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]

Sorry Elizabeth l somehow no idea how, wound up with added's message in with mine but none the less yeah, very sorry for what you and your h are going through.

Thanks for the run down , it's getting even harder to wrap the head around it all .

rx

[mmMekitty]

Hello Paw Prints,

I appreciate your clearly written explanation of the benefits and limitations of the vaccines. Face masks are also not 100% going to stop the virus from being exhaled and inhaled either. Together, along with maintaining at least 1.5m apart, in outdoor settings, and 2m or 4m (depending on size) when indoors.

*

I'm frustrated with the frequent changing of what is allowed and what is not, and then yes, we do have some people who need things spelled out to them, because I think it is natural to want to NOT have your own freedom restricted, and to think what you are doing is REALLY essential, & I'm not sure I disagree all the time.

I think of it this way. One person gets infected, is out and about, and infects a few people, who then, each of them, infect more, and then they infect more again, Like a family tree, a few generations and you have a hundred plus infected people. Only our COVID family tree might grow to that size in a week or two.

I just think how quickly this virus can & has spread, & how it has overwhelmed medical services.

Long term effects on people, of all ages, are going to require more mental health services too. Where will that come from?

One thing I think which worked well last year was when there seemed to be an understanding that no one was excluded. To coin a phrase, "we're all in this together"

I think, alongside that, we consistently saw more positive results from 'doing our bit'.

This year, I feel our Australian community is not holding together so well.

For myself, isolating as much as I am because I cannot wear a mask, I am feeling rather defeated. When things aren't working, like, I know Coles is not going to deliver one item :my cheese (poor mmMekitty, first the milk, now the cheese),and other things. I want to go get my own food shopping, find some clothes, speakers for my PC, new 'Fitovers' sunnys, like the pretty frame which broke. I want to feel comfortable about going out without a mask.

I feel I am anxious for us all. The daily announcement of numbers are part of that. Sad and tragic stories, lives of real people, in pain and anger, frustrated wanting greater reassurance than they can be offered. It does get to be too much. I feel uneasy, perhaps even guilty, if I turn off the news stories.

I'm losing the sense I had that I could cope. Is waiting now the only thing I can do?

MMMekitty

[Added]

Hi Rx and everyone, they are saying the cases came from illegal get togethers over the weekend, and yes there is also some spreading from the protests last week... looks like we won't having any easing of restrictions.

[Guest_1055]

Feel like masses and masses of people are being brain washed or fear pushed. It is challenging thinking differently.

[Guest_1055]

It's challenging thinking differently to the masses. Going against the grain

[Elizabeth CP]

I try to get my information from reliable sources. I speak to my daughter who works in the UK in their health system so I can find out what it is like there on the ground rather than relying on the media. I also have a sister in the US so I have heard her experiences. My dtr caught Covid. My dtr in Aust lives in an area with lots of cases. Last year she was close to a few people who caught covid and became extremely ill. we have also had discussions with my hsb's specialists who work in one of the city hospitals which has treated many Covid cases. I have found that the chief medical officers in Vic seem to be giving advice that makes sense based on what I have learnt.

We got vaccinated as soon as possible both to protect ourselves but also to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to others. I don't want to be responsible for causing other's suffering whether from being sick or losing work due to having to isolate. I need to feel I'm doing my bit to help the community. I try to follow the rules not just the legal requirement but do what I can to follow the spirit of the rules. For example I try to find walking tracks which are less popular or have plenty of room to physically distance from others. Other things which help to reduce risk is basic health strategies like cleanliness, exercising regularly and healthy eating. I am not always as consistent as I should be but anything which increases fitness and health (both physical & mental health) will make it easier to recover if Infected despite all precautions.

I know it is hard being in lockdown and most of us are suffering in one way or the other but the alternative is to allow everyone to do as they please but then have the virus spread like it did OS and have hospitals overwhelmed. I want to live in a society where anyone who is sick or injured can get good health care rather than sub standard because staff are too stressed coping with covid patients. It is hard for polititians to get the balance right. If they go too soft people think it doesn't matter if they follow health recommendations. If they go too hard with their messaging they are accused of fear mongering and risk having people feel hopeless and give up trying. They are trying to meet everyone's competing needs often without all the information.

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks RX for your thoughtful post. Sorry I am overwhelmed so often my replies are not as clear as I'd like & sometimes I fail to acknowledge people. & their posts

[Guest_1584]

Nah not at you've got enough to deal with.

When or if you ever feel like it though l'd love to hear what your daughter has to say about things in the UK these days though.

Take care

rx

[mmMekitty]

Hi Elizabeth CP,well written post. & I could not agree more.

Please pass along some virtual hugs to your sister and daughter, my appreciation for their efforts.

I listen to those working with patients and their families, hearing how difficult having someone in hospital is for everyone around them. Often it is heartbreaking stuff.

I fear our own health care systems being so overwhelmed that there comes a time when some very hard decisions must be made as to who gets admitted and treated, and who does not. That's got to be the worst situation for our medical staff to have to be in. It is the kind of decision where there are only difficult choices. Someone will be very upset and disappointed and in a lot of pain no matter who is chosen to treat.

I would have this not happen if it means I am living as I am for another year )or more). My frustration and isolation, this disconnection I feel are all worth us avoiding the worst case scenario. Nope, wouldn't be happy about it, but I would do it. Am doing it.

& I get really upset to think anyone would suggest all the people in the world who have become infected, sometimes very ill indeed, and sometimes dying of this Coronavirus, are not real, that this isn't happening, that so many people would be at the very least, exaggerating the serious impacts of this virus. For what reason???

[fred4761]

I just wanted to share something that I saw on Youtube that has helped to put things back into a bit of perspective for me. My partner put on a video of Chris Hayes on MSNBC reporting about how the Florida Governor made statements that Australia is not a free country because a year and a half on we are still enforcing lockdowns and questioned whether Australia is any freer than China. I didn't really pay attention to that part of the story! What really caught my attention was the map comparing the population of Florida (21.5million) with the population of Australia (25.7million). Chris Hayes then went on to show the Covid death toll of Florida (54,067) with the Covid death toll in Australia (1,256) and how Florida had surpassed Australia's death toll in just one week! As tough as our lockdowns and restrictions are, I am glad that we don't have a death toll like Florida! I have beeen avoiding Covid news but this gave me a bit of perspective. I hope that someone else might find this info helpful too.