I borrowed the title of this post from Thomas Paine, one of the most influential activists during the American Revolution.

I held off writing about the current pandemic because the amount of information we're ingesting changes so quickly. My usual positive slant on life and living with MS won't cut it this time. What we're facing now is scary and unprecedented in modern times.

My focus remains the same, to educate, inspire and empower you as much as possible. And if there's one thing I hope you come away with after reading this post (despite it being so cliché) is that we really are in this together.

It's our responsibility to not only help ourselves right now but also help others whenever we can.

It's an anxious time to be alive with the rampant spread of coronavirus affecting our world. The growing number of people testing positive, many losing the battle, turns normal everyday stress completely on its ear.

Now it's a whole new ballgame. I think from here on in we'll be referring to our lives in terms of of pre-virus and post-virus.

Disputes on who's responsible for COVID-19 or what steps should have been put into place prior to it seem senseless right now. Our main focus is fighting the monster that's destroying thousands upon thousands of lives, and following mandates to stay home, practice physical distancing, and washing our hands often to "flatten (or crush) the curve."

The World Health Organization (WHO)  recommends the following:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (Author's Note: For at least 20 seconds or the length of time it takes to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY) or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• When coughing and sneezing cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or tissue. Discard the tissue in the trash.
• Keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, particularly those who are coughing and sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands.
• Practice food safety by using different chopping boards for raw meat and cooked foods, and wash your hands between handling them.

Here's a good video to learn how to properly wash your hands:

And an excellent video on safely unpacking grocery items at home during coronavirus:

Here are a few extra precautions for people living with MS:

• The MS International Federation (MSIF) issued guidelines for people with MS, mostly on the continued use of disease-modifying therapies (DMT). They advise that if you're on a DMT and are either exposed to COVID-19 or test positive for it to contact your neurologist or other medical professionals.
• Dr. Barry Singer in his blog, MS Living Well, offers advice on immune status AND age and disability:
• IMMUNE STATUS : "Many multiple sclerosis medications could put a person at increased risk of serious complications from coronavirus infection including pneumonia or even death. All FDA-approved medications to change the disease course of multiple sclerosis impact the immune system. As a consequence, your ability to fight the viral infection may not be as robust. Many MS medications have been studied to make sure that people can still mount an immune response to new virus while the medication is being taken. Ocrevus, Gilenya and Mayzent have been associated with an increased risk of respiratory infections in clinical trials and might make MS patients on these medications at increased risk of coronavirus complications.   Lemtrada and Mavenclad could also potentially put people with MS at higher risk of serious complications during the year after the last treatment course.  Whether Tecfidera, Vumerity or Tysabri treatment would impact susceptibility to coronavirus complications is unclear.  Teriflunomide is likely low risk for increased complications.  Copaxone and interferons (Avonex, Betaseron, Extavia, Plegridy and Rebif) are likely quite safe as well.  NEVER STOP YOUR MS MEDICATION ON YOUR OWN SINCE COULD LEAD TO PERMANENT SEVERE DISABILITY. ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS BEFORE MAKING TREATMENT DECISIONS.
• AGE and DISABILITY: Elderly patients are at greater risk of death.  Overall, the risk of death is estimated at 2-3% of infected COVID-19 patients.  People with MS with higher levels of disability such as with moderate to severe weakness in arms and legs may be more vulnerable to coronavirus complications."
• It's important to learn the difference between immunomodulating and immunosuppressing drugs and which one you're currently on. According to Gavin Giovannoni, MBBS, Ph.D., “Unless you are on interferon-beta [Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron, Extavia], glatiramer acetate [Copaxone, Glatopa], or teriflunomide [Aubagio], the so-called immunomodulatory therapies, your immune systems are likely to be compromised and hence you are at risk of getting more severe COVID-19 infection or secondary complications of an infection.”

Mental Health

It's common to feel a range of emotions in light of the virus. Fear, anxiety, depression, and sadness can hit you like a ton of bricks and there's nothing wrong in admitting this is happening to you. Join the club! We're living in unchartered territory so go easy on yourself if your mental health is off-kilter. If you find it's uncontrollable more often than not consider seeking professional help from a qualified therapist via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, etc.

Here's an informative resource and information guide from The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and a link to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information sheet on stress and coping during COVID-19. I urge you to take a look at both.

Here are 5 quick tips to protect your mental health from UC San Diego Health:

Ways to Help Others

I found this article from The Idealist filled with great ideas (including links) on how to help others throughout the pandemic. During World War II citizens provided supplies to American and Allied troops by contributing to the war effort through rationing consumer goods, recycling materials, purchasing war bonds, and working in war industries.

This is our World War II. Here's a list of nine ways The Idealist advises we can help one another:

Check on your neighbors.
Explore ways to connect and volunteer virtually.
Waste not, want not (as in shopping for necessities.)
Give blood.
Make a donation.
Be a Leader.
Find your local mutual-aid network.
Remember those who are still out there on the front lines.
Take care of yourself!

Some Self Care Videos

We need to continue taking care of our bodies as we hunker down in quarantine. Here are a few videos to make it easier for you:

To wrap this up here's something I wrote this weekend and shared on social media. I pray the virus never pays you or your loved ones a visit, and that you're safe at home with people you love. Now more than ever we need each other. Blessings to you, always. Namaste.

It's an anxious time.
A time that tests our faith.
And the truths we tell ourselves.
So feed yourself with love. Buckets full of love.
❇️
We need to stay aware of what's going on around us.
And heed advice from experts in medicine and science.
❇️
Turn inwardly to discover what feeds your soul and act on it.
You don't need to be constantly productive.
Like cleaning every closet, writing a first novel or working diligently on a daily planner.
❇️
Trust your instincts.
Weed out inner chatter.
Keep the faith.
Stay strong.
Eat healthy.
Lean on others.
Call someone you haven't spoken to in awhile.
Plan a Zoom call with old friends.
Check in on the elderly, immunocompromised or those feeling lonely.
Take a physical distancing walk.
Snuggle with pets.
Watch a good movie.
Listen to music.
Read a good book.
Journal.
Meditate.
❇️
Stay well. The world needs you.