The news about coronavirus, or COVID-19, is everywhere in the news.
Tonight, the President of the United States spoke about re-opening the American economy by May 1.
What does that mean for people with diabetes? Let us look at what the current state of quarantine has meant for millions of Americans, and people all over the world.
Life in the virus lane
People have had to change the way they think about germs, work, family, social life, and more. They have had to:
- Wash their hands more
- Clean more with disinfectant that kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses
- Shelter at home
- Social distance
- Wear gloves, masks and carry hand sanitizer when going out for essentials
- Work from home
- Stand in an unemployment line
- And more…
The coronavirus has caused the stock market to decline, huge stimulus packages to be passed by Congress including payouts to every single American, and even bigger bailout for big corporations.
What should people with diabetes do in light of lifting the quarantine?
Though as a person with diabetes, you may have been doing the above laundry list of items to try to keep yourself, your family, your coworkers and your environment free of the horrid yellow virus, going back to work or back to life in general after May 1 may present it’s own set of challenges.
As a person with diabetes, you are more susceptible to bacteria and viruses that cause illness. You may get sicker than the person without diabetes. It could take you longer to get better. So, what should you do if you must go back, heaven forbid, into an office environment come May 1?
Tips post-COVID with diabetes
The following is a list of tips to get your through post-COVID back to work or life in general.
Get out your backpack or your big purse, because you might need it.
Always carry with you :
- Hand sanitizer and plenty of it
- Disinfectant spray (if you can find it, otherwise disinfectant bathroom cleaner will do)
- Disinfectant wipes (or make your own with a 10 percent chlorox solution and paper towels)
- A mask or similar cover for your mouth
- Regular household gloves
- Surface barriers to place your clean bag on (this could be paper towels, clean cloths)
When you get to work and park your car, don your gloves and mask. Open doors to your office building with gloved hands. When you get to your desk, sanitize everything on it. Remember, you have been gone for a while. Do not forget the telephone receiver, and that germy headset.
Wipe down everything you can with disinfectant. Remove your gloves folding them one over the other inside out. Throw them in the trash can. Wash your hands with warm soap and water and use hand sanitizer.
Continue to practice social distancing and wearing your personal protective equipment for the next month. We should know by then if there will be new outbreaks, or if we’ve beat the curve with our social distancing and sanitation practices.
Continue healthy lifestyle behaviors
Overall, with diabetes, eat a well-balanced diet. Keep blood sugars well controlled and your A1C in your target range. Get some fresh air and exercise while social distancing. If you do, I feel confident you can avoid the virus that is caused so many challenges for all of us. Stay healthy out there!
