On Nov. 6, my daughter Zoe was born at 23 weeks and two days. She weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces. She spent 106 long and hard days in the NICU at Utah Valley Hospital. On Feb. 20, she finally got to come home. Not long after that, concerns about COVID-19 began. As you can imagine, the timing felt cruel and hard. Zoe is immunocompromised, on oxygen, and very much at risk for all illnesses, including COVID-19.
I’m asking, begging and pleading with all of you, as you begin to make adjustments in your life, including social distancing and hygiene, please do so with people like Zoe in mind. Living in terror that your loved one could be taken from you at any time is awful, and I can’t really do anything about it. But we all can. Wash your hands, clean your space, avoid social gatherings such as meeting with friends or going out to eat. Work from home. Only interact with your immediate family whenever it is humanly possible. Avoiding social contact is hard, especially when it comes to your extended family. But right now it is the best thing you can do to help people like Zoe.
Millions of people are in similar situations as us. Know we are doing everything we can, but we can’t do it by ourselves. We need you in our communities to help. It’s hard. It’s not fair. But it is necessary for us to make it through this together as a family. So please, as you start adjusting your lives, consider keeping #distanceforzoe and helping everyone around you who is at risk. We are counting and depending on you.
Perry Goodger, Saratoga Springs