courage is about doing what needs to be done, when it needs doing

It turns out that COVID-19 is a very selective killer virus.  It’s racist, ageist, fattist, and discriminates against those who have cancer, diabetes, or a heart problem.  Doesn’t much like men either.  You are also far more likely to get seriously ill or die if you live in a big city and don’t get much exercise, fresh air, and sunshine.  If you want to sail through a pandemic then you should be younger, fitter, and free from underlying health conditions and addictions.

There is a little evidence that smokers are less affected by the coronavirus than people who do not and have never smoked.  If you’re a smoker don’t congratulate yourself because smoking will kill you faster and more certainly then COVID-19 ever would.  Also, smokers tend to be unfit and have a host of chronic illnesses ~ like heart diseases.  In fact, anyone with any addiction; booze, drugs of any kind, gambling, junk food, casual sex….. is far more likely to die from that addiction than from COVID-19, but this virus could well just push you over the edge.

As an example; working age men are twice as likely to die of COVID-19 than a similar woman.  And, the 70 to 79 age group are 50 times more likely to die from catching the coronavirus than the under 40s.  It’s complicated.

We do not know yet how to account for this.  Socio-economic factors may be an influence…..  There could be hidden genetic factors we do not yet understand.  ~  Professor Karol Sikora.

We can’t alter our age or ethnicity, and it’s hard to change our socio-economic status, or where we live.  But, how long is a piece of string?  There is usually a big difference between someone’s chronological age than their physical age.    Most chronic illnesses are caused by what we do and how we live; alcoholics will routinely suffer from liver and kidney diseases, heart diseases, cancers, and dementia ~ as well as having a strong chance of dying in an accident or committing suicide.  Type 2 diabetes is all about lifestyle…..

So, to have a longer, healthier, and more rewarding life we need to be brave enough to change, have some self-discipline, stop being self-destructive, and just take good care of ourselves; physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

For a start, no matter what else you believe or have been told, get out there and get some fresh air and exercise.  Stop drinking, smoking, hanging around in bars, and eating junk food.

Some say you are just as old as you feel.  And that they’re not really an addict, they just smoke the occasional joint, and like a beer or two.  All I know is that most of us were on the Road to Hell but we can get off any time we like.

~

jack collier

jackcollier7@talktalk.net

a glass of red a few times a week might be good for you