I think many of your posts are spot on. While many people only get mild symptoms they can still infect others who are not so lucky. We all have a resonsibility to help each other by reducing the risk of spreading the disease and infecting vulnerable people. Nothing is 100% effective so doing as much as we can is important. The polititions seem to have bowed to the minority pressure of protesters and given up trying to put in the laws to help us. Vaccinations are essential including boosters for all who can have them. Masks have been shown to work particularly reducing the virus spread from an infected person as well as reducing the virus you breathe in. To be effective masks are best when both the infected person and the uninfected person are wearing them. Good ventilation disperses the virus so you are less likely to breath in enough to be infected so meeting up with people outside is far safer than indoors. Every measure we can take adds up and reduces the risk for those who through no fault of their own can't wear a mask or can't get vaxed or who's immune system is not working so the vaccine doesn't work properly. Finally don't judge. The person without the mask may have a valid reason and doesn't need to be made to feel uncomfortable. Similarly the person infected by covid may have followed all the recommendations and just been unlucky. It is hard enough for them being isolated feeling sick without feeling judged by others.

I'm having terrible anxiety at the moment and not really sleeping very well. I can fall to sleep OK but I've been waking up around 5:30 am and then have a panic attack and that's my sleeping done for the night. I'm always not too far from a cry and triggered very easily.

I think my anxiety is related to NSW government. I have really very low expectations that they will do the right thing for our community. I think if I was confident that they had our health as a priority I would feel so much better but I don't.

Just read the news. My post is already dated.

I hear exactly what you're saying. Can fall asleep on the couch, but getting a full night sleep even when exhausted is extremely rare. Agreed that the government just adds to the anxiety....eg self managing this thing is just ludicrous. Hopefully we can get to some form of sensibility.

Can't say as l'd agree if you look at the last 2yrs.

We've been locked up more than any other country when the rest of the world and it's people have been trying to figure out how to open up again and have been some 12mths now. Businesses going broke all over the place, people having had a gut full of being locked up and dictated to , a trillion in debt trying to keep things and people going for 2yrs . Not that l agree with it all l'm not saying that , only that l don't see what else they can do at this stage . Unless we end up like the UK or US , people want their lives back and what business has survived just has to get back to work or they'll be gone too. And on the other side of it , we have been living with this 2yrs , and complaining about being told how to live and when and what and being controlled. We know what we need to do to stay safe now if we don't by now we never will so l really don't see what other way they can go. But as l say if it got really bad , then l suppose they might have to get heavier again , don't know. Hope we don't find out myself.

rx

I was just talking to a friend of mine who is a doctor working in the city in NSW. He said they have a huge problem with nurses in hospitals and vaccination hubs getting sick because they are exposed to covid and they also have to isolate as they can't risk passing it on to their patients.

Hi rx I think in the us it's really affected communities financially, in places like la. Really increased the gap between rich and poor.

Makes u think about the vulnerability of some communities at this time, who looks after them?

Some ppl cannot work and have been devastated.

I'm OK if we get locked down again, make the best of it, but I hear u how hard it is. It's sad seeing Small businesses close and vulnerable ppl lose work

Hi there, how's Ur sleep? That sounds tough. It is hard without sleep.

Good we can express things in here....

I am just so so sick of the whole vaccine, covid, lockdowns, masks, confusion, bullying, coercing, fear and whatever else connected. I have had enough of it all. Feel like screaming it all out. So so freakin sick of it. How I long for peace... true peace

It's good ppl can vent and speak, there's so much fear, harshness and judgement.

I'm sorry for ppl feeling scared. These times are so hard, i hope ppl are OK tonight and over all

Yeah l'm not one to be banging on about economies and all the money money rubbish l feel Aus has become , l actually despise it all. but for me the small business or large for that matter aren't about that. lt's just sad for our shopping centers seeing them disappearing, their employees , the business owners themselves that have struggled for yrs keeping things afloat , families relying on the job for their mortgages and living l dunno. It all just involves and effects so many things and people. But of course there's so many other angles too l know, and people and lives and MH and kids and on and on, the whole thing is just surreal.

Some possible well a maybe at this stage, good news though people. Heard yesterday Omicron's peaked in Africa and numbers are dropping just as fast as they appeared. They don't know yet if they'll keep dropping but if they do the same could happen everywhere else too and this one could well be very short lived, so there's at least a maybe there.

rx

I'm kinda anxious about this as the new cases have gone a new high. But it seems the new variant is less severe. Hoping for the best 🙏

Hardest when you don’t see the end in sight. Having a bad day today, seems like being around a place where confirmed case was has given me the extra fear today.

will this damn pandemic ever go away

I have felt a spike iof anxiety when a place in te suburb where I live, or a shopping centre I have visited or even when the suburb where my PDr is, (& I haven't been there for perhaps 21 months now(, just because it may effect him, I suppose, or be at a time I might have, so I check & find out. I do try to use the QR cCode, & trust I' would be contacted if I did happen to be at a location when someone infected with COVID-19 has been there. So far, I have not been.

I don't like checking contact tracing lists, because now they are so long. When I do now, I use the filter for only the suburbs I have a direct interest in. Flooding my mind with all the information does become overwhelming. I've found it helps to limit how much & how often I look at news & online info.

& also, being as careful as possible, helps with anxious feelings about being potentially infected, but can contribute to being hyper-vigilant & more isolated & lonely.

I weigh up various factors & my current needs, & make decisions accordingly Provided my decisions don't harm anyone, of-course, I feel content, understanding there will be highs & lows, occasional days when the anxiety is worse, or the feelings of isolation. Day, by day, with the thought that while there may be more variants of COVID-19, one day, we won't be as concerned as we are now because we'll either have better vaccines, or we'll not get as sick from it, & COVID-19 will fade into the background like many things do.

Although there are more people infected, its worth remembering most are not getting as sick as with Delta, & fewer people are in hospital or dying, sad though that is.

mmMekitty

I am finding it hard as there doesn't seem to be decent leadership from politician's to manage the outbreak. It seems like we are left to deal with it because they can't. They promised no more lockdowns & assume Omicron is less severe but we don't really know. Testing sites are overrun. Hopitals are still not able to run properly so waiting lists for non covid is exploding.

My son & family were booked to visit in Jan but flights have been cancelled so they can't come. Don't know when we'll see them agin. They live in the UK. My dtr who lives in the UK got a job hereafter the borders opened but her flights have been rebooked 3 time due to flight being cancelled due to outbreak. Rules about international arrivals change constantly so we don't know what the situation will be when she comes provided she can get on the flight as planned.

I feel as though I'm still in lockdown as it is too unsafe to go anywhere with people. I still avoid shopping centres. I don't like speaking to people any more as I can't deal with the ridiculous ideas so many have including family & friends. Sorry I am feeling extremely negative at the moment.

That's alright, Elizabeth CP, quite undestandable. I'm sorry it's so difficult to have family far away & nothing you can do about it. I have kind of quit concerning myself with what the governments are saying, except where I have no choice but to follow requirements, even though I'm not sure how to meet those requirements when the systems can't cope with demand.

Even if I can get in & get a test on Dec 31, (wonder how long I'll be waiting), how can I be sure the results will come back before Jan 4? Even in Qld I understand they are struggling to get results to people.

I'm still going to see if anything else will suffice, such as two or three of the rapid antigen tests.

So, for people out there, trying to get tests & hospital care, I sympathise.

As for protecting myself, I am pretty much a hermit. That's the simplest,most effective way to be certain. But I understand how much more difficult it is for people who have partners, kids, extended family, more friends, work, etcetera.

We may have to make tough decisions, to do the best we can by ourselves & people around us.The government websites might be hard to read through & find out what we need to know,but I have thought they do have quality info, because so much of it comes from qualified people working in medicine, epidemiology, & such. But when pollies speak, I'm tending to roll my eyes & switch off.

mmMekitty

Hi all,

The huge lines to get tested really stress me out. Waiting outdoors amongst others for so long sounds really scary to me. I am thrilled ppl are responsible and getting tested but it is scary driving ATM seeing long queues and k owing its people waiting to be tested. Seems so intense

Yeah it amazes me that people will even do it. But l've thought 2yrs now even if you didn't have Covid when you went there you'll probably have it by the time you get out of there.

rx

Hi All - I am finding it really tough at the moment. I was, a while ago, getting my anxiety down to manageable levels and starting to have some decent sleep and days without too many anxiety symptoms. Now I am back to sleepless nights and physical symptoms that scare me and panic attacks and all the fear that comes with it. I am double vaxed but booster not due until Feb and then there is the news out of UK that the booster effect only lasts for 10 weeks... does this mean we will need a vax every 10 weeks!!!! There is nowhere to hide from this relentless virus. Living in Melbourne, I have had too much anxiety for too long. I didn't see my family on Xmas day because they were having quite a few people and I felt unsafe so I also feel lonely and isolated although I do live with my partner, I often feel he does not understand although he mostly tries very hard. Each night brings more dread as I am afraid of my panic ... Anyway, sorry I don't have many happy things to say today.....

Hi Elizabeth , I found Ur post really relatively. It is hard to feel confident or safe.

I have anxiety through the roof now, and am finding it hard, so I really relate.

I, sorry Ur finding it so difficult and am here for u.

Hi, Rx,

agreed with you on the small businesses. When i went out with my friend who is in the mining sector back in Nov, I got so offended the way she was thinking. i.e. the border needs to close to protect the mining sector in WA and she doesn't want the jab. I lost my job as a result of the close border! I got the jab 6 months ago because i wanted to do it for the community and moved forward. I used to fly every month for work and now ZERO for the last 2 yrs (not that i have a job now). Yet, she told me who cares about my profession as it doesn't contribute much for the economy. A bit like screw the rest of you as long as they get to fly in and out, not affecting their lifestyle and earn money. And ppl like me who do the right thing, follow all the rules and end up having to be punished for not living my life and earn money?!

I'm sorry the media keep hammering St Vincent's Hospital for the error with the Covid tests. I think over Christmas when news is quiet they're desperate for something to put on air.

I know it shouldn't have happened, but a doctor friend tells me he and his colleagues are exhausted, they have so many staff off because either they're sick with covid or a contact and have to isolate, both other doctors and especially the nursing staff.

He said the nurses at the vaccination hubs and testing clinics are tired out. They've been on their feet putting jabs in people or swabbing noses for month after month now and they need a break and want their Christmas just like anyone.

People complain about the queues but forget how overworked and tired the staff and nurses are.

So it's worth realising the pressure these people are under who are working to help keep us well.

My usually happy doctor friend was so tired and upset he sounded fed up. I don't blame him.

Be nice to the nurses and staff if you can, they're doing their best! Maybe thank them for all they do to try to help us.

Thanks everyone! 🙂

From our own litttle bubble of self-awareness it is so easy to lose sight of the bigger picture & how all the other people around us have their own pressure & stress, so thank you, Hanna, for bringing these hard-working people back into my view. They have friends & families too, people they care about & would be thinking all the time about how they are putting themselves & their own family & friends at risk to be able to offer their expertise & care to us.

mmMekitty

Hi everyone.

I think I'm having a bit of a rough time at the moment with the pandemic and I'm not entirely sure how to pinpoint it. It think it's just been two long years of pandemic and I'm sick of it.

I'm currently in isolation because I had my 17th PCR test yesterday because I had some minor hayfever-like symptoms (I'm prone to getting hayfever around this time of year). I don't have them anymore though. But I had a panic attack about it, and I often have panic attacks or just get very anxious if I start getting symptoms.

People often think it's because I'm scared of covid in terms of my own health, but that's really not true. I am young and healthy and vaccinated and I believe that if I were to get covid, I wouldn't become seriously ill or die. 99% of my anxiety is based around accidentally giving it to others and the guilt that'd make me feel. Also, less so, the thought of having to isolate for 10 days scares me. I get very achey and quite depressed if I can't get out for a walk everyday. But most of my anxiety lies in accidentally giving it to others. Is that other people's main concern too?

I also feel awkward at the moment with my friends and family, because I'm the most cautious about covid out of any of them (clearly, as I've had 17 PCR tests). They often tell me I'm too cautious and I often feel judged or made to feel like I'm crazy. Although I acknowledge that I can be a bit pedantic and anxious about it, to the point that sometimes it stops me enjoying my time with my friends and family or just not going and doing things with them and therefore it's a bit of an issue, it doesn't help that I'm often made out to just be crazy and uptight and no fun. I may cross over the line between rational concern to being plain paranoid often, but that also doesn't mean that I want to be treated like I'm crazy every time I say 'no, I don't want to go to the pub with you' because of covid, for example. I think that, even if I didn't have much anxiety about it all, I still would think it sensible to not go to the pub right now - particularly as I'm not yet boostered.

Anyway, thanks for letting me rant. Hopefully my results come back today and hopefully they're negative. The lines were very long yesterday so I'm preparing for a bit of a long wait for results.

Let me know if you relate to anything I said. No one in my life relates. I live alone and so I often feel like my worried thoughts go into an echo chamber.

Hello 1997grrrl & welcome to the forum.

I think your anxiety is understandable, & common.

Pubs are higher risk environments.

It sounds to me like you are doing your best to keep up with the latest information about COVID-19, & with the new strain - which not so much is known about as yet anyway, so, you're being cautious.

What do they keep saying? Any symptoms, get tested. You've been doing that, even when you've been sure it's your hay fever. If you do think you are getting unnecessary tests, then speak to your GP, or see if you can call the COVID-19 number in your state. I seem to recall a little proviso, about whether the symptoms you feel are different to any usual symptoms you might have - like you know what your hay fever symptoms are usually like, so if what you are experiencing is different then follow up with a test for COVID-19.

My confusion is that the symptoms for so many things can all seem so very similar, how would we ever be quite sure we don't need a test?

It's been a long two years, & many people are sick of it.

This new Omicron variant, being more transmissible would be of concern for people who think about what it would mean if they caught it & infected those around them. Perhaps if you could think of it as you think of cold or flu. You don't deliberately catch cold or flu & pass it onto others, or feel guilty about that, (I hope), so you would not be 'guilty' of passing on COVID-19 either. You can do everything you are, & still a slight chance, something you cannot prevent, happens, & so you may pass it on.

I think everyone is responsible for how much risk they are willing to accept. You have made a decision about that. I'm sorry if people around you don't respect your decision.

I wonder, if where you are living, there is no way to get outside & walk where you would feel comfortable? If you are not doing strenuous exercise, you could consider wearing a mask.

If your anxiety is impacting your life & relationships enough to concern you, maybe it's time to talk to your GP & get a referral to a counsellor/therapist?

I hope this helps.

mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty, thanks for replying to my post.

Yes, I've read that too about 'if your symptoms are different than usual...' sort of thing. It's just that it's so hard to tell. Because I often also get psychosomatic symptoms when I started worrying about whatever real symptoms I may be experiencing, no matter how mild. And I'm not even quite sure how real my symptoms are sometimes. The only way I can really tell is if they go away when I'm distracted from them. And so I know what my real symptoms are now, which is consistent with my usual hayfever, but I still can't really go around and see people and be out in public with a good conscience about it. Because my mind will always be saying "well what if you're wrong, what if it's not hayfever, what if..." and so I just get a test to put my mind at ease and have confidence. But since I regularly get little minor symptoms, particularly around this time of the year, I end up having a lot of tests! And I don't see that ending anytime soon, with the increased amount of cases (I'm in Victoria).

I just think it's the responsible thing to do. Reading your reply makes me feel like I'm actually not quite as 'crazy' as I'm often made to feel. In the end, I am just following the recommendations of the government and health authorities. I suppose I'm just struggling to be able to define the line between what's a rational and healthy level of concern and anxiety about this virus and what is just paranoia and unhealthy behaviour. The response I seem to get from my friends and family about my vigilance whenever I get a test or I avoid going certain places, etc, makes me believe that I'm quite paranoid. But maybe I just have different boundaries to others? I don't have as high of a 'risk tolerance' as others? And that's ok?

I do acknowledge that I can have an unreasonable amount of anxiety sometimes. I often feel sad and resentful and anxious about the fact that I have to be worried about covid at all. I just want it over with. But the more I think about it, the more I realise that I think half of my anxiety is just the perception I have of other people. How I think they'll react to me if I get covid and accidentally expose them. How I think they'll react when I say no to going to the nail salon or the pub with them. It's just often met with judgement.

And yes, I go for a walk everyday usually. Unfortunately I can't today though, as I'm still in isolation after my test yesterday and I am definitely missing it.

Hi hanna

Yeah l could imagine within the medical system what they're all going through here and even more so around the world and now from what you've said.

Just wanna add l wasn't for a second referring to the medical end of things and the staff , with lines and what have you. They're obviously going above and beyond and doing their very best with the hand the Gov has has given them. l'd rather be in my car waiting in a line than doing their day and workload and thank the Gods we have them all is all l can say.

But nah more so just commenting on the waits and lines themselves, nothing to do with them and if anything that end must be Gov or poor design from gov or something , but def' not from the medical personal. My ex w was a nurse and they're amazing people.

rx

Hi rx,

Don't know about these long lines.,.,seems pretty dumb the government can't organise this stuff so that tests are accessible.

Hope no one has to wait too long....I think lots of kids are being tested now after social stuff over summer holidays etc and I wander how they can wait so long, guess it is a hard time now

Hi randomx

Nothing I said was directed at you mate - not for a moment!, I was feeling sorry for the poor people at St Vincent's who were copping all the flack from the press when they must 8 overwhelmed, and my friend had sounded so exhausted trying to cope with all his patients! I just thought we should all try to remember how pressured and tired our poor health care workers are in these times. It was the media I was feeling a bit cross with as I thought they should give these poor people a break!

Sorry if it came across the wrong way my friend!

🙂

Ahh, no problem H. l actually thought it was very considerate bc the medical side of things in all this do deserve huge recognition and appreciation.