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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

Doolhof
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Here in S.A. we are just starting to become more serious about the double covid vaccine business.

We took the cat to the vet yesterday. We arrived to find a note outside stating you needed a double covid vaccine to enter, then only one person allowed in the consult room.

Thankfully we have our details on our phones. I was told I could not join in the consult. Fair enough. Then a couple went into a different consult room together and both had their masks under their chins!

I asked the reception what was going on, why could I not join my distraught husband with our sick cat when two people were very obviously in with their cat and the vet. She didn't have an answer.

Rules need to be the same for everyone!

I'm in Vic and went to the Vet on Monday. When I arrived I had to ring them and the Vet came and got my cat then dropped her back. Then the nurse came out so I could pay with my card. So we aren't allowed in at all.

minou
Community Member
Hello all! I'm new to this forum, but have been reading through and finding the chat and advice really helpful. I'm in SA and starting to feel really anxious about the new cases coming in. I'm double vaxxed and have no problem with masks it's covering my perimenopausal acne 😄
I'm so worried about getting sick and passing it on to my elderly parents. I'm worried about them (and my partner) catching it and nag them about being careful. I've been anxious since Feb last year for family overseas. Most of them have now had covid but are ok. I miss them though. I've become so cautious and anxious and so quick to anger with everything that's going on. I used to be so adventurous and had fun and curiosity about life and people. I have no idea how to find 'joy' again. I'm stuck in a cycle of refreshing the ABC covid blog and feeling like my life and my enjoyment of the world are on hold. Everything feels so 'grief-y' (if that makes sense). Any advice of concrete action i can take to manage my worries?

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Hello Charlz,

Recently I heard on ABC Coronacast, firstly people need to seek advice from their own GP, or other specialist, if thye have any concerns, but generally, it has become clear that the Vaccines are okay for pregnant women, & having them may give the baby some immunity too. You know, the way whatever the mother takes in filters through to baby, to greater or lesser degree. I'm no expert, so, your friend ought to go see her own doctors.

I have read the other things you wrote, & it must be so frustrating & sad for you & other members of the family, to see your husband take this stand If he can imagine himself in hospital with a ventilator, & how much care he might need if he became seriously ill, (& I doubt he has a accurate picture in mind), doesn't he also consider it may be you, or anyone else, or does he not value his well-being enough to take a risk & have the vaccine, & more likely not have to put anyone through the physically difficult & emotionally draining care he'd need if he got seriously ill from being infected while unvaccinated? How can he see that for you to lose him is not the better option?.

I too, find this distressing to think of people finding these conspiracy theories with no basis in fact, & believing them over what evidence there is for the safety & efficacy of the vaccines. Risking not only their lives, but the lives & relationships all around them. To think he thinks literally losing everything so long as he does not get a vaccine with an imagined chip in it? As if the government dones't have enough data on us all already! They don't need to put chips in vaccines.

Yes, it gets me cranky, so sorry if I went on a bit...

mmMekitty

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Hello Minou, & a warm welcome to you.

I think your reaction to this pandemic is perfectly understandable. Many people share your concerns, your anxieties, & are frightened too.

If I could make one suggestion, first, don't continuously update the ABC's blog, or even take more time than is necessary to 'catch up' on any important changes.

I was checking more myself, but now, because the QGov website has made the info I want more difficult to find, I am really only listening to Coronacast, & some news in the morning, but when they begin to repeat the same news,,I stop. Otherwise it does become confusing & potentially, (for a while it was awfully sos) overwhelming & distressing.

We gotta be doing other things. Many feel their lives, in part or in full, have been on hold. Now is the time to recall our lives, & things we have not done & get out again, with care, true. For our own mental health is being impacted, yours to a fair degree, & this is leaving you little time or space for anything else.

I'd like to ask if you have spoken to your GP, a counsellor or therapist about the real psychological effects you are experiencing? I think it could help you a lot to talk to someone.

You could also call BB's own counselling service on: 1300 22 36 46.

mmMekitty

minou
Community Member

Thanks for taking the time to respond, mmMekitty.
I'm going to try to limit the time I spend reading the continuous updates. I check the ABC blog because (maybe like the QGov website!) the SA gov website is so slow to update with info. Also, my mother doesn't check-in anywhere she goes (she's not against it - she doesn't have a smartphone and physically signing the paper sign-ins is too much of a hassle). She told me yesterday that it's ok, because I can tell her if she's been anywhere that comes up on the contact tracing list. So I feel pressure to keep updated, because noone else in my family is up to date. Anyway - I'll try to limit it to just a few times a day.

I think you're right that I should try to speak to someone about the broader impacts of all of this that I'm feeling. Thanks for the encouragement. I went to my GP a few years ago because I think I was depressed (I was so sad for no reason) - she referred me to a counsellor who wasn't much help and I didn't go back. It then resolved on its own, but every couple of months I feel sad for no reason or overwhelmed by things like the pandemic or things at work.

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Hi Minou,

I've noticed it seems quite common for people seeking counselling or therapy to have to meet a few different people before they find one who they can, firstly, have a s sense they can have a rapport with, & so feel comfortable communicating with, & then have confidence in enough to trust. I suppose it boils down to having a feeling they can help, & you can talk to about anything at all.

You can go back to your GP & explain what your experience with that counsellor is & ask if you can see someone else.

I understand how difficult all the changes are for elderly people & as not having a smart phone is becoming more & more unusual, more people seem to expect everyone to be comfortable with the latest technology, & so the check-in is more complicated. When you are out with them, can you add their check-in details to your own? The Qld Check-in app allows users enter the details of other people, to a list of 'frequent guests' so they be can checked in , using the one phone.from one phone.

My helper does this for me because I can't see to aim my phone at the QR Code. I'd personally prefer to do my own Check-in for myself, but it just is so much more convenient for her to add me to her own Check-in.

She keeps notes in a diary, of where she is going with her clients, what doing & when as well. I think this is a great idea, too. If ever there are questions concerning a place I have been with her, then she can also check her diary.

My concern is having information about changes to restrictions becoming available to me, & for how long, especially about mask wearing, or enclosed environments & social distancing, because I can't wear a mask, & I feel uncomfortable in crowded places, unsure about being able to maintain the social distances guidelines, because of my vision impairment.

I'm super cautious about it, not liking the idea of getting so sick I end up in hospital, or if I was to become infected & infect other people. I agree that's a valid concern for you, with regards to your elder relatives.

That's why Check-in is important. If there is a place & certain times when someone infected has been discovered to have been, the check-in details are gathered, whether from the QR Code data or from written sources, they can be notified. This doesn't mean we can all totally relax. Some people don't check-in & that slows down the tracking & tracing process.

More folks 2X Vaccinated the better for all.

This virus can't continue to dominate our lives.

mmMekitty

Hanna3
Community Member

I'm still being reasonably cautious. There is a new strain of covid from South Africa (where I don't think we've done much to help poor people get vaccinated, and so the virus has been able to mutate) and deaths in Germany from covid since the start of the pandemic are just over 100,000 people, which is terrible. They have a low rate of vaccination. I think they are now making it mandatory.

So it's reasonable to take sensible precautions if you're vulnerable and very good reason to get vaccinated.

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

From what little I've seen today(ABC Online & News 24), , they do not know much about this new strain, 'Omicron', whether it is actually more transmissible or not, more severe or not, or even if the vaccines we have will or won't be as protective against this strain either.

Thus far there are no cases of COVID-19 Omicron verified within Australia.

The people infected inthose countries in southern Africa, they have noted, a large number of them are not vaccinated.But that doesn't surprise me, because a large porportion of people in Africaa are not vaccinated anyway.

Travel bans have been announced for the following countries:

South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, The Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique.

(As listed on ABC Online tonight.)

IfIf you or someone you know may be effected by the latest restrictions & travel bans, please seek advice from Government sources.

& that's about it. Except it makes me feel somewhat on alert, not flashing lights & klaxons, but thinking I will be checking for updates a little more. (grumble, grumble) & more of that trying to not think of a pink rhinoceros. & too many days ahead, too.

mmMekitty

Guest_1584
Community Member

l don't believe it.l needed stuff for work at Bunnings today , guard at the door says you can't come in unless you have your certificate and we want it on paper not the ph app.

Just wth, and the won't even except the ph app , whatever that is. 18 mths of this and our Bunnings has been open right through bar for 1 wk , and now you can't get in without an "on paper" certificate. That's it , they've lost my custom, no thanks , the over kill is ridiculous it's only Bunnings. Went over to the other guys walked straight in , my future supplier from here on.

rx