By Mike Sokol
These are the times that try men’s (and women’s) souls.
I used that quote that last week, and it’s even more true by an order of magnitude this week. Just a few months ago we had little idea of what was in store for us all (the human race). But now we’ve looked into its eye, and it ain’t pretty. COVID-19 has become front and center of everything we do, changing our social lives, our work lives, even our shopping lives. But I won’t go into all the things to panic about. Instead I’m going to tell you what I’m personally doing to help with the situation and suggest you find your own positive ways to help.
“Don’t sit there and whine that you have nothing to do. Open a bottle of wine and figure out some way to help.” —Mike Sokol
Yep, my brain has been in overdrive the last few weeks finding ways I can help. So I’m going to outline a few of the things I’m currently working on, as well as suggesting some ideas you might consider to help yourself and others out.
#1) I’m launching my RVelectricity™ Webstreaming this coming Thursday, April 2, at 1 p.m. EST. What gave me the kick in the butt to do this was that I’m supposed to be in Tucson, AZ, today teaching an RVelectricity seminar for the FMCA. But it was cancelled two weeks ago and I’m all dressed up with no place to go.
So I’ve bought a pro version of Ecamm software, ironed my pretty red shirt with the atomic logo, and set up my office for livestreaming. Until we are back to normal (and probably long after that), I’ll be livestreaming a different 20-minute RVelectricity™ Webcast every week, along with a 3-minute Video Short. That way you will have a continuous stream of information on all things electrical as it relates to RV power (and maybe more).
No, I really don’t have a sponsor for this yet, but I’m sure one will come. But I’m not going to sit around and worry – I’m going to teach. So if YouTube is my classroom, then you’re all my online students. All you have to do is subscribe to my RVelectricity™ YouTube channel.
#2) I had a call from one of my best friends who’s helping a neighbor with a 3-D printer produce dozens of safety masks for medical centers in the area. Hard to believe, but we know dozens of local nurses and healthcare workers (some working in the COVID-19 area of our hospital) who still don’t have face masks.
So, when the call came in about some guy lacking clear plastic for the face shields, I helped engineer a new way to do this that saved him a bunch of assembly time, and also supplied him enough stock from my own inventory to build 300 masks. I also found a source and ordered another 300 pieces of this special stock, and I have another 300 pieces still on the shelf. So, my small contribution will help keep up to 900 health care workers safe by providing them with free face masks. If the hospitals can’t do it, then my friend and I are willing to help.
#3) My wife has been comforting family members on the phone for the last several weeks since they’re all terrified of the Coronavirus, and she’s doing a great job of keeping them calm. And we have a few family members who may have been exposed and they’re now self-isolating.
I’ve ordered a few small comfort items for them and hung them on their door after carefully disinfecting them. Then we call them from the safety of our car and tell them their goodies are on the door. It’s not a lot, but even a box of your favorite decaffeinated breakfast tea can mean a lot when you’re stuck in the house and can’t go out.
If they need anything really important I’ve offered to do a store run while protecting myself. Yes, I used to work in a class-100 clean room back in the ’80s building missile guidance systems, so I know a good bit about avoiding contamination.
#4) One of my grown children can’t go to work right now, and since he was already taking online classes for his Master’s degree, he asked the teacher to let him work ahead. He’s spending 5 hours a day taking his next class on his computer. He loves it and has been getting 98% grades so far.
Those are some of the things I’ve been doing, so here are some other possibilities for you. Some are whimsical while others can save lives. Don’t sit there and whine, do something…
#1) Consider setting up your RV as a possible isolation room. You may find a family member has contracted COVID-19 and needs to be isolated from the rest of the household. What better place than your RV trailer in the backyard. But get your power hooked up to it now before you really need it. And no, a cheap orange extension cord doesn’t qualify. If you already have a pedestal on your house, that’s great. Or at least get the heaviest and shortest extension cord that will fit and get it hooked up.
#2) Don’t hoard things. No, we’re not going to run out of toilet paper anytime soon, so you probably only need to stock a few months ahead. I’m pretty sure nobody needs to buy a year’s supply or install a bidet adapter on their toilet right now, but that’s happening. Ugh.
#3) If you can sew, there are some sewing clubs making surgical masks for heath care workers. While what you’re sewing won’t be N95 rated, workers can wear them over top of their limited supply of N95 masks, thereby extending their life.
#4) Paint or make something pretty and give it to a friend that needs a lift. Depression is dangerous so anything that gets their mind off of this situation for a few minutes can help.
#5) Put in a garden and learn how to can vegetables. It’s better than eating processed food anyway.
#6) Design something useful and start making them for sale on Etsy or give them away locally if you can. I really like this little kid’s hat with a protective face shield, but use your imagination. Don’t overprice them on Etsy, please, as many people are out of work, so be fair.
#7) Start a Facebook group and post ideas that can help keep everyone safe. Here’s one created by my colleague Nichole Wheeler called MAP – Maintenance Awareness Prevention – with ideas to keep safe and sane. I just posted about using an iPad rubber-tipped stylus to avoid touching the screen on your ATM or gas pump with your fingers. Works great. And I love the post about using doggie poo bags as quickie gloves (saves the glove supply) when you have to touch doorknobs or whatever. Really great ideas. (Editor: Here are more rubber-tipped stylus pens on Amazon.com, if you’re interested, since the one Mike mentioned is almost out of stock.)
#8) Make sure you read Chuck’s Coronavirus updates here on RVtravel.com. He’s working hard to keep you, our RVing readers, informed about RVing and staying safe in these challenging times.
#9) Move your body, for heaven’s sake. We’re mostly sitting on our couches now, so find an online program on Yoga or stretching or whatever exercise you like (or can at least tolerate) and start doing it on a regular basis. Outdoor walks are encouraged as long as you stay 6 feet from anyone. Take your dog for a walk – he or she will enjoy getting some fresh air and exercise, too.
#10) Stay healthy from other medical problems. You do not want to go the hospital right now for a broken leg, or heart attack, or anything else for that matter. So don’t take any risks (no bungee jumping or chain sawing trees) and just chill out until this all blows over. I’ve talked to a few medical industry insiders who say they expect to be fully overloaded very soon, and you don’t want to be part of the problem. And be sure to order your regular medications as far in advance as you can. Don’t expect your pill order to arrive in a week – better plan for a month or more of delivery time, or as far in advance as they let you order.
Oh, and if you have any ideas to help out, please tell us in the comments below.
I hope this helps inspire you to find something you can do to help. Finally, as I always say (and it’s even more true than ever) – Let’s play safe out there….
Mike Sokol is an electrical and professional sound expert with 50+ years in the industry. His excellent book RV Electrical Safety is available at Amazon.com. For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here.
For information on how to support RVelectricity and No~Shock~Zone articles, seminars and videos, please click the I Like Mike Campaign.
##RVT941
You do NOT need to stock toilet paper “a few months ahead”. That is the cause of the shortage for everyone else.
Thank’s Mike for all you do for our readership and the outside world also. Stay safe, stay well.
You state the time as 1PM CST for your Webstreaming. I think you mean CT, since we are now using Daylight Savings Time. I suggest CT would be could to use, as it is valid all year.
Sorry, I meant EST and ET.
I would love it if we could just stop doing the daylight saving thing.
No, I said 1 pm EST which is Eastern Standard Time. But no worries as I’ll set up a YouTube alert that will drop into your inbox with a link to the correct time.
Mike, you need to get online and check out the latest (yesterday) release from the UK. It seems that the world British epidemiologist who proclaimed Corona virus to be the long dreaded pandemic that caused wUK and the US to declare national panic has publicly announced that he has made a mistake and the virus is not going to kill the projected numbers in the US or the U.K. and that he is very sorry for swaying the World Health Organization into declaring a global pandemic crisis.
I do apluad you and your contribution to the declared situation. Keep up the good work and I will support your continued efforts to educate the electrically challenged masses. Although as Hollywood so eloquently put it “you can’t fix stupid “.
For point #9 above, there is a company called SilverSneakers that specializes in workouts for seniors. For the past couple of weeks, they have been doing live 30-minute workouts for free on their Facebook page. They are fairly low impact, don’t require any equipment (unless you want to use a chair for support), and can be done indoors. The next one is Monday (March 30) at 11:30am CDT. Since I am working from home, they have been a nice and welcome break.
Great article and ideas! Bravo to you and your expertise in helping develop and construct face shields for health workers. Concerning bedets, we had already installed 3 of the converters on our toilets before this. They are great and we will have a hand held one for our RV when we can finally hit the road again. We find that it is easier on us due to severe back problems. The need for about 90% less toilet paper is certainly an advantage now. Hope your podcast is a great success as I’m sure it will be and again some great ideas and advice.
Hi Mike,
I thought you might be interested to know I am quoting you from this column in tomorrow’s sermon. I’d be happy to send you a copy if you like, but I’d need an email address.
We met at the Hershey Show last fall. You and I talked in the hall for a while, about my melted 120 VAC adapter (house plug to RV power cable). I don’t think I told you I am an Episcopal priest. It was not relevant at the time, but your words about finding positive ways to help certainly are relevant at this time. Thank you for writing!
Yes, please send it to me at mike@noshockzone.org. Thanks…
Even though we want to visit friends and family face to face; we can’t in these times. But we can do it through the internet using group meeting software. A few days ago my better half visited with several friends for an hour. They laughed, joked, told stories just like they were across the table from each other. Actually they were three houses to half a continent away. If they can do it – so can most all of us.
Yes, it’s amazingly easy to do that. In fact in my RVelectricity Newsletter tomorrow I’m laying out a way we can do Virtual RV Rallies.
I like the kids face shield. BTW, you CAN make N95 masks by using regular sewing interfacing (not web) to line the inside of the mask. Also, your local hospital may have kits you can sew with other appropriate shielding material. Check with them first as to what they they recommend.
A few of our local hobby stores are giving out bundles of pre-cut fabric with directions on how to sew them into masks for hospitals. You can pick a bundle up, sew them into masks, and drop them off at the store where they’ll be distributed to where they’re needed locally.
Hi, Mike. My wife and I, along with a seamstress friend, have been making masks for healthcare workers. It’s the least we can do for those brave souls.
Regarding subject matter for your short videos, it would be very helpful to learn about how to add a dimming switch to a 12v circuit. My 2016 RV has one dimmer for one circuit, but I’d like to add 2 others in a couple of others. I’m having a problem doing that, as I believe it has something to do with how or where those circuits are grounded. Any explanation would be helpful.
Thanks for all you do for the RV community!
Sounds like a great idea. I’ll put it on my to-do list.
Great job Mike!
Thanks for the uplifting ideas and people stepping up and doing the right thing in this time of need. Try to be positive and if you are like us, stuck in an RV park with nothing to do, I walk around the park each day and yes, we keep our distances. Say hello to your fellow RVer. Don’t be a stick in the mud. When someone comes in next to you, ask if they are all right. Being positive goes a long ways. If you have a roll of toilet paper to spare, ask them if they need some. It helps them and makes you feel better in the fact that you are doing something positive for people!
If you get bored sitting inside, take a drive to you local Blood Bank and donate blood. You’ll feel better and they’ll appreciate your donation.
Yes. And you might run into friends that you can catch up with from a distance!!!
Good idea. I have AB negative blood which is always in demand. (Less than 1% of the population is AB neg). BTW: Do you know your own blood type? It could be imiportant.
Thanks Mike
Something we’ve been doing is calling our friends and family around 4pm, and checking in on them and starting our happy hour together!
Cheers! Thanks for the uplift!
We’re all in this together, do your part and I’ll do mine! Soon, we’ll all be sitting around a campfire, enjoying life again as we remember.
That’s great. I’ve also been calling my various business contacts around the country just to ask how they and their families are doing.
Really appreciate the info and reminders to stay in the right frame of mind. Thank you Mike!
Very informative article, Mike. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and suggestions and bless you and your wife for the goodie bags you give out to isolated friends and family. Looking forward to your RVElectricity YouTube channel. Take care.