"The Day the Earth Stood Still"

We are living in tumultuous and scary times. Momsey was reminded of the 1951 movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still” a science fiction thriller, starring Michael Rennie, about a visitor to earth who warns of trouble ahead if we do not heed his warnings. On screen, the world 'stops' for a day to bring attention to his dire message. Today, it would seem, we are being held 'hostage', in a similar way, by an invisible deadly 'enemy'. Is this life imitating art?

It's hard to know whether going out for essential services or staying home is 'safe' today. It has been many weeks since the order to stay home was mandated. In that time, I accidentally chopped off the end of my little finger - while making soup. (Dining out has been outlawed!) I had forgotten an important rule of chopping vegetables until I chopped me! The coronavirus was not uppermost in my mind at that moment. But it soon would be.

As blood flowed easily and quickly that day, I wondered if medical help would be prudent. Stopping the blood flow was critical in ending this medical emergency, I knew. On top of that I am an old lady according to society. Applying direct pressure upon the wound was immediate and painful. Our Mr. Wiggles, our concerned retriever, was perplexed as he followed me to the sofa, staring at the 'object' above my head, wondering what I was doing. Going to the hospital, walk-in clinic or my doctor was now impossible. The corona virus had made those choices clearly unwise.

Blood cannot easily flow against gravity, I knew, so up went my right arm to stop the red river in its track. I had nowhere to go with Covid-19 lurking around every corner, anywhere it chose to be. An open wound was an invitation for wide spread infection of some sort. I did not need further complications in my life. I was on my own. After two hours, all seemed quiet, except for the throbbing in the top of my brutalized finger where, moments ago, blood had been flowing.

I never realized what a profound sensation the body made as it attempted to arrest blood flow while trying to repair itself. A call to our 'living specialist'' son for a professional opinion helped quell any anxiety I felt.  I was doing everything needed. Cell regeneration would begin anew. Profound pain enveloped me. But I simply ignored it. That was the least of my worries. I continually sprayed my wound with Silver hydrosol, the magic 'elixir' my family has used for many years to prevent infection. It was working, a stellar recovery, I might add.

No painkiller or antibiotics were ever taken. I monitored my finger for infection, for its possible demise. I did not want to invite gangrene into the mix. I was now my own doctor. I hoped my body would listen. It did. Fifteen days later, I was back to normal - my fingertip completely healed - but suspicious of the knife I had used.

Covid-19 has changed the world and the rules governing it. I was on my own that day while staying 'safe' at home. Ha! Home might be safer but it depends upon who's there and what she's doing.

Next: The children: Special Education during Covid-19