COVID-19 • Boil Water

March 16, 2020

‘The Florence Nightingale’s Pledge’ had lines like this in it: “to pass my life in purity” and “I shall abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous”

I’d go on, but the nurses I know wouldn’t make it this far. Let’s make it a bit more basic so we can all get behind it.

“I pledge to provide compassionate care for the sick and injured, learn as much as I can, and forgive myself for any mistakes that I may make in this challenging situation.”

Congratulations! You are now deputized into the COVID-19 Nursing Response Corps.

Paperwork first, sorry.

This is a good time to get your paper work in order.  Do you have a living will, advanced directive (DNR/DNI), a durable power of attorney, end of life plan?  Several copies of your medications and/or medical history would also be good.

Talk to your family/loved ones about what they want and expect of end of life decisions; make sure they are up to date on their paper work.  Having confidence in those decisions can be very meaningful.

And right now, talk to your health care provider if you have medical problems.  Get specific advice for your specific conditions and …. Write it down.  If you don’t understand, don’t hang up until you do.  And … write it down.  More than just you may need to know that stuff.

Next.

Read and print the CDC or WHO resources below.  To paraphrase from them:

 ‘You are going to have to think your way through this problem, ask questions if you do not understand, and prepare yourself and your space for this disease.’

It is not flu.  You’re going to have to do things differently.

•CDC guide to home care.  Here is a printable version.

Click to access guidance-home-care.pdf

•Or try the World Health Organizations site:

https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1269964/retrieve

Print at least one of them out and please read it.

Social distancing – absolutely.  But the health care system really needs all of us to do this part correctly as well.  It is critical that only people who would benefit from a hospital, go to one.

The majority of people sick with COVID-19 should never go near a hospital.  That does not mean they will not be sick, even quite sick, but they still may need to stay home.

Keep going back to trusted sites for guidance for specific information.  Remember, people have too breath pretty regularly, so if that’s the problem, call for help quickly.

Fever:

Know how to manage a fever and be on top of it.  Don’t wait for it to come back to medicate.  Set a schedule and and an alarm and stick to it.  Check, right now, to see that you have enough ‘fever’ medicine for 2 weeks and for everyone in the house.

•This is the Mayo Clinics guide, just because it was easy to find: 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/in-depth/fever/art-20050997

Again, print it out.  Know your weight and the weight of everyone in the house.  Write it down – again, more than just you may need that information.

If you are caring for someone sick, write down what you are doing and when.  Not every breath or cough, just how much medicine, what kind of medicine and what time.  How much someone is drinking and peeing is also important if they are getting sicker.

Oh, and about pee (I’m going there) – the darker it gets, the dryer your are – dark yellow pee is not what you want with a fever.  If they can’t drink enough to get it nearly clear, you’re going to want to talk to someone in health care.

The CDC and WHO guidance is very good.  You will need practice to make it work.  Be kind to yourself if you don’t get it perfectly – it’s weird and will take some time.   However:

IF ANY ONE IN THE HOUSE HAS PRESUMPTIVE OR CONFIRMED COVID-19, EVERYONE LIVING IN THAT HOUSE MUST ISOLATE FOR 14 DAYS.

Finally, a request from a doctor friend of mine – and I know it is way outside of the box:

If you can, donate blood.  Not for this, but for all the other stuff that is still happening.

Older folks are often the most reliable donors but have been so good at keeping away from hospitals and labs, the blood banks are going dry.  Call first, ask how it works currently, but if you can, give.  Honestly, it saves lives and will make you feel great in a time of ugly stress.  Just call first.

Thanks.