November 1, 2020
stress relieving and voting
One of the things I love about living in Seattle is the ferry system that connects Seattle and other places with each other. The Washington State Ferry System is a jewel, really. State run, with an ethic that is followed by our citizens, which means no cutting in line and being ready to move your car when it is time. The biggest local faux pas you can make is to not return to your car in time, blocking all the cars behind you. I have only done that once, never again.
Today I was reminded once again why I love living here. Jamie and I escaped for the weekend in “our old tin can” to camp at Sequim Bay State Park, requiring a ferry ride to and from. This was my quest to quiet the noise about the election and get some needed forest bathing and Salish Sea refreshment. That respite worked wonders for me with two very good nights of sleep. Sadly we missed our street’s socially distanced trick or treating with tubes, fishing poles, trebuchets, and other novel candy delivery systems. But the respite was worth it for me. And the ferry ride home was stunningly beautiful with a view of Mount Rainier from our car and bright blue skies. I always feel that I have gone far away after a ferry ride.
But now back for the final push. Many of my patients are quite anxious and worried about the election and I will be spending energy to help refocus their energy and try to instill some hope. The New York Times has some good advice for Election Stress Syndrome and a really fun”Election Distractor” video that can help relieve stress. I have also found that baby animal videos really help, particularly if they involve hedgehogs.
And I want to remind all of you that are doing in-person voting or helping at the polls to keep safe. Wear your mask, wash your hands, keep distance if you can, the CDC has good advice on keeping safe. Consumer Reports also has advice staying safe. Read those for pearls to stay safe.
I know I wrote a few days ago about staying safe. I am emphasizing voting safely again because numbers of infections are rising, particularly in battleground states. These are also often the states that don’t have as many other early voting options as others. But be assured, that voting can be done safely by following this advice.
A couple other tidbits for those at higher risk. Besides taking Vitamin D, if you have other risk factors, adding a coated baby Aspirin may be a reasonable thing to do if you have an exposure, unless you have risks for bleeding. Check with your doctor.
And the flu vaccine may help protect you. People who got the flu vaccine were less likely to have severe COVID-19. The flu is starting to spread here, so now is a good time to get your vaccine.
Wash your hands, cover your nose, keep safe six, vote safely- it is possible.
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available, and not related to the organization I work for. Thanks for reading.
https://wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/01/world/covid-19-coronavirus-updates?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage#the-candidates-descending-on-the-battleground-states-will-soon-be-gone-the-virus-wont-be
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/31/at-home/election-stress.html
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/30/style/election-stress-relief.html
https://twitter.com/akkitwts
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=baby+hedgehogs&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/going-out/voting-tips.html
https://www.consumerreports.org/voting/you-can-vote-safely-in-person-despite-coronavirus-heres-how/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201022195637.htm
https://www.mdlinx.com/news/aspirin-use-reduces-risk-of-death-in-hospitalized-covid-19-patients/6J0gmq7mlJTZH9pi4HeUv0
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/10/28/Flu-vaccine-may-lower-risk-for-severe-COVID-19-study-suggests/9761603912246/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-flu-shot-might-reduce-coronavirus-infections-early-research-suggests/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/going-out/voting-tips.html