Covid anxiety is here to stay, for many ...

nanna8

Everything is back to normal here and we only have to wear masks on public transport, doctor’s surgeries and airports but I still feel wary because they have mucked up the vaccine rollout big time. Also there seems to be more and more news coming out that the astra Zeneca vaccine isn’t very effective and that is the only one available to most of us lucky enough to have actually had it. Having said that we have had some great Probus dine outs at local restaurants in our local area, mostly with around 40-50 people attending.

Everything is not "back to normal"; don't you watch the news? That sort of reply will probably keep a few people locked in their homes, away from people holding your views, for some time.

We have been "lucky" because we are wealthy but this has nothing to do with anxiety. It is still reasonable to be anxious and some people will be suffering from anxiety, they may have had issues before covid or this may have triggered their condition.

Just telling everyone you are ecstatic and it's all over will not help one iota but then, some do not want to help those who do not feel as they do, do they?

Is it really unnecessary anxiety or are some people sensible to be continuing following basic precautions?

Just want to point out that a large number of people with compromised immune systems won’t necessarily develop Covid antibodies after having the jab and therefore, they remain...Completely unprotected!

There seems to be the misunderstanding that the Jab is a cure all and regardless of new Covid strains, some people won’t be protected from the current strains either.

My husband has a blood cancer and I’ve been reading articles from the blood cancer research charity webpages. They’ve been reviewing research carried out since the vaccine rollout and I would urge anyone who has or lives with someone with serious underlying health conditions, to continue to be cautious.

Fact is, you won’t know if you have developed the Covid antibodies following your second vaccination until you’ve had a blood test.

I might be wrong, but i believe nanna8 lives in Australia which probably accounts for her sunny outlook. I hardly think her attitude will keep people locked away because they are scared to meet her.
What I don't undersatnd is why some people say we should work to the lowest common denominator. ie the most scared and anxious.

Right from the start I have obeyed the rules, and made my own. I have worn a mask when out shopping since day 1, not so much to protect myself, as to protect other people. I have permanent hayfever and sneeze a lot, so I am protecting them from instant panic attacks as I sneeze in the supermarket.

I have also worn gloves all through, not to protect myself from the virus but protect my skin from the damage caused by constant washing am dousing my hands with sanitiser.

However, I have continued to go out to do the shopping, I have never washed, wiped bleached or quarantined anything coming into the house.

My attitude to the release from durance vile will be the same. I am not the least bit worried about going out meeting people not being distanced etc etc. I have been vaccinated, so have most of the people round me, so will most of the people I meet as I go about my normal life. The number of COVID cases is now very few and deaths even fewer. I am more likely to be hit by a bus than catch COVID.

I do understand for those who have been shielding all year coming out into the world again will be difficult. I have a friend who is currently doing this; starting with short walks and visits to uncrowded shops at uncrowded times of day and gradually building this up.

I think people just need to take a deep breath and think through what they are doing, the real level of risk, which is low for everyone and even lower if you are vaccinated. Plan a release strategy - and just remember to avoid all the other perils in our life that are more likely than COVID now is.

No, he’s not at all an anxious type, Maddyone, but it started at the beginning of the first lockdown and it’s just carried on.

Well said M0nica.

For some, it is just wanting to do it nice and slowly and take a bit longer... and that is quite normal.

The article however, does not talk about them. But about those with anxiety and OCD traits- who will find it even more difficult, and will carry on with extreme caution way beyond common sense. And they are not older people either.

Lillie, in families where 1 person is affected with extreme anxiety, Covid OCD - then there is little choice but to 'work to the most scared and anxious- because they will not allow other members of the family to diverge and acti differently- for fear of getting infected by them. That is children, sibblings, grand-parents, etc- whole groups who have no choice at all.

That's controlling behaviour though kalli and the rest of the family would need support with that.

China eliminated SARS 1 by continuing to wear face masks etc. What’s the problem with people accepting that culturally in this country given that it will continue to protect vulnerable people from flu and viruses? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a culture in which people think about the health and safety of others from now on?

Lillie

I might be wrong, but i believe nanna8 lives in Australia which probably accounts for her sunny outlook. I hardly think her attitude will keep people locked away because they are scared to meet her.
What I don't undersatnd is why some people say we should work to the lowest common denominator. ie the most scared and anxious.

Who is saying we should work to the "lowest common denominator. ie the most scared and anxious.". I certainly didn't. Let's hope you never actually suffer from it. Some would say that it's logical to be afraid of things happening devastatingly and unexpectedly if it has happened like that recently. Most of us just try and get on with life but for those who can't it how about a little empathy?

What I do think is that we use these words very loosely. People are anxious and need information, not condemnation. People with anxiety will be suffering in ways that those who have never had it or seen it could know. They need help and may well be getting it but a little understanding would help not describing them as the "lowest".

As for a granny living in Australia not understanding that all countries are not in their position, I am pleased for Australians but again, a little knowledge of others other countries would go a long way.

This is a thread about anxieties caused by the pandemic so it's not suprising that's what people are talking about.

I think people just need to take a deep breath and think through what they are doing, the real level of risk, which is low for everyone and even lower if you are vaccinated. Plan a release strategy - and just remember to avoid all the other perils in our life that are more likely than COVID now is. M0nica Sun 25-Apr-21 12:06:52

This reminds me of the days when all and sundry thought they were helping by telling people suffering from depression to "just pull yourself together". I think it is useful for those who are anxious but the article was describing people with an anxiety condition triggered by Covid.

Oh dear i am not used to arguing nanna8 and like you say i certainly hope I never suffer from covid. I think you are mixing me with someone else as I have never even mentioned how Australia is performing.
I am feeling rather anxious about posting now as you misunderstood me. So maybe I do know how it must feel for those who want to withdraw from it all.

I'm sorry you're feeling anxious because of your post Lillie but that is a million miles from someone suffering from anxiety and that was what the article was about. Those who are are certainly not the "lowest" in our society.

I’ve just seen this thread so coming to it late. Last week on a sunny day I sat outside with my neighbour. I haven’t seen her to speak to for a long time. I was worried about how much she has changed in the past months. Out chat revealed how she feels about emerging from lockdown. She won’t stay outside too long in case she gets cold so outside meals etc are not going to happen. She won’t go outside in wintry weather. She won’t go inside anyone’s house even when it’s permitted. She won’t go into any shop. She won’t travel even within the UK. She won’t allow anyone such as a workman inside her house. I could go on ...... Fortunately she has a proactive husband who deals with everything. I feel so sorry for her. The change in her is dramatic.