My Corona - How I'm Dealing With the Corona Virus in Morocco
I try and live by a simple rule.
Don’t panic, prepare.
What follows are my personal thoughts on the Corona Virus situation. Please keep in mind that I am in no way an epidemiologist, health official, politician, or therapist. I’m just your friend who would like to have a chat. So, without further adieu.
To those of you who think this is all a huge hoax, IT ISN’T. And to the hopefully small group of you that think it isn't worth caring about, IT IS. Whether you get sick, or not, this pandemic will have lasting effects on everyone.
People are dying and will continue to die in ever increasing numbers if we as individuals and countries don’t handle the situation carefully. Again, I am not an expert, but I do spend 5 hours a day talking to Chinese kids and their parents who have been directly affected by the virus; most of whom haven’t left their houses in over a month. It’s their warnings that have informed how Ben and I have chosen to deal with the virus in our own home, here in Marrakech. This is a list of some of the precautions we have and are taking.
We are limiting our time spent outside, especially if it is around other people.
I work exclusively from home, so that has been a bit easier for me, with the exception of the market, where I have been trying to give people their space. In my opinion, travel, parties, games, sports, etc. will all still be there when the virus has calmed down.
When we arrive back home, we wash our hands and change clothes.
We decided to do this based on the health recommendations put out by WHO and the CDC.
be prepared as early as possible
If the virus has not arrived in your town, GREAT, now is the time to run to the pharmacy and grab a box or two of cold and flu meds and any prescriptions you may need. (You won’t want to be doing it when the pharmacy is full of sick people).
Meal prep for around 4 weeks
The dad of one of Ben’s students urged us to prepare, especially when it comes to food staples and medicine. He said that they were really under prepared when they were quarantined, which made everything that much harder. I personally, would always rather be over prepared and not need it as opposed to be under prepared and caught off guard.
For us, that meant we filled up our freezer with meats (hotdogs and brauts are a great and cheap option), rice, pasta, vegetables, flour, oil, butter, dog/cat food, etc. We made sure to buy the basics for all of our favorite meals, because who wants to be trapped in the house with crappy food?
I understand this is a huge privilege that is not afforded to everyone. Buying multiple weeks of food is expensive and not everyone has a freezer or place to store things. If that is your situation, please know that you are filling my prayers. I hope our local and national governments are developing ways to help the most vulnerable populations.
rationally consider the what-ifs
All of us are going to be negatively affected by the virus in some way, so while you can, it’s best to think about and prepare for a few of the major what ifs.
For us, that meant dealing with our Moroccan residency paperwork a few months in advance. With a disease that is spreading so rapidly, it’s best to try and tackle the hard stuff as early and quickly as possible.
For you, that could mean asking your boss about how you could work from home. Or figuring out how to file your taxes online instead of having to go in to see your accountant. Or coming up with games for your kids if they are going to be out of school for an extended period of time.
Make it fun
Have a bunch of books you’ve been wanting to read? A new hobby you want to learn? A series you’ve been wanting to binge. Well, now’s the time. Try to frame it in your head as a forced mini vacay. Everything that you are stressed out about not happening right now, will happen later. Games, sports, work, etc. It can wait.
And if you’re staring down the barrel of being trapped in the house with children who don’t understand why they can’t go outside, make sure you have fun things for them to do!
Limit social media
The hysteria is real, ya’ll. I personally struggle with anxiety and have really had to limit my exposure to social media the past week or so, because who the hell knew there were so many things to worry about? Me, I knew, but seeing it in my face all the time is not helpful AND I am not my best self when I am panicked, and I bet you aren’t either. So for me, I have tried to pick just one trusted news source to get my updates from, and that has helped calm my brain a lot.
Be considerate in our decision making.
We are aware that our decisions don’t simply affect us, but every single person we come in contact with. I may be able to successfully contract and survive the Corona Virus, but many, many people won’t. As we all make decisions in the coming weeks, I hope we are all able to consider each other. Consider the full hospitals. Consider the disabled who can’t easily prepare for themselves. Consider the elderly who are stuck at home. Consider those who are still having to work outside of their homes. Consider your uncle who is spewing crazy shit online. Consider the people around you at the market.
Be kind
We are in a very unique place in history and we all need to try and be the best humans we can possibly be. So, drop off a box of food at your grandma’s house. Amazon a good book to your friend. Call your representatives and urge them to develop policies that will protect and support the most vulnerable in society. Make cards and mail them to those in the old folks home who aren’t allowed to have visitors. Send a thank you email to a nurse or doctor you know. And most importantly, don’t over buy things you don’t NEED or fight with people online or at the market.
To wrap this up, please know that each of you are on my heart and I am praying for this crazy world we are living in.
If you have any questions (about what’s happening in Morocco, want my killer shopping list, etc.) or suggestions about how to prepare (food, activities, etc.) please drop them in the comments section below. And if you would like to say something mean, unhelpful, or nasty, please go back to Facebook and do it there, because I will simply delete it.