Saturday we decided to self-isolate, shelter in place, or whatever you want to call it. At our age, the Coronavirus would probably be a death sentence.
There were no rules.
We found it difficult to be completely isolated, so the object is to minimize outside contact.
First, our family is supportive. No more weekly family get-togethers. (They have left some kind of a "care package" on our doorstep every day since then.)
We have at least a months supply of groceries. WalMart will deliver to our door if we need more.
Our prescriptions are delivered.
Mail is delivered daily.
Still, it is difficult. I must sign for medicine deliveries. The virus can live for days on surfaces, paper etc. Everything from outside is disinfected; mail, prescriptions, care packages, groceries, etc. Everything! Then it is set aside for three days before being handled again. Then hands are washed thoroughly.
Even at that, we cannot completely isolate. Marlene has high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease, to name a few. She is in a hospice program. We have been having a nurse visit weekly, and twice weekly visits from an aid (help with baths, change linens, etc.). I find that in order to stay in the hospice program, Medicare requires at least one nurse visit every two weeks. The hospice program is very cooperative with minimum visits, as Marlene is currently doing very well. So the nurse will visit every two weeks, and will make us her first stop of the day, minimizing exposure from other visits she makes that day. That eliminated five visits into our home each two weeks. If we need more visits, we need only to call them.
How long will this last? Who knows?
