COVID-19

Mass hysteria and panic have flooded social media posts, while grocery stores lines are snaking down the isles and even the streets; not only in parts of China and the United States, but all across the world. As international officials are declaring a state of emergency and closing boarders and blocking travel to and from their respective countries, people quarantine themselves away into isolation for 14 days.

This is all due to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring  COVID-19, popularly known as the Corona Virus a pandemic...a flu-like outbreak spreading all over the world.

It started in China, in the city of Wuhan and was reported to WHO in December that it was spreading. Slowly reports trickled in to major news networks and the virus entered the spotlight of the mainstream, SOCIAL MEDIA.

Now all types of conspiracy theories and wacky ruminations are flooding peoples phones and minds and creating panic and terror...from government bio-chemical warfare to population control.

Let's be clear:

Is the virus dangerous?

Yes.

It has the flu-like symptoms and people may experience

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing (severe cases)

People are being advised to wash hands regularly, use hand sanitizer and to isolate themselves as to not spread the virus and that if they experience any flu-like symptoms to immediately go to the doctor to get a professional diagnosis.

The virus is treatable, but if not handled properly or seriously, it can be deadly. It has killed over a thousand in Italy, and death rates continue to rise in China and other countries as well.

~

A few weeks ago, I started to feel sick. 

I was lying on the couch and tried to sit up and got light headed. Hot flashes warmed my body, while sweat beads misted my face and my body trembled. Shit. I got up steadying myself on the arm of the chair and walked to my bedroom. I grasped my water bottle and chugged. I looked up and my reflection in the mirror showed droopy eyes and slightly swollen face. After talking to my brother, I took some dayquil and planned to take nyquil before bed. I made home remedies of tea with garlic, honey, lime and vinegar...and drank hot water like wine. I continued with my daily yoga and meditation practice and....well...I got better. The only that lingered was this super annoying dry cough. I stayed in my room a lot, alone, and would walk around suppressing the cough for the fear of getting stares or looks. I even set the intention to heal and then...just like that...one day the cough was gone.

Did I worry that I had it, yes, of course.

But I didn't focus on that thought.

I just did everything I could to get better. 

Everyone is afraid and wants to overcome this, and taking preventative measures is best, but we can still help each other.

Think about the homeless people, where will they go?
Or families on welfare?
Or babies being born at this time?
Or the elderly,
Or the disabled,
they are WAY more susceptible and vulnerable.

My hope is that these fear-based actions, which seem to be spreading faster than any pandemic, will subside and the comfort that we are all in this together and are resilient creatures; and can overcome our challenges, not alone, but together will prevail.