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.  

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi kjkj77

Sorry you got the two red lines. Do you have any underlying medical conditions? If you do, make sure you pay attention to your stats, hopefully you will be asymptomatic and not feel unwell. It's a great positive attitude you have, thank you for sharing.

It's unfortunate to miss the bbq/pizza day and puppies! Who doesn't love puppies ☺️ Hopefully you will be back to the bbq/pizza and puppies in no time. If you get bored whilst isolating, you can keep us here on the forum entertain with your positive banter ☺️

Get well soon!

[Fiatlux]

Hi kjkj77,

Sorry you got Covid, but You have a great attitude about it.

I got it late January and too thought that it was almost inevitable that I would get it and January around Australia Day was a good a time as any as we were on annual leave.

It would be great to hear how you are feeling 

I am trying to be more active before Winter hits and hope that I get less sick, if I get Covid again.

stay Well 🙏🏼

[kjkj77]

Hi Fiatlux

Its coming up a week now. The (covid ) infection seems to be progressing normally like a seasonal flu. (At this stage).

The hardest thing is the self isolation. I have a lovely park just around the corner and its frustrating not being able to get out and go for a walk.

I miss coffee from the local cafe. Its driving me nuts. Making a plunger coffee at home is just not the same.

My energy levels really fluctuate. Some days Im good and are getting light chores done, other days I have low energy and get nothing much done.

A video whats app call with some friends yesterday was really good to do.

Im anxious that this covid / flu I have will linger on and develop into a chesty cough.

[mmMekitty]

Another variant, another surge, & like so many, I am tired of it, too. It saddens & angers me, & I feel despair.

That's just what I feel. I'm doing what I've been doing all along, as if there is no way out & forward through this. To challenge what I'm doing, means accepting more risk of becoming infected. I'm debating in my mind whether the reason for seeing my Ophthalmologist is worth the risk, considering that the practice is fairly large, many paitents, Doctors, Nurses & reception staff.

I still can't wear a mask, so I'll take the shield, (but I really think these are inadequate), but it will not be practical during an eye examination.

I have asked my helper to assist me, & do a RAT before we go ... I'm still nervous she will do the test properly. That will only reassure the practice I am COVID negative, nothing more.

I'll be vigilant for a week after, I suppose, & isolating myself - just in case! Practically, I'm not changing anything I've been doing already.

It's just the frustrated desire to get out more, again, to regain some of the confidence I have lost about going out & feeling I can manage my safety when I do. The longer this goes on, the more difficult it will be to feel I can confidently walk around in public spaces on my own, as I once did.

Ride the turbulence, eh? Isn't that what we need to do? Grumble all we like, while we strap in & hold tight anyway.

mmMekitty

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi mmMeKitty

I feel exactly the same! Two and a half years of home isolation is eating me away day by day. It's very hard because for the past couple of years we're told to stay indoors and only go out if necessary, now we're being told there are no restrictions and we need to learn to 'live with COVID', it's very hard to go from two years of shielding then suddenly change your mindset to go about life as per 'normal' . There's not much difference to two years ago, case numbers are still high, more infectious variants are circulating and COVID safe measures have been relaxed.

What pains me is that there are so many healthy people that just keep saying, get on with it because fortunately they came out of COVID with merely flu like symptoms and recovered, but for those unfortunate souls that are vulnerable to COVID we can't just think like that, it would be foolish.

It saddens me to hear you are evaluating your risks to see an opthamologist. I'm supposed to see a cardiologist but too afraid to go to hospital. I'm also supposed to see an exercise physio but have refrained because I don't like my chances going into a busy practice. Not to mention, I have also delayed seeing my dentist, there's no way to wear a mask to get your teeth cleaned.

It's so sad because it's the vulnerable people that need to see health professionals most but are too afraid or anxious due to the risks of getting COVID. I can't imagine what our health system will be like because vulnerable people will have exacerbated health issues due to not seeing their health professionals on time.

On the other hand, I'm really trying to learn how to live with COVID, I too fear the longer I shield myself the harder it will be to do simple things like walk to local shops to pick up milk or pick up a parcel from the post office.

Every week I'm trying to push myself as much as I can tolerate. I get so scared because no one else is wearing a mask anymore or even trying to social distance but I just have to keep telling myself, that I can only do my best and can't worry about things that I have no control over, just focus on what I can control.

Really unfortunate you can't wear a mask. I know it might be useless but I wonder if it helps to wear some kind of bib over your face like a veil? (I'm thinking Arabian Nights... It won't protect from airbourne but maybe larger particles? I really don't know what I would do if I was in your situation and can only sympathise.

Hope things get better for you!

[mmMekitty]

Hello & thank you, Bunny Rabbit.

I try to keep up with the most recent info, but that has become more difficult to do. I'm not spending nearly as much time looking for the info as I did for the first year, year & half ... & realised that was causing me more stress than it was relieving. I got the basics, have decided pretty much to do what I can, which does mean limitting my exposure to crowded & enclosed places, because of the problem with masks.

While I might wear something much thinner & looser, or even a fce shield, these things are not a suitable substitution for a proper mask.

I can imagine if I did wear something else, just for show, or because maybe I would feel more socially comfortable with something over my face, I could inadvertently attract unwanted attention.

There's a lot to be said for thinking about what we can control. Trying to assess relative risk, then doing what we can to maintain our usual lives where we can. Your attitude seems very sensible to me.

I suppose, good things coming from this are: learning more about how to manage my anxiety & learning that I do actually need people, at least to some extent, sometimes. & recently, I have learned how to use (at the most basic level) Face Time to talk to my PDr. Now if someone else wants to Face Time call me, I could oblige.😸

mmMekitty

[Cat67]

Two years on.....you're exactly right.

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi mmMeKitty

I think most people that care about their health will do the best they can to protect themselves. It's just the parts we can't control that cause me anxiety mostly. i.e. being vulnerable to COVID, I didn't choose to be vulnerable, it's just unfortunate but the pressure from society can be debilitating at times ... I want to be part of society but I'm conscious I'm not an equal when it comes to health. If a healthy person gets COVID they probably won't die or get really sick, if I get COVID chances are much higher for a bad outcome. But for society, there is no balance, I went to pharmacy to get some medication, did my best to stay away from people but there was one guy that was literally breathing down my neck in the queue to pay, I asked him to give me some distance because I'm vulnerable to COVID and he just gave me a really dirty look and took one step back but he was still less than a metre from me. It was really frightening for me but I guess this is part of 'living with COVID' there will be plenty of people that don't understand how hard it is for vulnerable people.

I too have stopped scouring the internet for COVID news, for one part it also made me more anxious and in other parts the news I've noticed has really been watered down to a point where it doesn't add value. Just focusing on things that can improve my current situation, such as improve my health, work out alternative solutions to risky situations.

That's pretty cool you're upping your game on technology! Well Done! 😁 My mum who used to be computer illiterate is now teaching me how to find things on YouTube, it's pretty funny what she looks for online. Some things I would never expect her to research but if anything, COVID has taught her the limitless bounds of internet 😁

[mmMekitty]

Hi BunnyRabbit,

I'm finding things on YouTube too. Mostly audiobooks. It's can be difficult to find complete books or series. & I hate ads! But that's something to put up with unless I find posts of gold lying around, & subscribe to everything which promises no ads. (& give over all my valuable data).

My main problem in crowded places is the people, especially those who do not respect the 1.5 metres. Alone, I struggle to keep track of where people are, because of my vision. There seem to be a fairly high percentage of people who don't understand what it means, when someone uses a white cane. They don't seem to comprehend that it means I might not see them. Or, worse, seem not to care & wilfully move closer, as if it won't matter if either of us has COVID-19.

Even my helper is not as conscientious about as I'd prefer.

I too, am one of the vulnerable people, & not being able to wear a mask has really messed up the idea that I could get through all this okay.

I also am doing online food shopping. I have issues with some aspects, but manage to get most of what I want. I think I ought to do some this evening, too. A few too many things I'm running very low on. Even going into the local supermarket by myself & locating what I want takes so much time, so I haven't done that for two years, by myself.

I begin to wonder if I will feel independent ever again.

*

Gotta get to my bikkies. My place smells so nice & friendly warm when I do a bit of baking. I am discovering I like to cook such treats for myself. 😺

mmMekitty

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi mmMeKitty

I'm so sorry you're doing it especially tough during the pandemic. I find it hard enough being unable to drive so need to rely on hubby to do all the shopping. I used to catch a bus or get an uber but both those options are so risky.

Unable to wear a mask must be so hard, as it's pretty much the only protective gear we've been told to use. Unless like in your case you are unable to wear a mask, I don't understand why people can't put one on to reduce the number of infections going around or to protect the vulnerable people in our society, especially for those that can't wear a mask.

I really feel for you, when people don't try to look after the vulnerable. It's a bit hard to miss a person walking with a cane. I have a disdain for people that think what they're doing is more important or above anyone else, thus putting someone else at risk for them is justified. I've seen it happen so often, like you say, they might ignore that you are visually impaired and instead of being patient or considerate, they decide to 'overtake' and ignore any social distancing so they can go about their own life faster. It's pretty horrible, but I see it too often. I've been hit with a shopping trolley a few times, because they were in a rush.

Some of the positives being homebound means you don't need to interact with horrid people, stay at home and bake cookies and complain about how much ads are on YouTube 😁 I watched one clip the other day, it was 5mins long and it had an ad every minute that went for 30 seconds each time! The worst part was, they didn't even give you the skip option, but you're right, subscriptions are becoming so costly, will almost have to sell your first born soon to keep up with it all!

I do most my shopping online too, but I have a very shy postie, most my deliveries he doesn't even try to deliver my goods, he just puts a card in my box saying he tried to deliver but I wasn't home, so I have to pick it up from the post office, ironic that I'm homebound, makes you wonder...