Blog Posts

World Belly Dance Day & Shimmy Mob

5/9/2020

"Creating change...one shimmy at a time!"

Today is World Belly Dance Day. Normally, I would have spent the day performing at various location around Vancouver with Shimmy Mob!

Shimmy Mob is global flash mob that raises awareness about domestic violence and raises funds for local women's shelters.

Since most places in the world are still under lockdown we had to do everything online this year, including the performance.

This is my best attempt at the choreography for this year. I'm a beginner at belly dance and I found it a bit hard to learn from the videos.

I gave it my best though, because it probably more important this year than it ever has been. Domestic violence has increased dramatically during this time.

If you need help in BC, contact Victim Link BC 24/7 (many languages)
Call 1-800-563-0808
Text 604-836-6381
Email VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca
TTY accessible at 604-875-0885 or collect at 7-1-1

"Creating change ... one shimmy at a time!"
Team Vancouver, BC (Canada)
#wbdd #shimmymob2020

Official 2020 Shimmy Mob Choreography by Yasmina Ramzy
Song: “El Binti Beida”
Artist: Arabesque Dance Company Orchestra

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World War 3: Humans vs. SARS-CoV-2?

3/21/2020

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Today it really sunk in for me how much this is like a war-time effort.

Very late on Friday night, like at 10pm, I got an urgent email from a provincial industry group wanting to know by Monday morning, how many machines your business has, what types, what fabric supplies do have on hand, etc. They wanted to assess the local industry capability, just in case we need to help out with manufacturing apparel or gear.

Hmmm... Does that sound familiar to you? Times when industries are asked about capabilities and called to help out with manufacturing.

Then I was texting with someone today. He's a pilot, so he’s out there working. And I thought, oh yeah, that’s right. You're essential services! You're one of those people on the front lines risking illness to transport what we need. I sent him a pic of me in a bikini. I thought he deserved some kind of reward for his efforts.

Then I thought...um, wow. Pinups for pilots? Again, this is really reminding of something.

He talked about wanting to meet me, you know, when this craziness was all over...

Wait a minute, what movie am I now?

I talked to friend of mine last week. He works in grocery store. He told me how crazy and busy things had been with all the panic buying. Then he got sick with cold, so he had to stay home from work. He was still sick a few days later, so he was probably going to have to stay home for a week or so.

Another front-line worker. Someone who probably caught his cold on the job, from all of the people out buying groceries!

During the BC Health Ministry briefing today, they talked about healthcare workers getting sick and how that's a risk.

That’s a real problem, because we need healthcare workers to take care of us!

And worse, the healthcare workers are transmitting it and that’s an issue! That’s how the illness spread to care homes for the elderly and why we have outbreaks in several care homes in the Greater Vancouver Area now.

The healthcare workers picked up the illness in the community. They didn’t realize they had, because they were in the incubation period and they passed it on to the very people they were caring for.

Healthcare workers are not getting sick from patients...they're getting sick when they go out for groceries.

This what they’re talking about when they talk about “Community Transmission” and the great danger with community transmission.

Healthcare workers are at risk in the community. They’re getting it in the community, they’re getting it at the grocery store, etc. They’re getting it from YOU!

We have to stay away from other people, because it protects them!

I've been in self-isolation, because I got a mild fever last weekend. I still have it, a very mild cold. So mild I probably wouldn't have even noticed if I wasn't looking for it. But a friend told me that they had come down with a cold and a fever. And I knew a couple of people in my building had just returned from an international trip. I ran into one of them in the elevator and they were wearing a mask, and they told me they were going getting tested for COVID-19. So I was concerned and checked my temperature.

I think with COVID-19 for some people, it's so mild you barely notice it. I think that's part of the problem. You don't realize you have it. You feel pretty good, so you go out and do things.

And if you do get a more serious cold, the 14 day incubation means you spread it around for 14 days before you even realize anything is wrong.

They talked about this during the briefing too. How that 14 day incubation period means when a person does get sick, they have to track down everyone that person interacted with in the last 14 days.

Can you remember every place you went, every store you checked for supplies, every person you got within 1-2 metres of in the past two weeks? Every person you stood next to in line? Every person who rang up your groceries? Who rode in the same elevator as you?

So just stop, please! Don't go out! Not now! We are in a state of emergency! Seriously. STAY HOME!

I know it's hard to comprehend just how important it is, but we are at war with a tiny, invisible enemy. And we need to work together. It's about YOU. It's about me. It's about ALL of us.

Here in BC, they're saying the next 10 days to 2 weeks are critical!

Only go out if you absolutely NEED to go out.

If you do go out, treat it like the fucking zombie apocalypse! Stay 1-2 metres (3-6 feet) away from all other people!

You should ONLY be spending time alone, or with people you live with, that's it right now!

All other connection is virtual! Phone calls, texts, email, video chat. Connect! But do it remotely.

Thank goodness we still have power and an internet connection, though it feels it’s gotten much slower than it’s been in years, since everyone seems to be using it now.

We can do even do some #QuarantinePinups to share with those wonderful people working to provide us with essential services, like groceries & healthcare, but it's going to have to be wearing a bikini on the balcony, doing some pinup shots on the patio or taking some photos in various rooms around the house.

#Coronavirus #COVID19

Note: If you are in BC and have industrial sewing machines and fabric supplies and have not filled out the survey yet, please feel free to contact me and I’ll send you the details. They want the information by tomorrow morning, Monday, March 23rd. (I did ask if I could share the information publicly, but they haven’t answered, so send me a message if you need the details.)

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Distancing: How Far Away Do I Need to Be?

3/20/2020

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It's weird. A week ago I was writing that post about COVID-19 preparations and encouraging everyone to #MakeAPlan. Here we are a week later & I don't know about you, but in my city we're pretty much at lock-down, shelter-in-place, STAY HOME land.

The local government has made an emergency declaration that everyone is to stay home unless you absolutely need to go out (e.g. for groceries) & if you go out you're supposed to stay 1-2 metres (3-6 feet) away from all other people.

So while I was out on my patio today enjoying some fresh & air sunshine (do it, it's beautiful), I did some people watching.

I saw some people walking around & I was curious to see if people knew how to do distancing. I saw 5 different people pass each other while walking around my neighborhood.

Success Rate?

3 people clearly didn't know how to judge distance and were too close to each other.
1 person kept a 1 metre distance.
1 person clearly knew what they were doing and stayed 2 metres away from other people.

So that's what inspired this post & video.

How to Measure 1-2 Metres
I apparently could do this by sight from many floors above ground level. I think it's because I sew, so I'm used to working in metres and yards & knowing how long a metre of fabric is in relationship to the human body.

So here are some helpful tips:

1 metre = ~1 yard = ~3 feet
2 metres = ~2 yards = ~6 feet
1 metre is about the distance from the tips of your fingers to the center of your body, if you're average adult, obviously this varies with body size.
2 metres, if you stretch out your arms on both sides the total distance is about 2 metres (again, depends how big/small you are, this is for an average human being).
Sidewalks are ~1.5 metres wide*

So, yes, get some fresh air and sunshine! Open your window, step out onto your patio, into your yard. But if you're walking near other people, here's the best arrangement for walking.

DON'T pass each other on the sidewalk. You should keep a sidewalk width BETWEEN you and other people!

#COVID19 #Coronavirus #SocialDistancing #PhysicalDistancing #Distancing

*"Current standards are for a minimum 1500mm wide sidewalk, generally constructed of broom-finished concrete, in low density residential areas. Higher density residential areas have a minimum 1800mm wide sidewalk." https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/AccessibleStreetDesign.pdf

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Pandemic Panic: "Communicate with family, friends and neighbours"

3/13/2020

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"Communicate with family, friends and neighbours"

This is the last step recommended for being prepared as an individual by the Canadian government for COVID-19. I figure social media is often how we communicate these days, particularly when many of us are working from home or live far away from one another.

"Share your plan with them, as this might motivate them to make their own."

Ok, I'm doing it! May it inspire you to do the same. :) So here's my plan & my supplies. Supplies first, cause that took days to track down. LOL

My Supplies
1. Soap
This is something I always have in stock. It's Dr. Bronner's soap, the unscented version. It's all-natural and concentrated, so it has to be diluted with water. So I'm set for soap. :)

2. Anti-Viral Disinfectant
I chose to get the same natural cleaner I usually get, Seventh Generation's Cleanwell products. I found and bought one of each of this type of cleaner. The cleaners contain Thymol. Here's my evidence for believing Thymol works:

I found a US government PDF that lists a Thymol based cleaner as a coronavirus disinfectant.
Seventh Generation says they've submitted an application to the EPA to be on the list of official products recommended, but they haven't heard back yet.
And Another Thymol product has issued a press release about their cleaner being effective against Coronavirus.

3. Toilet Paper
Yes, I got toilet paper, but not like a shopping cart full. LOL I got a package. Seemed reasonable to me. Wishing I had a bidet really. LOL

4. Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer (60% alcohol or higher)
Sadly, by the time I got to the stores there was none of this left, anywhere. I have a little bit left, but thought getting ingredients might be a good idea.

5. 70% & 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
This was also completely sold out by the time I got to the stores! I do have a little left, so I'll work with what I have until stores restock. From what I've read 70% is good for sanitizing & 99% can be used to make sanitizing solutions.

6. Aloe Vera Gel
Interestingly, even Aloe Vera gel was sold out many places I went to! I got something that was as pure as possible (98% aloe vera gel).

Note: If you choose to make your own hand sanitizer, should use 99% Isopropyl Alcohol + Aloe Vera Gel. You must include at least 60% alcohol and can go up to 72% alcohol in the mix.

7. Thyme Oil
I ran across Thyme oil at a store that sells essential oils and thought, yeah, why not? It's pure Thyme oil, or in other words, Thymol. Not diluted at all. I figure a drop of this in the homemade sanitizer won't hurt.

I also found a recipe for a sanitizing spray using Thyme oil, here it is:

10-30 drops thyme essential oil
1 oz. rubbing alcohol
8-ounce spray bottle

Put thyme essential oil into an ounce of rubbing alcohol, shake it together, then fill the rest of an 8-ounce spray bottle with water.

I consider this kind of a last resort. I'd use the store-bought Thymol cleaners first or 70% alcohol, as I know those are proven to work. This recipe off the internet...hmmm...I don't know, but it's Thymol, so it should work.

8. Surgical Masks
I already had these in with my medical supplies. The general advice for the public is, if you have a cold, STAY HOME. If you must go out, for the love of all things, put on a surgical mask!

Rules for putting on a mask:

Wash your hands before!
Put surgical masks on with the blue side facing out. (It's waterproof on that side.)
Wash your hands before removing it & after you take it off. (Consider it contaminated.)

That's pretty much all the physical supplies. And people, buy what you need, but please don't overbuy! A few people stocking up does not help us all. Everyone needs basics.

It's already gotten to the point where Dentists in BC are having to cancel appointments because of surgical mask shortages!

And as I mentioned several items were not available anywhere, at any of the stores I visited & for some items that's been true for a while now.

My Plan
1. Washing Hands...more
I clean my hands a lot already. Anytime I come in from being outside, I wash my hands. Anytime I'm going to touch food, I wash my hands before. Just common sense, right?

2. Don't Touch Your face!
Seriously! This is one of the main transmission routes for any bacteria or virus. Your eyes, nose, mouth...so wash your hands before you touch your face! I already do this, just trying to be more conscious of it.

3. Namaste
Handshakes are definitely out these days. I'm kind of hoping we can all switch to Namaste. :)

4. Clean Your Phone
Really, it's one of those objects that gets dirty and you touch it a lot and you sometimes put it near your face. Clean it, often! Again, something I already do...

5. Avoid Touching Surfaces
Elevator buttons, handles on doors, etc. Alternatives:

Gloves
Edges of Jackets
Paper Towels
Sanitize surface &/or clean hands after contact

6. Indoor/Outdoor Protocol

Shoes Off & Wash Hands

I ask people to remove shoes at the door and invite them to wash their hands after entering, particularly if they've been on public transit.

Outdoor Clothes

I hang outdoor coats in a closet. I also tend to change from outdoor clothes to indoors clothes when I get home. For visitors, I keep track of where they sit & if they've been on public transit, you can bet I'm cleaning a bit after they visit. :)

7. Avoid Crowded Places
Ok, this is new for me, but my friendly Canadian government says, if COVID-19 becomes common in your community, you will "want to have thought" about how to change your behaviours to reduce risk. I'm having thoughts...

Since we've now had at least one incident of "community transmission", I'd say the GVRD now qualifies as a community risk zone. In the Vancouver area, someone got COVID-19 and they have no idea where they got it or who they got it from, they didn't travel or have contact with anyone known to have it. I'm pretty sure it was a combination of that announcement, the first local death, and the WHO officially saying it was a pandemic that made everyone rush out to buy supplies at the stores this week.

So, the Canadian gov says your plan should include reducing exposure to crowded places. So here's my plan for that:

Working from home when/where possible.
Limiting social contact. I spend time with a small number of people rn.
Attempting to avoid peak times for stores. (I find this is getting hard, cause everyone seems to be doing this, so stores are busy off peak too.)
Keeping my distance from people physically, particularly if they're coughing, etc. Nothing personal, just avoid, get away. (But isn't this always true?)
Avoiding public transit. I've started avoiding public transit in general. Normally, I'd take Skytrain, but for now, my car is my friend.
Considering whether I want to attend social events. I attended one small social event, but I'm considering if I want to do the larger gathering and events I'd normally do this month.

8. Wellness
I know the government is suggesting having some food on hand & that's probably a good idea & I generally do. Here are some highlights of what's in my kitchen.

Powdered Bone Broth: Just add hot water for a basic broth, veggies &/or meat for soup, some egg for egg drop soup. Easy to use and versatile.
Canned Soup: I always try to keep a couple cans around. :)
Frozen Foods: My freezer is filled with fruits, vegetables, gluten-free bread, pre-made meals, lots of food...and that's the usual state of my freezer.

I guess this is a good place to mention supplements too.

Vitamins: I usually keep Vitamin C & a multi-vitamin in stock.
Spirulina: It's something I believe can be healthy based on the reading I've done, but you do need to be picky about brand, quality, purity. It's basically a supergreen food.
Quercetin: I choose to buy some based on this article. I understand the Quercetin I got probably isn't the same thing they're testing, but from what I've read it seems like a relatively safe supplement that's good for lots of things, including recovering from colds. My theory was probably won't hurt, might help, I'll get some! :)

I think eating well is important. You need to make sure you're taking care of yourself physically. I think the same is true mentally. You need to take care of yourself mentally too.

Make sure you educate yourself. Make sure you meditate, pray, relax. Sleep well. We need calm rational actions the most right now & acts of compassion. And belief does play a large role in how we feel and even how well our immune systems work!

So go ahead and read about The Extraordinary Decisions Facing Italian Doctors, but also make sure you read Coronavirus: Ten reasons why you ought not to panic. Both perspectives are important to have.

If you're looking for some light edutainment, I highly recommend "Cells At Work", which is on Netflix. I think now is a great time to watch it, cause you'll understand how the immune system works so much better. And it's cute. :)

#pandemicpanic #coronavirus #covid19 #makeaplan

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