Like most of you, I am stunned and like most of you, I am concerned and a little bit afraid.
COVID 19, the coronavirus, is the cause for my angst.
I wonder now how much I can leave the house and if my trip to the grocery store is worth it. After all, I am past 70 and the elderly are at a bigger risk than the general population.
I will go out of my way to avoid people sneezing or coughing, because it is the droplets from those coughs or sneezes that are dangerous.
They may live on the surface of an object for several days, some scientists say three while others say nine. That is not like most viruses, which seem to have much shorter life spans.
Antibiotics won’t be of much help, because it is a virus.

When I do go out, I make sure I sanitize my hands upon leaving the store and then wash immediately when I get home.
But not touching my face…that is tough. My nose may itch, my eyes water, and I always seem to have a chunk of food in between some teeth that has to come out. It’s hard not to use my fingernail as a toothpick.  
If you are sick, don’t go to the doctor’s office. Call ahead. Tell them your symptoms. Let them give you guidance on where to go and what to do. If you are sick, stay home. I had a meeting Thursday night, but I also had a scratchy throat and a cough and I did not want to take a chance.
If you are involved in any activity, check to see if it is still being held. For example, The VCCT murder mystery next weekend has been cancelled. As has Little League, some park district activities and a host of other local events.
So be aware, be careful, and don’t buy all the toilet paper you can carry.
I just heard a commentator say “It’s a new world” in referring to the virus.
How true. No baseball, no college basketball tournament, a stock market that has tanked, throwing retirement plans up in the air. Investment funds, endowments funds, the cruise industry, airlines…almost every business I can think of is being affected.
It only seems to be a blessing for mask makers and toilet paper producers.
Stay healthy, my friends.

Terry Dickow is a retired elementary school teacher with lots of opinions, some you will like, some you won’t. He can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com.