‘You’re not stuck at home. You’re safe at home.’ The Woman’s Club Times of Danbury/New Fairfield Volume 1, Issue 5 May 1, 2020

Covid-19 News

Hello, Members: The following two articles are related. In both, people who are gravely sick are foregoing emergency care and staying at home, putting their lives at risk. I felt this knowledge was important for you to have, so you’ll be alert to the problems and have a plan made—just in case. Ginny

‘They are terrified’: Fearing coronavirus, people with po- tentially fatal condition avoid emergency care

Doctors say a crisis within a crisis is brewing as the sick stay home.

“Stay home.” That’s the message public health experts and political leaders have foisted onto Americans in recent weeks, and that was the message ringing in Alan Phenix’s mind when the pain crept into his abdomen earlier this month.

“We followed all the guidance very well and we were sheltering in place, basically isolated,” Phenix said of his Los Angeles-based family. “So there was this concern that by going to the hospital I would expose myself to the risk of infection.”

With an immunocompromised wife at home, Phenix, 62, waited five days after symptoms emerged before seek- ing treatment for what turned out to be appendicitis. By the time he received medical care, his appendix had ruptured and an infection had set in…see the whole article here: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/terrified-fearing-coronavirus-people-potentially-fatal-conditions-avoid/ story?id=70306931

1 Young and middle-aged people, barely sick with Worth Noting covid-19, are dying from strokes The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added six symptoms of the novel coronavirus to its Thomas Oxley wasn’t even on call the day he received list, suggesting health experts are learning more about the page to come to Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital the growing number of ways physicians see the virus in Manhattan. There weren’t enough doctors to treat affecting patients. all the emergency stroke patients, and he was needed in the operating room. The symptoms, which the CDC reports could appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, are: The patient’s chart appeared unremarkable at first • Chills glance. He took no medications and had no history of • Repeated shaking with chills chronic conditions. He had been feeling fine, hanging • Muscle pain out at home during the lockdown like the rest of the • Headache country, when suddenly, he had trouble talking and • Sore throat moving the right side of his body. Imaging showed a • New loss of taste or smell large blockage on the left side of his head. Oxley gasped when he got to the patient’s age and Previously, the CDC listed just three known symptoms: covid-19 status: 44, positive. The man was among sev- shortness of breath, cough and fever. eral recent stroke patients in their 30s to 40s who were all infected with the coronavirus. The median age for that type of severe stroke is 74. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index. html As Oxley, an interventional neurologist, began the procedure to remove the clot, he observed something he had never seen before. On the monitors, the brain typically shows up as a tangle of black squiggles — Spread the Word! People who tested positive for “like a can of spaghetti,” he said — that provide a map and recovered from COVID-19 can donate blood of blood vessels. A clot shows up as a blank spot. As plasma at Danbury Hospital he used a needlelike device to pull out the clot, he saw new clots forming in real-time around it. Nuvance Health has developed a convalescent plasma program to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients. If a “This is crazy,” he remembers telling his boss…see full person has tested positive for COVID-19 and recov- article at: ered, they may be able to donate their blood plasma. This blood plasma contains antibodies that can be https://www.washingtonpost.com/ transferred to patients fighting the virus. health/2020/04/24/strokes-coronavirus-young-pa- In order to donate, a person must have had a positive tients/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_me- COVID-19 test, be symptom-free for at least 14 days dium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_ with a repeat negative swab, or 28 days symptom-free most with no need for a repeat swab. If you were hospital- ized for COVID-19 and your treatment plan included a convalescent plasma donation, you’re not a candi- date to be a future donor.

Nuvance Health is recruiting volunteers. Potential do- nors can register by filling out an online questionnaire located at nuvancehealth.org/plasmadonorregistra- tion, or call 888-410-1211 for more information.

2 Activities at Home

13 Foods That Are Still Safe to Eat after the Expiration Date

Wait! Don't throw out that food just yet. Just because it's days (or weeks) past a food's expiration date doesn't mean it's not still safe to eat. https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/tipsandtricks/7-secret-tricks-for-extending-food-expiration- dates/ss-BB13hFnz?ocid=spartandhp#image=8

Over 60 And Self-Quarantined? From Kathy Krieger Do These 5 Exercises Daily

How to Drink Alone—This was in NY Times Maga- Physical Therapist Ed Deboo takes you through 5 exer- zine cises that can be done at home and will help you with posture, strength and balance. “Something that’s comforting and familiar is good, especially in a time like this,” says Shannon Mustipher, https://youtu.be/yQ0G5x5hI28 a former bartender and the author of “Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails.” As the pandemic keeps people in- with sugar in it,” she says. It is the national drink of side — and makes bars and restaurants a far-off dream Martinique, a favorite vacation spot of Mustipher’s. It’s — we’re all looking for distraction and comfort: televi- intended to be adjusted to your personal taste, hence sion bingeing, Instagram scrolling, drinking. the local saying: “Chacun prepare sa propre mort,” or “each prepares his own death.” If you’re a wine or beer drinker, stick to your regular. For those more adept at mixology, try taking one of To make her regular punch, Mustipher combines two your favorites and lightening up the pour: Make it with ounces of rhum agricole blanc and lime juice (any cit- half the alcohol, or dilute it with sparkling water. Still, rus juice will do if you’re out of limes) in a rocks glass, pay attention to how much you’re taking in, to avoid then adds an oversize ice cube and soda water. Turn overdoing it. “If it’s on the lighter side, you can have a the preparation into a project. Mustipher has used few and not get too tanked, which is good,” Mustipher overripe fruit to make syrups for drinks. says — especially in a time like this. Self-isolation is also a good time to start an “infinity A devotee of rum drinks, Mustipher has been making bottle,” in which you combine various leftover whis- a lighter version of one of her go-to cocktails, what she keys that might be taking up space in your bar into a calls the Ti’ Fizz. Ti’ Punch, “basically a glass of booze single mixture, adjusted according to your stock and your preferences — smoky, spicy, briny, honeyed. “You I HATE could spend a couple of hours tasting through your DRINKING stuff and figuring out what you like,” Mustipher says. It ALONE will age, too. “Monitor over a few weeks, and have fun BECAUSE with it that way.” And when you restock, try to shop I’M SUCH locally, whether from privately owned liquor stores or A BAD restaurants and bars looking to unload their spirits — INFLUINCE that way, you might be able to help the community’s ON ME. economy as well as your next old-fashioned.

3 Let the Sunshine In

Sunlight is not a cure for coronavirus, but it does have other benefits for mind and body.

Deciding whether to head outdoors or to stay at home has never before felt so fraught, as many of us continue the weigh the benefits of getting some fresh air versus the risks of getting sick. For many, however, the entice- ments of a spring day are too powerful to resist.

“Yesterday it was raining and we felt kind of sorry for ourselves, but it’s hard to feel sorry for yourself on a sunny day like today,” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/well/live/coronavirus-sunlight-uv-stress-mood-immune-system-vita- min-D.html?rref=health&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCol- lection=Health&pgtype=Blogs

4 Member to Member

From Georgeann Kishner

How we Feel

How We Feel lets you self-report your age, sex, ZIP code, and any health symptoms you experience. It only takes 30 seconds!

Aggregate data is securely shared with select scientists, doctors and public health professionals who are actively working to stop the spread of COVID-19. The app doesn't ask you to sign in or share your name, phone number or email address.

The first time you download the app and donate your data with a check-in, they will donate a meal to people in need through Feeding America—up to 10 million meals. Gov. Lamont has encouraged participation.

If you are interested, download it here: https://howwefeel.org/

From Mary Lynn Howard / New Fairfield Senior Center

We Are Not In The Same Boat qualify for unemployment and are running out of I heard that we are all in the same boat, but it's not money. Others want to kill those who break the quar- like that. antine. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not their child with online schooling, while others are be. Or vice versa. spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on For some, quarantine is optimal. A moment of top of a 10-- 12 hour workday. reflection, of reconnection, easy in flip flops, with a Some have experienced the near death of the virus, cocktail or coffee. some have already lost someone For others, this is a desperate financial & family from it and some are not sure if their loved ones are crisis. going to make it. For some that live alone they're facing endless lone- Others don't believe this is a big deal. liness. Some have faith in God and expect miracles during While for others it is peace, rest & time with their this 2020. mother, father, sons & daughters. Others say the worst is yet to come. With the $600 weekly increase in unemployment So, friends, we are not in the same boat. some are bringing in more money to their households We are going through a time when our perceptions than they were working. and needs are completely different. Others are working more hours for less money due Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this to pay cuts or loss in sales. storm. Some families of 4 just received $3400 from the It is very important to see beyond what is seen at stimulus while other families of 4 saw $0. first glance. Some were concerned about getting a certain candy Not just looking, actually seeing. for Easter while others were concerned if there would We are all on different ships during this storm expe- be enough bread, milk and eggs for the weekend. riencing a very different journey. Some want to go back to work because they don't Unknown author

5 Poems Written by Elaine Blayney

Poetry Writing poetry is a special time for me. I always have fun with a rhyme. Because I have the time. All feels fine when I put the pen to the paper. Verse after verse I’ll do my best with words that come from the heart.

There’s a rhythm I feel like a song that I heard as sweet From Nancy Coraggio’s Sister, Maureen in Spain as the song of a bird. There’s joy in a lyric, can you During the American Revolution, the western Con- hear it? So come with me as I compose and know how necticut town of Danbury served as a critical supply much I enjoy it! depot for Continental Army troops stationed in New England and the strategically important Hudson River Patience Valley. March 30, 2020 In early 1777, Royal Governor of moved to sever the Americans’ Danbury supply We have a situation in our nation called the coronavi- line. He did so by launching British forces’ deepest rus. raid of the American Revolution into the interior of Connecticut. With the quarantine it will require patience without complaint with everyday diligence. How will we do https://todayincthistory.com/2020/04/26/ this we ask- It will be a big task. april-26-british-troops-attack-danbury-connecti- cut-2/?fbclid=IwAR06Px_XlYUmYvhTnzQJjCyT- The answer doesn’t come easy for it’s unknown how jSAJNNjTTrfKOpXsbvqGhbIycBOiA_B_qeM#con- long it will last. tent No timetable or schedule as we have had in the past.

Let’s persevere as we carry on with daily prayers for family and friends.

Grant us patience Dear Lord!

And give us peace.

From Joan Stapleton

Hi. I don’t know how many of you saw Governor Lamont the other day explain the HowWeFeel app that Con- necticut is doing in conjunction with Yale to track how people are feeling and the spread of the coronavirus in Connecticut. The state is interested in seeing how we are feeling every day in order to track the virus. It’s called HowWeFeel and it’s available in the App Store –free!

All they want is your ZIP Code. Easy to do and download. I think it would be great to get as many people partic- ipating in this as possible. Additionally, when you first sign up, they provide a free meal. Anyway just thought I would give you an FYI in case you were interested in becoming a part of this.

Joan

6 And, From Nancy’s Friend in Florida

This commemorative statue sculpted by was erected near Carmel, New York in 1961.

Sybil Ludington 1761-1839 Edited by Debra Michals, PhD 2017

A young American patriot, Sybil Ludington was just 16 years old when she made a night-time ride rallying Patriot soldiers.

Born in New York in 1761, Ludington was the eldest of Henry and Abigail’s twelve children. In addition to working as a farmer, Luding- ton’s father was a gristmill owner who served in the military for over sixty years, including during the French and Indian War. He was loyal to the British crown until 1773, when he switched sides and joined the Patriots in the American Revolution. He was promoted to Colonel of his local regiment. His land was along a route between Connecticut and the coast of that was vulnerable to British attack. On April 26, 1777, Colonel Ludington received word from a rider that the nearby town of Danbury was under attack by British troops and needed help. At the time, Ludington’s regiment had disbanded for planting season, and his men were miles apart at their respective farms. With the rider too tired to continue and Colonel Ludington focused on preparing for battle, young Sybil rose to the cause. Some accounts say she volunteered; others that her father asked for her service, but either way, she rode through the night alerting the Colonel’s men of the danger and urging them to return to the fight. She rode all night through dark woods and in the rain, covering anywhere from 20 to 40 miles (estimates vary). By the time she returned home, hundreds of soldiers were gathering to fight the British. Ludington’s troops arrived too late to win the battle, though they did fight with departing British soldiers.

After the war, Ludington married in 1784, at age 23, when she met Edward Ogden. The couple had one son, Henry, and lived in Catskill, New York. Ludington’s husband died of yellow fever in 1799. Four years later, she bought a tavern and helped her son become a lawyer. When she sold the tavern, she earned a tidy profit, three times what she paid for the land, and purchased a home for her son and his family, where she also resided. After her son died in 1838, Ludington applied for a Revolutionary War pension, since her husband had served in the military. Her pension was denied, claiming insufficient proof of marriage. At age seventy-seven, Ludington died in poverty.

Ludington was honored with a stamp by the Postal Service in 1975. There is a statue of her by Lake Gleneida in Carmel, New York and there are historical markers tracing the route of her ride through Putnam County.

7 GFWC’s Woman’s History and Resource Center Up- Help Western Connecticut State University Students date—a look at the history of several members who advanced healthcare in the U.S. The WCSU COVID-19 Call to Action Appeal was created to help students who are grappling with seri- Today, and every day, GFWC is grateful for the heroic ous disruptions to their economic situations. Your gift and selfless work of the world’s healthcare workers. provides fast action support that can make the differ- From 1894, when the first Trained Nurses’ Club was ence for students choosing between life’s necessities or formed, to this past month when clubs have come continuing their education. together to sew masks for healthcare professionals, GFWC has a deep history of supporting and nurturing Please consider making a gift today to support WCSU our public health professionals. students. Our sincere thanks to everyone who has already made a donation to the WCSU COVID-19 Call During both World Wars, GFWC recruited nurses and to Action Appeal. raised money for Red Cross efforts. Clubwomen across the country voluntarily turned over their clubhouses If you wish to donate by check, please make checks to use as training areas for nurses. As evidenced by payable to: the articles attached, GFWC has also fostered leaders in public health, health care programs that aid local WCSU Foundation/COVID-19 and mail to the fol- communities, and an invaluable network of volunteers lowing: that is determined to help those in need. WCSU Foundation Inc. 181 White Street https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgx- Danbury, CT 06810 wHNCqVpxlrLqzpGszcKZBbnjvh

Sweet Ole Broads--SOBs

Tuesday April 28th, the SOBS surprised member, Barbara Laine, with a meeting on her front lawn (following safe distance protocol) to wish her farewell. She and George are moving to Maine, April 30th. It was a perfect sunny day after all the rain we’ve been having. Barbara was so pleased to see us. She will be missed by all! Who knows, maybe a road trip next year?

Barbara Laine (sitting), Mary Anne Moore, Nike Cutsumpas, Elaine Blayne, Carol Rosenblum, Lucille Neidhardt and Janet Junz (taking picture) 8 Just for Fun

From Ginny Chulkovs

I spent Friday night browsing through youtube and singing to the new "oldies". These 2 songs I thought were done especially well.

Parody of Bohemian Rhapsody https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Eo9M4-BrJA

"The Sound of Sirens"--a pandemic parody https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsfy8AD_S0

From Sheila Vetter and Bonnie Moran

Can we uninstall 2020 and install it again?

This version has a virus.

9 From Ginny Chulkovs

Clorox Chewables

Get them before they’re gone!

10 More from my brother-in-law Geoff. Feel free to pick and choose. Kathy Krieger

Top Movies during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Edward Washyourhands The Sisterhood of the Sheltering Sweatpants Desperately Seeking Charmin Private Ryan's on His Own M*A*S*K I Know What You Did Last Summer, but Since March Fatal Interaction 13th I've Got No Effin' Clue No Contact for Old Men A Zoom with a View Close Encounters Are the Worst Kind Don't Meet Me in St. Louis Beverly Hills Cough When Harry Zoomed Sally

From Susan Murphy

I read that 4,153,237 people got you get when you like someone? My therapist said that my narcis- married last year. Not to cause any That’s your common sense leaving sism causes me to misread social trouble, but shouldn’t that be an your body. situations. I’m pretty sure she was even number? hitting on me. Did you know that dolphins are so Today a man knocked on my door smart that within a few weeks of Denny’s has a slogan, “If it’s your and asked for a small donation captivity, they can train people to birthday, the meal is on us.” If towards the local swimming pool. stand on the very edge of the pool you’re in Denny’s and it’s your I gave him a glass of water. and throw them fish? birthday, your life sucks!

I find it ironic that the colors red, My therapist says I have a preoccu- The pharmacist asked me my birth white, and blue stand for freedom pation with vengeance. We'll see date again today. I’m pretty sure until they are flashing behind you. about that. she’s going to get me something. When wearing a bikini, women re- veal 90% of their body... men are so I think my neighbor is stalking me The location of your mailbox shows polite they only look at the covered as she's been googling my name on you how far away from your house parts. her computer. I saw it through my you can be in a robe before you telescope last night. start looking like a mental patient. A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra Money talks…but all mine ever Money can’t buy happiness but it weight live longer than the men says is good-bye. keeps the kids in touch! who mention it. You're not fat, you're just...easier to The reason Mayberry was so peace- Relationships are a lot like algebra. see. ful and quiet was because nobody Have you ever looked at your X was married. Andy, Aunt Bea, and wondered Y? If you think nobody cares whether Barney, Floyd, Howard, Goober, you're alive, try missing a couple of Gomer, Sam, Earnest T Bass, Helen, America is a country which pro- payments. Thelma Lou, Clara and, of course, duces citizens who will cross the Opie were all single. The only mar- ocean to fight for democracy but I always wondered what the job ried person was Otis, and he stayed won't cross the street to vote. application is like at Hooters. Do drunk. they just give you a bra and say, You know that tingly little feeling “Here, fill this out?”

11 From Rainey Pavarini I decide I better put them back on my desk, But first I'm going to water the flowers. A.A.A.D.D.- KNOW THE SYMPTOMS! Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder. I set the glasses back down on the counter , Fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV Age-Activated Attention-Deficit Disorder. remote. This is how it manifests: Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I decide to water my garden. I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I'll be looking for the remote, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing. But I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, So I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, As I start toward the garage, But first I'll water the flowers. I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier. I pour some water in the flowers, But quite a bit of it spills on the floor. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. So, I set the remote back on the table, I lay my car keys on the table, Get some towels and wipe up the spill. Put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, And notice that the can is full. Then, I head down the hall trying to Remember what I was planning to do. So, I decide to put the bills back On the table and take out the garbage first... At the end of the day: The car isn't washed, But then I think, The bills aren't paid, Since I'm going to be near the mailbox There is a warm can of When I take out the garbage anyway, Pepsi sitting on the counter, I may as well pay the bills first. The flowers don't have enough water, There is still only 1 check in my check book, I take my check book off the table, I can't find the remote, And see that there is only one check left. I can't find my glasses, My extra checks are in my desk in the study, And I don't remember what I did with the car keys. So I go inside the house to my desk where Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done I find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking . today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, I'm going to look for my checks, And I'm really tired. But first I need to push the Pepsi aside So that I don't accidentally knock it over. I realize this is a serious problem, And I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check The Pepsi is getting warm, my e-mail.... And I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. Do me a favor As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi, Forward this message to everyone you know, A vase of flowers on the counter Because I don't remember who I've sent it to. Catches my eye--they need water. Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, I put the Pepsi on the counter and your day is coming! Discover my reading glasses that P.S. I don't remember who sent it to me, so if it was I've been searching for all morning. you, I'm sorry. 12 Don’t Miss This! From Nancy Herdegen to Joan Stapleton to Beverly Regan

A Video From Florida

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=0a1e6e0366&attid=0.1&permms- gid=msg-f:1664685731313280615&th=171a26da4d96e667&view=att&disp=safe&realat- tid=17199d5eb10165ba3201

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