or going to visit friends. One person told my mom she was being “idiotic” for staying home and that her family was visiting her and they were going out and using the pool in their community (it was finally closed a few days later!) Really??!!

As for me, I’ve been home for almost seven weeks. I had a pretty bad flu and it took me over two weeks to even be up for leaving the house. At that time I went out on two days. Once to get my hair colored (and I’m so happy I was at least able to get it done before we went on lockdown-I know that’s selfish and trivial but what can I say?!). My second day out I got a manicure (yes, another unnecessary necessary), visited a local clothing store (yup), and the grocery store. This was all before social distancing came in to play and since then I’ve taken walks around my neighborhood, turning around if I even see people. No matter the weather I’m wearing gloves when I go on these walks and they go in the wash as soon as I get home. I was changing my clothes and washing them after my walks, but my husband convinced me that that wasn’t necessary, but sometimes I wonder.

So is there such a thing as too much?

When I receive packages from my online orders they are left by my front door. Once the delivery truck is gone my husband wears gloves to take the package into the garage when I spray it with disinfectant spray. I let it sit for a few hours before opening it. Overkill? Maybe but better safe. 

When groceries are delivered (have you tried instacart? It’s fantastic!) they are also left by the front door. My husband brings the bags in, again wearing gloves, and I unpack them as he holds the bags open. Once they are put away the entire counter is cleaned and disinfected and our hands are washed.

So I start to think, should I have been doing this all along? Maybe not leaving the packages by the front door, but after the groceries are put away disinfecting the counter. My house is pretty clean-as clean as it can be with all the dog hair!!

I’m fortunate that I have a very comfortable home to be in during these very surreal days and I absolutely don’t take that for granted, but that still doesn’t take away from the feeling of anxiety, worry, the question of is this really happening. I’m looking forward to the days where we won’t have to be this diligent, but I wonder if this pandemic will leave its mark making us think twice. 

I hope you and your families are all healthy and safely enjoying your time at home.