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.  

[Guest_1584]

Yeah l'm not one to be banging on about economies and all the money money rubbish l feel Aus has become , l actually despise it all. but for me the small business or large for that matter aren't about that. lt's just sad for our shopping centers seeing them disappearing, their employees , the business owners themselves that have struggled for yrs keeping things afloat , families relying on the job for their mortgages and living l dunno. It all just involves and effects so many things and people. But of course there's so many other angles too l know, and people and lives and MH and kids and on and on, the whole thing is just surreal.

Some possible well a maybe at this stage, good news though people. Heard yesterday Omicron's peaked in Africa and numbers are dropping just as fast as they appeared. They don't know yet if they'll keep dropping but if they do the same could happen everywhere else too and this one could well be very short lived, so there's at least a maybe there.

rx

[On The Road]

I'm kinda anxious about this as the new cases have gone a new high. But it seems the new variant is less severe. Hoping for the best 🙏

[Freakedout]

Hardest when you don’t see the end in sight. Having a bad day today, seems like being around a place where confirmed case was has given me the extra fear today.

will this damn pandemic ever go away

[mmMekitty]

I have felt a spike iof anxiety when a place in te suburb where I live, or a shopping centre I have visited or even when the suburb where my PDr is, (& I haven't been there for perhaps 21 months now(, just because it may effect him, I suppose, or be at a time I might have, so I check & find out. I do try to use the QR cCode, & trust I' would be contacted if I did happen to be at a location when someone infected with COVID-19 has been there. So far, I have not been.

I don't like checking contact tracing lists, because now they are so long. When I do now, I use the filter for only the suburbs I have a direct interest in. Flooding my mind with all the information does become overwhelming. I've found it helps to limit how much & how often I look at news & online info.

& also, being as careful as possible, helps with anxious feelings about being potentially infected, but can contribute to being hyper-vigilant & more isolated & lonely.

I weigh up various factors & my current needs, & make decisions accordingly Provided my decisions don't harm anyone, of-course, I feel content, understanding there will be highs & lows, occasional days when the anxiety is worse, or the feelings of isolation. Day, by day, with the thought that while there may be more variants of COVID-19, one day, we won't be as concerned as we are now because we'll either have better vaccines, or we'll not get as sick from it, & COVID-19 will fade into the background like many things do.

Although there are more people infected, its worth remembering most are not getting as sick as with Delta, & fewer people are in hospital or dying, sad though that is.

mmMekitty

[Elizabeth CP]

I am finding it hard as there doesn't seem to be decent leadership from politician's to manage the outbreak. It seems like we are left to deal with it because they can't. They promised no more lockdowns & assume Omicron is less severe but we don't really know. Testing sites are overrun. Hopitals are still not able to run properly so waiting lists for non covid is exploding.

My son & family were booked to visit in Jan but flights have been cancelled so they can't come. Don't know when we'll see them agin. They live in the UK. My dtr who lives in the UK got a job hereafter the borders opened but her flights have been rebooked 3 time due to flight being cancelled due to outbreak. Rules about international arrivals change constantly so we don't know what the situation will be when she comes provided she can get on the flight as planned.

I feel as though I'm still in lockdown as it is too unsafe to go anywhere with people. I still avoid shopping centres. I don't like speaking to people any more as I can't deal with the ridiculous ideas so many have including family & friends. Sorry I am feeling extremely negative at the moment.

[mmMekitty]

That's alright, Elizabeth CP, quite undestandable. I'm sorry it's so difficult to have family far away & nothing you can do about it. I have kind of quit concerning myself with what the governments are saying, except where I have no choice but to follow requirements, even though I'm not sure how to meet those requirements when the systems can't cope with demand.

Even if I can get in & get a test on Dec 31, (wonder how long I'll be waiting), how can I be sure the results will come back before Jan 4? Even in Qld I understand they are struggling to get results to people.

I'm still going to see if anything else will suffice, such as two or three of the rapid antigen tests.

So, for people out there, trying to get tests & hospital care, I sympathise.

As for protecting myself, I am pretty much a hermit. That's the simplest,most effective way to be certain. But I understand how much more difficult it is for people who have partners, kids, extended family, more friends, work, etcetera.

We may have to make tough decisions, to do the best we can by ourselves & people around us.The government websites might be hard to read through & find out what we need to know,but I have thought they do have quality info, because so much of it comes from qualified people working in medicine, epidemiology, & such. But when pollies speak, I'm tending to roll my eyes & switch off.

mmMekitty

[Guest_1643]

Hi all,

The huge lines to get tested really stress me out. Waiting outdoors amongst others for so long sounds really scary to me. I am thrilled ppl are responsible and getting tested but it is scary driving ATM seeing long queues and k owing its people waiting to be tested. Seems so intense

[Guest_1584]

Yeah it amazes me that people will even do it. But l've thought 2yrs now even if you didn't have Covid when you went there you'll probably have it by the time you get out of there.

rx

[Added]

Hi All - I am finding it really tough at the moment. I was, a while ago, getting my anxiety down to manageable levels and starting to have some decent sleep and days without too many anxiety symptoms. Now I am back to sleepless nights and physical symptoms that scare me and panic attacks and all the fear that comes with it. I am double vaxed but booster not due until Feb and then there is the news out of UK that the booster effect only lasts for 10 weeks... does this mean we will need a vax every 10 weeks!!!! There is nowhere to hide from this relentless virus. Living in Melbourne, I have had too much anxiety for too long. I didn't see my family on Xmas day because they were having quite a few people and I felt unsafe so I also feel lonely and isolated although I do live with my partner, I often feel he does not understand although he mostly tries very hard. Each night brings more dread as I am afraid of my panic ... Anyway, sorry I don't have many happy things to say today.....

[Guest_1643]

Hi Elizabeth , I found Ur post really relatively. It is hard to feel confident or safe.

I have anxiety through the roof now, and am finding it hard, so I really relate.

I, sorry Ur finding it so difficult and am here for u.