Staying Vigilant is Important, Here’s Why

As we continue to follow stay at home orders that include restricting visitors at The Nathaniel Witherell, it’s easy to get frustrated with the lack of connection to loved ones. But, it’s important to remember that this inconvenience is not only temporary, it’s critical to the health and well-being of everyone at the Witherell.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “limiting your social contact doesn’t just help protect you. It also helps protect the people who are most vulnerable to getting sick from the virus.”

Who is most vulnerable? While the virus may only cause mild symptoms in many of those infected, COVID-19 can cause severe illness in the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems.

So, continued vigilance by everyone in the community is the best way to keep our community at the Witherell safe. While we all wait for a potential vaccine, our best defense right now is to continue to flatten the curve to prevent disease spread. This includes:

• Avoiding contact with people who are sick.
• Self-quarantining for 14 days if you’ve been sick or exposed to COVID-19.
• Social distancing with others (stay 6 ft apart).
• Wash your hands often using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid touching high traffic surfaces in public places.
• Wear a mask or facial covering when in public places.
• Maintain a healthy diet, exercise, get regular sleep, and manage your stress levels.

To fight “isolation fatigue,” try these tips:

• Set up weekly Zoom gatherings with family or friends.
• Get outdoors—Mother Nature is a free mood booster!
• Do something for someone else—offer to pick up groceries or prescriptions for an elderly neighbor to drop off at their doorstep. Walk a neighbor’s dog, mow their lawn, or do their spring planting so they can stay safely indoors.
• Check in—social isolation and uncertainty can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Make sure friends, family (and you) are feeling okay.
• Try meditation, yoga, and creative activities.
• If you continue to experience negative feelings, seek support from a pastor or mental health professional.

While we can’t predict what’s ahead, we do know that preventing the spread of disease is a selfless act that will ensure that we’re all back together again, sooner.