Need advice please!!?

[Blue1966]

Hi all! I hope everyone is doing well! I need some suggestions please?? Ever since this pandemic started I live in constant worry and fear! My husband is out there working everyday. He claims he’s being cautious, but not sure that it’s true. I have a fear of him catching the virus and bringing it home. I hear over and over again that the virus is very hard to transmit by touch. Unless, someone literally coughs or sneezes on something and then you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. The specialists say you need to do 3 things to protect yourself. Wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands. Why can’t I just believe that? I’m usually a friendly person while out and about and could talk to anyone. Now I only leave home to do essential grocery shopping. I don’t try to get in conversation with anyone. I just try to do what I have to and get out. Then the worst part is coming home and feeling like I have to wipe down everything. This gives me extra anxiety, not to mention the work and time involved! Is this really necessary? Anyone with advice I surely would appreciate it!!

[hypercat54]

Unless you are high risk I think you are worrying too much. Just take sensible precautions ie social distancing and masks etc. and that will probably be enough.

Remember that the overwhelming majority of deaths are in the elderly and those with serious underlying health conditions, and even the majority of those survive. You have to weigh up the risks and find the balance between hiding in a locked bedroom under the bed for months, and having some freedom of movement.

[Blu_A25]

If it makes you feel better to wipe everything down and take extra precautions do that . My husband works at the shipyard and people on the yard has caught the COVID being extra caution is a good thing. Better to be safe than sorry . I have OCD I clean a lot and organize stuff all the time. Even though I try not to it’s hard and my mind keeps it going . I don’t know if that’s healthy but I feel better after I clean. I say if it makes you feel better do it .

[Blue1966 in reply to Blu_A25]

If you don’t mind me asking since you are always cleaning do you wipe your groceries down? At the beginning of this they were recommending you do that. I stopped watching the news etc.. but when I researched in the past the FDA and CDC stated it unnecessary. Now everyone I personally know and talk to are not doing it anymore. I’ve heard the same thing many times that if it makes me feel better do it??! Not sure anymore because it actually makes me nervous to feel like I need to do it. If that makes any sense? I guess living with OCD isn’t always logical!??

[Sprinkle1]

Worry is a waste of time and energy, it brings the body down. I learnt to stop worrying 30 years ago, I'll share my lessons: 1. Do not go mountain climbing over mole hills....2 worry is like a rocking chair, it is in motion, but it is going No where!!! 3. my favorite: 50% of the things we worry about Never happen, and with the other 50% IF they happen we deal with it them and there....So why worry???

You sound like a young healthy couple, so you are probably safe, or you may get a low dose and get well.

I am 78 and like you I do all the recommended suggestions to keep myself safe, I only go out for grocery's - have to get out of the house once in a while, not only do I wear a mask, but I also wear surgical gloves and do self check out at the store. I'll chat with someone if they want to, staying the 6 ft apart. I load my car and come home, That way no one touches my purchases, and I leave what I can in the garage for a day or two.

Though I do not like the virus and it frightens me a little due to my age, I have accepted it and incorporated the safety ideas into to my daily life. So then I get on and live.

I understand your fear for your husband, when he comes home does he wash his hands well, or even take a shower, a friend of mine does that that works in a hospital, she strips off in the garage and takes a shower, she is well.

Incorporate some good things in your life, nice music, read uplifting books, get some exercise, good for releasing anxiety.

I wish you well and send love n hugs.......

[Blue1966 in reply to Sprinkle1]

Thank you so much. I’m not young. I’m actually 53 years of age. I have 2 boys. 1 is 15 and has autism and I have a 23 year old that is back in my home living with me. He works from home. He gets really angry with me because I have been so excessively anxious, my husband as well. They say they are trying to understand my anxiety, but they don’t understand at all! Yes, I have my husband come in through the garage and my laundry room is right there. He comes in and takes his clothes off and puts them in the washer. He then goes upstairs wipes his phone down with an alcohol pad I leave for him. Next he washes his hands.I figure he should wash his phone off first then wash. (We own 3 UPS stores so he’s on his phone constantly.) He then showers. Although, he does these things just to alleviate some of my anxiety. I know he gets aggravated with me. He and my son think I’m over the top! I just can’t help it. I always was a germaphob and they dealt with it now my OCD kicked into over drive! Thanks for your advice

[EuroJoy]

As long as you follow the basic the hygiene guidelines you should be ok. You cannot control and monitor every single thing in life anyway. Especially if the pandemic continues, one still needs to get back to work, school etc. The spikes in numbers are also happening usually in cases where there is a lot of closeness and sharing etc going on. I find praying and leaving everything in God's hands a good way to calm down my anxieties - especially when I know that have done what I can and the rest which I cannot change I need to leave it at that. Worry just robs us of living joyfully.

[Blue1966 in reply to EuroJoy]

Thank you! I totally agree. The extra worry is robbing me of living normally! Thanks for your response