Maintaining Normalcy Amidst the COVID-19 Outbreak
How the COVID-19 health crisis has impacted SOAR members, and seniors in general, is hard to put into words. My thoughts, and those of the SOAR and USW Executive Boards, are with all of you in these trying times.
The Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/) has information on everything from symptoms, how to protect yourself from possible exposure, and how to prepare yourself for a potential “shelter-in-place” orders like we’ve seen implemented in a growing number of states.
Because there is some variation in how states are responding to COVID, especially concerning where to go for help or what businesses remain open, the USW created a link where you can find your state’s health department website. Just go to http://usw.to/StateHealthDepts
Because Social Security field offices have also been closed, it is important to know that their services continue to be available via the agency’s toll-free line, (800) 772-1213 and its website www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/
If you are just trying to deal with the day-to-day realities of being at home for hours or days on end while keeping yourself healthy, I’d recommend the following:
- Continue to be active while “social distancing” (the recommendation to keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others to minimize exposure to COVID). Unless your state or locale has decided otherwise, we can abide by “social distancing” while going for a walk around the neighborhood or at a local park.
- Make a schedule! I’ve found that a daily schedule that consists of even basic things like reading, exercise, a hobby, and meal preparation can be helpful in keeping me productive and focused on self-care.
- Use Facetime, Facebook Live, and other tools to keep connected with family and friends. If you don’t know how to use these services, pick up the phone and call someone close to you who does.
I cannot overstate how important it is for all of us to be taking care of our mental and physical health throughout this national crisis.
Lastly, our union has launched a COVID-specific informational site that is linked on our union’s homepage at www.usw.org/covid19