Anxiety During the Coronavirus: Part 4 - Comments and Questions
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Whether you’re alone or stuck inside with family consider this: Anne Frank and 7 others lived in a 450 Sq Ft attic for 761 days, quietly, to survive. I think we can manage being stuck in the comfort of our own homes and allowed to go outside for a month or two.
We are at WAR with COVID-19. Those who have seen combat in war know that fighting this war on the Coronavirus is a piece of cake in comparison. I got this funny text yesterday: FIRST TIME IN HISTORY WE CAN SAVE THE HUMAN RACE BY LAYING IN FRONT OF THE TV AND DOING NOTHING. LET’S NOT SCREW THIS UP. Of course there are things we can do about this other than lay on the couch. I’m writing this blog. You can offer to help elderly neighbors, you can forward my blog to others as well as other helpful tips and guidelines. And the answers to two questions below offer a couple of other ways you can help.
How Can I Help Depressed Friends?
Dave asked “What can we do to help people who are isolated and depressed?” Addressing depression in the face of COVID-19 about this could be a BLOG post if not 2-3 posts. But you want to help a friend. Socialization is a huge predictor of mood. The best thing you can do is to schedule a video chat with them via Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, or VSee. I’m single through this crisis and had a drink with a friend in Texas last night, tonight I’m playing music with a bass player friend, tomorrow afternoon I’m having coffee with a friend and this is all through video chat. Phone is NOT the same. We get MUCH more from video.
Definitely encourage depressed friends to get out and exercise or exercise indoors. Exercise increases serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine - all of which improve mood. With social distancing we’re not even supposed to walk next to someone. But you could schedule a walk in which you both walk and talk on the phone.
Should I Fear of Take Out?
Cathy is afraid to get carry out. And asks if she’s being silly. Not really being silly, because there is always some risk in nearly all we do. The good news is, the risks are very low because the heat needed to cook the foods kills the virus. So to be on the safe side choose items that are cooked rather than a salad or other cold food items. Microwaving for even a short time, kills the virus, so it’s not a bad idea to microwave it before you eat it. Do used some caution with the containers and sauce packets. Wash your hands after handling the containers. Here is a link to a video of a physician showing what to do after getting home from the grocery store and includes carry out: COVID-19 and Food.
I believe the risk of driving 50 miles is greater than the risk of getting carry out or delivery. Therefore, I urge you all to get carry out and delivery to keep your favorite restaurants in business and their employees working, especially the locally owned ones. This is something you can do that is helpful.
Should We Do Easter?
Michael asks if he should listen to President Trump who says the target date to get back to work and resume normalcy is Easter. I urge everyone to avoid taking advice from politicians, friends, relatives, and others who are voicing their opinion. Listen to the physicians and scientists who are knowledgable. Keep in mind that many physicians may know relatively little about Coronavirus/COVID-19. I believe a good expert to listen to is Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who says that “the virus makes the timeline.” He states that the advisable restrictions may vary from region to region, but too soon to say when we can begin to lift them.
Be safe and come back in a couple of days
Jennifer L. Abel, Ph.D.
author of:
The Anxiety, Worry & Depression Workbook,
Melt Worry & Relax Card Decks (One for all, one for kids),
AND Active Relaxation