Basically, I'm always caught in the middle. And never the extremes.
For the last 8 weeks or so I've been staying near home, social distancing, wearing a mask - you know all the fun stuff that living life in the times of Covid-19 brings. I've been isolated and, honestly, not speaking much with anyone except mom about the state of things. We are both healthy and agree on most topics. Two centerist speaking to each other makes for calm discussion, lol.
We both tend to research the crap out of topics we're interested in so we have independently come to conclusions about how to handle Covid-19 going forward and agree - open back up yet cautiously and in phases, testing out what happens as it all happens.
Now, a lot of you would disagree with me stating that opening back up puts too many people at a physical health risk as well as strain on hospitals. I can't disagree with that argument since at this time we're not sure what's gonna happen if/when we open back up, these processes have just started. Some communities may be ok, some not so much. There are so many factors involved. And a lot of unknowns.
But here's what I know.
One, economic hurt is coming (and already has arrived) to individuals, small and medium size businesses, towns, communities, cities, states and our country. When people feel threatened that they can't provide for themselves and their families, things get pretty ugly.
Two, I personally don't know anyone that has contracted Covid-19 but I do personally know 3 people suffering severe psychological consequences due to the lack of certainty and personal freedom that surrounds life during Covid-19. These 3 individuals are very close to me and my concern for them overrides my worry that someone will contract Covid-19. Mental health, to me, is just as important as physical health.
Covid-19 wasn't personal to me until I realized 3 people I love were suffering in their homes, sometimes silently and alone. I was fine staying at and near home for a while for the community and myself. It wasn't a personal strain for me to sacrifice a bit for a while. Yet it was a personal struggle for my 3 loved ones.
Up until a week or so ago I lived in my little bubble, rolling along with what my community, state and country needed me to do. Having Covid-19 discussions with mom. It wasn't personal, meaning I didn't suffer much, honestly I barely suffered at all, I'm one of the few fortunate ones. Yet as I opened up to my family and friends to find out this whole time they have been on the verge of mental and physical collapse, IT GOT REAL PERSONAL.
I got angry that the people I love and care about are hurting and there is still no proof that lockdown was the best course of action. Are they suffering in vain? Sure, we flattened some curves but the virus is still out there. I believe we only stalled the spread. (Until a vaccine is approved for the public.)
So how do we deal with this? If we continue to keep everyone home and/or with strict pandemic rules we run the risk of having more suicides, domestic abuse and depression cases than during non-pandemic times. Aren't those that hurt psychologically just as important as those that hurt physically?
I'm not asking to open everything back up all at once, no restrictions. I'm asking that we don't only see the Covid-19 cases. That we see people that have other health concerns and what THEY NEED.
I'm advocating for those that need their lives back to almost normal, pre-covid lifestyle.
This is one of the first times in my life that I'm taking an extreme look at a situation and not just sliding through the middle. Our communities need to recognize protection against Covid-19 is necessary as well as take into account how much we are hurting those that suffer from the pandemic's psychological effects.
The 3 loved ones in my life are doing ok, they are finding ways to cope.
One has luckily been called back to work. This relieves his financial stress yet he can only go home and to work, still being "locked up" in an area with high population density. He's attempted to hike near home yet the trails are extremely crowded and he heads back home.
Another, honestly, is traveling to a nearby state that is opening up more than his home state. He's taking a calculated physical risk to solve for his mental state.
And the third is seeing an online therapist in which she has clearly stated to me does not have the same benefits as seeing the doctor face to face.
But we don't just want to "cope" do we? We want to thrive. How do we get back there sooner than later?
What COVID-19 Is Doing to Our Mental Health - Healthline
CDC Coverage of Covid-19
National Suicide Hotline : 1-800-273-8255
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