COVID-19 Fears

[hopeandcourage94]

Hey, y’all.

I hope you have been doing okay.

Does anyone have a fear of being an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19? I am a teacher, and I have been thinking about getting a part-time job to help with my anxiety. Sitting at home and not being able to volunteer (everything is still cancelled) has been causing me a great deal of anxiety.

I already turned down one position, but had a God moment with another and decided I should go for it! Unfortunately, now I may decline this one because I am worried about working and getting a customer sick. I really don’t know what to do.

Give into my anxiety or be selfish and take the job to fulfill my own desires.

[MothFir]

I don’t think it’s selfish to take the job if you practice safe distancing and other protocols, and if the business is taking COVID seriously and trying to keep customers safe. If you do all these things you will have done the best you can and the best that can be expected. If you are still very worried, you are likely just feeling hyper-responsible from your OCD.

[hopeandcourage94 in reply to MothFir]

Thanks for the advice. I guess my anxiety is also contingent on the fact that I want to visit my SO who is 5 hours away over the summer.

He works in an essential business, and me visiting him may cause me to get sick and put others at risk.

I guess when I frame the issue this way, it does sound selfish.

[LuvSun in reply to hopeandcourage94]

If you take all the normal precautions as everyone else- that’s doing enough. You are not being selfish. The fact that this is bothering you shows you care 😊

[MothFir in reply to hopeandcourage94]

If you're really concerned, I'd call your local health department, tell them the details, and see what they say. They will be well-informed on COVID in your area and can give you a good recommendation that is not "tainted" by OCD worries.

When I've talked to people at my county health department for one reason or another, they have been very helpful -- they get paid to keep the community safe, and they are probably happy when someone actually shows interest in their recommendations!

[hopeandcourage94]

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

The anxiety was too much, so I called the employer and told her I could no longer take the position. She was very understanding and extended an employment opportunity in the future if I had a change of heart.

I’m currently anxious about a stomachache that I feel is stress-related. I feel like my OCD is a never ending cycle of “Ooo you may be sick. You just felt something” and “Calm down, don’t let fear take over; you’re fine. However, if you are sick and you pass it onto somebody else, be prepared for blood on your hands.”

It. Never. Ends. I feel like the weight of the world is always on my shoulders.