Corona19 Diary
01/03/2020 We are Unaware: We listen to early morning radio broadcasts
before we leave for the construction site. January of 2020, the news was
peppered with information about a lethal virus. The Illness seems so far away,
most people dismissed the report. Little did we know that soon the world would
be enveloped by a pandemic of epic proportions...which started in China.
01/19/2020 Corona 19 Diary First Reports: Little did we know that
our days in the trailer were numbered and would soon end. Reports came from
Asia and Europe that a deadly virus was spreading. It was moving across the
world due to the travel of people who were unknowingly infected. We watched and
waited
02/07/2020 We are Unsuspecting: Safety is an ongoing concern on any jobsite. Now it seems we may have a serious health/
safety worry, yet our health officials are slow to react. The morning radio has
repeated the message about a virus called Corona 19 that is spreading from
China to other parts of Asia and Europe We have begun to hear about a virus spreading in China and on a Cruise
ship. I thought what many construction rules say…CAUTION!
02/14/2020 Valentines Day, CORONA 19 Virus is Spreading : Today the
morning news gave a frantic warning about, “Corona or Wuhan virus”, which is
now travelling from China to Italy, to India, Turkey and other areas. One method of spreading the virus is cruise
ships. Landing in various places those infected spread the disease to those countries
by interacting with the populace. living far away from the epicenter of disease and
well across the pond, no one in Canada or Manitoba, or Winnipeg where we are
serving a mission, demonstrated any fear about a new virus. Without a care, or
mask, or gloves, or hand sanitizer we talked and laughed, and on Sunday we
hugged and shook hands with most everyone we met. Most virus is communicable before
the main symptoms appear...and then it is too late as a sneeze or touch can
infect a bystander. It also lives on objects {fomites} such as surfaces,
containers, or implements for several hours or days depending on the object. Travel precautions are
not implemented at this time except for cruise ships who were refused entrance
to several ports they were set to visit. Death is adding up aboard the Holland America,
and Princess Cruise Ships. Authorities have not yet cautioned to meet in small
groups or use social distancing as a way to prevent the virus from spreading.
These protections are not talked about by health professional in Canada or the
United States reporting on the epidemic. And I’m surprised, that most
people in Canada don’t seem concerned about the epidemic. Even with a few cases
reported in Nova Scotia, and British Columbia, the illness still seems so very
far away. We are told, the virus manifests like a mild flu for most
people but can progress to severe respiratory distress. It presents much like SARS
and can lead to death. Many US States, and Canadian Provinces are starting to
request travelers to self isolate and use a 6’ Social Distance. (what is that?)
02/28/2020 Corona 19 Virus; most people in North
America are still Unconcerned Europe. We are getting reports including deaths. China gives a limited
amount of information, but the Western World is starting to stand up and take
notice. I have checked on my friend who lives in Milan Italy. They have not
left their home in several weeks. A son who lives near-by is bringing them food
and supplies. Still, most people we know are
not concerned about the epidemic. We joined a large group of friends at a
Chinese restaurant to celebrate the, “Year of the Rat” New Year. We were crowded around two large round tables.
The food was good and soon we left for the Wong home to mingle and partake of
desert dainties. It did not occur to any of us that we were at risk
for a Covid-19 infection from exposure and interaction of our large group, or
that many in the gathering are over 65 yrs. old, or that there was a threat of infection
transmission from a food preparer who had recently travelled to Mainland China.
We discover people deal with
stress in different ways. The common populations’ response is to buy toilet
paper. Within a week, no matter where you go to shop,
toilet paper on the shelf has disappeared, including the supplies at SavOn,
Costco, Walmart, Canadian, Super Store, and Sobeys. Our children in the United States
send us pictures of their empty grocery store
shelves particularly devoid of any paper product. We send pictures to our family about stalking the almost extinct prey of
the “Rare Charmin Roll” and how we rejoice having captured a 9 pack. Very soon the ability to interact with friends, will
become limited by the threat of the illness and death.
02/30/2020 The Understandable Attitude is; Who
Cares, Not my problem! I’ve studied epidemics, such as the one that
coincided with WWI and I never expected to be exposed to the huge amounts of
communicable disease those folks endured.
I am surprised, that most people in Canada don’t seem concerned about
the epidemic. Even with cases reported in Nova Scotia, and British Columbia,
the illness still seems very far away. Little
did we know that familiar traditions of greeting and person to person
interaction would change in the next few weeks.
3/06/2020 People in North America remain Uncomprehending of
the danger Corona 19 is spreading across Asia and Europe like warm butter. It’s travelling from China to Italy, India to Turkey, and some is popping up
in the USA and Canada. It’s amazing how people
we know are still not very concerned about the virus. China continues to share
a limited amount of information. The buzz word has changed from epidemic to pandemic.
And finally, the alarm sounds
in the United States, New York, California, Florida, and our home state of
Arizona. But Still at this point Canadian radio news is more concerned with
sports teams, cancellation of Basketball and Hockey is more shocking than the
mounting deaths and reports funeral homes have no room for the dead. All states have started reporting Corona
cases and deaths. The virus was not
simply far far away...Corona was here and ready to contaminate North America
top to bottom and side to side. At this point I wondered why the US started
suggesting citizens to come back to the states. Having studied public, and
community health and knowing how virus, bacteria and all disease spreads, I
thought, “stay where you are.” A few weeks later the cases and deaths
start to grow in the United States, New York, California, and even our home
state of Arizona reported cases of Corona 19. The few news reports we get in
Canada say, “The virus in Europe is spreading fast.” We began to scan for recommendations which
varied from continent to continent, state to state, province to province. How
can health professionals each give a different message? This is confusing! At church on Sunday, familiar traditions of
greeting, such as hugs and handshakes, were replaced. Afterward we mingled and tried to not shake
hands, we instead bumped elbows. One fellow decided tapping someone’s shoe was
a great greeting, until he gave Elder Patrick a kick in the shin. We did not
know that this would be the last Church meeting we would be attending for many
months.
03/12/2020 The Unprecedented Creeping CORONA LOCKDOWN BEGINS- The threat of death is real. Virus cases and deaths are now reported in
Ontario, Washington, and Oregon. The limited news we can get has communicable
disease health care professionals as well as politicians and local celebrities suggesting
recommendations: “Stay at Home and keep a 6 ft social distance.” Today we
hear from Trudeau, and Trump reporting on national cases and hospital
availability. Respirators are in short supply and the blame game for not being
prepared is beginning. But most of the Canadian population continues be oblivious. The disease is
communicable before the main symptoms appear...and then it is too late as a
sneeze or touch can infect a bystander. The virus also lives on objects
{fomites} such as surfaces, containers, or implements for several hours or days
depending on the object. Symptoms are like a mild flu; fever, chills, and
cough, for most people, but it can progress to severe respiratory distress. It
is much like SARS, and can quickly lead to death. We are lulled into an almost
soporific attitude toward the virus by the lack of news regarding the
seriousness of the pandemic. We don’t get a newspaper (the Canadian free
press is not free) and the radio is more concerned with sports teams, so we are
not well informed.
03/13/2020 The Unexpected happens. Church news announced that missionaries who
are not in their home country are being sent home. At our regular OAC meeting with Corey Daniels,
and Robert, the architect from Abarc, and PCL Superintendent no one talks about
the virus, however afterward Corey and Jim Kroeker, the Church Project Manager,
decide we should close the visitor center and work from our condo across the street from the
construction site. On
Elders with
Masks: For several weeks Airports were packed with the returning missionaries.
As the planes loaded up, others waited patiently in lines to board planes.
Church Hymns, and tears broke out among the Seniors, young men and women
going home.
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Saturday I put-up
CLOSED signs and we took
our computers
home.
Grandson Zachary Melby, home from Argentina, and his
cousins, Jared Melby home from Australia, Kyle Melby, on his way to Fresno
Calif. and Jake Melby home from Korea. All arrived back in the states
within a week of each other and put together a missionary Webcast. Zack was
reassigned to Dallas Texas and hopes to return to Argentina before his
mission is finished.
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Missionaries sent home will be re-assigned. Most returned wearing masks
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Missionaries lining up to board a home. While waiting
many sang Church hymns.
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The World Begins
tracking Unwanted Covid 19 Cases: “Coming to a
town near you,lockdown” Canada
cases 6,252 63 deaths United States 122,653 2,112 deaths
Manitoba 72 0 deaths Arizona 919
17 deaths
Our daughter Rebecca
called to tell us her Missionary in Argentina was being sent home. We watched
several You-tube clips of thousands of young men and women and senior
missionaries boarding planes to come back to the United States. We were worried
we would be on a plane back to Arizona any day.. Without a hesitation we
sent the message, “We’d like to stay. We are continuing with the
documentation of the construction.”
3/19/2020 (Letter sent to our
Special Project leaders) Quarantine Week #2
Church Special
Project Department, To,
Jerod Doxey, Corey Daniels, James Kroeker, Kathy Wardrop
During this Corona-19 outbreak across the world we understand that many
Senior Missionaries have been sent home from their areas of service. Most
Senior Missionaries fall into the at-risk-group, and we understand this risk.
We have prayerfully made the decision to stay in Winnipeg to continue our
mission at the Construction of the Winnipeg Temple.
We are self-isolating in the condo across the street from the site where
we can continue to monitor construction progress and take pictures.
The only way to
return to the states and our home is by a 4-day car drive; during which
exposure is unknown and air travel is not recommended by the CDC or Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. We have access to the job photos to
continue our work and will only return to the site as necessary. We will limit
interaction with others by use best practices, hand sanitizing and social
distance. Our potential exposure would be much greater in Arizona than in
Manitoba by evidence of the number of cases present in each area. Maricopa county,
where our home is located, is the greatest area impacted in Arizona. The Lord
has called us to serve in this area and we believe we will be blessed for
remaining here. Sincerely, Elder and
Sister Hanrion 3/20/2020 Response to our letter of request to remain in
Canada
Sister & Elder Hanrion,
Thank you so much for this letter and for all of your efforts on the
Winnipeg Manitoba Temple Site. I have enjoyed working with you and
getting to know you…and I look forward to completing this project with
you. If for some reason your condition changes, or you have a different
assessment of the situation, then please let me know and we can make other
arrangements. Otherwise, enjoy your quarantine in your condo with the
most amazing view. Sincerely, Corey
Daniels
We were happy to get the
response quickly and that we could choose to stay. It looks like Manitoba is
doing a bit better in statistics than our home county of Maricopa in Arizona and
hope we will not be sent home like many others. Who knows how we could get
there safely? Or be able to come back into Canada. Non-citizens of Canada
cannot enter without special permission and signing a document of compliance
for Sheltering at home for 2 weeks We
settle into a routine, almost
03/21/2020 The Unconventional mission; In Quarantine we watch the temple site from our balcony. I can take
pictures long distance, and we have decided to go to the temple site once a
week to document progress. As we watch
hundreds and then thousands of missionaries who have been evacuated board
planes. We have talked to the mission president and he says that missionaries
who are native to Canada will stay. Those from other countries including the
U.S. are being sent home. We prayerfully
decide to remain in Canada and send a letter regarding our desire Via E-mail to Special Projects. A response
arrives the following day. We have been given permission by church officials to
stay in Canada. Many are surprised we have remained in Winnipeg. 04/02/2020 MISSIONARY MOMENTS: Quarantine week 3
Covid 19, Some are Unhappy: The Virus has
changed the lives of most Winnipeggers and all missionaries. We spoke with the
Mission President and he informed us that all senior missionaries have been
sent home and all young missionaries who are not in their home country have
also gone home.
We have been obeying
the Canada social distancing rules in Winnipeg and keep our outings to a
minimum. Once a week we leave our little
condo to purchase food and visit the Temple site. We take pictures of the
weekly manpower counts. On one such trip
while at the check-out counter of a grocery store, we were assisted by a
cashier with a scowl look on her face.
We told her we appreciated her service and thought she looked very
nice. So, from behind her sneeze/bullet
proof plexiglass shield she said, “I am not nice, happy, or want to be
here.” We responded with, “Nevertheless,
we are still happy you’re here!” At that
point we all had a good laugh at the irony of the COVID-19 experience. On our
ride home we decided that we had cheered her just a little bit.
4/03/2020
The Unwanted Covid isolation/quarantine We are glad to get daily updates from President
Nelson. With so many conflicting orders and messages from WHO, CDC, Trudeau,
and Trump’s medical advisors it’s hard to know who or what to follow. We
decided, “We can’t go wrong following the prophet. He is so comforting, and we
follow his council.
Working at home looking at the temple out our 4th
floor window is not a substitute for walking the temple site once or twice a
day. Checking on the new cases and the death count numbers is now a daily
activity. We do not have masks and we
see many people wearing them. The
grocery stores are open early for Seniors and we have taken advantage of that
kindness. Lines form on duct- tape marks on the concrete outside stores. I
tease and say I’s a blessing, so we don’t get trampled by the millennials
running around the store looking for toilet paper. Arrows are on the floor, so shoppers follow
the way to go up and down the aisles. Some follow the rules (which is difficult
because the rules change daily) and others don’t. Most don’t care but watch
out! or you’ll be reprimanded by another
shopper…as if you were trying to cheat at musical chairs. Shopping carts are
cleaned before persons can take one and you are offered hand sanitizer and
wipes. Most people wear masks. Some wear gloves. I’ve tried to find gloves, masks,
and sanitizer but no such luck. I have resorted to the internet and Amazon, but
considering our luck with Canadian mail, I hold no hope the masks I ordered
will be delivered anytime soon. Funny thing, they come from China! Two months later in May, masks arrive…But they
were the ones our oldest daughter made for us because she was worried for our
health…she has been making masks for the staff at the little hospital near her
home. In the past, such as after WW1,
troops travelling back to the United States brought smallpox and Spanish flu.
Today Snowbird winter travel, and cruise ships act like the MILITARY bringing
disease back to their country of origin.
04/09/2020 Unabated CORONA case count grows coping continues:
4weeks isolation Canada 22,453
Death 987 USA 650,833 Death 32,707. Manitoba 221
Death 3 Arizona
3,018 Death
89
People in Canada have followed the rules as set out
by the Premier of Manitoba. We’ve watched
the news and everyone, no matter what country, recommends the same. Cough in
your elbow, no hugs, wear a mask and stay 6’ away from people when you are out
of your home. We have a big window that looks out at the street, sidewalks, and
a busy intersection. For the first month it was like a ghost town, no one left
their home and very few were in cars on the road. Most stores and businesses
are closed. Hair salons, Gyms, (even the work out room at our condo is locked)
clothing stores are not open. People tattle and tell the police if people break
the rules. Yes rules…not laws, just someone you’ve never heard of, a stranger,
telling thousands of people to do their will. It’s a bit scary to see this but
we must comply as we are guest’s in Canada.
Our youngest son Michael teaches 5th
grade in Casa Grande AZ. and he told me
he has been teaching online classes. On Monday, each student picks up a packet
with Math, English, & Science reading and study sheets. He meets with them
on Tuesdays and Thursdays in an online interactive class. (several times I sat
in to see how it worked. The kids are well acquainted with computers so are
very comfortable learning this way. At the end of the session he reads to them
from the literature curriculum. Then on Fridays they can turn in their work to
the school office and Mike picks them up to grade and in the office leaves new
packets and their graded work. Online
there were 22 students, several others don’t have access to computers. The
students interact with Michael and each other well. It seems as if they are learning, even from
home. I’ll bet this is harder on the
mom’s than the kids!
On the Temple Jobsite, the
company who is building the Winnipeg Temple, PCL, has mandated wearing masks
for all workers and most meetings will be done via Zoom or Microsoft Meetings. We
are told temperature taking will come in the next few weeks. We keep watching the news to see what is
coming. We had watched the disease travel across continents and oceans to
arrive in North America. I was surprised people were advised to return to the
USA or wherever they were from. I was thinking, “Hey are those people bringing
the virus back home?” People are to self-isolate for 14 days, but there is no
way to know if they honor the request.
4/15/2020 Corona week 5 Isolation Canada Cases
37,622 Death 1,207 USA 650,833 Death
32,707
Manitoba 246 Death 5
Arizona 3,806 Death
131
4/17/2020; Moving
trailer 4/19
MISSIONARY MOMENTs: Announcements came over CBC. Unintelligible
“It’s a shame that some
people don’t understand the rules, Let’s go over the rules they are very
simple, the remember the rules change daily, and some rules but not all rules
apply depending on which state, country or province you live. And if you want
to live…”
“First of all, you must
stay in your house, and stay inside, unless you need to go outside, and you
have a reason to go outside, then you can go outside.”
“Second, All stores
must stay closed, unless they have a reason to be open, then they can stay
open.”
“The virus is deadly,
but don’t be afraid it only kills people who are vulnerable, or some who are
not vulnerable, but stay locked down until it stops infecting people, and when
enough people have had the virus we will have immunity, then we will be safe,
so maybe you should get the virus and help others, isn’t this all about
everyone else? So you should get infected, and also not get
infected so you can stop being afraid .
And by all means get grandma and grandpa out of the rest home!“
I’m confused by the
voices that come from all over. Thank goodness for the leadership in our
church. I know by following their counsel I will be safe.
4/21/2020 Six weeks of Isolation Manitoba is for the
most part is Unharmed
Canada 38,422. Death
1,837 USA 824,698 Death 45,297 Manitoba 256 Death 6 Arizona 4,929 Death 184
4/29/2020 Covid 19 Week 7
Canada
44,364 Death 4,871 USA 929,068 Death 184
Manitoba
263 Death 6 Arizona 6,045 Death 266
05/01/2020 MISSIONARY MOMENTS:
Covid 19 is an Unsolved Mystery
Manitoba’s Primer has
relaxed the restrictions on some businesses and parks, such as: · Non-urgent surgery and diagnostic
procedures; Therapeutic and medical services; · Retail
businesses, including clothing and sporting goods stores;
· Restaurant patio or walk-up services;
Hair salons; · Museums,
galleries and libraries;
· Seasonal day camps; and outdoor
recreation, campgrounds. · Therapeutic and medical
services; non-urgent surgery, diagnostics. Seasonal day camps; Outdoor
recreation and Of course construction and essential businesses with the proper
PPE have never stopped which includes our construction site. One goal is to get
as much construction material within Canadian borders as possible. Monitoring for proper PPE is an issue as
often well-meaning citizens report perceived violations.
We had a Zoom
Relief Society meeting this week. About 15 sisters were able to connect with
about half participating and joining the discussion. If we do this again it
would be nice to mute the microphones, so we are not serenaded by a group of
babies. However, it was fun to see the two new babies in the ward and learn of
a move-in and a new member during our discussion. We have not seen each other
since March 12, so two and a half months of isolation with no person to person
contact was why we wanted to know about everyone’s activities and get isolation
tips to not go nuts. The lesson was quite short due to this discussion.
A few of the
things some of the Canadians or residents are struggling with are:
1. Many Canadians
are new immigrants and worry about family back home in other countries. They
also have difficulty contacting friends and this adds to stress
2. The health
care system is okay for Canadians; however, a new immigrant does not have
access to doctors or clinics until they have their province’s health care. To
be eligible for this you must have a job and lived in Canada 3 months/183 days
per year. Other visitors such as
students pay for their own health care. Many new residents of Canada come from
humble or difficult circumstances. and
paying for health care is not in the budget.
3. For many their
major associations are those at church and the lack of this interaction is
distressing.
4. I suggested
having facetime activities with family that is isolated or reading stories to
grandkids.
Since Mid-March we
have had Sunday School lessons on Come Follow me. We all sign on to Zoom and we
get to see Megan and Darin’s family every week. Trevor, Ali and Ryan sign on
from Cedar City where they are going to school at SUU, Nanell (Darin’s mom in Kanab)
Beth and Jake are in Monroe with mom and Dad. Jake is preparing to send his
missionary papers in soon. It is a fun way to see how everyone is doing. I wish other kids would do
the same but that would take the entire day. After our Sunday School, our neighbor
Ruth Gietz comes knocking on our door like a little woo pecker and joins us for
Sacrament. Often, we discuss some gospel principles and her German heritage. She
was in East Germany during WWII
“When it comes to the probability of a pandemic
of Flu,
I think everyone would say,
It's not if, it's when."
Donald Burke M.D. Director
of Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research
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On Rt. This picture of nurses and patients
after a flu and yellow fever pandemic almost looks like us going to the
grocery store. Except, where is the social distancing?
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05/15/2020 Covid 19 Isolation: Week #9
Canada cases
44,364 Death 4,871 USA 929,068 Manitoba 263 Death 6 265 6 death
We are moving back to the Trailer and think we can get more work
completed.
06/01/2020 MISSIONARY MOMENTS: Covid News, Isolation Week #12
We had a fantastic week with the weather
warming and skies clearing here in Winnipeg.
The bikers, walkers, and dog walkers have doubled in the last week. This is the only medication for “cabin fever”,
which everyone is infected with.
06/15/2020 MISSIONARY MOMENTS: Covid Isolation continues Week #14
Canada Cases 100,
959 Deaths 8,410
USA cases 2,282,371 Deaths 705,703
Manitoba 313 7
Arizona: 46,689. 1,239
You might ask what benefits have
we received by the mandatory lock down and social distancing? We have found new ways to communicate. This week the Winnipeg Missionaries taught us
a lesson by an electronic conferencing program.
We also are connecting with our children in the same fashion. It is a new way of communication for us that
I hope will not stop.
“COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY
LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU
REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN OF
ME; FOR I AM MEEK AND
LOWLY IN HEART: AND YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR
SOULS. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.”
MATTHEW 11:28-30
06/25/2020
MISSIONARY MOMENTS: Covid Isolation Week #15
WE just signed off of a Zoom
Devotional for the missionaries. We were asked by President Hitchcock to
present at the Winnipeg Mission meeting with all the 80+ missionaries. I spoke
on the Temple and Elder Hanrion spoke on Missionary work. He had recently
discovered an Uncle that he only knew as a rounder and man who loved his drink
who had been a missionary in Canada. To earn his mission money, he took
neighbors’ flocks of sheep up to the mountain in the summer to keep the sheep
cool. In the winter he boxed to win the purse to add to his savings. Genealogy is so interesting and often reveals
things we never knew. We keep watch on the case numbers and as they add up in
Arizona, here in Manitoba the numbers are very minimal, and we continue to be
grateful we were allowed to remain in Winnipeg. My look-back
at epidemics and pandemics in my life. Uncommon problems
In the late 1800’s bubonic plague, black death, consumption/TB, killed millions and could cripple a city, or an
entire continent. The World Health Organization was established in 1948 to further
international cooperation for improved public health conditions and to study, combat emerging illnesses. Toward the mid-1950’s
Children in North America. and Europe were mass-immunized against Smallpox,
Whooping Cough, Measles, Diphtheria and Polio (Salk & Sabin). I was among
the children who stood in line at school to get the immunization shots in arms
and legs (girls got the smallpox immunization on their upper leg because it
always left a large scar.) West Nile Virus transmitted by mosquitos was
identified with neurological symptoms first in 1935 and became a problem in the
United States in 1953. At the age of 16, I was a student nurse at Olive View
county communicable disease hospital that treated T.B. patients. In 1962 I was
drafted into the army during the Vietnam war. When they figured-out I was only
17 the notification was withdrawn. 1n 1964 as a new Registered nurse, I
saw the Hong Kong Flu infect unsuspecting people who became violently
ill. I was working in a doctor’s office
in Beverly Hills California as a cardiac research assistant. Toward the end of
the epidemic, a flu immunization became available, but many were fearful, and very
few took advantage of it. In 1969 while working at Universal Studios I
gave over 100 flu-shots in one day. In the 1970’s Along came the Russian
swine Flu and in 1976 an epidemic of a viral haemorrhagic disease
called EBOLA was researched in the United States @ Ft. Detrick Md. Very few
cases were found in North America, however, it was recognized as a potential
for world wide pandemic. In 1983
while working in Hollywood at an ICU unit I cared for several young men who had
a rare lung cancer (Kaposi’s Sarcoma) which was soon recognized as an indicator
of HIV-AIDS. At first, health care professionals were told by CDC that
this disease was not transmitted from person to person…(I was skeptical).
Then the diagnosis of HIV became the political hot potato for homosexuals and blood
transfusion recipients who had the majority of identified cases of AIDS. Some
activists felt HIV positive patients would be treated with prejudice. During
that debate, health care professionals were not allowed to know if a patient
was HIV positive. In protecting patient privacy, doctors and nurses were put at
risk, some contracted the disease, and died. This development was the reason
for Universal Precautions for all patients. Today gloves, masks, and other
protective equipment is used in all hospitals for all patients. This policy was
implemented to not single-out HIV positive patients. Toward the end of 1989
it was confirmed by CDC that HIV was transmitted through blood and body
fluids. (origin: The West Africa chimpanzee). I had a family, five children, and wanted to
avoid extended contact with persons of unknown HIV status, so I completed my degree
in Public-Community Health and became a Professor of Nursing Education.
Finally, in 1992 health care workers were allowed to know the HIV status
of patients on a “need to know” basis. UCLA Olive-View County Hospital
re-opened in 2003 after retrofitting from 1997 earthquake damage, all
staff, including doctors professors and students were given mandated
immunizations against hepatitis and H1N1 Swine Flu. 2013 brought a new Avian H1N1 Flu,
and trivalent immunizations were given when available. My husband
and I retired and moved to Arizona in 2014. Our 1st Mission in Tucson
Az. Began in 08/2015. Our 2nd Mission to Winnipeg MB. Began in 08/2018.
Corona 19 was first noticed in China
12/2019. And
why am I not surprised that this new and virulent virus has come to a street
near…. all of us!
Today August 26, 2020 this diary comes to an end,
not because the pandemic is over, but because it continues, and we know not how
long. The counts of cases and deaths are
posted daily, and the horror has become a part of our lives, along with riots, and
chaos. Long ago a pledge was made by WE
THE PEOPLE, to protect our lands from all enemies both foreign and domestic, with
no mention of destruction by disease. But we adapt and press on…and on…
Happy to be back in the USA after 2 years in Canada.