Thoughts on how we are dealing with the pandemic

It is so comforting to know that many elected leaders have gone to battle in Washington and in Colorado to keep us safe during this current health crisis.

But this is also an economic crisis, so the support by Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner for federal action that creates a massive plan to assist our health care system is most significant. We need our hospital workers to stay healthy and have protective gear and supplies.

Direct checks to the majority of taxpayers may take a few weeks to arrive, but these will help a lot of workers and families to get through this critical time.

Only through communal sacrifice, realizing that no one is first and that the world is inextricably connected can progress occur.

How to be supportive:

Here are some dos and don’ts to support families working in health care or dealing with lost income:

• DON’T offer unsolicited advice, ask first, and if I say no, please honor that.

• DON’T make placating statements like “this too shall pass” or “calm down.”

• DON’T try to change my perspective or fix my mood; we’re all dealing with this in our way.

• DON’T share about others who are “coping” with two adults at home and full incomes; yes, I know others are struggling, and no, I don’t want to hear about it right now.

• DO send over comfort items; lasagna, a bag of coffee, a bottle of wine, a roll of toilet paper.

• DO ask how we’re doing and provide a compassionate listening ear.

• DO donate blood if you’re able.

• DO stay at home and be grateful you can!

We have been using the term “social distancing” for several weeks and I am concerned about the implications of this language. The term “physical distancing” is much more descriptive of the responsible behavior.

During this time, even more than in “normal” times, social contact (remotely) is critical for our overall sense of well being and general mental health.

As we isolate physically and keep our 6-foot distance, we must be more intentional than ever to surround ourselves with social contact. Let’s all change our language and give each other frequent virtual hugs.

As a long-time volunteer of the Denver Dumb Friends League, I have seen too many unwanted animals come in as a result of normal animal behavior. While I understand the call for all veterinary clinics to only perform non-elective surgery, I would urge Gov. Jared Polis to consider spaying and neutering of cats and dogs to be essential, non-elective surgery. In 2013, rescue dogs and cats were named our state pet. We should do them the favor of helping to control their population.

I am a salon owner and licensed cosmetologist, as well as a nurse. I have a different perspective in regard to the order to close all hair salons as “non-essential” businesses.

Cosmetology licensing requires education about communicable and infectious diseases that could harm our community, clients or ourselves. Licensed cosmetologists provide health care services that are vital for good hygiene for people who are unable to shampoo their own hair or do their own nails, due to physical limitations or poor eyesight. (Twenty-five percent of the clientele at my salon meet those criteria.)

These services cannot be considered non-essential. Salons could be mandated to be supervised by licensed cosmetologists, to only allow two to three clients at a time, to ensure social distancing, or even to only provide one-on-one services. Completely closing hair salons run by licensed cosmetologists is causing undue hardship for many who need these services to stay well.

At my salon, we already had instituted many protective practices in regard to the coronavirus. We need to revisit the wholesale closure of hair salons with more reasonable limitations to both protect and serve our clients and the public.