FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak

Sophie_M
Moderator
Moderator
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.  
3,208 Replies 3,208

Happy New Year mmMekitty.

I saw today they aren't giving the rapid tests for free. Thanks for your information in a later post.

I've been very lucky with 2 PCR tests. I'm in Vic and only waited 40 minutes to get the test. Then had another after I got to QLD. Waited for nearly an hour. But I've heard of some people waiting for hours and hours. That'd be unbearable in the heat.

I heard of a friend who has covid. He wasn't going to wait for hours so got a rapid test but I don't know what he paid for it.

Let's hope that 2022 will be much better than the last two years we've had. Take care everyone.

Anita.

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Hi meforcats,

I heard the news a short while ago, & the PM saying something about how everything can't be provided for free. I do believe there are a few exceptions, such as people who are close contacts of someone in their home, & I think, age care facilities? Not sure I heard that correctly.

I've been busy today so I haven't sat down & tried to see more info, yet. & I might not now until I return from hospital, maybe, depends how I feel.

I'm glad you've been fortunate enough to not wait around for a test.

mmMekitty

mmMekitty do you need to go to hospital? I hope you're ok.

Yes I'm very grateful for the short wait times I've had.

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

That's what I'm doing. I will be okay afterwards - eventually.

Thanks for asking.

mmMekitty

Hi all,

Understanding these tests are hard to come by ATM and lots of stress around that. I was on the phone with Apple today and the customer care man was in south Australia. He was telling me about the situation there, how are south Australians doing?

Hope everyone's ok

SD0102
Community Member

I don’t know how to put in to words how I’m feeling, but I am feeling so overwhelmed and my anxiety is up & down and all over the place. I’m just not dealing well at the moment with this Omicron variant and the current outbreak.
I feel like I’m on edge and have a constant worry about keeping up to date with all of the rule changes in regards to close contact’s etc etc and the impact on our business. If we have a Covid positive case come into our business, our 5 staff could be classed as a close contact which means we would have to close our shop while everyone got tested and isolated.
If this is the case we could be opening and shutting each time this occurs. I know this is beyond my control but the implications on small businesses like ours is very stressful.
On one hand we need to get on with living with Covid(which I thought was the idea once the majority were vaccinated) but on the other hand we have a vulnerable staff member & family members we need to protect.
This Omicron variant has changed the goal posts again and I don’t know how much more I can deal with.

s82
Community Member

I have been a bit all over the place at the moment, we had a scare over the weekend, where my Dad got pinged as he was at an exposure site(a local bakery) and so we all got tested, and were negative thank God, we also got our tests back after two days, so luck must of been on our side, missed work on Friday as a precaution, but returned today after the long weekend. Felt a bit scared being out and about today, but kept distanced, had all meal breaks outside, and was careful inside the office and used sanitiser at every turn. Only going out for work and essential shopping only, and having as minimal contact as possible. Got together with friends over the Christmas break for a small, brief gathering, but it just was not the same, I think some relationships have become distant and we have become used to being apart and sharing the odd text message.

But I have held myself together OK, but have had moments, appreciate people who show me courtesy and kindness, last week I was having nice coffee at McDonalds, but had a moment of clumsiness, moved my arm the wrong way across the table, and knocked my coffee over by accident, the girl at the counter noticed and quickly cleaned up my mess and promptly got me another coffee, I offered to pay, but she told me not to worry, was an accident and it would just be written off. I am a regular on working days for a Maccas coffee and the the staff at McDonalds are always very pleasant. Also an elderly lady on the next table was very concerned and made sure I was OK.

Hi Hanna mmMekitty and everyone 🙂

Thankyou heaps for taking the time to post back with your super helpful answers!

I am starting to understand why there is such an urgency...Ive had bad anxiety for a long time yet I didnt understand why the rush for the R.A.T. was happening

I had a bad cold on 2020 and it scared the hell out of me....yet it was only a cold....with hay fever...ugh

Thankyou for the heads up nice people

my kindest always

Paul

PeanutMama83_
Community Member
Almost two years since this thread was started and we are still going through this awful thing. It is truly starting to feel like I'm feeling my way through a never ending tunnel of darkness. Every now and then things seem to lift, and the mood brightens and suddenly I feel brave enough to make plans about the future - but almost everytime those plans get shot down and we are back to being afraid of the future, Covid, the unknown. As a Victorian, I am feeling abandoned and lost. Weve spent the majority of the last two years in lockdown, being told to avoid the virus at all costs .. following strict rules gave us a sense of control, a feeling of being protected by lawmakers and those in power. And now ..... nothing! Its like the rug has been ripped from underneath us. People who don't care or don't have the time to get tested are walking around out there spreading it. My family and I have been feeling unwell lately and attempted to get tested at three different sites at around 1pm and each site visited was either closed or closing. We can't get our hands on RATs either. We were told by the traffic controller at the hospital that people start lining up for tests from 7am but the nurses don't start until 830am...It feels like I am a contestant in some kind of cruel reality show.

Hanna3
Community Member

Hi Paul,

You're very welcome! We have to support each other during these crazy times.

I read The Guardian online, anyone can as it's free and you don't have to sign up or anything - geez today it's got an article about RAT kits being free in the UK, Singapore, France you can get them free from the local library, other countries they are price controlled at a few dollars only, only the U S A charges like we are.

At my chemist here it's $62.95 for a packet of 5 and you're supposed to use one a day for 3 days for an accurate result. How can I afford that in a disability pension? Not a hope.

Yes I get nervous when I sneeze from hay fever Paul! So you're not alone, I think everyone is constantly monitoring themselves for symptoms!

Cheers mate! 🙂👍