I’ll be joining six other authors in a blog hop from May 3 to June 7. During this time, we will each weekly host another. We’d all planned to be talking at book clubs, giving presentations and being interviewed by the media. Covid-19 changed those plans. So, author Nancy Christie invited five of us to get together in a blog hop. I’ll be back to tell you more. For now, it’d be great if you put a reminder in your calendar to come by and learn about the authors I’ll be hosting and their latest work — starting Sunday. See you then!!
Most of us would rely on experts if diagnosed with cancer. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, what any president, prime minister or senator had to say about managing the disease didn’t matter. I sought the opinions of the very best oncology experts.
Sometimes a stark metaphor is what persuasion requires. Think of it this way: If you don’t engage in social distancing and stay at home other than for absolute necessities, you are exposing yourself to a terminal disease. You may not die, but you may. And you’ll do so alone, painfully – without your family.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, U.S. top expert on the coronavirus pandemic, wants all of us to stay at home. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, Director, Division of Infectious Diseases & Professor of Medicine at the University of Alabama Birmingham and Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Infectious Diseases Chief, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston agree. As do their colleagues with equivalent expertise across the world.
What more do we need? Staying at home saves lives. It can save yours and that of people you love. You’ll save people on the front lines. Ten states in the U.S. are holding out on stay-at-home orders and Florida is allowing religious gatherings.
Listen to the best medical experts. They’re the qualified leaders of this crisis. Stay home.
(If you’re here from Linkedin and want to read “Leadership Styles for the Five Stages of Radical Change” by Kathleen Reardon, Alan Rowe and Kevin Reardon in Acquisition Review Quarterly, you can find it here. Basically, as the article above states, style and type of leadership should alter with the demands before us. Who we follow should depend on what they bring to the type of change required. Never is this more important than in a crisis.)
If I were a poet, I’d read a poem to New York during this terrible attack by COVID-19. Instead, here’s a reading to New Yorkers from my latest crime mystery novel Damned If She Does based in NYC where on any given day or night, magic is just around the corner. I hope it brings some comfort.
We know that Covid-19 can survive on various surfaces for different amounts of time. A new CDC study indicates that the virus survived in the Diamond Princess cruise ship cabins for up to 17 days after passengers left. So, how do we avoid transferring it from food containers to our hands and surroundings?
Since you may not have time to investigate the answer to this question, let me share some advice from experts and actions you can take immediately. Once again, this advice may change as we learn more, but here are some actions you can take now.
We shouldn’t be hoarding, but we should be planning. Buy some foods that have a long shelf life and are also nutritious.
Nonperishable items not needed right away can be stored in a room or area where children and pets won’t touch or play with them. If you won’t be using an item for a few weeks, then right now the research suggests you’re fine.
Given the changing information from research, though, it wouldn’t hurt to wash any items with soap and water and dump the contents into a bowl or onto a dish. Avoid placing the container on your counter or anywhere people might touch the surface and then possibly their faces. Discard or recycle it. Wash your hands thoroughly for twenty seconds, remembering the soap!
Let’s take a moment to look at what soap and water together actually do to the coronavirus. The combination literally annihilates it. Read this to know how and why. According to Palli Thordarson, a chemistry professor at the University of New South Wales, by using soap and water we pull the virus apart before flushing it down the drain. Essentially, we’re in a war and the enemy’s kryptonite is soap and water if used properly.
Thordarson explains: “You do need a bit of time for all the soap to interact back and forth with the virus particle.” Twenty seconds is recommended to do this — singing Happy Birthday twice.
If you are putting items from the grocery store into your refrigerator or freezer, washing them individually in soap and water could provide extra protection and peace of mind. After washing, you can pat items with a paper towel and put them in the refrigerator or freezer. Do not place items from the grocery store on your kitchen counter or work desk, as was just mentioned. Do not touch your face or hair at any point when dealing with grocery items. Repetition is intentional here because this is so important. When finished disinfecting the items with soap and water, wash your hands thoroughly.
A master gardener friend of mine is planting lettuce and vegetables so she can look forward to having these. She’s chosen not to purchase loose, unpackaged vegetables for the time being.
Could all of this be overkill? No one really knows. With Covid-19, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
According to a food safety expert interviewed by the New York Times, it’s good to even wipe down cardboard boxes, cracker containers and other items. If you’ve left them in that special area or room for many days, from what we know now of COVID-19 that provides some protection. But the washing process leans on the side of safety.
If you or someone living with you is at high risk, it’s best to avoid grocery stores altogether. Many grocery stores deliver. Don’t greet the delivery person at the door. Ask them to leave the groceries at your door. Make sure, if at all possible, that you’ve already paid online or by phone and that they know you won’t be signing anything at the point of delivery.
If you must go to a grocery store or shop, do so at times when few people are there and physical distancing is being observed. Here is something you could do as an extra precaution before you shop: Put on clothes that are ready for the laundry and when you return from the grocery store drop them in the laundry basket or hamper and take a shower.
Remember that even if you use gloves at the grocery store or when handling groceries that have been delivered, gloves carry infection like hands so they need to be carefully discarded or, if not discardable, washed while on your hands the same way you’ve washed your hands. In all cases, wash your hands after removing gloves.
Don’t touch your face at any time during and after shopping. We shouldn’t be touching our faces as a matter of practice anyway.
These are practical recommendations based on what we know so far. A lot of it is common sense. We should do as much as we can to protect ourselves and those who live with and around us. By doing so, we also avoid needing scarce ventilators and protect medical workers who are working day and night to save lives.
Be safe and well, Kathleen
P.S. This blog and updates of the previous Letter From Lockdown will shortly be available at Thrive Global. I’ll keep you updated, so should you want to share on Twitter, Facebook and on other social media and with your families and friends, you can also share from there.
I found myself looking into my underwear drawer this morning. I started to reach for a simple, gray cotton – probably a couple of years old. After all, I’m dressed down for lockdown. Then, it occurred to me: I needed a lift! So, I found a fancy, white-laced pair and slipped them on. Silly as it seems, it made me chuckle.
What we need now is to use our fancy stuff, have a candlelight dinner, take out those items we save for special occasions. Maybe wear a bright flower in your hair, pocket or lapel or that hat you’ve been hesitant to wear. Why not?
Of course, we mostly need to help others. This special underwear – splashing out tactic isn’t instead of doing our part. It’s about doing a little something for ourselves too.
Let’s give ourselves and others a chuckle. Share with your loved ones or a friend who needs a smile that today you’re sporting your best! I bet they’ll chuckle.
Little things that make us smile are big things now — right down to the basics. So go get fancy! 🤣🤣
GOOD NEWS!! 🎉🥂😁I know our thoughts are mostly elsewhere right now. But if you want to get distracted and into a crime mystery that Kirkus Reviews describes as “informed and searing” and a “page-turning success,” the Amazon price of my new novel, DAMNED IF SHE DOES, was just reduced to $14.50!! Kindle is less.
Let me know what you think and if you want to chat via this site about characters, plot or something else. If you’re doing a virtual bookclub, I’d love an invitation. If not, send a question or thought. I’m planning to post some short readings of the book. If you have a favorite part, let me know. I’ll give you (or whoever you choose) a shout out at the reading. We book lovers and authors should have some fun being connected! All the best, Kathleen
My preventive medicine hat on again, this letter from lockdown is about something you really should start doing today. I’ve seen a number of televised hand washing demonstrations – wetting the hands, lathering up, cleaning the front and back of hands thoroughly, between fingers and rubbing the nails into the palm, rubbing soap and water around and then rinsing while silently singing Happy Birthday twice. Then, though, some of these people turn off the faucet with one of their hands possibly reinfecting themselves. DON’T DO THAT!!
You can use your covered elbow on some faucets and a thick paper towel on those annoying ones you have to turn. Don’t do what one expert did: after washing and drying his hands, he wiped the faucet with the paper towel, tossed it into his other hand and then into the bin. DON’T DO THAT! After turning the faucet off with a paper towel, get the towel right into the bin.
When you use a public restroom, don’t touch the toilet flusher or door handle with your hand. Have another paper towel in your pocket for that, use folded toilet paper or a foot to flush (if you’re agile and can lean against the side – not the door). If need be, use the end of a shirt or coat to open the cubicle and later the exit door. The same applies to locking and unlocking a cubicle door. None of these things are perfect, but they help — often a lot.
I’ve been doing these things for years to the amusement of my children, but it’s actually smart. Sure, I’ve gotten a few looks. But people often follow suit. Those of us with at-risk underlying conditions should be especially vigilant and not worry about looking like we’re overreacting. Think about it, you’re protecting yourself and others.
Similarly, use a knuckle to push an elevator button and then wash your hands thoroughly without touching your face.
Regularly clean the area where you work as Dr. Sanjay Gupta recommends. Have sanitizer gel at your work desk. If you can’t find any, there are recipes online, including on the link in this paragraph.
Some of these protective measures may seem like overkill, but if someone is or could be sick in your house, use some of the same hygiene processes above to prevent the spread of infection. Keep the faucets disinfected and anything that will be handled by family members. Use separate towels.
This all feels odd at first. But after a while, it becomes second nature. We may need to alter how we do things as we learn more about Covid-19, and you may have your own ways of protecting yourself, but hopefully you find these helpful.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! Be safe; be well. Kathleen
My husband, Chris, and I went out for a walk yesterday. It was a beautiful day. We live in a fairly rural area and didn’t expect much bobbing and weaving around people.
We found that it was difficult to keep a social distance. Many people are on holiday. Some groups filled the entire footpath. Going around them meant stepping into the road or into thick grass — which we did. That’s not easy with a cane and being slowed by, in my case, Parkinson’s.
Besides, many of us still feel awkward about moving away from others.
It occurred to me that we could use a set of coronavirus courtesy guidelines to save lives.
Here are a few:
If you come across an older person, whether silver-haired or not, try to subtly step aside and let them pass or go around them from a distance — even if you’re asymptomatic.
Don’t take up the footpaths or sidewalks with your family and friends as people approach.
Don’t stop to admire babies or pet dogs. A greeting from afar and a smile will do.
Wave and smile from a distance with elders, especially those who are becoming isolated and could use a sense of connectedness.
Try adopting the perspective of those cultures that intensely value seniors. A friend of mine said yesterday, “This is all we need. Older people are already seen as an annoyance.” Hey, they raised us, loved us, contributed to society. Let’s get a grip here.
If you are senior, be appreciative of gestures made to protect you with a nod or smile. If at all possible, isolate. Have food delivered to your door without you being there to chat. Express gratitude from a window and do not answer the door.
We’re living in a different world now and for the foreseeable future. Courtesy of this new type can save lives and still allow us to be both civil and caring.
We simply need to be mindful. Some types of courtesy save lives.
Today I talked to a dear friend by video chat. We shared our concerns for our families, ourselves and everyone. We shared what we’ve read about keeping the Coronavirus at bay. We had a few laughs, which was especially good for both of us. And we plan to do this regularly.
As well as being a business professor at USC, I was also on the faculty of preventive medicine. One of the most important things you can do right now is to think of the people in your life who could use a checking-in call or video chat. The research on the beneficial effects of social support in avoiding, dealing with and recovering from illness is beyond extensive.
We’re all nervous unless we’re in denial. Those seem to be the two primary options. And denial is rarely capable of blocking out all doubt and fear. So, we need each other. Even a quick phone call letting someone know that you’re thinking of him or her can be HUGE.
If you’re reading this now, I’m thinking of you.
Every now and then I’ll post an idea for dealing with fear surrounding COVID-19 or ways to help prevent it. If you have any ideas you’d like to share, please send them along.
There is one other tip: Don’t think for a moment that you’re being paranoid if you are taking this virus seriously and also taking expert recommended steps to prevent it. You’re being smart!
Preventive medicine is proactive. So, no apologies needed for doing what’s best for yourself and others so we can all send this virus packing – the sooner the better.
A friend of mine often asks his children and grandchildren – “What’s first?” The answer is SAFETY. And he’s right.
Surely I’m not the only one surprised that Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to not three, not six, but twenty-three years for sexual assault and rape. In our heart-of-hearts many of us figured someone of his wealth and previous stature would walk. That’s why so many women don’t speak up about sexual assault and rape as well as other forms of sexual misconduct that I’ve written about here.
It’s why in my crime mystery, DAMNED IF SHE DOES, young female professor. Meg Doherty, kept a dark secret for six long years – until she stumbles upon the body of the man who caused it all and quickly becomes the prime suspect. Here is a woman who despite witness credibility chose to be silent and, faced with the prospect of prison, struggles with whether to stay that way.
Does writing about this mean I’ve been there? I’ve been asked that quite often. As so many women have said to me, “Who of us hasn’t?” Maybe not at the worst levels, but few women of a certain age have totally escaped.
We know the confusion, self-blame and sometimes sheer terror involved in deciding whether to step forward and speak up. Even after the many benefits of #MeToo and the Weinstein sentence, fears linger. It remains to be seen how deep they run. But at least this time the perpetrator did not simply walk away smiling – not yet. The judge took it seriously. Women stood up and spoke up. It had to have been painful. But they did it!
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