About
Safety seems to be a really good title for the year 2020. It has been a crazy ride of pandemics, riots, and economic calamity. So while all the madness is going on around I think it is important to take the time to focus on the things that you can control. If you have an ostomy then you know that safety takes an extra step or two each day and that focusing on the small things that are controllable are important. I believe that this is truly important especially when so much mental and physical time is focused on wild pandemics this year. So I just want to go over some things that help you to overcome some safety issues for your stoma.
The first thing that comes to mind is the idea of having enough. I never thought a supply issue would ever happen in the United States but after the pandemic happened we discovered that 95% of our healthcare supplies are imported from different countries. So this year the pandemic put stop on shipping in some locations and it certainly was a scary time for many who mail order all of their ostomy gear. The scariest part of the year could have been the lack of shipping mixed with the fact that local stores were closed or burned to the ground. Pharmacies were a target of looters and rioters all across the country and if you like to shop locally like I do then it was scary to see the stores destroyed. They are not coming back anytime soon and online shopping is the only way in some cases. Well we saw shipping stop to some cities in the United States and the supply chain simply failed. There were so many reasons for this, but the fact remains that if you need your ostomy gear then you must have it on hand.
The first thing that comes to mind is the idea of having enough. I never thought a supply issue would ever happen in the United States but after the pandemic happened we discovered that 95% of our healthcare supplies are imported from different countries. So this year the pandemic put stop on shipping in some locations and it certainly was a scary time for many who mail order all of their ostomy gear. The scariest part of the year could have been the lack of shipping mixed with the fact that local stores were closed or burned to the ground. Pharmacies were a target of looters and rioters all across the country and if you like to shop locally like I do then it was scary to see the stores destroyed. They are not coming back anytime soon and online shopping is the only way in some cases. Well we saw shipping stop to some cities in the United States and the supply chain simply failed. There were so many reasons for this, but the fact remains that if you need your ostomy gear then you must have it on hand.
So I think it is important to start with stoma safety by having extra gear just incase the shortage happens again. Now most of the locations in the country were just fine, but if you were in one of the unlucky areas, then you know what scarcity feels like. With the potential lockdown or elections riots that may take place I suggest simply be prepared for a problem. I don't think we will truly have an issue with supply again, but I am not worried because I slowly stocked up a few months of extra supplies just in case. Paranoia is not something I think is good, but being prepared for the worst makes me anxiety free and I think its worth having that feeling.
Now on a happier note it is summer and although social distancing is in effect most outdoor locations are happy to have you out and about. I due suggest being outside and with it being summer sunburns are a real issue with ostomy owners. So I suggest making sure your clothing is UV rated. Many shirts simply are not and even if you are outside your stoma may be at risk of a burn. Skin care is important to me and I think all stomas should be protected during the time we are outside the most. I have found outdoor companies like patagonia and columbia seem to like to add uv protection to lots of their clothing Plus they are very comfortable. So stay safe and keep washing those hands!
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Now on a happier note it is summer and although social distancing is in effect most outdoor locations are happy to have you out and about. I due suggest being outside and with it being summer sunburns are a real issue with ostomy owners. So I suggest making sure your clothing is UV rated. Many shirts simply are not and even if you are outside your stoma may be at risk of a burn. Skin care is important to me and I think all stomas should be protected during the time we are outside the most. I have found outdoor companies like patagonia and columbia seem to like to add uv protection to lots of their clothing Plus they are very comfortable. So stay safe and keep washing those hands!
Choose this theme to customize and add content to this page.