The Coronavirus has been rapidly spreading around the world. Since I am in that most vulnerable age group I have been following directions and sticking close to home.

The constant news coverage makes it impossible to forget for even a minute that the invisible virus is lurking seemingly everywhere.

This virus uprising reminds me that I suffer from a malady that has forced me to join HA when I was but a child. “Hypochondriac Anonymous” is an organization that I bet you have never heard of before. Actually I am currently the only member of the organization but I have a feeling if I publicized its existence I could sign up many more members.

I was reminded of my hypochondriac tendencies last week as I was relaxing in my recliner watching the news. As the announcer was going over the symptoms of the Coronavirus which I had already memorized from previous newscasts I began to feel slightly uncomfortable.

I was having trouble taking a deep breath. Was my breathing becoming impaired? I felt my forehead and I didn’t appear to have a temperature. So I crawled out of the recliner thinking perhaps I should make a quick trip to the clinic and get checked out.

As I stood still gasping for air something wonderful happened. I gave off the most wonderful belch! It wasn’t the Coronavirus after all it was gas! No trip required to the clinic today. 🙂

I’m facing a new hypochondriac challenge this week. Kathie and I are delivering Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels require us to visit around a dozen homes where elderly folks are anxiously awaiting their noon meals. Think of all the virus meeting opportunities involved in that activity. Yikes!

Actually exposure to humans is very limited as the food trays are placed in plastic bags and the bags are hung on the doorknobs of the homeowner’s front door. We then knock loudly and identify ourselves by proclaiming, “Meals on wheels”

Then we scurry quickly back to the car hoping no one will attempt to engage us in conversation. Fortunately the homeowners are as fearful of our viruses as we are of there’s so conversation has not been a real problem.

Rubber gloves or no rubber gloves has been a real dilemma for me.

Yesterday I wore rubber gloves and today I didn’t. I went gloveless today because I realized we were not making contact with the people we were delivering to.

Whether I was wearing gloves or was gloveless I still had to touch the car’s steering wheel as I drove. So my hypochondriac personality forces me to wash the steering wheel with soapy water after every day of Meals on Wheels delivery because you never know where that invisible Coronavirus may be lurking. 🙁

By the end of this week I will have the cleanest steering wheel in town!

I’m sure some of the house bound folks we deliver meals to are as much of a hypochondriac as I am. They are probably peering through the window shades as I approach the front door evaluating how healthy I look.

I never sneeze or cough into my hand as I’m approaching the house as I’m aware of what affects such behavior would have on a fellow hypochondriac hiding behind the curtains watching me.

If I did hang the contaminated meal on the person’s doorknob I’m sure it would have been fired right back at me. That would require, of course, that the inhabitant take time to put on rubber gloves! 🙂

I heard some very disturbing information on the news today. It seems viruses can live on metal for many hours.

Do you realize that doorknobs or door handles are made of, yep you guessed it…metal! 🙁  I may have to schedule my first Hypochondriac Anonymous meeting tonight even if I’m the only one who attends.

As I’ve taken a few minutes to discuss my hypochondriac tendencies I recognize that one word describes the phenomenon……fear. And I’ve found a cure for dealing with that.

In scriptures Psalm 56:3-4 says, When I am afraid, I put trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and I am not afraid.

And then to add frosting to the cake I follow up with Isaiah 40:31, Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

There I’m feeling better already. I’m going to head out and deliver those plastic bagged meals and hang them on those metal doorknobs. I’m ready to soar like an eagle!

But before I sign off one last reminder, be sure to wash those hands! 🙂

Until next time.