As of March 29th Sun City Center reports three Covid_19 cases. Nearby Apollo Beach has two more.

I’m observing the stay at home rules, but last night I did take Sophie for a golf cart ride. We didn’t get close to anyone. There were groups of carts parked the appropriate distance apart. Everyone is feeling isolated.

Because of the corona virus we’re basically quarantined so we can’t (or shouldn’t) go out. Making sure I have everything I need has been a challenge.

I’ve been ordering stuff through Instacart which allows me to shop at Publix and Aldi and delivers things to me. Each time I’ve ordered, some stuff has been out-of-stock but finally I have nearly everything I’ll need for the long-haul.

Eventually I’ll crave more variety but I’m in truly good shape.

What I’m missing most is company. I’d love to invite someone over but that’s not acceptable.

I am avoiding contamination so I haven’t been interacting with anyone. The county has issued a “safer-at-home” order so I can’t (legally) have visitors anyway.

I’d love to be outside (even on the lanai or patio) but the oak pollen is high and I’m very susceptible so I have to avoid it. I could wear a surgical mask (which I have) but they’re realllllly hot and it’ll be 90 today. I’m therefore inside looking out.

There’s lots to watch: squirrels, bikers, birds, cranes, golf cart drivers, dogs, walkers, and even a skinny fox this morning.

Sophie has been a true blessing. She’s so much company. She follows me everywhere. I can’t go to the bathroom without hearing her pitiful crying at the door. At least I’m not talking to myself.

With time to spare today, I decided to review http://sharons-blog.com. I’ve been keeping a blog since 2006. Today my review went back to May 2018, when John died. It was interesting to read how my life has changed since I’ve been on my own.

The greatest changes have occurred the past few months. The corona virus with all the shut-downs and closings and being sick with a bad cold, have made the biggest changes.

This serious virus has caused the cancellation of EVERYTHING. Everyone is forced to stay inside. Therefore I’m feeling alone, hence the review of my past couple of years.

This week it’s been even worse because Wednesday I had a basal cell skin cancer removed from my upper right lip. I’m left with a huge bandaged area. It’s a good time to be stuck inside since I don’t want anyone to see me. Hopefully the scar won’t be too great but it’s in a bad spot (from the nostril to the edge of my lip). I’ll have the stitches removed Monday.

Today I found reviewing my blog was an eye opener.

When John first died, I as very conscious of my finances. Now I’m relaxed. I know I’ll never be able to spend what John and I built together. I don’t give much thought to what’s going out of my account. I have my nails done every three weeks, I have my house cleaned every other Saturday, I’m even having groceries and meals delivered. It’s nice to feel financially set for life!

With the shutdown of all activities to avoid spreading the virus, I’m missing euchre, dances, and friends. I have enough food and supplies stored up so I’m in great shape.

When I look at my calendar, I see weeks of emptiness. I hope the quarantines are removed so I can go to the pool, go to dances, and enjoy myself.

My allergies are also limiting but once the pollen is washed away, I’m sure I’ll be fine.

This area hasn’t had rained for a looooonnnng time! If it would rain it would wash the pollen out of the air and I’d do better with my allergies. They are driving me crazy!

The invasion of the corona_19 virus has shut down our community.

As of Monday, 3/15/2020, none of the buildings in KP or in SCC will be open. The pools, fitness centers, etc. will all be closed because of the fear of the coronavirus.

I was scheduled to go on a bus/boat trip tomorrow. It’s been postponed/canceled. I’m relieved. I didn’t want to board a bus but hated to lose almost $80.

So I’m stuck inside. It’s ok with me.

Back in 1963, I caught the Asian Flu and almost died. I couldn’t go to the hospital because the hospitals were full. I had a temperature over 105!!! I was so sick I couldn’t walk to the bathroom. I remember the news spreading warnings about that long ago problem. It was real. I’ve never been so sick!!

I hope none of our residents get this coronavirus. It sounds especially bad for senior citizens (US!)

I have to go out today to mail my tax info to my accountant. It’ll be the first time I’ve really left my condo. (I did go to the clubhouse the other day to pick up a carry out order but went when it wasn’t busy and didn’t touch or talk to anyone.)

I feel safe inside but I guess I can’t stall any longer.

I’m still not 100% but better and maybe fresh air will help,

I’ve been sick for over a week with this horrible cold. I’ve stayed in completely so I wasn’t coming into contact with anyone (for both their and my protection).

Tonight I was going to get a carry-out meal from KP South Clubhouse but decided that it wasn’t worth the risk of spreading my cold to someone or contracting something in my weakened condition. I went on-line and ordered an Asian dinner from China 1 in Apollo Beach to be delivered by Door Dash. (Everything was paid for on line, including the tip.)

Yes, it cost me considerably more, but it’s worth it to be safe. I put instructions on my order that the doorbell was to be rung, my meal placed by the door, and I’d come out and get it. There was no close contact with the delivery person. We all need to start thinking of protecting ourselves and others. When you’re sick, it doesn’t take much to plan ahead and and avoid contact with others.

Living in a senior community it’s even more important that we are pro-active.

I’m on my fourth day of a lousy cold.

I promised a friend, that if I’m not better by Thursday, I’ll go to the doctor. Actually I think I’m feeling slightly better this afternoon.

I have been asked to go to dinner at Circles (the area’s nicest restaurant) for my 78th birthday tomorrow, but I doubt that I’ll be up to it.

With all the talk on the news of the killer coronavirus, I’m very aware of spreading my cold and the ramifications of being “run down” and exposing others to even a cold virus. I asked for a substitute Sunday when I was supposed to work at the Squad. I’m thinking that I may ask for another sub on Monday, unless I’ve greatly improved.

I am planning to take even better care of myself than I have been.

When it comes to being prepared for a disease that’s spreading fast with horrid, fatal consequences, I have ordered zinc lozenges and surgical masks. I’m actually thinking about limiting my outings to golf cart rides and skipping the dances and close-up encounters. I want to live a nice long, healthy life.

For those of you concerned about the coronavirus.

The original person who posted this was a professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego. He explained he was one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses (the 1970s). He was the first to demonstrate the number of genes the virus contained. Since then, he has kept up with the coronavirus field and its multiple clinical transfers into the human population (e.g., SARS, MERS), from different animal sources.

He said:

The current projections for its expansion in the US are only probable, due to continued insufficient worldwide data, but it is most likely to be widespread in the US by mid to late March and April.

Here is what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take. These are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza seasons, except for the mask and gloves.:

1) NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.

2) Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches. elevator buttons, etc.. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove.

3) Open doors with your closed fist or hip – do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.

4) Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.

5) Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been.

6) Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home’s entrances. AND in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can’t immediately wash your hands.

7) If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!

What I have stocked in preparation for the pandemic spread to the US:

1) Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas.

Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average – everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth.

2) Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth (We touch our nose/mouth 90X/day without knowing it!). This is the only way this virus can infect you – it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth – it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth.

3) Stock up now with hand sanitizers and latex/nitrile gloves (get the appropriate sizes for your family). The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective.

4) Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY “cold-like” symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available.

I, as many others do, hope that this pandemic will be reasonably contained, BUT I personally do not think it will be. Humans have never seen this snake-associated virus before and have no internal defense against it. Tremendous worldwide efforts are being made to understand the molecular and clinical virology of this virus. Unbelievable molecular knowledge about the genomics, structure, and virulence of this virus has already been achieved. BUT, there will be NO drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. Only symptomatic support is available.

I hope these personal thoughts will be helpful during this potentially catastrophic pandemic. You are welcome to share this email. Good luck to all of us!

His name is Jim. I’m glad to pass it on.