Yesterday morning, I went to the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds for a COVID19 test. It was arranged by my doctor as one of many new preoperative measures I need to take before an elective surgical procedure on my knee this Friday. The medical staff (identified as the "Swab Squad") delivered clear instructions to keep us both safe, and the drive-through test set up was quick and easy--despite it being the most uncomfortable 22 seconds in my recent memory. By 3pm I had my results: negative!
Back to Normal?
With Stay Home, Stay Safe orders easing, and the Memorial Day weekend coming up, we need to be vigilant and continue practices that we have been performing during the crisis. A "new normal" in our social activities will include a combination of precautions to keep COVID19 from spiking a second wave of infections until a vaccine is widely available or herd immunity is reached. With no date for either of these in sight, we should be prepared to follow precautions for at least another year. The elements of what we need to continue to do are hygiene, screening, distancing and masks (a very informative article was published recently in the New Yorker regarding this).
- Good hygiene habits include hand-washing and disinfecting surfaces. You will see people wearing gloves now when they go out shopping, but don't be fooled. Gloves will transmit germs between surfaces just as your hands do. You still need to wash your hands frequently.
- Each of us can self-screen for illness by tracking COVID symptoms. If you have symptoms, stay home and contact your doctor. They will arrange for a COVID19 test if you need one. Another form of screening you may experience is at offices or medical facilities where staff will take your temperature and ask you questions. It is important to be honest and follow advice if you do raise any red flags.
- We all know the six-foot rule by now. It is a general rule for avoiding respiration that comes from normal breathing and talking. But, more forceful breath, like from coughing, sneezing or even loud singing, can send droplets farther. Social distancing includes avoiding group gatherings and crowded places. It also means to self-quarantine when you return if you do have to travel out of state.
- Wearing masks is incredibly important, even if you are not feeling sick, because some people are not experiencing symptoms even when they are infected. While a mask is not especially effective for reducing your risk of getting infected, it is highly effective at reducing your transmission to others. In effect, wearing a mask is a way of showing others that you care about them.
Consider the mask you are wearing.
Surgical masks, which are more available now than they were at the onset of the crisis, are the most effective in catching the droplet of vapor from your breath. A cotton cloth mask, with two layers of fabric, is also very effective at catching the moisture. Many people are using bandanas, but note that you need to fold the cloth over so you have two layers covering your mouth and nose. It might be helpful to have extra cloth masks with you if you find one gets wet quickly. Especially, if you are doing a lot of movement or physical activity which increases your respiration, you will breathe more and expel more moisture. Avoid synthetic material that is known to "wick" moisture as that feature is exactly why it is not effective in reducing transmission of water droplets.
Actions in Self-Care
In October, I shared information titled, "Self Care is not Selfish." As this crisis drags on, I think it is important to take an account of how you are doing. I highlighted three areas to consider when taking care of yourself: finding life balance, employing character strengths, and building resilience.
1. During the opening on Wellness Day, you all had an opportunity to assess your life balance. Several of you are taking steps now to adjust your balance with the Personal Wellness Challenge.
2. Another way to improve your well-being is to utilize your personal character strengths. Intentionally employing traits such as gratitude, creativity or honesty can impact your happiness and satisfaction. If you are interested in which character traits you are strong, and in which you have an opportunity for growth, take the VIA Character Strengths survey. The initial survey is free. Then, choose some traits to work on with "101 strengths-based actions to to connect, from a safe distance" or "340 Ways to Use VIA Character Strengths."
3. Resilience is our ability to bounce back in the face of adversity, or how we choose to respond to conflict. Actively building resilience can help reduce the risk of mental or physical fatigue. In her book, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators, Elena Aguilar discusses reflections and activities educators can do to build resilient habits (read article, "12 Ways Teachers Can Build Resilience"). If you are interested in building your own resilience, here are two options to doing so:
- if you like personal interaction and help with accountability, click here to work with a Progress Coach via VEHI PATH.
- if you prefer to work on your own with the help of an online app, try Driven Resilience Training. VSBIT is offering 120 days free access to this program (click here for more information).
And the last option I am highlighting is to take a professional development course through Castleton University (Summer 2020 course: "The H.E.A.R.T. Method of Self-Care for Teachers".) Description: Participants in this course will develop a thorough plan for personal self-care that will focus on balancing their daily work and personal lives. The course is designed so learners can create their own learning outcomes within the realm of self-care. They will be coached by the instructor in the areas of nutrition, exercise, and stress management with an emphasis on habit change.
Enjoy the weather. Keep social gatherings small. Stay home if you feel unwell.
Jaycie
(Tickle, tickle)
