Standing Up on the Battle Against COVID 19: Real Stories of Frontliners and How We Can Do Our Part
It has been weeks, and we are still facing an invisible war. We are currently quarantined in our own homes while our medical soldiers continue to combat the dreaded pandemic known to many as the Coronavirus or COVID-19.
Here are two real-life stories of courageous frontliners to help us better understand the battle we’re fighting:
Karen Cailo-Abalon. Intake Assessment LVN and a Licensed Practical Nurse in California. Karen is in charge of processing and assessing all the referrals coming in from hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other communities. She also works part-time as a hospice nurse and stays at a patient’s home for 8 to 12 hours. To keep herself and her family safe, she sanitizes everything before bringing items inside the house, leaves her shoes outside to be sanitized and showers right away after getting home from work.
Mike Rosillon. First Responder at Pleasanton California. As a first responder, Mike is the first one to arrive when there’s an accident or emergency. He was recently awarded the Pleasanton Police Department’s Officer of the Year for 2019. However, beyond the honor and distinction, Mike bears the risk of being easily exposed to the virus. He does everything to protect himself and his family.
Mike and Karen are just two of the many frontliners in our community: medical personnel, people in the police and fire department, employees working for grocery stores, drive-thru and many others.
They are risking their health to provide the services we need. In return, here are four things that we can do to help them:
1. Being transparent with our medical information
Doctors expect their patients to be truthful so they can provide appropriate care, but a 2018 study has revealed that as many as 80% of all patients lie or withhold information from their providers.
It is so important, especially in our situation right now, to be honest, and to provide accurate information to our health care providers. With or without COVID19, we can trust them to care for us. However, if we fail to disclose important information like our travel history or prior contact with someone who is known to be infected, we put our health care providers at greater risk. Not only that, but we also put our own health and safety at risk too.
2. Stay at home
It may be such an inconvenience, but staying at home can be the only thing that might prevent the further spreading of the virus. Staying at home is important because it is possible for one person to have the virus and not feel any symptoms. You can make the most of your time at home by trying out these activities with your family or just by yourself.
3. Protect your self when going out
If you have to leave the house to get supplies, it is best to wear a mask and practice social distancing. This way, you are protecting yourself and your family as well.
4. Stay healthy
One of the best things to do at home right now is to boost our immune system. By doing this, we protect ourselves while helping to flatten the curve in the process.
The types of food we eat significantly affect our immune system. Diseases can be prevented if our immune system is strengthened. Always remember the five pillars of nutrition, which will help you strengthen your immune system:
1. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
The virus will be hard-pressed to penetrate a healthy and optimized cell. We also have to consider avoiding are processed foods and fast food. Processed foods weaken our immune system since it does not provide balanced nutrition at all.
Aside from fruits and vegetables, proper amounts of legumes, nuts, and grains should be included to make sure our nutrition is balanced and healthy. Click here for some nutritious recipes you can try at home.
2. Exercise regularly
We need to exercise for at least 120 minutes a week. There are various workouts that we can do at home without using any equipment. Plus, we have all the time in the world right now.
3. Get enough sleep
Make sure to have at least seven to nine hours of sleep daily. An article from The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute emphasizes the importance of getting enough sleep:
Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety.
4. Avoid vices and stress
It goes hand-in-hand. Stress is usually a catalyst to our vices, and vices can trigger more anxiety. However, the causes of stress are numerous and unavoidable, so the best way to avoid stress is to manage how we react to these stressors. By accepting that there are things beyond our control and letting go of them, we can better manage the things that are within our control.
5. Take appropriate health supplements
Take proper food supplements, but make sure to ask your doctor first. Three vitamins that have been found to help boost the immune system are Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin E.
The front liners are risking their lives to care for us. Let us honor their sacrifice by being transparent with our medical information, staying at home, keeping ourselves as healthy as possible and practicing social distancing.
