The spread of CoVid-19 has gripped most folks with fear. This is especially true of those already battling chronic disease resulting in lowered or compromised immune systems. As a diabetic, I fall into that category. I’ve never been one to be afraid of much and I rarely get sick. However, when I do catch something; it is extreme. Since my diagnosis as a T2D, that has gradually changed over time. Now, with this new threat, I find myself fearful of the places I love most. For us diabetics, it is particularly important to be able to get those green vegetables in as well as have a ready stock of blood testing supplies. We won’t be touching on the masks and gloves routines. We also use all the standard protective measures like masks, gloves, etc.
I am fortunate to have a spouse that can help me. The tips below are what we engage in to ensure our safety but they can be used by those who do not have a partner as well.
1. Medication and Blood Testing Supplies:
- Call your insurance company and ask them to allow a prescription pick up for 90 days at a time. Most insurances will already allow this; however, if yours does not, they may be able to make an exception. Make it all in one run. Try to buy your groceries where you get your medications and limit the number of trips or stops you have to make.
- Order blood testing supplies such as lancets and meter strips online ahead of when you will need them. When they come in, use gloves when moving the box to a safe location. Let the box sit for 3 days before opening.
2. Green Vegetables and Pantry Stock:
- Frozen: Broccoli, Cauliflower (yes, it is considered a green), Spinach, and Kale are all great greens that can be bought frozen. This will help to substantially supplement your fresh stock and keep you from having to go back and forth to the store.
- Fresh Greens: Try to make the heartier types the bulk of the fresh greens you get. Items such as kale and turnip greens are a great example. When you get your greens home, be sure that you are properly washing them and storing them. Keep as much moisture out of them as possible.
- Go through your greens immediately and remove any aging, broken, or bruised pieces.
- Keep something absorbent in the clamshell boxes.
- Wash, dry thoroughly, and wrap any large leaves (like kale) in kitchen towels before storing them in the refrigerator.
- If your fresh greens look like they will be going bad in the next day or two and you don’t want to use them yet, steam and freeze them.
- Use your pantry stock. Most of us have a stock of items in our pantry. Tap into it. Extend the periods of time between when you have to go out by using your dried and canned goods. And, buy with that in mind. Canned items like spinach, turnips, and collards are super useful.
3. Decontamination Routines:
- Lay out a linen on which you can sit items coming in from the grocery onto. Anything like a tablecloth, bed sheets, or a comforter will do. As long as you can wash it at home.
- Using an appropriate cleaning mixture (70% or greater of isopropyl alcohol) or bleach, wipe down all items (including boxes) except produce. You could use the alcohol mixture on produce if you like.
- Wipe down the vehicle handles, steering wheel, and seat(s). We used Clorox wipes.
- Once you are done, gather the linen and the clothes you were wearing into the washing machine.
- Remove your gloves properly and dispose of them.
- Start the washer and then wash your hands thoroughly for at least 1 minute.
4. Activity Levels:
- We have kept our activity to walking the roads near our home. The walking trails close to us were too crowded. And, unfortunately, there were a great many people that were completely disrespectful of the social distancing guidelines. One group of young women took up three quarters of the walking space (which is wide enough for two side-by-sides together). There was no way to avoid them and, naturally, they were too busy talking to be courteous to others on the walkway. Due to this, we choose to stay away and stick to the less populated areas.
- Gardening, lawn care, home projects. Now is the time to get all those “get around to it,” things done! And, it counts as daily activity!
5. Ask For Help:
- If you do not have a spouse, or even if you do and they are also immune compromised, tap into your friends, church members, local organizations, and delivery services.
- When you talk to your friends or church outreach, ask when their next trip will be and if they would mind picking up your items as well.
How About You?
What are some steps your taking to limit your exposure? How are you staying active at home? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Check out the recommendations of the CDC here.
