personal thoughts on Covid_19/life

[elkoholic]

As the world population approaches 8 billion one has to wonder why all the uproar over a virus that will be little more than a blip in the upward spiral of human existence.  The truth is there are way too many of us and there is no population control.  Were it not for wars and disease we would have long ago arrived at the state we are rapidly ascending to, a massive die-off.  Sometime in the next century humans, along with multiple other species, will near or become extinct (earth's sixth mass extinction event) due to human overpopulation and overconsumption.

The Covid-19 virus is, in actuality, a good thing as it will leave behind stronger, healthier individuals while reducing (very slightly) human populations.  The final death toll will probably be less than 2% of the population.  Our incredibly mobile society may cause a greater toll.   We are putting so many resources into trying to control it that I can not fathom where we will make up for what we are burning through and adding to the waste (garbage) is another unaddressed issue.  We will never recover from the economical impact that has resulted from decisions made by political leaders.  The precedent set by orders enforced as law by our leaders is also troubling.

On a personal note; I realize that dealing with the death of someone close to you is hard (I have more than enough experience with that the past couple of years) and looking at your own death may be frightening.  Death is easy.  Life is hard.  One needs to look past the individual and look at the species as a whole.  We do that with other species and yes, we need to do that with ourselves.

On a lighter note, this song puts it into perspective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-glYTcW6HOA

Some more musical gems that you might enjoy if you haven't already

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQNtGoM3FVU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4xZUr0BEfE

 

[wtnhunt]

Carrying capacity 101.....  Dunno that we are beyond it, but no doubt man has been pushing the limits with destruction of ecosystems and resources in the name of expansion and growth for some time.  Yet so much is still left vastly uninhabited.

When looking at the covid impact, no doubt there is a bigger picture in all of it than just the deaths directly related to the virus.  Businesses that have closed to never reopen, the livelihoods of many.  Other impacts for many of those may be lifelong.  Suicides and the lifelong impacts they have for those families.     

With all that is taking place in the world right now, I think the potential is there for great life loss well beyond that of this virus.  This covid pandemic has in my mind increased already high tensions in relations of all kinds throughout the world.   

With respect to the need for a dieoff, at what point do we go too far preventing death that would seem untimely?  The advances in medicine that keep alive those who would otherwise not be adding to the already crowded world we live in.  At what point is playing God going too far?  Cancer, aids, heart disease, how many millions are kept alive.

These questions hit home with me.  Born with a bicuspid aortic valve, I am now at the point we are looking at my options.  The cardiologist tells me the longer we can put off replacement the better, keeping blood pressure and heart rate down with medications to prolong the inevitable all the while hoping for no catastrophic event.  We hope for potential advancements, but with also having an aneurysm at the root of the aorta we cannot wait too long.  Then this covid mess to try to acknowledge with what is being said that recovery chances if I were to get it are significantly less than most my age.  The problem as I see it is not that I cannot social distance and take all the precautions, the problem is that it takes one ignorant infected person to invade my personal space and potentially cost me my life.  I take a risk every time I go out in public places.  If not for my kids my outlook would surely be different, but with the unrest in the world especially under the current climate I would prefer to be here for them as long as possible.     

[wtnhunt]

Kind of brings to mind another question.  I know with my family history stroke and heart attack risk are very high, I would much rather when the time comes to go out quickly.  Less pain for family.  Not so sure I would want to go on a vent if it came to it if I got covid.  The idea of a long drawn out process and family ultimately having to later on down the road decide to pull the plug is not something I would want for my wife and kids.  I know how bad I felt having to make decisions for my mother at the end, still bothers me to this day. 

So what say you all, get covid bad enough go on a vent or no?

[Ravin R10 man]

oxygen yes, no ventilator

[elkoholic]

For me personally, I would say, no ventilator to maintain life.  That being said, a ventilator being used to allow a person to conserve energy (breathing takes a lot of energy) that is needed to fight off an infection or recover from some form of trauma makes perfect sense for a younger individual with a high probability of a full recovery.  If there is no organ failure and all that is needed is a short term breathing assist, then yes, it makes sense.  Quality of life afterwards and family situation come into play as well.

Although it may be hard to talk about, it is important to have a conversation with family about your wishes.  Your doctor(s) should be aware as should the local hospital.  A living will is a good idea and makes it easier for family to decide on a course of action should you be unable to.  Give everyone a copy that could be involved.  Making decisions is difficult enough but a living will gives guidance.

For me, with a bad back (it is messing up how my legs function) and constant pain, the quality of life is declining.  I have also had a couple of a-fib episodes that along with my age puts me at a greater risk if covid comes knocking.  If it happens, so be it and I'll deal with it.  I've lived, loved, procreated and raised my children to adulthood.  I have lost my wife and son.  There is nothing more to do.