The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
As of this writing and submission to the Seashore News for May’s edition, it is April 20. By the time you read this, ten more days of the COVID-19 will have progressed and hopefully we will be experiencing more positive and encouraging news.
The Ugly
Don’t fall victim to the ever-present scams. Be wary of emails and phone calls during this crisis that ask you for credit card information or Social Security numbers promoting a Coronavirus vaccine or testing. Also, watch out for ads and emails selling products that are bogus or never arrive. Some emails include a link that will install malware to steal your passwords. DON’T click on those links. BTW, also watch out for scammers pitching job offers, census scams, election scams, Medicare cons, and phishing Amazon calls.
It’s unfortunate that in this pandemic we have to deal with crooks and others that prey on our anxieties.
Here are some worthy web sites that provide credible information on updates and suggestions to keep your exposure to a minimum and offer valid tips and suggestions to protect yourself from scams:
■ CDC.Gov/Covid19 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
■ GlobalCitizen.org
■ NIH.gov (National Institutes of Health)
■ Cedars-Sinai.org
■ StatNews.com
■ Health@Harvard.edu
Or, simply Google your specific interests for Q and A. The information is endless. However, beware of the ad stouting products related to COVID-19. Many of them are not legit.
The Bad
There’s no sugar coating the pandemic’s adverse effects,not only health but also on economics, emotions, and day to-day challenges. BUT, do not succumb to either “I can’t change this” or “Why me” and do not let it tow you under. Fight the nega-tives with all your might. “This, too, shall pass.”
You already know what steps you need to take to stay safe and healthy until we are back to a more “normal” life existence. Wake up in the morning with resolve and be as positive as you can, especially with family and children.
Watch your nutrition, get adequate rest and sleep, pay attention to hygiene, and STAY AT HOME until all is clear. In my humble opinion, this will change our way of day to-day living for some time. We just have to deal with it.
The Good
Make your quarantine as positive as you can. Play and enjoy your time with family. Consider all the things you can do to pass the time like reading, games, and catching up on jobs or projects.
Take the opportunity to volunteer or donate at a food bank, make masks for those that need them, call friends and keep in touch, especially those to whom you can bring some smiles.
Send emails to say, “How are you doing?” or “Miss you.” And, maybe my favorite, EXERCISE and stay fit. WOW, we live in our own paradise here. Our greenbelts and the beach have a whole new escape perspective now. Get some Sun! What’s the first exercise you need to do before you get out of bed in the morning? (Answer at end of this article.)
Sit in your back yard, smell the new blooms, buy apuppy (Benson), and the strawberries are awesome now.
How about a cocktail at 5:00? Cook some of your favorite long-overdue recipes. Zoom, Skype or Face Time with your special people. In closing (and this might be the end of my career as a journalist), did you know that, if the current closures stay in place muchlonger, there might soon be 80 million fewer blondes in the U.S.? And here’s the answer to my earlier question: SMILE!
—Kent Wellbrock
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