Covid anxiety

[Bellabean1971]

Does anyone else feel they can't do any social interaction as they will become infected? I've lived like this for 18months. I don't want to travel the world but I miss my friends. Did one thing in July then delta exploded and back into solitude. I work for a hospital, but I'm not a Frontline worker. I read about all the infections and deaths. How do I get to some sort of normalcy? My husband is a nurse and feels the same way as I do. Thank you for any suggestions its much appreciated

[RemySue]

No suggestions, but I know how you feel. We thought we'd be done with this. Every May a friend and I go to NYC for a few days. We haven't gone since 2019. Not the end of the world but I was looking forward to going in 2022. She's an anti-vaxxer/masker and won't go if places thee are requiring proof of vaccination. I also work in an elementary school with special needs children and I'm constantly worried about them getting sick. I think I've got COVID anxiety worse than I did last year!

[Bellabean1971 in reply to RemySue]

Thank you for your kind reply. Yes I feel this is never going to end. We got to mountains every year and cant go another year. We have anti vaxxer friends who we can't understand and have distanced ourselves from. I wish I lived in a state where they cared . It's always a fight about masks etc here.

[hypercat54 in reply to Bellabean1971]

Are you both double jabbed? Are you elderly and/or have any underlying health issues which could affect you if you catch covid?

[Bellabean1971 in reply to hypercat54]

Yes we are. Have underlying conditions and care for an elderly parent.

[Bellabean1971 in reply to Bellabean1971]

We also are due for a booster in September so that may help

[hypercat54 in reply to Bellabean1971]

Well this is what I think. I am probably older than you and have lung disease. I have been double jabbed as well. I am being as careful as I can but refuse to live my life in fear. None of us knows how long we have left and I want my life back.

I am regularly meeting up with vaccinated friends for lunch and outings including going into their homes. My attitude is that all life is a risk anyway and this is just one more. I obviously worry like you and most people do and I really don't want to catch it, but if I do I am prepared to pay the price for getting my Life back to normal.

It is everyone's choice though and everyone must make that decision for themselves. I hope this helps a bit.

[lilkiki in reply to hypercat54]

I agree with above. I was super nervous and paranoid last year. I m still super careful, I don't go out if not necessary. But I wont let the Virus drive me crazy. Wearing mask no matter where I go, sanitizer is always with me. Keeping distance... Doing whatever precaution I can do, then leave the rest to God and prayers. Meet friends you trust and feel comfortable with! We went out to concert, meeting friends... Life need to keep going....

[Bellabean1971 in reply to lilkiki]

Yes it is. Thank you for you advice. Will try to start getting out there.

[Bellabean1971 in reply to hypercat54]

Great way to put things in perspective. Thank you. I agree I have to stop living in fear.

[hypercat54 in reply to Bellabean1971]

Easier said than done I know. But I think covid will be with us for a long time and maybe we will never get rid of it, but life is to be lived anyway.

Any of us could be diagnosed with a devastating illness or be run over by a bus tomorrow so we have to live in the meantime. Life is too short and valuable to limit yourself. This is what I have learned from losing loved ones, and friends far too early.

It is a waste of precious life to live with worry and fear. Just my views.

[Hidden]

Unfortunately this is the reality of our situation. Safety is in question and there is no guarantee. Even with the vaccines there isn't. Now the vaccines are still the best way to protect yourself against infection and spreading it to others but you won't have 100% safety. That is what this illness has done. It has changed everything to the point that until we effectively learn how to handle it we cannot be safe. We cannot take into account others actions and what they will do. Which means others are a threat. But we also need interaction and a social life. I would say that you best bet is to do what makes you feel comfortable. If you know your friends are taking all the precautions they need to then spend time with them. If you need it to feel safe request that they wear a mask. If not spend time outdoors with people as you are far less likely to get sick being outside. You are also well within your right to request tat people stay a certain distance apart from you. I know that doesn't sound like much but being honest that is the best you are going to get until we actually get a handle on this thing and those antivax nuts stop their lunacy and give this virus more opportunities to mutate.

I want to end with you are valid in being worried. As a healthcare worker I am sure you know how horrible having COVID can be and that isn't even considering long COVID or any other issues hat can arise, such as the black fungus issue in India. So you are well within the normal to be worried. You can't make up for other people being idiots unfortunately and that is worrying because you can do everything right and still get sick because one person decided to be an asshat. So take things one day at a time and spend time with those you trust. And if you need to require that there be safety measures in place. Do what works for you.

[Bellabean1971 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. We are going to try to get out more, but safely as I miss people.

[Bellabean1971 in reply to Bellabean1971]

Hopefully we can start to do things slowly and get back in social situations, masked and with vaccinated friends

[Hidden in reply to Bellabean1971]

You will slowly but surely. Just do what feels right for you and don't push to fast as that might make you feel worse. And again, being outside is a great resource as there are many things you can do and it's safer.

[b1b1b1]

Yes, I think everyone feels anxiety to a greater or lesser extent about covid. It has changed our lives in many ways, large and small. It is also always at the back of your mind. I just had dinner with a friend (outside) and we were wondering if we would ever go to the movies again. Plus, I worry about my son and my 5 year old grandson who will be starting school next week. It just seems like there is no real end to covid in sight, and that may be the depressing reality.

[Bellabean1971 in reply to b1b1b1]

Yes and I've never had anxiety or depression like this. I always try to look ahead or the brightside, but it's been difficult. I try to limit Watching too much news etc.

[Blueruth]

I’m gonna say recognize the reality but it doesn’t need to be so bleak. A few facts: I presume you are both vaccinated. You didn’t say if you work in a covid ward. Assuming you don’t there could be patients with undiagnosed/asymptmatic covid but I bet it is lower than Walmart and certainly they take better precautions. Vaccinated people do get breakthrough infections but it is very, very rare to end up in the hospital or worse even with delta. You can’t avoid work but you can find fun things to do.

Being outside is the safest place you can be if you aren’t in a crowd. I therefore get out. Hiking is very popular here so I go with a group. Outdoor dining is safe if you keep distance and maybe you go at less popular times. The exercise studio I go to requires vaccine proof or you wear a mask. I haven’t seen anyone with a mask. Maybe there is such a studio like that. Even if not there haven’t been a lot of studio cases. It could be because the sweat keeps it from floating. 🤷🏼‍♀️ In stores I have gone back to wearing a mask despite being vaccinated. Being distant, vaccinated, and wearing a mask is three layers of protection.

My long winded point is there are things you can do socially that are safe. It isn’t healthy to stay isolated so please weigh the risk of spending time outside with friends vs the consequence of isolating, possibly unnecessarily. Try to enjoy the summer before it is gone.

[Bellabean1971 in reply to Blueruth]

Thank you. Yes we hike weekly, maybe we can incorporate some of our friends too. Great idea. Thank you.

[Blueruth]

This might help. I couldn’t post the image.

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[Livelydively]

I am a homeless outreach worker and feel the same way. I have to be out among the people and I come home and not want to leave again. We had a month where the numbers really dropped and everyone let their guard down. My anxiety is through the roof. I am worried they are going to get sick. I am worried my kids will get sick because they went back in person. We will make it through this though!

[Bellabean1971 in reply to Livelydively]

God bless you for the work you do and thanks for sharing that I'm not alone in feeling this way.

[Midori]

Are you vaccinated? I have had both doses, and I'm still a little hesitant about going to crowded places, but when I must,I must.

I wear a mask, and keep my distance from other people, and where possible either shop really early or late, when there are fewer people around. My food is delivered.

I have been what is called 'Shielded' as I have a reduced immune system, due to some of my conditions. I am also a retired nurse.

Cheers, Midori

[Bellabean1971 in reply to Midori]

Yes we are both vaccinated fully in January and guess a booster will be coming next month. Yes I get groceries delivered. I do like you stay home and some of my anti vac friends think we are nuts but couldn't live with myself if we passed it on to my 82 year old mother in law.

[Midori in reply to Bellabean1971]

I agree. I think anti vaxxers are not only nuts, but possibly helping to start a new variant, by not complying to simple restrictions during the pandemic.

[Bellabean1971 in reply to Midori]

This wave was totally preventable.

[Midori in reply to Bellabean1971]

The same has happened in the UK, I live in a beautiful part of Wales, and until very recently we were in lockdown.

Since coming out we have had thousands of Tourists, and they have filled every place to capacity. They bring good money to the place, but they leave litter and rubbish around, the litter cops can't keep up with them, and those who can't get their camper vans and RVs into campsites, just park up on the road and leave everything there incuding faeces.

Partly it's our own fault, as until last year we had tolls on the bridges, which kept some out. Covid is still a worry, and we still have mask mandates in stores, but many of them are taking no notice.

They are actually queueing to climb our highest mountain; it's ridiculous. Sometimes the cops will tow all the cars away, because they are supposed to use the Park and Ride service, as the roads are very narrow.

Still, next week many of them will be gone as schools go back and there are hefty fines for kids not attending!

We will just have the retirees here for a couple of months, and they are far better behaved!

Cheers, Midori