Planning even in the unknown

By Jan Bernick, Parish Nurse

Some of us are planners and some are not. Some like to have all their “ducks in a row” and some prefer to “fly by the seat of their pants.” As I think about my approach to planning, I think I might be like most people. I’m excited to plan for fun events and get everything set well ahead of time, on the other hand, I put off planning, "things I dread". I really dragged my feet in getting our estate planning and end of life decisions in order with the help of our accountant. I didn’t want to think about that.

So, it is with the current issue of the Coronavirus. We have been told by all the experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best health prevention entity in the world, that we need to prepare for the corona virus. We need to plan. That doesn’t mean we are going to become infected, but we could. Or our children and grandchildren who are at a minimal risk of becoming ill could become carriers of the virus to their grandparents or others.

The CDC has prepared some very important documents on planning for the Coronavirus. These documents address how to prepare our private homes, our early elementary schools and high schools, colleges and workplaces. May I suggest it may well be worth our time to read and heed the recommendations of our advisers.

Our advisers at the CDC suggest the following for various situations:

Households Checklist- We have compiled a few of the items from the CDC checklist here. Please check the CDC website for all the recommendations. 

• Create a list of local organizations you and your household can contact in case you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
• Choose a room in your house that can be used to separate sick household members from others.
• If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face
  • *This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.
• Keep surfaces disinfected
• Avoid sharing personal items
• If you become sick, stay in contact with others by phone or email

Household Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations -We have compiled a few of the items from the CDC checklist here. Please check the CDC website for all the recommendations. 

• Wear disposable gloves
• For disinfection , alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
• Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
• Additional key times to clean hands include:
  • After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After using the restroom
  • Before eating or preparing food
  • After contact with animals or pets
  • Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)

Schools K-12
Colleges and Universities
Workplace
Faith based leaders/organizations 

Let’s review these recommendations and implement the wisdom of our advisers.

To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His son,
Who yielded his life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.

To read more about how Christ Our Savior is handling and preparing for the Coronavirus check out these two blogs.
Source of All Comfort, by Rev. Dean Davenport
Being Smart and Being Prepared, by Miriam Rossow and Jan Bernick

Cover Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash