LIFE MOVING FORWARD

Blogging was mostly not on my agenda this past week.  Now that I’m feeling closer to being back among the living, thought I’d put a few words here. 

Life has presented another of its unexpected intrusions into my usual activities which accounts for why I haven’t written here since the end of May.   Seems ordinary infections (likely not Covid-19, though I haven’t been tested) decided to gang up to complicate my life.  I could easily write pretty negative commentary on how my medical needs were addressed, causing me to experience more pain than I should have though I have a high tolerance level.

Suffice it to say for the first time ever I finally had to resort to using telemedicine which, so far, has proven to be a correct choice.   So with medication quelling infection I can get back to any follow-up with my regular GP’s and specialist’s medical care without needlessly having to call 911 to go to the hospital emergency room. 

In addition to regularly checking my temperature, I had recently purchased a pulse oximeter to track my oxygen saturation levels since people with Covid-19 can experience levels out of the norm in some instances, according to this Yale Medicine article discussing whether or not everyone should purchase an oximeter. 

“...it’s important to know that a level between 95 and 97% is considered normal by the American Lung Association; anything below that would be a reason to call a doctor, and anything under 90% would be a reason to go to the emergency room.”

I continue to have real concern with the instances of individuals gathering without following safety precautions, the ramifications for the future spread of Covid-19.  I will remain “safe at home”,  limiting my outings to only being in my car for pick-ups, select drive-thru restaurants. 

Some poor troll or their bot with nothing better to do keeps trying to obtain free promotion leaving cutsie comments on many of my blog posts, current and earlier.  After multiple efforts to publish on the same post you’d think they could figure out it wasn’t working – is easy for me to send to spam. 

Unfortunately, I reacquainted myself with the floor in my bedroom the end of the week, so have some re-strengthening or acquiring possibly more support for a rebellious leg in my immediate future.  Getting up off the floor when you live alone can present a challenge.  I have invented in my mind a “tush lifter” but won’t pursue manufacture.

So much more happened this past week with which most reading here are likely quite familiar – a social justice long overdue in this nation evolved into Black Lives Matter groups protest marches across this nation.   A triggering video showing the death of a black man as an example of alleged police brutality enraged all.   Protests have emerged around the world.   I could elaborate extensively on how the White House occupant, and other so-called administrators party to his antics, have or have not addressed these issues, but will say only he continues to disgust me.  

Before I started feeling less healthy I drove for a pickup I had scheduled.  A half mile from my home on famous old Route 66/Foothill Blvd. officers had just stopped traffic as a never-ending line of masked marchers streamed across the street headed downtown.  I was soon directed to turn, so had to circle around for a different route that initially took me up the street the marchers were coming down.   Uninvited tears came to my eyes seeing all ages, all genders, all races carrying their signs in a line of people that just went on forever.    I occasionally tooted my car’s horn, gave marchers a thumbs up which was all I could do.  I am past actually marching ability though my active involvement in issues has always taken a quite different form. 

Local news reported our police found a number of metal baseball bats, one filled with material to make it heavier, planted in bushes on a corner one block from my home.  The parade did not go that route as they headed to our police station.  Clearly some individuals had what could have been unpleasant actions thwarted.  Reportedly while march arrangements were made in advance with the police, those directing the action did not reveal their name(s).   

I wonder now -- will change actually continue to be made when the marches end?   Will the issue of racial discrimination and all that entails finally be confronted in open discussion by all?  Will serious sincere efforts be made to recognize we are all human, to treat all people equally, that skin color has nothing to do with equality?   What do you think about those prospects, oximeters or anything else I wrote about?