Staying Home this St. Patrick's Day
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the world around us seems like it has come to a screeching halt. Starting with the pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization last Wednesday, President Trump declaring it a national emergency by Friday, and various mayors and governors across the country ordering a wide shutdown of all restaurants/bars/non-essential shops, it's so easy for us to panic and think that this might be the life we know is about to come to an end.
Some of us might be self-isolating and using social distancing as a means to help curb the spread of the disease, while some of us have no choice but to continue going to work. Stores are running low with non-perishables, completely out of sanitizers and toilet paper (seriously people, why do we need an overstock of bum-wiping devices for an upper-respiratory disease?!), and parents are wondering how to get through the next few weeks with their kids' schools all canceled (and no play dates, either. Remember that part about social distancing?)
So in short, we could all use some good news about now.
And cue...the Great Irish Holiday!
Yes, today (March 17) marks what is known as Lá Fhéile Pádraig, or "The Day of the Festival of Patrick" and is officially celebrated as a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador provinces in Canada, and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. (And I say we should make this a national holiday here in the U.S. as well! Since I could use a government-mandated day off...)
During normal times, I'd be raving about how I'm going to pinch you for not wearing your ugly green sweater, eat waaaaaay too much corned beef, and I already wrote a long thing about how to keep your pets safe and happy while y'all owners might be bar-hopping. With the recent lockdowns, however, the part about going out ain't happening...so I figured I'd still stay on the spirit of the Green Saint and talk a little about how to keep your pets safe and happy while celebrating at home.
If you are celebrating at home, please be mindful that pets might get spooked or excited from the partying. It's important to keep a close watch on them and close the front door so they don't dash out onto the street.
Human foods in general are WAAAAAAY too salty, buttery, sweet, and spicy for pets. Especially watch out for corned beef, as its sodium content is very high (even for us). If you want to feed them something, boiled cabbage is usually a safe bet because it's rich with vitamins and minerals, and isn't dripping with butter. Just be sure to give it to them before adding tons of sodium like broth and salt into it.
Human foods in general are too salty, buttery, sweet, and spicy for pets. Especially watch out for corned beef, as its sodium content is very high (even for us). If you want to feed them something, boiled cabbage is usually a safe bet because it's rich with vitamins and minerals, and isn't dripping with butter. Just be sure to give it to them before adding tons of sodium like broth and salt into it.
This one is a little more relevant to the recent COVID-19 pandemic that's breaking out. While it seems that there is no reported cases of coronavirus in domestic animals, WHO still advises people to use hygiene and caution since pets can act as carriers for the virus and transmit it to other people. However, make sure to frequently wipe their paws with warm water and soap and help prevent the disease from spreading any further. (And before you ask, no — dogs don't need a face mask...) There have been reports of some pets who were under quarantine. But since they were recently all let go, let me just add this... WHO let the dogs out! (Sorry...😂)
And as always, have your pet first aid kit near you in case anything happens. I mean, things usually won't go THAT wrong, but it's an extra layer of security for your peace of mind, and your pets will appreciate it too.
While our country hasn't implemented draconian measures of self-quarantine yet, it might not be a bad idea to avoid going out all except for in absolutely necessary situations. (Italy, for one, is fining anyone 209 euros for going out without proper certifications. People who have been tested positive and still go out may be slapped with a 1 to 12 year-sentence for attempted homicide.) I know these are uncertain times and I, for one, am also scared for myself, my family, pets, and close friends. But this too shall pass.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'll pass on the pinching this year because I'll be self-isolating myself at home and binging on the new season of Kingdom on Netflix.