According to recent data, Mississippi currently has the highest COVID-19 hospitalization rate in the nation, at 31%. That’s 11% higher than what we originally told. That’s because of a combination of reasons: High co-morbidities (Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, immune issues, cancer all seem to be factors in how your body reacts to the disease.), public policy choices, poverty, access to health care, etc.
Models show that our hospitals will be flooded with patients in the next couple of weeks. And the best thing we can do is avoid being part of that flood.
The preferred plan of action is to avoid getting COVID-19 (the people who’ve had it say it is not fun — that a “mild” case will kick your butt). We are (well some of us) are social distancing, washing our hands, not touching our face, wearing masks and gloves and wiping down surfaces. Those are the arrows in our quivers. But since it is more contagious than the flu and cases are growing, that is getting harder and harder to do. We don’t have any immunity; chances are we’ll get it before a vaccine comes out sometime next year.
I want to be part of the 69% who don’t require hospitalization. And to do that, I need to build up my immune system to be the best it can be.
I will exercise, eat well (nutritious food — not the kind of eating well I am normally good at), reduce stress through meditation, lose weight (since obesity plays a role in outcomes). I will use my time in shelter in place to get stronger. The virus may kill me but not before a hell of a fight.
I’m committed to being one of the 69%. That’s one number we want to grow.
