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.  

[Complex_Little_Pirate]

Hi there, I want to thank you for your comments. I'm scared too, a lot of the time, or even most of the time. I'm scared right now. My life is dominated by fear, I'm sorry to say. It's exhausting. That's why I'm posting this reply, because sometimes expressing how I feel, helps me. I'm also listening to a favorite affirmations track on loop ('Calming our scattered minds' on YT). Afterwards I'll try some new sleep meditations I found.

I too felt better during lockdowns. I know they caused a lot of people a great deal of difficulty especially if their work was affected, but they also protected us from excessive waves of infection. I was anxious attending three family gatherings over the holiday period; it felt like we were playing Russian roulette.

It's pretty much a slog of fear and pain for me at the moment, but I know from past experience that this will change over time. Moments of grace are so appreciated: a glimpse of a pelican sailing serenely above, the sight of my horses grazing peacefully in their paddock, the feeling of my cats coming to curl up next to me, the smile or kind word of a stranger.

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Another fan of lockdown here. I’m in safe WA watching it all unfold across the border, and along with many others, I don’t want our borders coming down. It seems like chaos and madness and I can’t understand why we would open up and invite it in. Russian roulette is an apt descriptor…

[Guest_1584]

l've thought this round and through the others , WA and some of the others were being absolutely ridiculous nanny state buttttt, here we are over on the East and what a mess now sooooo, maybe not.

l also wanted the lock downs to end , 18mths when the rest of the world was open and managing , until this last latest round. l was worried about business, people , our kids , and everyone's MH . But as they've done in Vic though and just throwing open all gates as wide as they can virtually over night now that rather than gradually was just crazy and here we are.

From here we can only hope this thing drops off in a few wks as it did in Africa.

rx

[Hanna3]

Hi randomx

Yep mate I agree with you, WA & Qld have been free or almost free of covid for two years I'd rather have been living there than NSW! Smaller widespread population helped them too - still their premiers stayed tough on their state borders. Victoria didn't stand much chance with people coming across from NSW illegally a lot & bringing the virus with them.

Yep trouble in NSW is they opened up & relaxed things like masks and distancing with the plans they had for Delta so thought we were double vaxxed etc., so they thought it was OK & they didn't pay attention to Omicron even though it was raging through overseas and the govt should have been more cautious and had plans in place for more contagious variants. People here can't get booster shots yet and the govt didn't procure RATs and kids aren't vaccinated yet & now NSW and Vic are a mess.

Apart from doing our best to keep things under control until people got vaccinated, I feel like the lockdowns and all the effort we went through to save our hospitals and help stop so many people getting very sick or dying has been wasted.

Nothing will completely stop Omicron it's so infectious but we could have been better prepared and more cautious. Hopefully in younger people it'll be mild like a cold/flu but for others it still seems to be pretty nasty and while most people can manage at home some will still need hospital and it seems to be affecting children more than Delta did. Our hospitals are struggling and I don't believe what the politicians say, the doctors and nurses say things are pretty bad and now we have supply problems in supermarkets. Don't know how schools will manage with teachers getting it.

In the UK they're having trouble with rubbish removal as too many workers are sick or isolating, you should see the photos of overflowing rubbish bins in the streets there!

They seem to hope this Omicron will peak around February and recede fast but they're not sure because Africa had a lot of previous infections giving them more immunity so they can't be certain.

Shopping centres here almost empty, car parks almost empty, people now staying away. Everyone having picnics outdoors, buying take away and having dinner at picnic tables, outdoor cafes still busy. We're lucky it's summer here in Australia.

Bummer though that we didn't take more care and planned ahead when we could have.

[mmMekitty]

Hi Hanna,

& ... the problems associated with the RATest, availability, expecting or soon to expect people to report the results - I wonder how many people will do that?

How many people will not be counted as having COVID-19 each day? & where are they? No one but the individual & perhaps some people close to them will know.

How many people will isolate following a RATest?

How many people would go out of their way (especially if they must buy their own),to do two or three of the tests, because doing a single RATest is not as accurate as having the PCR test?

How many people will be out in the community, thinking they are 'negative' when in fact they may be positive for COVID-19?

& how many will be experiencing symptoms severe enough to force them to stay home, not going to work, which will only impact on the workplaces ability to function if 'too many' people are off sick? How many will still go to work, even knowing they are infectious, just not showing many symptoms?

How many people will end up getting sicker or dying because their hospital treatments have been put back, again, & again? Try as they might, the good people working in the hospital system can only do so much with the resources they have. It seems, they are expected to be able to meet the growing demand, without any way near the resources they need.

The sort of conditions we are having to face have me projecting ahead to a time when we will experience deprivation like that experienced during the Great Depression, or World War conditions. I dared not let myself think like this, even though I saw many images from countries without the resources or supports we have, because it was so frightening. I wasn't quite ready to believe it could be like that here, but now I am very near to that sort of future as being very possible & something to prepare for.

I still think we can deal with COVID-19 Omicron & future mutations, but it takes a concerted , MASSIVE, effort from everyone. Even our mental health, supporting each other, lots of communication, including quality information,& truckloads of old-fashioned grit & determination.

mmMekitty

[Hanna3]

Hi mmMekitty

I don't think it will be as bad as you say as our world has advanced in science and medicine since then but yes the actual figures will be much higher than reported.

There's no way to stop this virus it will eventually run itself out of people to infect but we can take sensible precautions to protect ourselves and our health care system.

People manage amazingly well by picnicking outside and going for walks and thankfully we have access to the internet and books and indoor activities to keep our minds active.

I think it's best to stay as positive as possible as pandemicd eventually burn themselves out. But we haven't managed it here this time with Omicron as well as we could have done!

[Guest_1643]

That's true mekitty

I wish things like Ur points were more talked about.

If someone suffers distress, trauma,, anxiety, crises and needs help...we are being told hospitals aren't safe or when we get there, there's no services

everyone hold on tightly to the diamonds in Ur life, friends, health professionals, who will help u and support u during this time

It sure is a rough time to be q vulnerable person

All I get fro, got and media messaging s judgement and chastisement

Stay home, Stay safe etc etc

I think messaging should also focus on how to stay well. To keep stable. On where to get crises support. On support services and food centres.

Those places have kept me sane and out of debt.

[monkey_magic]

The virus is close to home for me now. There seems to be a case at a lot of places I go. Plus my cousin's ex boyfriend, double vaxxed, no known underlying conditions died from Covid.

Im double vaxxed but more wary now because it seems to be in my area.

[CMF]

Hi all

Very valid points here. My partner, his son & I tested positive yesterday on a RAT. We don't live together. His sis lives with them, has symptoms but tests negative. I feel pretty crappy. Sore all over, headache, tired hot/cold. It would be easy for people to go about their business if symptoms are mild. Mine are not. I did get out in the garden/sunshine today. Maybe I overdid it. Trying to look after kids too & very hard to get a shopping delivery. Cost $15 ,& coming Wednesday night. Some foods out of stock

it's crazy

Cmf x

[Matchy69]

How safe is the vaccine ?My brother ended up in ICU after developing two blood clots from the vaccine.It is very scared times.