Sleepy21

I don't know what people are thinking. I wonder how many people went to the shops Fri night from 6pm to midnight. I'm guessing a lot. The cafe this morning was packed and so noisy. I'm still getting used to sitting in a cafe again. I'm glad to be free again. That might have been our last lockdown ever.

Moonstruck

I'm flying to Qld 2 days after the border opens. I hope she doesn't change her mind I've got the flight booked. ☺ Qld has been lucky regarding covid so far.

Hi Moon,

Even fully vaccinated people can still get very sick with the virus. Anyone older or who has any other health problems is very vulnerable. I think it's fair enough that many of us are still pretty anxious. Additionally those of us who live in the regional areas have limited access to health care and our hospitals are small and under-funded.

Anyone who is disabled is also still at high risk from the virus.

Cheers.

My feeling is that I am still trying to sort out what risk is acceptable to me, personally, & what compromise I am willing to live with, knowing the more risk I accept the more I could go out again. If I feel uncertain, I feel the risk may be too high, & so must accept being isolated more, & accept the consequences which come with that.

Although I have both doses of vax, I know it is not 100% protective. My not being able to wear a mask increases my risk, & my inability to see where everyone is in relation to where I am, also increases my risk. I'm over 60, too, & not in the best of health, which adds to my risk.

& perhaps more risky, is that if I do become infected, I am a greater risk of passing it on to others, unless I manage to isolate myself before I even suspect I have it. That's when most with it are most likely to pass it on to others.

All it takes is one or two people circulating around the place. Just looking at the list on the government's website, I am surprised at how many places a person can go to in a single day.

It is 'risk management', which is part of many workplaces, & has been applied across the community too, for many things we can & cannot do.

I think it will become easier, & the sense that going out into social places will feel less risky, but it is taking some time to feel if it is already so, even here in Qld - for me, that is.

I think our Premiere has tried very hard to give us the impression they have it all under control, & are doing absolutely everything to keep us safe, She must act, bearing the whole population in mind, not just a highly populated area, but every bit of Qld.

but I think, she has not actually done enough, apart from talking up vaccines, to get people here in Qld vaccinated as quickly as we might have. Especially not nearly enough in rural areas, where health care is so lacking from the start. These are things that make me nervous & unhappy.

& there have been places mentioned beyond the south-east which have had infected people move through.

The point of getting two doses of a vaccine is to keep you from ending up in ICU with a ventilator, as the vacsces do reduce this risk considerably.

It's tougher to weigh up risking more people infected against more people out of work, school, with more mental health problems, etc in places where high numbers people are still infected every day, but people have been in lock-down for so very long. That's a different equation.

mmMekitty

Hi rx, 👋

How are u doing? I know Re the blues festival, and also his public holiday weekend opening...it's all a bit weird but Ur right it looks promising and we can hope things will work out safely

These days are a bit weird, everyone around me reacting differently and some ppl being a bit bossy or aggressive about their points of view.... it's just a time for gentleness I think.

There is an older woman in my street who I bumped into today, she was carrying a huge bag of bread in pieces, she was on her way to feed it to the birds in the park, I thought it was so sweet.

Thanks Sleepy and All, it is helpful to read how everyone is coping and feeling during this time.

Yes Sleepy, it's wide and varying how everyone is coping. There's a definite feeling of stress "out there" around us here.

Moonstruck, it's not possible to project how our entire state should feel at this time. There's no delirium of joy, that's for sure.

For our family, yet again, we've been instructed to self-isolate and get tested. My youngest daughter's high school had a positive covid case so that's the entire schools' population who've been told to do this. (Same as my friend's daughter who commutes to school in a major city).
Tomorrow we all get tested again and wait. All the kids are home again, so nothing's really changed there.

I have no idea how this impacts my work, I'm still ill from the 2nd vax and need more tests.

We all have no idea how this impacts the schools either. No one has a crystal ball but it's clear that covid cases are around in the school population.

And so the merry-go-round continues of being told to self-isolate and get tested and wait. Learning from home, etc etc.

No feeling of "freedom" just more regimentation.

Hi sleep .

Doing ok , just not out there spreading any love that's for sure. Be laying low for awhile here and giving this long wkend time to show any the trouble l'm sure is just around the corner for it up here now. The festivals still going ahead , fantastic idea right.

People use to do things like your old lady , shame , so few giva damn these days though now.

Sorry your encountering such a people mix in views and attitude . No one even talks about any of it much up here people are just doin their theng really. Must admit l'm pretty proud of the good will about too and while doin their theng they're also mostly considerate of anyone around them and doing all the usual Covid stuff.

Hi em and sorry to hear your family is going through it all yet again. Damn eh it must be so hard on everyone. Thankfully at my house we have no reason to go near crowds or schools or anything busy.

Hang in there people.

rx

rx

Oh, Ecomama, that is so sad for you & your family. With yourself still being ill, & not sure of those around you, not sure of work, it is certainly very much unsettled for you.

I hope talking to us here will help you feel a little less isolated.

mmMekitty

Hi there meforcats,

Good Luck! { our experience up here has always been "she" can and will change her mind at the drop of an imaginary hat..and with no notice...) but think positive and have a lovely time up here...xx

Today I returned to my admin role on-site for the first time in three months, was great to be back into it, even putting on a different set of clothes and enjoying being out of the house. Travelling on public transport did not upset me, as the buses were very clean and you could smell that they have been sanitised etc. Even managed a nice McCafe coffee with a bonus hash brown.

My office is fully Covid safe, spaced out separate work teams, rotating AM/PM shifts,staggered start/finish times,QR codes,no tearooms(the Maccas nearby does very well with coffee sales with our group), all meal breaks and meetings outside, off peak travel encouraged etc.

But I have been anxious as well today, having the thought that any place I visit could land me in isolation for 7 days(I am fully vaxxed), I decided not go near any retail on the way home, as I felt too risky, I don't need anything urgently apart from a new pair of shoes and a couple of new shirts, which I will duck in and get when I am ready(Click and collect I want to avoid as I want to physically see before buying).

My Mum has heart issues, diabetes and I really am worried about making her sick and upsetting her plans, my parents have been hit a little hard mentally with lockdown, Dad was grumpy and a bit depressed for most of the lockdown. Conversations were hard as there was nothing much to talk about.

I am an only child with a very small family unit (parents) and a small group of trusted friends, most of which I have known since childhood,I will socialise with them, as they are sensible and fully vaxxed but no one else at the moment. No big groups or anyone who I don't see regularly. In no hurry at all, would like to use my downtime to unwind.I was a grump last week as my return to work date got locked in and I just wanted to be back sooner, so still was stuck at home apart from a coffee over the road.

I do enjoy casual contact, ie people waiting at bus stop with me, walking past in street, some bus drivers and even the more senior Maccas girls, the one who served me today was glad to see me again for my regular coffee, and was patient when I had had trouble getting the MyMaccas app to work again. Saw an old classmate on the bus on the way home and a nice little chat, wishing we could have our 1990's lives back again.

Hi s82, it sounds as if your day went well and that you have plans in place to ensure you feel safe getting back into life.

Thanks for writing your post and sharing how you are doing things. I find it very helpful to read how others approach things.

It helped that I had a couple of spare pairs of shoes stored away(bought them last year on special), so when one pair wore out, I pressed one of the spare pairs into service and broke them in last week, just have to replace the spare pair, also got some new shirts just before lockdown started which I squirreled away, and wore the older ones in lockdown, then when I was getting my good stuff out for work, I banished the older garments to the death section of the wardrobe(one step before the bin).

I may need time to come out of my shell, especially in my downtime. Being an only child means I am quite good on my own, or just with my small immediate unit of family and trusted friends. Always been like that.

Hello s82, & welcome to the forum.

sounds like you've made the best of this situation we are all in. You sound positive & thoughtful & well organised. & your work is doing their best by their workers.

Things are a little strained at home? Your Mum's physical health issues are a concern to you, & your Dad's mental health has suffered. You are doing all you are able to keep yourself healthy, which helps to keep your family healthy as it can be. If your parents are also fully vaccinated then you all have a much better chance of not becoming infected, & if so, not becoming severely ill. This is the best we can do.

As for your Dad, I wonder, is there anything you two do together?

When I was young, following a flood, my father had difficulties. It wasn't explained to us kids at the time, but I think he was depressed & feeling 'ruined' & unable to talk about it. Men didn't talk, then, (long ago, before you were born, I suspect), but he did want to reach out, somehow. He played chess, & insisted I play a game with him. I didn't enjoy it, was a poor chess player, (still am), while he was pretty good. That wasn't the point, though. We didn't talk while playing. I didn't know what to say,& he probably didn't or couldn't either. But we shared a game & I think that helped him to feel he was still my father after losing so much in the flood.

I didn't realise what it meant to him, then. But now, thinking, as I write to you, doing something with your own Dad could help a lot.

I have noticed how many people are at least a little anxious about what level of risk they will take when going out &about again. It sounds like you are weighing up the risk as well. That sounds to me to be a sensible approach. So, I want to commend you for that.

If the level of your anxiety is such that you can't make a decision or you are avoiding everything, or can't sleep, or has you constantly worried, then perhaps it it time to talk to someone.

If you like, you could always call BB's own counselling service on 1300 22 46 36, or any of their other services on these pages. Or your GP could also advise you about who you could talk to. As well as us, who are a mixed bag, to say the least! 😺 I'm no professional, myself , just getting old & have had some experiences.

Happy to talk some more.

mmMekitty

Thank you mmMekitty for your post.

Yes, things are strained at home, not badly though. A bit tired after yesterday.

I think it might be my parents are a bit the"sticks and stones" type. They find mental health is a lot of nonsense, for which I don't agree, I feel very sorry for people who have struggled the past two years, but I try to agree to disagree as not to cause friction.

My father and I don't have a great deal in common as far as interests, he is a very hands on type, I am not very good with my hands, when I have helped out(or tried to) with some hands on task it always ends in anger and tears. We both have short fuse which does not help. I suggest bringing in people more hands on to help with things, but that gets him upset. We do however watch DVD's together, but not much traditional father/son type things.

Dad had a rather serious depression episode after a workplace issue six years ago which led to his retirement, we had some serious issues with anger back then, but we have come a little closer since his retirement.

I have traditionally had a closer relationship with my mother, she is more understanding of my weaknesses and is easier to navigate. She has disabilities which means she requires assistance which Dad and I share, a major reason I have stayed in the family home. I have been a part time carer all my life.

Growing up, I had responsibilities the other kids did not have, which made it very hard to form friendships, and caused bullying but had a small group who were respectful, some of whom I remain friends with, or at least still get on with when I see them, to this day.

Sorry about the long post, just addressing the above things, I will return to update on my post lockdown recovery soon, as not to hog the thread.

Hi s82,

Your family is very different to mine, but the one thing we have in common is that my Father had distained mental illness & psychological therapies. He was unable to face & deal with such in my family, his own difficulties & those of others too. Both my (ex)step-mother & he had their own friends, & I suppose they shared friendships with some of those people. It was very rare that I heard openly serious convertations amongst any of them. Somethimes things would get heated, fights might break out. Mostly, I think it was just that they had these people regularly in their lives that gave them a sense of something a little like having an extended family.

It makes me wonder if your Father has friends he might just hang around with, in a casual and relaxed way? All I knw is my Father did relax (drinking too, mind you), outdoors, with some friends, food, music & chat. Or the tv with some sport on.

DVD's sounds good enough to me. Though I would not be advocating a lot of alcohol, more like one or two beers, chips, or other munchies. Or the dreadful sugary brown soft drink. We had pop corn. Maybe your Dad would talk about the DVD, or if it is sport, that's all it needs to be.

I'm not suggesting diving into trying to get him to open up about things he is not going to talk about.

to avoid monopolising this thread, what about beginning a new thread of your own to ask for more ideas to help you to help your Dad, perhaps under the forum:

Supporting family and friends with a mental health condition (carers)

Which is “Space for sharing tips on supporting a partner, family member or friend with a mental health condition, and seeking support for your own wellbeing with other carers.”
There may be some help to be found there already.

mmMekitty

Hi all and hoping you're all coping as well as you can.

Just wondering if anyone else from WA has been joining in on this thread? I'd love to hear what you think of the proposed order for all education staff to prove they are immunised by January? It's not law yet but I suspect it will be soon enough.

Is anyone else having trouble with the prospect of either losing your job or being forced to have the vax?

My husband's work has already brought in nurses on shift to give staff injections when they come in.

It all feels very threatening.

I am on immune suppressants and am considered high risk but as far as I'm concerned it's my choice.

I'm angry that to go to work where I work alone and with cleaning chemicals I have to have this but people can still refuse to be immunised for measles, rubella, TB etc and still come to work.

Worse you have to sign a form saying you are having the jab by your own choice and won't hold anyone responsible. What choice is it... Get the Vax or lose your job. What free will?!?

Hey all,

Since Sydney has opened up I have started to feel really uneasy about this whole covid thing. I have to go there for work and while I'm double vaxed and always wearing a mask, I can't get rid of this feeling like no matter how careful I am, I am going to get it, spread it to my loved ones and cause a lot of harm.

I only leave the house for work, and even then I can't concentrate. I'm super focused on how my throat feels and like hyper aware of how my body feels and if I'm getting sick.

I had a test yesterday for peace of mind (negative thank god!) but another person that was there was a close contact! I'm freaking out. I can't help but blame myself now because in getting peace of mind, I potentially made things much worse.

Idk this whole thing just scares me so much. I just need someone who can relate I guess? Someone to tell me I'm not crazy? Idk. I'm sorr for the word dump, I'm not doing well with this whole thing now.

Hello KatDT, & welcome to the forum

It looks to me you are doing everything you can to take care of yourself, & thinking of people you care about.

Being anxious about anything does not mean you are crazy. I do think this level of anxiety might be getting on top of you, & perhaps, you would consider talking to someone? A chat with your GP would be a good place to start. Or perhaps calling BB's own Counselling Service,on 1300 22 46 36.

Each thing you have done has helped to decrease the likelihood of you either catching or spreading COVID-19. Indeed, only going out to work leaves you with a very restricted life. which can have detrimental effects, too. It's for this reason, I think it is time for seeking professional help.

If you read some of the posts in this thread, you'll see many people have had their struggles throughout this pandemic, & many have anxiety of one sort or another. I've had my own, too, but not much like you are experiencing. As a result though, I have been staying home a lot, have changed how I do some things, & only recently have I felt I need to break out of this hold my concern has on me. Little by little, I intend to get myself out more again. I've got lots of info, (my brain doesn't recall neatly or quickly, but it is there), & rationally understand the risk to or from anyone is very, very, very, low. That's one important thing I keep in mind.

All the best, & I hope we speak again.

mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty, I think you have some really good points in your message, but I don't understand you saying that the risk to or from anyone is very very very low... here in Melbourne (and Sydney to a lesser extent than Melbourne) we have thousands of community transmissions, and there would be so many cases out there not detected, so I feel the risk is not low at all? Can you explain in more detail why you think the risk is so low? Thank you :)))

Hello,

I’m struggling to come to terms with living in a Covid world. Last year I suffered a mental health crisis (anxiety) and broke down. I was terrified of getting Covid and dying. I couldn’t function, even to the point of being unable to eat or sleep. I was constantly calling Lifeline and BeyondBlue for some peace of mind.

My support network was disbanded. My closest friends didn’t care any more as they had their own issues and eventually ended our friendship. My partner was having a difficult time also and we decided it would be better for me to stay with my family in my childhood home. My family, however, became zombies and were unable to deal with the situation also. It was total denial to them. The Covid situation and the fact that I was so unwell. They let me stay with them but just left me to myself. I even told my mother I wanted to complete suicide and she hardly paid attention. Luckily my partner was supportive and spoke fiercely to my mother. She still didn’t seem to get what was happening but she did as a I asked and helped me to calm down.

I left the house suddenly as my father has borderline personality disorder and began verbally attacking me and stating that I deserved to be abused by my ex partner. I told him to never speak to me again and since I have had a very hard time dealing with any members of my family. I went back to living with my partner and everything was okay for a time as it seemed Covid was at bay but this year has taken a huge toll. We moved to a regional area but still suffered through lockdowns and being away from everything we knew and family and friends we cared for.

I’m just constantly afraid that it will all happen again and I’m extremely reluctant to get the vaccine even though I’m in a higher risk category because of all the lies and poor management of the Covid situation.

I have somewhat of a support network but I rely heavily on my now fiancé and I hate burdening him. I have two friends I am still in contact with but I am nervous to share my real concerns with them after what happened with others I thought were my dearest friends. I’m just feeling very lost and hopeless right now 😞

Thanks for reading 💜

Hi Shelly and thank you for your reply.

It's almost a relief not to be alone feeling angry and powerless even if I wish you didn't have to experience those feelings too.

Your last post about hiding and retreating into yourself I relate to also. If it wasn't for my kids and hubby I'm pretty sure I'd move deep into the wheatbelt and stay there. I'm sick and tired of the whole world right now.

You're right about finding small positives. Last week I was trying the same thing. The kids and I stopped for an emu on the road and I pulled off just so we could watch it up close. We were a few minutes late for school but really who cares. We loved it.

Hope you can find small blessings today.

Hi amyness,

Sorry to read you have had such a struggle and an unsettling time. The last couple of years have been so different to anything many of us have experienced.

It is hard when we feel lost and hopeless. I know when I am struggling, it is hard to put strategies and activities in place that will help. Do you have some ideas on what may help you through this?

Many people have their own views on all situations on life, it can be hard to recognise another person's feelings and acceptance of a situation. Sometimes friends and family can only support us so much as they may also have their own battles.

You mentioned calling Beyond Blue and Lifeline, I do the same thing when I need to.

I also find it helps sometimes to write down what I am thinking in a notebook, then at the end I try to write down three things I am thankful for.

Regards to you from Dools

Hi Quercus,

Thanks for sharing a bit of the real world with us, stopping to watch an emu is wonderful.

Walking in to work some days, instead of thinking about "who is going to yell at me today because they don't like the Covid rules?" I stop to smell the roses in the garden out the front.

Hi Mrs D 😊,

Glad you enjoyed the emu story. I like that you stop and smell the flowers and glad that you enjoyed the moment.

Being yelled at is the absolute pits, there is no excuse for it. Another reason I'd struggle to work in customer service again (I'd probably get fired for standing up for myself) 😂.

Hello Added, & KatDT,

I messed up my attempt to reply yesterday, so I’m trying again. I spent some time looking for some data, some evidence, but there are so many variables from person to person, that in the end I decided it was not going to be possible for me to prove my sense of what I think is right. Please, bear in mind, my memory is crap, but I have been following along with the new information as it came in. Very hard to really keep up. I am no professional anything. Interested, but not an expert.

It simply seems so logical to me, that if we all do one of the things recommended, the risk of infection & transmission goes down. If we do two of those things, the risk lowers more. If we do another, & another, the risk lowers still more, & this is for the benefit of all.

The more of us doing as much as we can, the greater protection to the entire community.
I just wanted to underscore this for KatDT. You care so much, & are doing so much, I feel sure you are at a very, very slight risk, & being fully vaccinated, you have significantly reduced your chance of becoming very ill with COVID-19, if you did get it.

I’m more concerned about the level of your anxiety, thinking, it has begun to dominate your life, & you are under a lot of stress as a result. Are you talking to anyone about your anxiety? Would you give BB counsellors a call on 1300 22 46 36.?

I’m sorry if I haven’t written clearly enough.

mmMekitty

Hello Amyness, & welcome. I am glad you have found us.

You really have been going through a lot. I’m sorry it has been so difficult for you, & people you have had around you haven’t been able to be as supportive as you need.
For various reasons, responses to our needs might not be as we hope. It’s very hurtful how some people react. I’m glad you keep trying.

You & your partner, you have each other.

You mention calling telephone helplines. & they are fine for what they can offer. However, because this is going on so long, it may be time to have a chat with your GP about finding more support for your mental health.

&, you’re always welcome to talk here on BB.

mmMekitty