Put Corona(virus) on I.C.E.
“Seriously, lady?”
image via Pixabay
The emergence of COVID-19 and the government-mandated restrictions that were put in place to try to minimize its spread made many people highly reactive. Fear, while a natural reaction in the face of uncertainty, illness and possibly death, can cause people to react in some strange ways. We all saw the reports of people hoarding toilet paper and other supplies. You may have also seen analyses on why humans do so. Possibly, you may have been witness to some truly strange behavior, such as a friend of mine who, while at the grocery store, saw a woman look into a cart of another person (which also contained their 7-year-old child) and take some item out; when confronted, she claimed that she thought it was just an abandoned cart of stuff.
All of these actions are reactionary; they’re knee-jerk responses to feel as though we have control over something we don’t. There are, of course, more proactive measures that can be taken, which could help individuals feel more in control (or ready) now, as well as potentially providing a helpful resource well past any COVID-19 related needs.
Have a folder on I.C.E.
Like these…meddling cat not required.
Creating an In Case of Emergency folder doesn’t require much time or effort, but can make things easier on you, or your loved ones, should someone end up needing to be hospitalized due to Coronavirus. Start by grabbing a folder; you could use a file folder, but I’d recommend something more like a school folder, or small binder, that’s easier to grab and take with you. There are a number of things that people are advised to bring with them to an Emergency Room, but all of that can be put on about 3 pieces of paper. First, make a photocopy of your driver’s license (or other photo-ID) next to your insurance card. If your printer can’t make copies, take a photo with your phone and just print them. No printer? Write down the information on both cards, but be aware that they will want a photo ID. On that same sheet of paper, write out the full name and phone numbers of your emergency contacts, as well as the name and number of your Primary Care Provider, family doctor—whomever has a full medical record of yours.
On another sheet, make a list of any conditions you are currently being treated for or have diagnosed with, as well as any allergies you might have. You’ll also want the names and dosages of medicines, vitamins and supplements you take. An easy way to do this is to arrange the bottles/containers next to each other so you can see the labels clearly, take a photo of them, and print the photo.
You can leave the pills in the bottle
image via Pixabay
If you do this for each person in your household, you’ll have all the information necessary to go to the hospital and manage whatever arises while getting the treatment needed. None of this is COVID-specific, which means that it can be used for any medical emergency.
Of course, there’s one more sheet of paper that I’d strongly encourage you to put in there. Take a third piece of paper and jot down your thoughts or feelings about “If I’m dead”. I’m not talking about an essay or necessarily even full sentences. Just start by writing down what at this moment sounds right to you for your funeral or memorial. You could note a place you think it would be cool to have your ashes spread. You could say that you’d like it if people had a big barbecue in your honor, or hosted a happy hour at your favorite local brewery. Write down any and all of those thoughts, and have them at the very back of the folder.
Probably not eh best place for it.
image via Pixabay
Once you’ve made an ICE folder, there’s one more important thing to do: people need to know where it is. Make sure it’s easy to access. Tell the members of your household where to get ahold of this file if you can’t, and talk to them about the contents. If talking about that last sheet is too much right now, or if you have children with whom you aren’t ready to talk to directly about this topic, but might be curious enough to get into it, put that page in an envelope (or fold it over and tape in place) and label it with something like “only if I’m gone”.
I know this last inclusion isn’t a fun exercise, either to do or to discuss, but if you die—from Coronavirus, a heart attack, or a freak accident—there are people that you will be leaving in a state of shock and grief. And while they probably won’t be hoarding cans of beans or toilet paper as a reaction, they will still be forced into a state of reactivity; I’ve seen plenty of strange and erratic actions done by people trying to deal with the death of someone close to them. Make things just a touch easier on those loved ones by proactively giving them direction on what to do when you can no longer do anything.