Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak

[Sophie_M]

We recognise that many of us here in the community are feeling scared, worried and overwhelmed about Coronavirus (COVID19). 

As a result, we created this thread to allow people to come together here during those difficult times and encouraged those wanting to share or seek support to do so here in this space. 
 
It was important with this thread that we maintained perspective and supported each other as best as we could, medical, scientific and public health experts around the world have and still are working hard to contain the virus and treat those affected. 
 
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. 
 
There are some other helpful discussions taking place here within our forum community that you may find helpful to read or participate in: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/hi-there-i-only-just-joined-and... 

This thread is now closed for further posting. Users are still able to read through and find support through already existing posts.  

[Hanna3]

There are 868 ICU beds in NSW and 444 of these are already taken up - that is over 51%. These beds need specialised staff who quickly become exhausted (using/wearing PPE, stress etc).

So our hospitals are very soon going to be overwhelmed.

I think everyone needs to understand how serious this situation is.

What alternatives to lockdowns and vaccination are there?

I know it's tough but these are perilous times.

[Guest_1643]

i am not sure lockdowns have worked so well but i support the govt rules.
I want everyone to be safe. we aren't medical practitioners (except for some of the lovely ppl on this thread who have mentioned they have had medical training.... thank u to them) so i guess we don't make the decisions.
It's human though to vent about it and i'm okay with ppl sharing here and helpign one anoher...

if someone doesn't want to be vaccinated etc that is still their choice although i know it upsets ppl to read who are very pro vacciations, but I think it's still really important to give spcae to all the difficult feelings around this particularly for MH consumers (hate that word! have been called it twice today by my mental health team... i'm now a consumer...)

I've had medications prescribed to me without informed consent previously and i'm overly concerned with anything that goes into my body.
I'm still going to get vaccinated and support it, but I understand the fears.

[Guest_1643]

sorry Anne with an e that sound triggering and difficult .

We are here for you as a community.

Lockdowns are really destabilising, and so many of us don't know when the end of this all will come.... i was so naive, i really thought it would be a short snap lockdown. I guess I underestimated how different this new variant is.

I think you're all doing amazing writing here ur feelings. Thank u for sharing.

[Guest_1643]

hi rx, when dan was elected i was a big fan. I also loved his wife (is it chloe? Kate?

She seemed like an adorable mum and they looked like a lovely little family.

I don't hate him now, I have no energy for hate, this isn't anyone's "fault" i guess, my mind doeesn't work taht way. But maybe i'm just unable to process political information atm. My life is just about survival. One day at a time. Hating Dan won't help me with that. But if it did, maybe I would... I dunno.

I'm sorry the presser today was so disappointing. Making ppl scared is not okay.... threats etc...I hope we will find a more hopeful tone soon.

[Hanna3]

The only problem I have with people who do not get vaccinated is that they will clog up the health care system when they get sick. Otherwise it's their choice and they need to understand if they get sick that's their call.

ICUs don't just treat covid cases. They care for your child with acute meningitis, your friend/partner/brother/sister/child after a car accident.

What happens to them if the ICU units are full up?

There are no easy solutions to this situation.

[Moonstruck]

Hi Paul...even here in Q where we seem to have it "so good"at the moment..our leaders especially Premier and Health Officer have been speaking to us like children since Day One. while refusing to give any hope even though we have had zero cases these past few days. still no hope for better days to come......of course our borders are closed tight with army and police to stop anyone from crossing...even those who live on the other side of the street in NSW from their neighbours in Q {at the Tweed/Coolangatta "twin towns" what a joke!!)

even if we reach the agreed upon 70to 80% vaccination....she said "just one case can turn into thousands, when we have any in the future, then all bets are off".......{the Health Officer's favourite phrase is "we're not out of the woods yet"...{???)....

I admit defeat. Control me, threaten me, punish me...tell me when I can go out, come in, meet my friends, take my mask off, how far I can walk....when I can breathe in, when I can breathe out.....you have broken my spirit...I am done....

[Guest_1643]

Hi hanna that's interesting point. I'm not sure I agree and believe ppl here venting aren't selfish, most will get vaccinated but their views are welcome. Mental health consumers may have valid traumas and fears on this matter and this thread,I hope is safe for allopinions

[ecomama]

Dear Sleepy

I read your posts intently, because I feel a kindred spirit with you and what you're expressing also.

It'd be lovely if everyone "felt safe" to express their POVs here.

I know that I don't need to tell anyone anything about my views on these experimental vaccination roll outs, the fact that so many ppl in ICU are vaccinated, that ppl think they can't transfer the virus just because of jabs blah blah blah.... or any reactions I have to politicians et al. My views are WAY stronger than that lol.

I avoid the News like the plague lol! It's a threat to my MH.

I have 3 trusted sources for my Health Orders / Restrictions update:
~ my Govt Dept emails updating us on constant changes
~ my friend because we walk together on Sundays - she's a Nurse and is all over it
~ my eldest d - she's keeping up to date with increasing restrictions on us and letting me know.
That's enough right there!

I EXPECT to be on very opposite sides of the fence with all my friends on perhaps every possible viewpoint, IDK.
The beautiful thing between us though, is RESPECT.
Not one of my dear friends, nor I, have 'lost our split' at each other for the entire 18 months over Covid stuff.
It's because we are tempering our emotions (whilst others are losing grip on theirs - understandably so), RESPECT and love each other.
We VALUE each other and intend to be friends during this whole new pandemic. It ain't going away.

It'd be nice if a person had one other person who understood them.
I understand you Sleepy & Ezzi.
I hear you and completely respect every word you're saying.

Others may prefer a resounding VOTE by all for their viewpoints, IDK.
I think that could be what some ppl are seeking.

Btw we're following ALL Public Health Orders & extreme restrictions on just about everything in our continuing lock down within my household - what we CAN manage and control. Not outside.

I agree Sleepy. Whether I agree or disagree with anything, it is how it is right now.
It's "how we do this" that matters most to me!!

Coming at ppl and carrying on at them doesn't resonate with me either.

Thankyou for expressing yourself. I admire your courage and persistence.

I'm just "talk to the hand" lol.
Boundaries.

Love always EM

[JJ10]

Hi Everyone,

It's been a very, very long time since I've been here, yet here we are. I know when I can't do things by myself anymore and sadly I need help and advice.

I'm in NSW for work so don't have a support network at all over here and this latest lockdown is really taking its toll. There have been days where I've burst into tears and I don't even know why. It's not something that ever happens to me.

I have tried to do the right thing since the start of Covid and while I know this isn't true, it feels like I'm the only one staying home. For example, people at work have been saying thing like what new places have you discovered in your local area and I'll I could think is that now isn't the time to be moving around unnecessarily!

It has been 2 months to the day where the only time I have left my house is to pick up groceries. I would love to see other people too or even go out again but am trying to do my best not to contribute to the spread - now at the expense of my own MH.

Even now when I do go to the shops, I see so many people still out and about as if nothing is happening and I'm asking myself have I had this wrong the whole time?

Do you think it's ok to not be at home to exercise (yes, actually exercising and not loitering) despite what's happening around us?

PS. I am not vaccinated yet but have been trying to find an appointment near me well before the numbers reached this level

[Guest_1643]

Hi Hanna,I did feel at times a it taken aback by these posts, although I know some people embrace lockdo3ns and you mentioned it is relaxing, it is hard to feel like those of us who struggle are seen as saying we want people to die. I'm a vulnerable person too. I don't feel like the views of those hesitating re getting vaccinated are being respected and treated with empathy