On Lock down

by Makayla Secrist Staff Writer

COVID-19 is an extremely infectious virus that is particularly deadly to those of the older generations, those with lung issues, and the immunocompromised like cancer patients. Many states like California, New York, and Minnesota have implemented a “lock down” requiring people to stay in their homes around the clock unless conducting essential business. Some whole countries are practicing social isolation as well. Registered Nurse Zachary George from Melbourne, Australia provides a little insight about how his country is handling things.

“We [Australia] are practicing social isolation to help starve the virus of hosts, with fines being handed out for people who are outside without good reason,” says George, “If you are known to be infected then the police will door-knock your property from time to time to ensure you are home and not potentially spreading things around.”

By contrast the United States has not issued a country wide lock-down. Rather it has been left to each states’ governor to decide what is best for their area. Most have shut down places like schools, spas, and hair dressers. Still there are many still required to work each day.

Alyssa Secrist, the Lead Plasma Center Technician at Biolife explains a little bit of what her workplace is doing in the midst of the “Shelter in place” order in Minnesota. “We [Biolife] are strictly following social distancing standards and have reduced our donor capacity by 33%, reduced the number of appointments we can take at a time, closed 50% of our screening booths and medical questionnaire booths, and placed “X”s on the floor where donors stand in line to maintain the 6′ social distancing standards,” said Secrist. She goes on to explain the other extreme measures Biolife is taking to reduce the spread of COVID-19. All donors have temperatures taken as soon as they walk in the door and if even a slight fever is registered, the donor is booted from the building and all surfaces they came in contact with are immediately sanitized, “I personally do not think this is extreme at all, given that the COVID-19 virus has up to a 14 day incubation period in which people can appear to be and feel healthy but are, in fact, contagious.”

Secrist also added, “It is absolutely crucial that plasma donation continue as there are thousands of people who rely on plasma derived medications in order to live normal lives, or, in some cases, simply live. Some of these medications require hundreds of donations for a single dose. On top of the work we already do with plasma, all plasma donation companies are banding together to create a plasma derived treatment for the virus using plasma collected from donors who have recovered from the virus as they now have antibodies to fight it. It is extremely important that we have as many donors as possible, and donors are compensated for their time. It is also OK to commute to donate, even with the Shelter in Place order given by the governor of Minnesota.”

While essential workers are still leaving their home each day for work day to day life remains a struggle for many. Katie Koch, a mother of four from small town Colorado, explains that many grocery stores and retailers near her are only letting 10 customers in at a time. She spent several hours in line before going home and deciding to order online on Saturday, “Tonight [Wednesday] I got to pick up my order because they’re that far backed up,” said Koch, “I wish I had just waited in line because they substituted a ton of the stuff that I ordered.”

For those out of work or now working from home and struggling, Zachary George offers this advice, “Be creative, read, write, maybe take up a new skill if you aren’t doing anything with your time. Be constructive, but also have fun.”

Stay safe. Wash your hands often. And don’t all this extra time go to waste.