It seems that after a lengthy winter when most people were looking forward to the renewal of spring, everything changed in a heart beat, and suddenly the world as we knew it was hijacked by a virus none of us had heard of until it was suddenly at our front doors. The normalcy and sameness that dominated our lives was replaced with fear, uncertainty, and for some, skepticism. What was this invisible thing that had arrived without warning, forcing us into exile within our homes and broader community? Where had it come from, and what did it mean in terms of our daily lives? Suddenly were were isolating in our homes, away from friends and family, and left scratching our heads.
Humans have a need for safety, predictability, equilibrium and affiliation. In a blink of an eye, all of that vaporized. People were out of work, with no idea how they were going to pay bills, and children were home from day-cares and school. It was a double edged sword in the sense that some people were reporting a reduction in stress due to more positive family interactions within the family unit, while others were reporting increased stress due to the uncertainty of finances and friction with family members that they were now cloistered with.
There is no doubt that these are challenging times. We are moving into late summer and as the days go by there appears to be an increase in the number of COVID cases, as well as little published information in terms of demographics. There is a vagueness in what information is relayed to the public and it seems that even the medical community can’t agree on a number of related issues. There also appears to be conflicting information in regards to social distancing. People are still highly encouraged to follow safety protocols when in public, and despite this, many are questioning the decision to allow children back to school where they will be in close contact with one another. It is understandable that many people are beginning to question the narrative.
The bottom line is that because there are so many unanswered questions, one has to air on the side of caution and take measures to ensure personal safety and the safety of their family members assuming that the virus is as deadly and transmittable as we have been told.
This situation has brought out the best in people, and also the worst. Paranoia can be seen by individuals in public places, whereby they verbally or physically assault someone that they feel has not followed safety protocols. Mostly people have become stressed, worn down, and exhausted by an invisible interloper that arrived on their doorsteps and is showing no intention of leaving any time soon. Most of us question whether life will ever go back to the way it was, and uncertainty lends itself to anxiety.
Mental health is of critical importance during times like these, self-care being at the forefront. The community social fabric has been torn, and we have become alienated from one another not by choice, but by circumstance. The phrase, “We are in this together” is said almost by rote now and having been said so many times, has become worn out and rendered almost meaningless. We are in it together, but we are no longer together, being forced to keep our physical distance. The wearing of masks and the inability for others to read our facial expressions will likely show consequences further down the road if this is to become ” the new normal”. We rely on reading body posture and facial expressions as part of communication, and for those suffering from trauma and anxiety, this creates uncertainty.
Like most, I have few answers, as we are yet in the midst of this pandemic crisis, of which the future social ramifications remain to be seen. Take care of yourself and each other. Get outside and breathe fresh air. Get an abundance of exercise. Eat healthy. Listen to one another and support the people you are able to. Make sure if you have anxiety and stress, that you find someone to talk to. Be kind to those around you., even the ones who are unable to be kind themselves.
Seeking the Light 