“The Trump Administration privately projects that daily coronavirus deaths will nearly double by June 1, even as it presses states to reopen.”
It came as a flash text on my phone. I took an exasperated deep breath! One month from now US deaths are predicted to double! Just two days before that phone text, an announcement had been made by the Indiana Governor’s office that — contrary to the plan of neighboring states— that there would be an gradual opening up of the economy in Indy on Monday, May 3. Throughout that entire weekend of anticipation, temperatures in the 70’s and sunshine drew many outside to bask in the glory of anticipated freedom.
The Brunstings/Johnsons were no exception. We all enjoyed a driveway picnic at the home of our grandchildren, truly the first and closest of the visits we had enjoyed in some time! Yes, this Grandma had to hug! No way I could not. If I get sick, I guess that it is God’s will. At least they will remember a hug from their Grandma! Togetherness felt good and right, though a bit strange. A constant awareness of crossing an imaginary line of caution remained our unseen guest. Personal distancing has taken family life to a whole new level of constraint.
Due to the shutdown, an annual physical for John (with our Wholistic General Practitioner) had been delayed. The easing of restrictions encouraged us to go ahead and schedule the visit. We were very glad that we did! Not only did we receive the encouragement that John continues to be in prime physical shape at a very YOUNG 73 years of age. We also got an unexpected gift of perspective on this life altering pandemic. We were both greatly encouraged. Why, I ask? Why did we come away feeling a bit lighter— leaving with a more reasoned concern than when we walked in?
One definite gift was a bit of reality about the COVID 19 virus. From our Dr’s perspective, this enemy, though challenging, should not be as deadly as it has been in so many parts of the US. It is a virus, yes, but not one of the most dangerous of the viruses. He shared his point of view that what was happening in New York City was totally unnecessary. He voiced a concern that ventilators may be more a part of the problem than a solution to the problem. I had heard that from another source, but had not given it much credence, caught up in the fear and worry about ventilators NOT being available when needed.
I have always preferred the more natural approach to healthcare in all areas, truly believing that many of the medical practices gleaned through hundreds of years of common sense have SOME redeeming value. Yes, I am thankful for antibiotics and polio shots and clean water and sanitation. But not all of the refinements of 21st century medicine are of equal benefit, in my humble opinion. Synthetic is not necessarily better if natural is available and safe and practical to use.
I share a core conviction that it is possible to boost our immunities. We can heal from disease by placing our bodies in the right environments, feeding them the right foods and supplementing our diet with what it lacks. That is how our bodies were created. They have the ability to heal with the help of their Great Physician and Creator!
Our wholistic physician offers many alternative approaches, perhaps the most significant encouraging the boosting your ability to ward off the virus and bacterial infections in the first place. If one succumbs, there are many alternative options to fight the virus, such as Vitamin C intravenous feedings and Ozone therapy. Offering a private ICU option, the practice has additionally taken overflow from the local hospital for those cases that required monitoring in order to free up the hospital’s ICU for more serious cases. To date this practice has not lost a patient and has had amazing successes in fighting COVID 19 for all ages. Why are we hearing so little about these alternative options?
Are masks really making a difference? I had heard that all this masking was simply to prevent a carrier from transmitting the virus. It does little to protect the wearer from getting the virus…unless it is medical grade, those hopefully being used in the ICU as PPE. In our Doctor’s office yesterday, NO ONE was wearing a mask. To be absolutely clear in making that statement, however, it was expected that all who entered that part of the office were symptom free and had washed their hands before entering. All symptomatic patients were to enter in another part of the building, separate from the main offices.
One basic assumption is made for all who are a part of this practice and it is worth mentioning. All patients are on an excellent supplemental protocol for the building of strong immunities. Our doctor feels that is one key reason his patients do so well if they contract the virus. Additional protocols are also offered if one begins to demonstrate symptoms. There ARE things that can be done to help you fight the infection should you come into contact with it. No one likes the feeling that they are a victim in a war with anything, that there are no ways you can fight back. For far too many weeks we have been given the feeling that all that can be done is to stay home, social distance, watch for symptoms and pray that we don’t get the virus. Why have we not heard about boosting our immunities to build up our body’s defenses?
John and I came away with several things we could do to increase our abilities to fight this bug, should we come into contact with it. And should the worst happen and we succumb, there are many more ways to fight it than simply bandaid our symptoms and wait it out until your temperature gets too high or we cannot breathe. Our Elyse was told that she should not come back in to the ER until she could not say a sentence without having to take a breath. Nothing was offered to help her body fight the virus!
Our practical questions were answered as well. How separate should we be with family under the circumstances? A reasonable approach was suggested. With no symptoms, hugs are totally necessary and reasonable…just no kissing on the mouth and if anyone has any Covid symptoms, temperature, cough or nasal discharge, we distance! Life experiences should be encouraged for family…within reason. And if you begin to have symptoms, call our doctor’s offices rather than rush to the ER, only to be sent home to monitor symptoms. How I wished that our Elyse had lived closer and could have benefited from his care!
I think that the thing that was most encouraging about what we heard yesterday was the fact that there ARE alternatives in the fight with COVID 19 that ARE having success…ALOT of success! I am hearing nothing about that on our local evening news casts. There is only fear, confusion and a sense of helplessness. Today, I came away with a rational perspective that yes, this is a challenging virus, but definitely NOT the MOST challenging virus in any sense of the word. There are options in fighting it that have had great success. However, those utilizing alternative options are not just holding their breath that this will contain things until a vaccination comes along. THESE medical practitioners will likely have nothing to do with that vaccination when it comes along, acknowledging that there have been few closely matched flu vaccines to date. There are negatives to be considered from vaccines, that we rarely hear about.
So who does one believe? And if our government gets to the point of insisting that we all take a vaccination against COVID 19, have we lost additional rights to decide for ourselves how we want to care for our bodies? It just might be that at that point you see this Grandma on the streets, social distancing, wearing a mask and carrying a placard!