Covid deniers making me anxious and depressed

[John_Maia]

Hey everyone who reads.

I’m a healthcare worker, currently not working in Victoria. I’m 22 weeks pregnant and living through lockdown. I understand lockdown and it’s honestly not too bad. Until I watch the daily updates from Dan Andrews on Facebook and see all the comments about how it’s all a hoax and the government just wants to control us. As a healthcare worker this scares me, but I’ve always seen stupid people. But as an expectant mother I’m terrified! Terrified that selfish people like this will keep us in lockdown longer, and when there is a vaccine, will endanger my baby, simply because they don’t believe in Covid. I’ve been doing a lot of crying and feeling very scared, not wanting to let anyone visit my baby when she’s born. I’m scared I’m going to lock myself and her away to keep her safe. Guess I’m just looking for anyone who understands, maybe has some tips for how to stay away from the toxicity on Facebook. It’s like a drug like I can’t stop reading it!

thanks in advance!

[S_D]

Hi John_Maia,

Firstly thank you for all the work you have done in the healthcare field! We are all so lucky for the hours and effort you guys put in to keep up safe and well.

Very understandable that you are feeling the way you are. I'm sure being an expectant mother is anxiety provoking enough let alone doing it during a pandemic!

Unfortunately there are some people out there who have extremist views on these topics. Even though they are in the minority social media gives people a pedestal and can make it seems like there are more people out there who share these views then there really are.

Personally I relate to how you feel after seeing these kinds of posts and comments on social media. After realising that it was becoming a toxic space for me I decided to limit my time and exposure to these kinds of things online. That can be easier said then done though!

I would recommend having a substitute activity that you go to instead of the comments section for in future. For example, maybe listening to a guided meditation after watching the Dan Andrew's updates? Or anything that you find helps to make you feel more calm.

Schedule a self-care activity for straight after the live updates or news reports to reduce temptation to peek at the comments section. Google some "good news" to counterbalance all the negatively out there right now (this always puts me in a much better headspace). Wishing you all the best with your pregnancy and please know you're not alone!

[Guest_4521]

Hello!

I don't have any tips, although I deleted Facebook for a different reason.

I am pregnant during this too, and the deniers have me too scared to go to my prenatal appointments... especially since I know if I catch it they will separate me and the baby....my midwife laughed at me and actually tried to lie to me and say that isn't what they will do....when there have been women who have had that done to them.

I don't even know if I'll deliver in a hospital now...if healthcare workers are catching it even with all their protections, then neither myself of my baby have a chance 😞

[John_Maia]

Thank you, this is very helpful. I have decided to unfollow all news sites for the time, and rather than watch the updates, I’ll read about them from my local mayor.

i have been trying very hard to practice positive mindfulness and will continue this.

thanks 🙂

[John_Maia]

I feel you, I’m only having my baby in a hospital behave I would be very out of my depth doing it at home. I am keeping up to date with numbers I. My area and currently my birthing hospital has no cares, but i agree with you, I’m scared!