During a Pandemic

By Glyndora Condon MS MFT LPC

During a Pandemic

By Glyndora Condon MS MFT LPC

Today we are facing a pandemic and due to the ability to reach a worldwide audience, and the many who have reported on this virus, we find many are suffering with high anxiety. People are running to the stores and finding outages as others hoard the commodity in this world of the unknown; some are becoming aggressive due to the need to hoard, or offended of the hoarding which then limits others. The “what ifs, and if only” plague many, as their future is not clear; but in all honesty, we do not know what will happen a minute from now, nor any part of our future, and this has been a fact from day one.

Will things go back to how they used to be, the old norm? Probably not. Why? Because many have fallen to the virus, many have survived the virus, and the effects of this issue has taken liberties from us, loved ones from us, and changed our daily plans, restricted work and income, as well as; many other changes that we had not experienced at this level before. We will find a new normal as we have in other crisis situations.

Is this virus blown out of proportion? Likely. With the upcoming election and the hate across the nation, then it probably is being used and played to attempt to against the President, and therefore to be silent, and to watch the action; and the effort being taken to help this nation through this unsuspected and silent enemy is prudent as we allow the politicians of both sides, with their own agendas to say whatever. What we see should be much more evident of truth than what others say since this issue has already been blown up out of proportion, with much misnomers and untruths. We need to pay attention the symptoms, but not panic; shortness of breath, fever, coughing, dizziness; and exercise distance and good hygiene, as well as, disinfecting the surfaces.

Is there a real threat? Yes, just like any new strand of a disease which should be respected. We have faced Ebola, Flu, Polio, HIV, and many other like diseases across the world, throughout our existence; which scared us yet, we have found solutions and cautions to place into effect which limits the spread and the harm of each of them. We will again.

What is this new virus compared to some others? The flu has taken more lives and is air borne which makes it probably a worse disease yet we manage. This virus appears (not certain) to be more of a tangible issue as germs lives upon surfaces for 3-4 days which can be touched by others, and as we tend to touch our faces, noses, eyes, and mouths habitually through out the day which raises our chances of getting the germs.

It appears that the populations most in danger are: Those who are 60 and older, those with immune issues, those who do not wash their hands often enough or well enough, and those who are in highly populated social areas which places them at greater risk of touching a surface that has been contaminated. As with other diseases that are air borne or more tangible; then social distancing, washing one’s hands, good surgical masks, and cleaning after oneself as one touches handles, knobs, rails, furniture, or other objects with a good disinfectant so as to protect self and others; would be common and sensical measures that will slow the spread of this and all other diseases.

These efforts may also cause anxiety and frustration since this infringes upon our activities, routines, and freedom that we once enjoyed. Is it unfair? Yes, like as life itself. However, it may be part of our future since germs become more and more resistant and aggressive at times. Therefore, taking precautions is wise and will help with not infecting others or ourselves. What we do not want to do is panic, or to take risks that could infect ourselves or others.

There is a new and dangerous fad (“Covid-19 Dare” or may be known as something similar) is one now on YouTube and other social media forums, along with many other dangerous dares that some of our younger generation seems to think is funny. They dare each other to touch and to lick the knobs, handles, rails, and even the seats of toilets, daring each other of getting this virus; throwing risks this would be to others and self to the wind. Parents need to ask your children if they have been dared, and to speak wisdom and love into them. One may need to restrict social media forums from their children as a precaution.

Suggestions: We are social people and need contact with others, but we can facetime, FB, and call our loved ones during our isolation in order to keep in touch with healthy contacts, thus providing us that social interaction in a safe manner. We may need to think outside the box as to a new career that can be done from home or use online resources. Restaurants can use delivery and windows to pass their foods as they take precautions to not contaminate the food or themselves as they handle cards and money from their patrons, but this does have risks. Churches can place their sermons online or establish small groups of ten for studies and devotionals to resume to some contact. Exercise can be done outside in a less populated area where the sunshine and fresh air abounds. Businesses like our own are utilizing the online telehealth services as much as possible for our clients.

Fear and anxiety is wasted energy which steals the joy and life from us. It takes us backwards and it is due to what may or may not be ahead. Stress can kill us. Therefore, as you find yourself grappling with today, and if you find it impossible or difficult to navigate the many issues that confront us today, then please contact us at www.healhopecounseling.com so that we can help.

Today we are facing a pandemic and due to the ability to reach a worldwide audience, and the many who have reported on this virus, we find many are suffering with high anxiety. People are running to the stores and finding outages as others hoard the commodity in this world of the unknown; some are becoming aggressive due to the need to hoard, or offended of the hoarding which then limits others. The “what ifs, and if only” plague many, as their future is not clear; but in all honesty, we do not know what will happen a minute from now, nor any part of our future, and this has been a fact from day one.

Will things go back to how they used to be, the old norm? Probably not. Why? Because many have fallen to the virus, many have survived the virus, and the effects of this issue has taken liberties from us, loved ones from us, and changed our daily plans, restricted work and income, as well as; many other changes that we had not experienced at this level before. We will find a new normal as we have in other crisis situations.

Is this virus blown out of proportion? Likely. With the upcoming election and the hate across the nation, then it probably is being used and played to attempt to against the President, and therefore to be silent, and to watch the action; and the effort being taken to help this nation through this unsuspected and silent enemy is prudent as we allow the politicians of both sides, with their own agendas to say whatever. What we see should be much more evident of truth than what others say since this issue has already been blown up out of proportion, with much misnomers and untruths. We need to pay attention the symptoms, but not panic; shortness of breath, fever, coughing, dizziness; and exercise distance and good hygiene, as well as, disinfecting the surfaces.

Is there a real threat? Yes, just like any new strand of a disease which should be respected. We have faced Ebola, Flu, Polio, HIV, and many other like diseases across the world, throughout our existence; which scared us yet, we have found solutions and cautions to place into effect which limits the spread and the harm of each of them. We will again.

What is this new virus compared to some others? The flu has taken more lives and is air borne which makes it probably a worse disease. This virus appears (not certain) to be more of a tangible issue as germs lives upon surfaces for 3-4 days which can be touched by others, and as we tend to touch our faces, noses, eyes, and mouths habitually through out the day which raises our chances of getting the germs.

It appears that the populations most in danger are: Those who are 60 and older, those with immune issues, those who do not wash their hands often enough or well enough, and those who are in highly populated social areas which places them at greater risk of touching a surface that has been contaminated. As with other diseases that are air borne or more tangible; then social distancing, washing one’s hands, good surgical masks, and cleaning after oneself as one touches handles, knobs, rails, furniture, or other objects with a good disinfectant so as to protect self and others; would be common and sensical measures that will slow the spread of this and all other diseases.

These efforts may also cause anxiety and frustration since this infringes upon our activities, routines, and freedom that we once enjoyed. Is it unfair? Yes, like as life itself. However, it may be part of our future since germs become more and more resistant and aggressive at times. Therefore, taking precautions is wise and will help with not infecting others or ourselves.

There is a new and dangerous fad (“Covid-19 Dare” or may be known as something similar) is one now on YouTube and other social media forums, along with many other dangerous dares that some of our younger generation seems to think is funny. They dare each other to touch and to lick the knobs, handles, rails, and even the seats of toilets, daring each other of getting this virus; throwing risks this would be to others and self to the wind. Parents need to ask your children if they have been dared, and to speak wisdom and love into them. One may need to restrict social media forums from their children as a precaution.

Suggestions: We are social people and need contact with others, but we can facetime, FB, and call our loved ones during our isolation in order to keep in touch with healthy contacts, thus providing us that social interaction in a safe manner. We may need to think outside the box as to a new career that can be done from home or use online resources. Restaurants can use delivery and windows to pass their foods as they take precautions to not contaminate the food or themselves as they handle cards and money from their patrons, but this does have risks. Churches can place their sermons online or establish small groups for studies. Exercise can be done outside in a less populated area where the sunshine and fresh air abounds. Businesses like our own are utilizing the online telehealth services as much as possible for our clients.

Fear and anxiety is wasted energy which steals the joy and life from us. It takes us backwards and it is due to what may or may not be ahead. Stress can kill us. Therefore, as you find yourself grappling with today, and if you find it impossible or difficult to navigate the many issues that confront us today, then please contact us at www.healhopecounseling.com so that we can help.