A new challenge

As most of you know, I have faced significant challenges over the past eight years during which I have been posting on this blog: a rare pulmonary disease requiring the full-time use of supplemental oxygen, and two separate and unrelated cancers (Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma and Bladder Cancer). With the love and support of my husband and daughters and their families I have weathered these storms. Oddly, perhaps, I never felt particularly afraid. Each time I simply assumed I would get through whatever challenge awaited.

But the emergence and spread of the coronavirus, Covid-19, has me quite rattled. Mount Sinai Hospital, where Barry is on the faculty, has now seen a confirmed case, so it is no longer just something “out there,” it is here. In fact, just moments ago our synagogue, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, sent out a message which begins:

As you may have heard, SAR Academy and High School along with Westchester Torah Academy and Westchester Day School are closed today. This is a precautionary measure in response to a confirmed Coronavirus case in the schools' community. 

The message goes on to remind us of all the standard precautions we need to take, namely

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hands

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

• Avoid touching your face

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

• Get your flu shot – it’s never too late

• Stay home if you’re feeling sick. Call your doctor and let them know your symptoms and travel history.

SAR Academy is about a mile from where we live.

There may just not be enough hand sanitizer in the world to protect me from this. And while the mortality rate may seem rather low, with estimates of around 2-3%, my age and my underlying pulmonary disease puts me in the highest risk category. To quote David Crosby at Woodstock, but with much less humor, I am scared s-less.

Speaking of hand sanitizer, it is no longer possible to buy it at the local drug stores or on Amazon, but you can still find the ingredients, and here is a recipe for making your own:

Here’s what you need:

·        2/3 cup Isopropyl alcohol 91% (rubbing alcohol)

·        1/3 cup aloe vera gel

·        Essential oil in your choice of fragrance (optional)

·        A small or medium mixing bowl

·        A spoon

·        An empty container, such as a 3-ounce container from a travel toiletries kit

·        A small piece of masking tape for labeling

Here’s how to make it:

In a mixing bowl, stir Isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera gel together until well blended.

Add 8-10 drops of scented essential oil (optional, but nice!). Stir to incorporate.

Pour the homemade hand sanitizer into an empty container and seal. Write “hand sanitizer” on a piece of masking tape and affix to the bottle.

The CDC recommends using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. This recipe makes a sanitizer that slightly exceeds that alcohol content at 60.66%, so follow the proportions exactly. If you want a sanitizer with a higher alcohol percentage, decrease the amount of aloe vera to 1/4 cup.

Of course, hand sanitizer is the second-best way to keep your digits germ-free. The No. 1 way, according to the CDC, is to properly wash your hands.

For the time being, I am largely self-quarantined, with plans to limit outings as much as possible. This may have to go on for a while, we are just not sure.

Please, everyone, take care of yourselves and stay well!

Love,

Rebecca