Journal entry by Jennifer Athen —
Hello everyone!
This will likely be the last post I make and for good reason. Last night, Dad was able to be taken off of oxygen and did just fine all night. Today, he finished his last dose of anti-viral medication which means he has medically cleared to leave the hospital. Jessica and I brought his belongings so that he could change into his clothes and have his wallet and keys. After we made sure he had everything he needed him, I drove him back to his van at Woodwinds.
He will need to self-quarantine for another 7 days to ensure that he is no longer contagious. What this means is that he will remain in his room whenever possible and if he leaves his room, he will need to wear a mask. Anyone else in the house needs to wear a mask as well - this includes visitors! Please avoid visitation for now and give him time to finish quarantine so there is absolutely no risk to anyone in picking up the virus. He will be able to return to work and life as normal after that.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE educate yourselves on the facts of this illness. The CDC and the WHO are great resources as they are the ones studying it at great length to help eradicate the virus from our environment. Things you can do:
> ALWAYS wear a mask when in the public or around those whom you don't know with absolute certainty do not have the virus (remember, people who never display any symptoms could be spreading it around and just because someone else is wearing a mask doesn't mean you are protected - the best way to ensure you won't get it is to control what's on your own face!);
> make sure to practice good hand hygiene (always wash your hands after you go to the bathroom, before you handle your food, avoid touching your face/mouth/nose; avoid touching public door handles when possible, carry hand sanitizer in case you are without soap and water),
> lastly - you can NEVER be too careful! This is a virus just like any other in that it will infect other people if you do not do the right thing. The flu is also a virus though so just remember, these people should not be treated as though they are less just because they have contracted an illness.
Be kind and be safe!
Much love,
Jennifer
This will likely be the last post I make and for good reason. Last night, Dad was able to be taken off of oxygen and did just fine all night. Today, he finished his last dose of anti-viral medication which means he has medically cleared to leave the hospital. Jessica and I brought his belongings so that he could change into his clothes and have his wallet and keys. After we made sure he had everything he needed him, I drove him back to his van at Woodwinds.
He will need to self-quarantine for another 7 days to ensure that he is no longer contagious. What this means is that he will remain in his room whenever possible and if he leaves his room, he will need to wear a mask. Anyone else in the house needs to wear a mask as well - this includes visitors! Please avoid visitation for now and give him time to finish quarantine so there is absolutely no risk to anyone in picking up the virus. He will be able to return to work and life as normal after that.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE educate yourselves on the facts of this illness. The CDC and the WHO are great resources as they are the ones studying it at great length to help eradicate the virus from our environment. Things you can do:
> ALWAYS wear a mask when in the public or around those whom you don't know with absolute certainty do not have the virus (remember, people who never display any symptoms could be spreading it around and just because someone else is wearing a mask doesn't mean you are protected - the best way to ensure you won't get it is to control what's on your own face!);
> make sure to practice good hand hygiene (always wash your hands after you go to the bathroom, before you handle your food, avoid touching your face/mouth/nose; avoid touching public door handles when possible, carry hand sanitizer in case you are without soap and water),
> lastly - you can NEVER be too careful! This is a virus just like any other in that it will infect other people if you do not do the right thing. The flu is also a virus though so just remember, these people should not be treated as though they are less just because they have contracted an illness.
Be kind and be safe!
Much love,
Jennifer
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