Welcome to our world

For thousands of transplant recipients, whose immune systems are suppressed, the daily challenge of avoiding infection has got much harder. mother to 6-year-old Lily, begs everyone to work together as the coronavirus challenge grows. Veronika Klingler,

medication supply at home, but we are not going shopping mad, buying rolls and rolls of toilet paper.

I need cleaning products for my child always, and I can’t get any for her. That’s the one thing that really bugs me.

People are stockpiling and I actually need it and I can’t get it, and that’s the same for a lot of transplant families. I always have enough at home, but I’m running out and I don’t know what to do.

At the moment I have one bottle left, and only because I know a pharmacist. So people need to be aware. We are more than one person.

We are all in this together. Everyone needs to have a fair chance to get their hands on stuff they actually need.

Lily is quite upset at times that she cannot play with her friends. We are lucky that we have a dog, which she adores. Because she’s very used to it, she understands that we’re keeping her safe.

There are some friends she possibly could see, more than others, depending on what the parents’ jobs are – what their possibilities are of bringing the disease home. Play dates at our house are probably not such a good idea, but playing outside would minimise it. It’s about communication and trust.

We also are talking on the phone with one of her friends. At the moment it’s more about assessing what is going on and what could the exposure be.

Lily’s dad, Adam, is a builder. He’s not around many people and he’s working outside a lot. But his customers are nervous of him coming to their house – worried he will infect them!

My mum is overseas, in a part of Austria where they’re not allowed to travel to the next village, because they’re so close to Italy. So we’re really worried about them, because they’re over 65, and I can’t just go over. So that is playing on my mind. And Lily.

When you are constantly exposed to such terrifying and unprecedented news that involve statements of uncertainty and include travel bans and possible quarantine measures, people naturally feel a loss of control, stressed and scared. In an attempt to gain some level of control, people stock up on food and supplies.

Everyone copes differently, but it is important to be mindful of those most vulnerable. Stay at home if you feel unwell, offer your help to people in need, listen to the instructions of your government and please use your common sense. This is not a joke; it’s about human life.

Covid-19 will stick around, there is no miracle cure, and until we have a vaccine, we have to learn and find ways to live with it. Togetherness and social awareness must be integral parts of our everyday life to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected so they can ‘‘live’’.

Because once the fear of Covid-19 has levelled off, you as the healthy person are able to go back to ‘‘normal’’ life, whereas we ‘‘the most vulnerable’’ remain in this reality.

As told to Nikki Macdonald.