Are you scared of the coronavirus?

If this outbreak happened 6 years ago when Tiara was still alive, I would be absolutely terrified of the coronavirus. Truth be told I was terrified of every cold, flu, and virus that was “going around” throughout her life, especially influenza A and B. During the last years of Tiara’s life, she always struck with a case of influenza A or B and one year both within a 2 month period, both of which landed her in the ICU. During one influenza hospital stay, she ended up on a ventilator and needing dialysis because her kidneys shut-down.

Having a child or loved one with a compromised immune system lends itself to a life of anxiety and a serious fear of germs. The fear is real! When Tiara was alive and still to this day, I always kept a bottle of sanitizer in my center console. Every time I put her into the car, I would reach over her body, grab the sanitizer, squirt some into her palms and manually help her spread the disinfectant around her hands. I would then go around and get in the driver’s seat and repeat the process on myself. Despite this effort, she still always managed to get sick. I still continue this act of sanitizing my hands every time I get into my car after leaving a public place. Even if I do five quick errands, I will sanitize each and every time and I really think it has helped me stay healthy. Knock on wood, but without Tiara bringing every illness into our home, I have only gotten sick maybe twice in the past 5 years and both times, it was a cold or virus Trinity brought home.

Just last week Trinity was home sick with a cold for the day and she said: “remember when I was little and got sick and you made me stay in my room because you didn’t want Tiara to get sick? I felt so bad when she said this because I remember banning her to her room, in the hopes she wouldn’t spread the virus. It never worked, but I still tried.

“Yes, I do. I’m sorry about that babe.”

“I know, Mom. I’m just glad that you can take care of me and sit with me now when I’m sick.” She said as she sneezed all over me.

So back to reality and the coronavirus.

If you or your loved ones don’t have a compromised immune system and aren’t elderly, what exactly are you afraid of? Are you afraid of being self-quarantined in your home for 2 weeks and missing work? I understand that missing two weeks of work could be financially devastating to many people, so that is a legitimate fear if you live paycheck to paycheck. This would be disastrous in our household if my hubby didn’t have sick days. But if you could work from home, have enough accumulated sick days or have enough money to survive two weeks without going to work, what are you freaking out about?

In my opinion, I just think people love the drama of the outbreak. It gives everyone something to talk about. When you strike up a random conversation with someone at the bank, in line at the market or in an elevator it usually revolves around the weather because the weather is usually a safe subject.

“Boy, it’s hot out today. Can’t wait for the rain to stop. This rain is good for the drought etc.”

Aside from asking someone how they are and talking about the weather, there are few safe subjects in the world and now with the coronavirus, it’s a new topic, that is relatively safe. While entering an elevator you could say: “could you please push 5 for me? I have a compromised immune system and don’t want to touch the numbers, I really can’t get the coronavirus.” Or while in line at Target, you could say to the lady in front of you with a conveyor belt filled with bleach wipes, hand sanitizer, Gatorade and paper towels, “wise move, getting prepared, just in case.” She would look back at you, smile and probably start talking about the coronavirus.

As I write this, I think I have found a positive to this outbreak. Maybe people will engage each other more? Let me think for more than one second…. Nope, I’m wrong! Well, that’s stupid Tiffani of course that won’t happen. People no longer hug, shake hands in church, only elbow bump and will probably try standing six feet away from anyone they don’t know as recommended by the CDC. I’m laughing at myself right now even though you may not think this is funny at all. It seems a bit humorous to me.

I’m just hoping the outbreak gets contained quickly because I already bought my ticket to Paris for the first week of September to celebrate Mara’s 50th birthday. Mara, my BF from college is finally turning 50 this year and is celebrating with a trip to Paris for two weeks. Everything is mostly paid for except for the flight, so I couldn’t pass up this amazing opportunity, so I’m going! Maybe I’m stupid, but if the trip was next week, I would totally still go despite the warnings. Oh well, I’m going to keep positive that this will all blow over by September and the number of deaths remains low.

Talking about taking trips, next Thursday I’m driving to Phoenix, Arizona for a book signing at Mara’s photography studio. Beth is driving with me and Jen is meeting us via an airplane and we are going to spend the weekend catching up on girl time. I’m so excited! I haven’t done anything like this in the past 21 years. Now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t think I have ever gone on a girl trip since leaving college and marrying Lou. I haven’t! Wow, another first.

If you live in Phoenix or the surrounding area come visit me at the book signing.

In conclusion, if you are part of my TSC family, I am praying for all of you because I know the threat of the coronavirus is very real and very scary.

Have a wonderful weekend!

live, love, and laugh, like it’s your last…

xoxo tiffani

Don’t forget to read my book, Loving Tiara, available on Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com and lots of other online book retailers.