Took two old folks on the roster out to the hospital to get their follow-ups scans done, and their quarterly test results. The hospital was eerily empty. And quiet. The calm is antithetical to the COVID-19 storm swirling around the city. For the first time this year, I put on an N95 mask, and made sure the old folks kept theirs worn throughout our stay at the hospital too.
We booked a cab to and fro for this purpose. I booked it from our usual pool of volunteers. The same driver picked us up and delivered us back. We told him in advance of destination, and advised him to mask up and wash his hands and such. I also handed him a bottle of disinfectant to clean the car after we hopped in and out. (He declined because he had his own and said he does that nowadays after every passenger drop-off since there aren't many.) Anyway, the windows were kept slightly open for greater ventilation.
I'm relieved that my team has managed to secure a six-month supply of surgical masks and N95s for the old folks on our roster, as well as providing extras for the medical staff who visit them. We also have sanitizers, gloves and alcohol swabs and such, allowing us to continue with injections, blood-taking and all for those who are require insulin jabs and all. We have always insisted on stocking a three-month supply at any one time, and the stocks are continuously topped up. We ran uncomfortably low in February and early March, but we were still okay. Stocks were replenished it last week. Whewww.
Sure I'm staying at home loads. But I’m not housebound. Since there isn't a full lockdown yet, I take responsible jaunts out to get groceries, and perhaps some coffee and lunch to keep sane. From the start of this week, I've been masking up each time I venture outdoors into a mall or getting onto public transport. I try to sanitize my hands and arms as much as possible. Especially before I reach home. And because of the dog, besides prepping items for cleaning her paws by the front door, there’s always disinfectant wipes and a bottle of diluted iodine spray for the humans too. Hopefully keeping to these high hygiene standards will eradicate remnant traces of any viruses we might have brought home.
We booked a cab to and fro for this purpose. I booked it from our usual pool of volunteers. The same driver picked us up and delivered us back. We told him in advance of destination, and advised him to mask up and wash his hands and such. I also handed him a bottle of disinfectant to clean the car after we hopped in and out. (He declined because he had his own and said he does that nowadays after every passenger drop-off since there aren't many.) Anyway, the windows were kept slightly open for greater ventilation.
I'm relieved that my team has managed to secure a six-month supply of surgical masks and N95s for the old folks on our roster, as well as providing extras for the medical staff who visit them. We also have sanitizers, gloves and alcohol swabs and such, allowing us to continue with injections, blood-taking and all for those who are require insulin jabs and all. We have always insisted on stocking a three-month supply at any one time, and the stocks are continuously topped up. We ran uncomfortably low in February and early March, but we were still okay. Stocks were replenished it last week. Whewww.
Sure I'm staying at home loads. But I’m not housebound. Since there isn't a full lockdown yet, I take responsible jaunts out to get groceries, and perhaps some coffee and lunch to keep sane. From the start of this week, I've been masking up each time I venture outdoors into a mall or getting onto public transport. I try to sanitize my hands and arms as much as possible. Especially before I reach home. And because of the dog, besides prepping items for cleaning her paws by the front door, there’s always disinfectant wipes and a bottle of diluted iodine spray for the humans too. Hopefully keeping to these high hygiene standards will eradicate remnant traces of any viruses we might have brought home.
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| Going out now means that I carry and wear a mask (from Totobobo. I don't break out surgical masks or the N95s unless I'm in a high risk venue or till it's crucial to do so), a pack of antibacterial wipes and a tube of hand sanitizer. Although my preference is to wash my hands with soap, any kind of soap. |
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