“History will not forgive us for waiting an hour more,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “This is our generation’s great test, our moment to stand tougher as a community. Amid our collective fears, we will find our uncommon courage.” This past week that I have been working in the hospital, friends and followers have applauded me for putting myself at risk to help the sick and frail. But you can be a hero, too. Even if you are too selfish to self-isolate for the elderly and immuno-compromised, then be selfish enough to do so for yourself, because young people get severely ill with COVID-19 and they die from this virus as well. I get it. This is hard. I hope no one in your family, or no one you know, dies because of this. Because that’s what we’re trying to accomplish. Minimizing needless deaths.
Part of the reason this is scary is because so many people are dying, and there are so many unknowns for this disease. We are still finding out the characteristics but what we know is that this virus likely lives on surfaces for 2-3 days. It loves banisters, bar tops, tables, chairs, etc. We know that it is susceptible to drying out, UV bleach, detergent and disinfectants. And if it lives for 2-3 days, that means it can die off in 2-3 days. Every virus needs a host, so don’t be it’s host!
If you have been self-isolating, I am here to applaud you. You don’t have to be a nurse or doctor on the front lines to be a hero. You, too, can save someone’s life today by staying away from public places. Wash your hands. Disinfect. Stay in. Self-isolate. Today, save someone’s life. Be their hero.