Terrified of getting Covid

[AnxiousCanadianChic]

Anyone else having all day anxiety about catching Covid? I am high risk even though I’m not old and thankfully I work from home but my bf goes out to work in construction. I don’t know where his coworkers go, who they see etc.

We sleep in different beds and I won’t even kiss him. I know that’s got to be hard on him, we even wear masks in the house. I’m pretty sure that if I was to get it I would die or have to be in icu/on ventilator.

The guys at his work wears masks but do have to be close sometimes and with these new super contagious variants out there makes it even scarier. I also have 2 much older brothers who are at risk and I worry like crazy they’ll get it. One is very obese,has pre-diabetes and high cholesterol and high b/p (on meds for the b/p). Plus they are both over 50.

Everyone talks about mental health from not being able to be with friends in a pub or restaurants with their families etc. But I hardly hear about severe anxiety from possibly getting it.

Anyone else have this?

[hypercat54]

Hi I am wondering if your anxiety is a direct result of your health conditions or an over the top reaction as you say you aren't old.

Those most at risk are older people especially the over 70's and those who have severe respiratory disease, heart disease, etc. I am in my 60's with lung disease though not severe and though I am very careful I don't go to the extremes you are.

What do you think?

[AnxiousCanadianChic in reply to hypercat54]

I have severe asthma and suspected COPD ( never smoked but grew up in a house where both parents and 2 oldest brothers smoked). I take the maximum dose of Flovent and my rescue inhaler doesn’t help at all. Anytime I get a regular cold, it always turns into bronchitis and even with bronchitis it feels like I’m going to suffocate due to the shortness of breath.

[hypercat54 in reply to AnxiousCanadianChic]

Fair enough. You should be amongst the first groups for your vaccination. I hope you get it soon.

[Hidden in reply to AnxiousCanadianChic]

Hi,

I suffer from asthma aswell, and like you my asthma is brought on by a cold. I only ever had 2 asthma attacks where a cold has gotten to my chest and I have had lots of colds. I work in a school and it's well known schools are the worst places for illnesses and bugs. So it's ironic that I'm still working in a viral pandemic. Now everytime I feel a cold coming on or feel a sore throat or beginnings of tonsillitis I take echinacea. It kills the cold ,sore throat or tonsillitis in 1-2 days and if I haven't taken it in time, it reduces the symptoms of the cold. That's how I protect my chest.

[Blueruth]

In construction you work outside. That is the least risky place you can be. Add a mask and you safer. Distancing even more so. If that helps

[AnxiousCanadianChic in reply to Blueruth]

Sadly he’s working inside. Being here in Canada and having awful winters, his company tries to get all indoor work from Nov. - April. There is a lot of indoor work year round actually (he is a concrete finisher). I would feel better if it was outdoor.

[Blueruth in reply to AnxiousCanadianChic]

Well hopefully it is ventilated. It is places where air is stale and sits or is recycled poorly. So your bf should be extra vigilant in those areas. I do know someone that has been in high anxiety since last Feb. She called it right from the beginning. She has a few different conditions that make her exceptionally vulnerable. I am careful because I don't want any long term illness but I try to be data driven and keep up with research. BTW 50 is not old. I am 55 and won't be eligible for a vaccine until you are. The US CDC is now recommending two masks or a mask with a filter pocket. They are considered ~98% effective. You can also get KN95 masks which are as good as N95 for non healthcare workers and they are cheaper (K is Korea). Your bf should also have sanitizer on him all the time and use it regularly. They do believe that surfaces is not really an issue. Sure if you touch it at exactly the right time and then touch your face but you don't do that so...

Nursing home residents have been isolated for months on end and it is really causing them to suffer. Italy came up with a hugging solution. It is a plastic tarp with arms. You could improvise with a shower curtain and gloves. Get a decent one so it can be thrown in the wash.

[Jawssteak]

I have the same fear with my kids. I’m just taking it day by day. Stay off the news and social media.

[MFM008]

try to get vaccinated as soon as you can, my sons had both and ive had one but may not be able to get another because of a reaction to the shot.

[AnxiousCanadianChic in reply to MFM008]

I’m going to get it as soon as I can. I live in Canada and we are behind in vaccines. I’m really hoping in April I can. 🤞