Hi meforcats,

We introverts have managed well with the lock downs and I understand your anxiety about opening up again and mixing and crowds!

I think it's best to take it slowly. Maybe just go out somewhere not too crowded for a short time and gradually increase it as you get more used to it again. Don't overwhelm yourself.

I think a lot of people are finding it tricky - I went to a hairdresser the other day for the first time in 3 months and my hairdresser told me she was struggling with it after being on her own so long and she'd felt a bit panicky sometimes.

I think gradual exposure is the best way to do it. I'm finding it tricky too!

There's anxiety about the virus too, and checking in and out of places. Lots of people are finding it isn't easy. Good luck I'm sure you'll settle down gradually 🙂

I must say the light traffic in Melbourne in lockdown has been great. It's become a little heavier they think because more people are driving to either get tested or vaccinated.

Take care.

Thanks Hanna3 I think you are so right. Gradual is the way to go. I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed thinking of my usual activities. But I don't have to jump into all of them at once. Why didn't I think of that. I'm so glad that you sent your post.

Take care.

Hi meforcats,

Glad my suggestion helped! It's what I've found works for me - try a few minutes in one place not too crowded, then try somewhere busier for a few minutes... It's gradual exposure and getting used to it again! Take time out to recover as needed!

I agree, we do seem to get the worst of it here in Melbourne - I don't think its the weather, there are many hot places in the world that experience huge number too.

I am trying to feel positive about opening up, and going out and mixing. I know we have to, but I still feel anxious and afraid about it... already I have noticed that the traffic on the roads has increased.

Last night I was speaking to a friend in England, who said what they are going through now is the pandemic, and what they went through during lockdown was pre-pandemic. She said everyone is getting it now, but most are not really sick with it because they have been vaccinated.. they get 7 home tests per week and just test themselves and self isolate if they have it. Although I have now been fully vaccinated the thought of getting it scares me and not everyone who is vaccinated is safe from hospitalisation - then my health anxiety kicks in. I know that this is just the world we live in now so I have to learn to manage my anxiety about going out and meeting with people again -

Thanks Hanna3, I think just taking it slowly will help to build up confidence.

Thanks Hanna 3

I'm feeling better today already. Are you in Melbourne too?

Stay well.

I'm not really afraid of getting it. But I found out Thur that one of the other Drs patients tested positive on Tue at the clinic I was at. All the staff have been vaccinated but they all have to be tested immediately. If my Dr and receptionist test positive then I have to go get tested and isolate until I get a negative result. They'll let me know. So I feel a little edgy.

I've never been so close to covid germs before.

Hi meforcats

That is close and understandable that you feel a little edgy, I hope that you are ok - it seems that this is what we will have to get used to in the future. Take care

Hi lovely ppl

That is scary meforcats, are u okay. Hopefully u hear good news soon and it's all cleared, it can hit home when it's around us or close. Sending support and care

Thanks Added. I'm ok so far.

You take care too.

Hi Sleepy 21

I'm fine so far thanks. They'll contact me if anyone tests positive. I'll cross my fingers and hope.

I wish everyone a peaceful day. ☺

Hello Meforcats,

How lovely you wish 'everyone a peaceful day', while you are waiting to hear if you need to get tested or not.

What are you doing while you wait?

All the best - my paws are crossed for you!

mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty

I'm watching lot's of tv. My eyes will be square soon. Do you love cats too? I have a grey and white one called Milly. She's sitting on me now. 😺

Hi meforcats, it is great to hear that you have Milly to be with at a time like this.

Last Sunday night my husband & I went out for dinner (NSW). In our local paper on Thursday the hotel we went to was named as having had a COVID positive person there on Sunday night. We went off to get tested. Our town has a population of 48,000 but there were cars at the testing place for kilometres. It took us over 5 hours to reach the front of the queue! The poor pathology people looked exhausted & were working after closing time to clear all the cars. Luckily we received our negative results the next morning at 7am. There are just so many people we owe a vote of thanks to for all the work they are doing under such trying circumstances.

I'm glad your test was negative. Thank you on behalf of all of us Australians. People doing the right thing and getting tested and following the rules are helping keep us safe and helping the health workers.

I really appreciated you thinking if the poor pathology people who were working so hard. It is so easy to focus on our own inconvenience (and a 5 hr wait is a very great inconvenience)and forget about the testers and contact tracers etc who are working so hard.

I think as we open up I will be sticking to things which are very low risk. I won't be spending time in busy shopping centres or eating out other than a picnic in the open with close family who are al vaxxed. I do look forward to seeing my dtr and grandkids in a park after not seeing them for months. I am very concerned about the health care system with such high case numbers in Melbourne. It looks like it will be a long time until my hsb can get the surgery and other procedures he needs. This wait puts him at risk of serious health problems unfortunately. I'm sure there are many others in similar circumstances.

Yes, Meforcats, I do love cats. & dogs, birds, & more...

😸You also have people here to talk to. Anytime.

& Topsy, what an ordeal! I'm glad you a; got a result so quickly, & b; most importantly, it was negative. 😺

mmMekitty

Thanks for the England stuff added, very interested.

l have a bit of a fascination with how other countries are really going l must admit. But hearing it from people and their friends is far more grounded and real than the miles of contradicting info all over all over the net.

l've talked about my Slovenian friend here . They've been traveling all over Europe last 4mths like nothings happened, even ltaly , they live in Spain now. Everywhere's open to tourism , it's surreal listening to her after where they were 12mths ago , especially the condition Spain and ltaly were in. Mind you , she hardly mentions much about it they're long long over it all people are fed up with it and doing prettywell what they want from what she says. but just a few scattered things she's said here and there. My American mate , Covids the last thing on his mind , last we talked all he was worried about is his house price and women haha.

PS , just to the people getting or been tested , l rally take my hat of too you all. l can't believe people sit in lines 5 and 6 hrs to be tested. Bloody ridiculous wth don't they just hand out the home test kits from Chemists or something. l know they're supposedly not as accurate but close enough, other countries are using them.

rx

Actually my Slovenian friend said they've never been tested won't do it bc in many places it's 100 Euro just to be tested. Crikey.

rx

Added

I love Milly so much. She's great company, I talk to her and even sing to her. You're in Melbourne too are you? We might hear about our roadmap out of lockdown today. This might be our last weekend of being locked up. I hope Dan is on tv today. Take care.

Hi topsy

You had to wait 5 hours for a test? Oh my!! It's great that it was negative. I hope I don't have to be tested. Stay well.

mmMekitty

I love all animals too. There's a new show on tv called The Dog House Australia. Very cute.

I'm thankful for this Forum. To be able to be in touch. 😊

Hi mmMekitty

I've been down for a week. My Psych said some people get down in Spring. He looked up my records and I was down for a week last Oct. Weird isn't it? Does anyone else experience this sort of thing? I'm coming out of it today.

Hi Meforcats,

My mood is not necessarily due to the season or month, though I do think the colder weather does have an effect on me. It is not so easy to say, yes or no about it.

Give your furry friend a cuddle for me, would you?

*

😸 to all who are enjoying easing of restrictions. Even as things are in Brisbane, I am still cautious, in part because I can't wear a mask, & because I cannot easily monitor how far people are from me. I don't enjoy large shopping centres anyway, but since some have had cases linked over the last year, I'm not wanting to spend any time within one, unless I have no choice, but to go to one for something I must have or do, such as a new pair of glasses back in August.

It is still difficult for me to weigh up the risk and 'living'. Being isolated has realy gotten to be difficult, as has not being able to go shopping for myself. Online is often not a suitable alternative for me.

I did discover some information, burried deep on Qld's gov website, about how I would be able to get tested, if I need.

Although, in the first instance, it is preferred one drives themselves to a testing centre, apparently, I could go by taxi, provied it has a screen between the driver and me, & I'd be in the back, passenger side of the car. Or, if no taxi with a screen is available, I can take a large car, like a Maxi taxi, preferred, & sit far in the back, on the passenger side. Or, failing that, I could be a passenger in a private car, also sitting as far from the driver as possible. For all options, the driver would be required to wear a mask.

But, I'm thinking, if the only place I could go was a drive-through? I certainly could not pay for a taxi to wait in a cue for 5 or so hours! Not even 2 - maybe, if I said to hell with my budget.& would the driver be expected to do this? That would be a very unhappy day's work if they were.

*sigh* Or my community worker, who has other people in her life to care for?

I would not quite trust the quick tests, & would still prefer to get the more expensive test. I would rather not have to be at all concerned with how to go & get one. & then, dealing with a positive result.

That's why I am cautious , even to the extent of adversely effecting my mental health. It is like walking the high wire.

mmMekitty

Hi Shelll,

I understand the alarm bells. I’ve been finding it all very unsettling too. Sorry for my late reply, but wanted to say you’re not alone.

I used to be someone who liked keeping up to date with the news here and abroad. But 5 mins of Australian news now... I feel anxious to the point of nausea.

Take care,
LL

mmMekitty

I've heard of people getting SAD in Winter with the darker days. Yesterday I read about Reverse SAD where people are affected in Spring/Summer. Winter doesn't affect me at all. I'll give Milly a hug for you. Do you have a cat?

I hope you can sort out your shopping issues. In lockdown I seem to buy more online.

I do hope you don't have to get a covid test. It'd be awful waiting in line for hours on end. Look after yourself.

I want to know what the difference is between covid overseas and in Australia People overseas are just living their lives while people in Australia are so scared to go out of their house.I think the government and media have done a great job in scaring everyone here

It is so wonderful to hear how much you love Milly meforcats! I bet she adores you! I don't have any pets but I do love animals - dogs especially. I see so many on my walks and love it if they come up to me wagging their tails. Sometimes I see people walking their cats as well :))))

I am in Melbourne, and we now have our roadmap out of lockdown, but I don't immediately feel carefree - I know it will take me a while to build up courage to meet with people or shop, but I know I will get there in the end. How are you feeling - I hope you will find out soon if you need to get a test? I find it hard to think we are getting these freedoms when we have so many cases still... I really hope that our hospitals will cope with the inevitable increase in cases and people needing care... and I feel for all those who need medical treatment but can't get it because of the covid cases.

Sing to Milly for me :))))