What’s the single best thing you can do to protect yourself, healthcare workers, and fellow Americans during this pandemic? Minimize your risk of needing ER or in-hospital care.
The equation changed. The demand for intensive medical care is likely to outstrip supply during the peak of the epidemic in America. In that case, hospitals can’t provide life-saving care to everyone who needs it. Some patients will die who could have been saved under normal circumstances, whether they need treatment for Covid-19, a heart attack, injuries from a car wreck, or an exacerbation of some chronic disease.
One step helps you—and everyone: Minimizing individual risk. You do that by..
Reporting symptoms sooner rather than later. That helps prevent easily treatable problems from becoming big ones requiring ER or in-hospital care. Report symptoms not just of Covid-19, but also of any illness not responding quickly to usual self-treatment. If unsure if your symptoms signal a problem, call and ask.
Minimizing your risk of infection from any source. Avoid anyone with a stomach bug or upper respiratory tract symptoms, even if they say it’s allergies. Optimize hygiene, including dental care. Avoid accidental puncture wounds from tools, utensils or thorny plants by avoiding working with them for now. Follow CDC guidelines for Covid-19. If you’re in a high-risk group and instructed to shelter-in-place, leave home only for critical tasks that nobody else can do for you.
Taking excellent care of your medical conditions. Be extra vigilant taking your medications and following doctor-prescribed restrictions in your diet or activities.
Avoiding elective activities that could possibly result in an accident requiring ER care. Accidents happen, even while doing normal daily activities. Just for now, instead of riding a bike, take a brisk walk. Instead of climbing a ladder to reach an ingredient on a high shelf, cook another dish.
Managing stress. [See Managing the Stress of the Covid-19 Pandemic]
As a Healthy Survivor living through a pandemic, remember that
your health-related decisions impact other patients, without their having a say.
To find hope while adjusting to the new normal for now, embrace your power to protect yourself, healthcare workers and other patients by making wise decisions. This crisis will pass. Together, let’s get through as safely as possible.
Illustration by Emma Mathes (rom Healing Hope, with edited text)
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