Hi friends,
I started this off as an Instagram post, but the character limit cut me off before I even got close to my point so here I am on the blog talking about something completely off topic, but I felt like it was important enough to say. I also found myself searching forever trying to find a photo to match what I’m about to type, but there’s really no good photo to match. So I’ll just post. First off, we’re ALL healthy and just fine. I don’t want to make you continue reading thinking I’m about to drop some big dramatic bomb, because I’m totally not. I just want to talk about what’s happening around the world because it’s at the point where it’s really hard not to.
I struggle with anxiety. It got extremely bad after I lost my dad six years ago, but I’ve done my best to keep it under control. I’ve always had it, at least a little bit, but it was mostly weather related situations that would set me off. I’d have, what I think now were, panic attacks when weather got really bad like tornado warnings etc. It was the lack of control I felt that really, really got to me. I had zero control over the weather so I felt helpless and scared and angry and sad. Over the years it’s gotten MUCH better especially after having my daughter.
I guess my mama instinct kicked in because I have never panicked in a situation because I always want Pepper to know that it’s okay, no matter what.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about my dad and how he used to stand out on our front porch in crazy serious bad weather. Just stand and watch the stupid clouds and I’d lose. my. ever-loving mind seeing him out there, but even now years later.. I do remember myself thinking, “as long as my dad is standing out there looking at those terrifying clouds. It’s going to be okay.”
and guess what? It was.
My dad was a man of few words so I never knew and now I’ll never know if this was a strategy for him to keep his family calm because he knew as long as he wasn’t panicking we would know it was okay and we were safe… or maybe he was just a storm lover, maybe both. Now, I’m not saying that was the smartest strategy if it was one because something terrible could have very well happened while he was standing out there, but what I’m saying is that while he remained calm and even though I was still very scared, I felt safe. Very little, honestly.. I can’t really think of anything, shook that man which is kind of a really admirable thing and something I unfortunately did not inherit.
Now, let’s bring it back to today and now, the Coronavirus is obviously a serious situation. It’s scary. Dang it Tom Hanks even has it! I’ve lost sleep because I’m up late at night reading articles about it, but honestly? The scariest thing about it? The hysteria. I get tight in the chest thinking about some headlines I’ve read and things I’ve seen. Headlines that aren’t even true! I’m definitely not saying do not prepare your home and keep your family safe. God knows that’s what we all want to do. I’m saying to keep calm for yourself, your family, and society. Buy some extra food if you don’t keep a very stocked kitchen (I actually do keep a pretty well stocked kitchen because of what I do for a living), keep hand sanitizer with you and use before and after you’re in a public place, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and please stay home if you’re sick.
I’ve always carried hand sanitizer with me because I have a kid and kids are gross, man. But even selling out of hand sanitizer!? It’s a bit scary. This week we decided to start the whole “social distancing” thing which trust me, is VERY hard to do with a toddler who just wants to GO GO GO and that same toddler who wants to GO GO GO licks the shelf at the grocery store because it’s “funny”. It made me cringe when she did it before, but now? What do you even do when you have a kid who just doesn’t understand the concept of germs or that there’s a virus spreading? I’m not going to sit and explain to her because I don’t want to scare her. I want her to go on living life as normally as possible because panicking doesn’t do any one any good. We paint, we play games, we watch movies, we do projects, we bake cupcakes, mommy loses her mind.. it’s all good, y’all we will be fine. If the worst thing that happens is that I watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 43985 times tomorrow, then I’m okay.
We may not be able to control what’s happening, but we can take control of this by taking small precautions that make us feel safer. Pepper has no idea anything is going on except that we’ve been staying home a little more, her parents are being extra boring, and I’ve been asking her to wash her hands more often than usual.
Life is literally full of obstacles and we have all had our share of them. This is a new one, it’s a little scary, but we will get through this one too. I’m just trying to let you know that it’s okay to be a little scared. it’s okay to take normal precautions to protect yourself and your family. It’s not okay to hoard hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and whatever else is going to be the next thing thing that people decide is super important. It’s not okay to shame someone for feeling like this is serious. Remember your peers need to stay healthy too in order for this thing to stop spreading.
I’ve contemplated writing this for days and I am no expert on this type of situation in any way, shape, or form. But, I do know from personal experience that staying calm is best. It’s easier to feel in control when you’re calm.
So take a deep breath with me, stay safe, eat your fruits n’ veggies, wash your hands, and most importantly, be kind.
With love, Star
I realized today that I am anxious about this. Not for what has happened, but for the uncertainty of what the future looks like. What brands and business we love will we lose merely by bad luck? Not your blog, that’s for sure. I saw your post and came here to look around and comment. We love you and little Pep.
Thank you so much, Natalie! You’re the best for “stopping” by. Wishing you health and safety through this crazy time!
thank you for always being real and open. Just reading this made me feel better
I needed that
Thanks for writing this post. I’ve stopped watching television because my anxiety was getting out of hand, and I’m not an anxious person! If it’s okay, I wanted to share something that happened to me a couple days ago. I was at Whole Foods and I started coughing in the checkout line. Dry mouth and dry throat are 2 of the side effects of a cancer drug I’m on. The cashier got this exasperated look on her face and chastised me for being out in public when I was sick. She forced a tissue on me and asked me to cough into it if I couldn’t control my cough while I was in her line. I was desperately trying to get a throat lozenge out of my bag because they usually help calm my coughing fits. While she was checking me out, she peppered me a million questions, was I not feeling well, had I had a cold recently, was I running a fever? I finally told her that I was recovering from breast cancer, that my coughing was related to a drug I now have to take and that I didn’t think she could “catch” cancer from my coughing spell. She looked at my very short hair, my now thin body (See! There is a silver lining to everything if you just look hard enough! ;D) and suddenly got it. I wasn’t trying to be snarky and I totally understand that her job involves being close to hundreds of people a day. My point was that we have to calm down. Is Corona virus out there? Absolutely! Could we be near people that have it and they not know it yet? Sure, but not everyone who coughs or sneezes in public is a carrier of this disease and mindlessly and selfishly trying to infect you. Sometimes, they’re me…someone who is trying hard to live life as normally as I can despite having just fought the battle I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Stay safe, stay calm and be kind!
Please stay calm. I work for an agency under CDC and while COVID-19 does seem scary, the measures taking place now (closing schools, sporting events, Sunday worship services, etc.) are to prevent the spread of the virus and the best way to do this is to limit contact with others and thus, avoiding exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 is the best way to prevent infection. Practice everyday preventive actions recommended to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including
•Avoid close contact with people who are sick
•Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth (this is hard and many people do not realize how often they touch their face)
•Stay home when sick
•Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw tissue in the trash
•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
•Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
As this is a new virus and products have not been tested against this specific strain, standard cleaning products that kill other viruses will be presumptively fine against COVID-19. Some other points to note: Most commercially available household disinfectants are expected to be effective in disinfecting contaminated surfaces. Product label instructions must be followed. The strongest evidence so far indicates that COVID-19 is transmitted by respiratory droplets—coughs and sneezes—from infected individuals. It’s not yet clear how likely humans are to be infected by touching possible contaminated surfaces. It is not recommended at this time to do anything beyond routine cleaning in your household if no one is sick.
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. If you have these symptoms, you should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis. For more information about the various steps to take when sick, individuals should visit the “What to Do If You Are Sick With COVID-19” page on the CDC website.
And as a final note, please be smart and follow measures to stay healthy! Also don’t forget that we are also entering allergy season so not everyone who coughs or sneezes may have COVID-19. Just be smart and cover your coughs and sneezes regardless.
As a retired NYPD cop, I was so used to being in control of my emotions on so many levels. Now, I’m struggling with all the news hype. My daughter goes to college in New Rochelle where the largest cluster is. She is home now, but I can’t help but worry about when she has to go back. I can identify with you on so many levels and it’s hard to stay positive but we have to! Sending you and your family much love and well wishes Star!
Thank you for your post, you are so right we need to stay calm and do what we have been told by the CDC to protect ourselves and our families from this crazy virus. I know we will get through this with God’s help and using our brains. Wash , wash your hands. Pray for those who have been affected!!!!!!
PBS Kids has some great resources to help explain this to kids. Daniel Tiger can make anything relatable! I have a 6 year old and we just focus on “germs are bad”. We are pretty hyperviligent about the yearly flu so we’ve just kicked it up a notch.
I know what your saying, it seems like the world has gone crazy, hoarding toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc. But, essentially l just have canned items, l have always had items stocked especially in winter months, due to storms, we have had a decent winter, the only thing is refills of meds, that l have to get…l don’t have a 3month plan, like others, but l am 61 and my husband 65 and our daughter lives with us because she is immune compromised, she is my main worry with this virus, because she also has asthma, and whenever she gets sick it goes right to her lungs, so she is very susceptible to not surviving this virus, and this worries me all the time, she has to go for a 3 hour infusion at the cancer center, and she is going to wear a mask, l asked her to, l know they asked only those infected to wear them, but l think if you are immune compromised, you should wear one too if you are in public. I can’t wait for this to be over, and l pray that we don’t lose many people, especially our dear elderly ones, and our sick ones trying to get better, nobody deserves this, and like you said be kind, think of the other person’s welfare, don’t go out if your sick, don’t make another person sick because of your selfishness, treat the person like you would like to be treated… l hope that you and your family get through this safely and in good health
Thanks for your thoughts on this. You’ve summed up most of my sentiments about the situation very eloquently. I look forward to your recipes and now I look forward to your posts on your point of view. Hang in there. I truly believe we will make it through this
Well said mama. I have really bad aniexty too. I’m on medication for it. Lately all I think is coronavirus! I have a 3 year old and I have to saty calm for her. Luckily I’m a stay at gome mom and my husband works at home. So.us staying home is nothing new to her. I just keep telling myself this will go away soon just stay calm. It will go away it’s just so scary! We got this though!
I love this. Thank you!