Hello Everyone,

Welcome to The Invisible Vision Project’s Blog.

This is a topic that’s been in the head of the news for the past weeks and months. I thought about writing about it, but I just couldn’t seemed to find the “right time” to do so, because the situation is a constantly evolving one. Updates from creditable sources are given on a daily and sometimes even hourly basis, so it’s really hard to write about it. Because the last thing I want, is to give outdated information to people. And also, I didn’t want to overwhelm people, as I’m sure it’s already overwhelming enough to follow the news. But still, I decided that today is the day, that I will write about it. And I understand that things could change at any moment, so I’ll refrain from giving any specific data and numbers.

Background and Context on the Coronavirus -COVID 19:

What are Coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold, to more serious respiratory infections like pneumonia, or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The spread of Coronaviruses is mainly from person to person (via droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread via contaminated surfaces such as door handles or elevator buttons) and through close contact.

Risk of developing severe disease or complications with Coronaviruses are:

• People aged 65 or older
• People who are immunocompromised
• People with chronic illnesses (example: heart disease, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, renal or chronic lung disease).

COVID 19:

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) causes respiratory infection and pneumonia that originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in late December 2019. Then, in a very short span of time, it quickly spread all over China over the following weeks and months that followed. As of now, infected cases in China have dropped significant, and many cities have reported zero cases for days. Unfortunately, the virus also spread globally, and very rapidly as well, over 100 countries (and still counting)are now affected. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID 19 as a pandemic.

Am I worried? scared? Panicked? 

I’m worried. I’ve been worried about this since it first started out in China. The reason for this is because, I have aging family members and relatives that are living in China. Thankfully, they are all doing well, and managing well. I worry about them particularly because, they are the elderly, and are therefore susceptible to contracting the virus. And very thankfully, they didn’t. So that’s such a relief.

Then, I started becoming a little scared when the virus spread throughout the globe, and eventually into Canada. I’m grateful that it’s not yet in the city where I currently live right now, and again, I know that that could change at any moment. But then again, I’m worried because, it’s now in a city where a lot of my friends and family members live. I worry about their health and safety, as some are still going to work. The younger ones are staying at home, since schools are now closed for this time being.

Even though I’m worried, and a little scared, I don’t think I panicked over this situation, and I don’t think I will, however it evolves, because panic won’t due anybody any good. I’ve seen on the news and internet that people started ‘panic buying’ and I think, it’s understandable, because this is a scary situation, but, these people ‘panic buy’ I think (and I could be wrong) is because they are insecure. They don’t want food or everyday necessities to run out, especially in time of need. But in all honesty, do you REALLY need that many toilet paper rolls?? (Think about it…).

So…what have I done?

I’ve started doing a few things, even before the WHO declared it a pandemic, just because I always like to prepare early than late. In the last few weeks, I have stocked up some food supplies such as rice, canned food, frozen foods and vegetables, because they could last for a long time. And, I’ve been just buying them slowly, just a little more than I usually would on a normal grocery shopping day. And, I’ll continue to do this for the next few weeks or until it’s not necessary anymore.

I’ve also made a “rule” to only go out once or maximum twice a week, to get the necessities I need. I’ve decided to not/ limit meeting friends, not going to meetings (other than doctor’s appointments, if it’s not cancelled, I know this one is tricky, but it’s necessary, as I live with chronic conditions), not going out for leisure or eating out in a restaurant. I realized, after I set out this “rule” for myself, how isolating and lonely it is, and it did make me cry a little. But, I think it’s necessary precaution to do this, to keep myself as safe as possible. And thankfully, I still have technology, to keep myself and others connected virtually.

For self protection and precautions reasons, I have a good amount of hand sanitizing supplies as well as some medical masks. To be honest, I made preparations for these things even before the outbreak started because as someone with chronic illnesses, these things are just as essential as my other everyday things.

Why I wouldn’t go home to my family and friends?

My decision to stay in the city where I live is because, I think it’s generally safer to stay in a smaller city than in a larger one, consider that there is no known cases yet, as of now (and again, I know this could change at any time). But more importantly, I have a medical care team that knows me well and that I trust. So, I want to stay here. Besides, I have a place all to myself, and I still have to pay the rent and everything. Also, I’m not really entirely left alone here, I have friends that are in the city and have offered to help, in time of need. But I feel good about managing it all on my own for now. It’s still scary and overwhelming but, it’s doable.

Lastly, I want to leave you with what I think is simple but very important to say to everyone, so this is my message to us all, even though our lives are altered by COVID 19. the message is: Keep well and Take Care!

It will take some time but, we WILL all get through this, together!

Thank you for reading to the end.

By: The Invisible Vision Project