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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

Elizabeth CP
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
My dtr just returned from the uk. RAT tests ate available for free everywhere in the uk. People use them whenever they are visiting a vulnerable person just in case they are infectious but asymptomatic. She used then regularly before work. She works in health care. This way they reduce the risk of vulnerable people getting sick and needing hospital. It also means less PCR tests are needed. Even though their case numbers are high testing and hospitals are not overwhelmed like here. The rules changed almost daily forher getting back and we found it impossible getting information re what she needed to do and how that affected us since she is now living with us. I am very upset with the gov't handling of this outbreak. Support workers keep cancelling because they've been exposed or have symptoms so can't take the risk or working with my husband in case they infect him.

Well that'd be just typical Aus following the US , they'd follow them of a cliff and this time they may well might bc the US as usual, just broke yet another world record. Over 1 million cases . Onya Morrison.

That;s disgusting charging those prices for the tests and at a time like this, it almost guarantees now then things will get a whole lot worse yet. Sorry for the downer, but what can you say. They were also talking today on the news about all the testing sites that have now closed down,yet charging prices like that for kits, smart move, yep. Now they'll really have no damn clue what's out there, numbers they do tell us will only be the tip of it. People that have symptoms are also complaining bc now they can't even get tested now. 2yrs of practice and prep time and this is what we get, mind boggling.

rx

Guest_1055
Community Member

Is anyone else doing things to improve your natural immunity. Like natural things, plenty of fresh air, walk barefoot on grass, sand, taking vitamin C regularly?

What else is everyone doing to help themselves in this way?

All you can do is try to stay reasonably fit and keep your weight under control. Being overweight is a major risk factor for covid which is partly why there have been so many deaths in the USA where a lot of people are obese. Smoking is another risk factor of course.

Nobody has any immunity to Delta/Omicron unless they have antibodies to these viruses and the only way to get antibodies is to either catch the virus or be vaccinated, as both these will cause your body to produce antibodies. Unfortunately Omicron is escaping immunity which means even if you're vaccinated and/or have contracted it, you can still catch it again, but you won't be as sick.

Eat healthy, try to exercise and follow the health guidelines about masks, sanitiser and physical distancing is about the best we can do! Plus ring for medical assistance if you have serious symptoms like difficulty breathing.

No harm in trying vitamins if you want to..

Unfortunately I agree with rx. The PM has thrown us all under the bus. All the lockdowns and restrictions are now a waste of time as covid spreads and mutates through the whole population. Next mutation will probably develop here with our high case numbers and will prob be vax resistant. Any vulnerable person will have no quality of life because they won't be able to access the health care they need because hospitals are full of covid caseseven if they are not life threatening and staff will all be off sick or having a comlete breakdown but there will be enough beds who cares if there is no nuses or doctors to treat you. Life is no longer worth living for me.

Hey Elizabeth CP,
We hope you don't mind us popping in on the conversation, 
We're concerned to hear that you feel life will no longer be worth living if hospitals were to become overwhelmed. We understand how frightening a situation the virus poses on the healthcare system. It sounds as though the status of the healthcare system is weighting heavily on you and we would really urge you to speak about these concerns with a mental health professional. 

We'd recommend taking a look at our dedicated Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service where you will find a lot of targeted information as well as a 24/7 helpline staffed by specially trained mental health professionals.
 

Hi ElizabethCP,

I think in general viruses that cause pandemics like this mutate to less severe. The Omicron variant is more contagious but seems to cause less severe illness as far as we know so far.

I know it's difficult times but now is not the time to despair. We have wonderful scientists working on this world wide - we're incredibly lucky to have medicines as good as they are today.

So please don't assume things will be that bad yet. We all need to stay calm and do our best to stay well and help stop our wonderful health care system from being overwhelmed.

Getting vaccinated and following health regulations is the best thing we can do. Now is not the time to despair! OK? 👍

Oh Elizabeth, long to help you somehow. Sending a gentle hug, not sure what else to do.

Elizabeth CP
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
My family are al fully vaxed so I'm not worried about becoming seriously ill from Covid. I am concerned about not getting decent treatment for my husband if he gets sick with other problems. He was supposed to have surgery in July but that has been put off indefinately due to the outbreak. He is also waiting for other tests so doctors can find out the cause of other problems that are having a major impact on his life but they can't be done because the hospitals are overrun by Covid. Support workers keep cancelling because they have symptoms or are exposed to Covid so I can't get a break. The last visit to ED with my hsb during the previous outbreak was terrible with him being sent home seriously ill for me to look after because the hospital was overwhelmed. His GP had told us to go there because he was so ill and has a history of serious health problems that have required long hospitl admissions due to his condition. I have been left with permanent nerve damage and chronic pain because the pandemic meant I have not been able to get face to face treaments from the health professionals I was referred to following an injury last year. I am tired of trying to cope with my hsb and his condition while being totally exhausted due to pain and anxiety and depression with no hope anymore of things ever improving. I'm sorry I'm not helping others by being so negative but I can't keep going.

Hey Elizabeth, 
We're so sorry to hear about your current circumstances, it sounds as though you've been through so much and the current times have been so difficult for you and your husband.

We just wanted to let you know that we've sent a private email to get in touch with you. 

We hope you know that there is always help available to you, whether it's from our professional mental health counsellors Beyond Blue (available 24/7/365 on 1300 22 4636) or our friends at Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467).