Before Art left for his Meals on Wheels route last week I made a mask for him.
However, he said that because the recommendation was for only those who are sick to use masks, he felt he might scare his 'clients' if he appeared with one.
When he got to his station to pick up his meals, there was someone checking everyone's temperature before they entered the building. He then got a sticker for his t-shirt to show he'd been checked.
Other than the temperature check there were no other precautions. (Notice that he's holding a hand sanitizer that he brought from home.)
Later that evening he got an email from Meals on Wheels that all volunteers should wear gloves and masks when they did their routes though they wouldn't be able to provide them.
And I'm thinking... OK... We have disposable gloves (very old painting gloves we found in the tool shed) but masks? One time use masks? Does anyone have enough of those to spare?
So what am I doing with my spare time? Yup. I'm going to make more masks for washing and wearing. I'm still doing research first though on whether it's a good idea.
POSTSCRIPT 1: Looks like everybody is having to come up with solutions to the problem of keeping everyone safe. For Meals on Wheels, Art got the notice a couple of days ago that delivery of meals by volunteers will be temporarily suspended not just for the safety of clients but the volunteers themselves. Instead, I imagine the paid staff will probably be taking all the routes which is pretty darn amazing. That’s a whole lot of deliveries to do.
Still, I’m glad because it was making me nervous to have Art out there trying to keep social distancing.
POSTSCRIPT 2: A wonderful teacher friend sent this video to me and I just had to share it. It's Zach Timson doing a Broadway version of the Corona crisis.
POSTSCRIPT 1: Looks like everybody is having to come up with solutions to the problem of keeping everyone safe. For Meals on Wheels, Art got the notice a couple of days ago that delivery of meals by volunteers will be temporarily suspended not just for the safety of clients but the volunteers themselves. Instead, I imagine the paid staff will probably be taking all the routes which is pretty darn amazing. That’s a whole lot of deliveries to do.
Still, I’m glad because it was making me nervous to have Art out there trying to keep social distancing.
POSTSCRIPT 2: A wonderful teacher friend sent this video to me and I just had to share it. It's Zach Timson doing a Broadway version of the Corona crisis.
Brilliant video! 'The Donald' is predicting life will return to normal 'very soon,very soon . . .' What planet does he live on?
ReplyDeleteThere is much contention about the use of both masks and gloves.
ReplyDeleteMy volunteer job closed last week. Some of the drivers were still taking seniors to appointments but those of us who manned the phones to take the ride calls were told not to come. The organization has a paid staff of 4 3 of whom ar part time. I'm wondering how they will get paid if the rides don't happen.
ReplyDeleteVery funny video. I liked his version of Oklahoma/O Corona.
Sadly, only the N95 masks work to keep out this tiny virus.
ReplyDeleteSurgical masks and even some n95 masks don’t filter to 0.1 micron. Homemade or cloth masks are > 0.3 micron so won’t filter.
DeleteGood gosh, that video is wonderful stuff! Look like Art is too... lots of impressive stuff here. :)
ReplyDeleteI read last night that the best diy mask material is a cotton tshirt or pillowcase. Lots of YouTube videos to choose from.
ReplyDeleteVery clever!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the video. Humor is the best medicine now. The information we get is so conflicting. Guess we just have to take what works for us. Glad Art is no longer exposed but hope someone is for those unable to get out for food.
ReplyDeleteI did wear a mask to shop this week. I was the only one besides an EMT who was also shopping. He gave me a thumbs up but I did notice it kept the rest of the shoppers away from us. In that sense, the masks work.
We don't really know what the best practices are, so we just do what we can to feel that we have some control, so we wear gloves and make masks. It might help. I know my hands are cracking for so much hand washing. :-)
ReplyDeleteI liked the video OK until I got to the TP segment, when I laughed out loud. Thanks for the humor and the laugh. Laughing each day is a good thing.
it's a scary time for all with conflicting ideas on how to survive...
ReplyDeleteNo one here wants volunteers (or employees) who are 65+.
ReplyDeletePeople are improvising in many different ways.
ReplyDeleteOur senior center is struggling with Meals on Wheels here too. The program is still going on with gloves. The senior center has a kitchen that is doing hot meals to go to drivers from the building loading dock.
ReplyDeleteThat video was great.
Please thank Art for being such a dedicated volunteer. Just as well the Meals on Wheels have taken this action to protect their volunteers and clients. Hopefully the time will go fast so that things can return to normal for everyone. Thank you for the link. He has an excellent voice with a fun way of putting a very important message across.
ReplyDeleteI hope MonW figures out how to take back their volunteers.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine Art wanting to continue to volunteer. I can also imagine it was making you nervous to have Art out there trying to keep social distancing. I wish you and the family well during these troubling and scary times.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful weekend, dear friend!
He looks so cute, like he's got bags of surprises ready to deliver. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThat's what I hear, masks are mostly good about preventing spreading it than getting it.
ReplyDeleteHis mask looks good!
ReplyDeleteAgree with the buddy says in video: stay indoor, stay inside, you'll hidden from the world :)
As you can probably understand, I am going a bit stir crazy, and I sure do miss my daily routine. Hopefully this will be over once we get through April. One can hope. I loved the video, it made me smile. :-)
ReplyDeleteI’m glad to hear Meals on Wheels are still being delivered. They are a life saver for a number of people. My dad and mom(now 93) delivered them faithfully for many years.
ReplyDeleteMeals on Wheels around the world are just wonderful …
ReplyDeletePlease do take care and stay safe and well.
All the best Jan
Do stay safe over there. Meals On Wheels have been wonderful for many people in ordinary times, but can be a challenge getting delivered now as Art discovered. PPE protocol In the hospital, other medical settings always is one time use in the room with a contagious patient or one so ill they needed to be protected from any germs we might bring in. Nothing could be removed from the room, so if I took in therapy materials they either had to be left there or trashed. We then had to remove our masks, gowns, gloves in such a manner as to not touch the exterior thus contaminating ourselves, and dispose of them in special trash bags that would be disposed of differently than ordinary trash from regular patients rooms. The whole process was deemed necessary to prevent transmission outside the room, to ourselves as well. Anything less increases the potential for spreading germs. Reusing these items as they’re having to do in hospitals is simply incredible to me. Our President doesn't have a clue and/or cares less about other human beings or he would have moved heaven and earth much sooner and even now in proactive efforts for prevention as much as possible.
ReplyDelete