Be cautious, stay connected.

By now, you’ve likely heard talk of COVID-19, also referred to as the Coronavirus. In the face of a global event of this magnitude, it’s important to take proactive steps to protect yourself, your community, and your loved ones.

To that end, we here at Aster Gardens can offer tips and advice. We may be experiencing a period of widespread physical separation, but that does not mean we have to become disconnected from one another. Instead, let’s be cautious but stay connected.

Practical Steps

The first thing to keep in mind is that there is no need to panic. While it is important to understand the gravity of COVID-19, as well as its implications for our everyday lives, proactive steps can greatly mitigate these effects and prevent any uncomfortable, long-term changes. Try to treat this virus like an outbreak of the flu (which occurs virtually every year). In fact, the situations have their parallels: the method and rate of transmission is similar and they even share some symptoms.

One of these proactive steps is ensuring your household is stocked with enough supplies and food for about two weeks, in case it’s necessary to stay home. If someone in your home develops symptoms, it is important to keep them cared for and quarantined, for their health and that of the community at large. When you’re out shopping as you normally would, simply fill your cart with a few extra items like food, medications, and other supplies. Pasta and sauce, canned foods, pet food, hygiene supplies, diapers, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, and prescription medications are all great things to keep on hand.

However, try to avoid “panic buying” or stockpiling. That places a strain on the supply chain and may even deprive other shoppers who haven’t prepared as well. Remember that we’re all in this together, and the success of the community engenders the success of the individual.

Rethinking Daily Practices

The emergence of COVID-19 may be an inconvenience to all (and a real trial for some), but with positive thinking we can use it as an opportunity. Just as in a particularly acute flu season, we can use this unusual time to review our daily practices and reconsider our rituals and habits. Social distancing, like refraining from shaking hands, is perfectly acceptable; washing your hands more thoroughly and more often is always wise; coughing or sneezing into your elbow will stop the spread of germs. These are small things, but they are guaranteed to help staunch the spread of infection. Let’s all do our part, be cautious, and stay connected. Click here for more information on what you can do.

Staying Connected

Staying connected is not only good for retaining a sense of communal normalcy, but can help others in their times of need. Keep in touch with your friends and family to check on how they are doing; and keep them informed on how you are as well. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it—especially at a time like this.

You can appreciate artwork, take in some concerts, and travel the globe: all from the comfort of home. Even with physical distancing, the world of culture has never been closer.

Keeping Informed

Knowledge is power. Finding information about the virus, how it spreads, and how to prevent contracting it are every bit as important as gathering material supplies. But it’s vital to know where your information is coming from and whether or not it’s accurate and trustworthy.
Sources like the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial and municipal public health authorities will have the most veracious and up-to-date information out there.

Aster Gardens keeps you and your wellbeing at the forefront of our minds. You can trust that we’ve thought through your questions and will dispatch information based on the things that concern you most.

Stay Updated