Surviving the virus

[Janus]

OK, so I am posting this here because right now we are all being called on to be heroes (lame excuse I know but I think this thread should be visible). Corona virus is causing global upheaval and with governments around the world calling for social isolation it is an unsettling time. Social isolation is difficult, I know I'm in my 5th week (I fell ill before the virus happened) so I know how difficult it is.

Talking to people is important, as a species we need social contact. If we don't get it we get anxious and depressed. We need to reach out to people.

I think this could usefully be a place to vent. If you are going to get through the anxiety and depression you need to vent. You need to know people are there for you. Do not keep your feelings bottled up, that will make you worse. We might not be able to help in real life unless we are physically close to you but we can be a place to vent (make sure you reach out to neighbours or friends close by, you will need their help, maybe with shopping, maybe just as a friendly ear).

If people like this thread I will be the first one to vent here.

[Gris]

Ouch, I hope that things are getting better and in the meantime feel free to vent, of course. I'm almost at the 2 week mark at home, but I've always been an inside type of guy so thanks to modern technology isn't weighting on me as much as it does on other people.

[Black Sam]

Hey guys. It took the end of the world to bring me back, but I missed ya!

I'm with Gris; I was made for this. Isolation rejuvenates me, and I don't tend to stress about things that are out of my control. That said, I'm also aware that makes me the oddball, so I'm trying to reach out to my extroverted friends a little more because I know they're suffering. Rather than vent (feel free if that helps you), I prefer to focus on positives: my family is safe; I still have a job; I have enough. I get to look outside my window and see this every day:



What are you grateful for?

Listen to the Bene Gesserit!

"I must not fear. 

Fear is the mind-killer. 

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. 

I will face my fear. 

I will permit it to pass over me and through me. 

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. 

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

~Trav

[Janus]

For me I like to think I'm independent but after 5 weeks of it, honestly not so much. I'm in introvert and suffer from anxiety and depression normally so anything that breaks my routine isn't good.

This whole virus thing is just making me climb the walls. Then there is money worries and worries for those I care about. Worries that my partner (who has a compromised immune system) is eventually going to get it. I know what my fears are... I just struggle to fight them.

[Black Sam]

My wife has a compromised immune system as well, so I feel ya. Are you doing anything new to make the most of the down time? I'm trying to learn to make bread. So far I'm failing miserably and making messes, but who knows? Maybe I'll figure out that perfect sourdough I can't find at the stores any more. I've also taken up miniature painting again, something I haven't done in twenty years.

[dorkknight23]

While I'm definitely concerned about a lot of the goings on I've been hearing about and been taking proper precautionary measures, I've personally only been minimally impacted by the outbreak itself. I'm an introvert and a homebody and even I'm getting a little stircrazy, I can only imagine how others are taking the self-isolation. Hope everyone stays safe and as healthy as they can!

[roxolid]

I think it's clear that it's going to get worse before it gets better. It's just been announced with hit 563 deaths for the day (yesterday) in the UK which is the most so far and we've been on lockdown for nearly two weeks.

I still have to go to work (I'm a 'key worker' in that I drive trains and keep the public transport going for other key workers like Hospital staff...) but I won't pretend I'm too much in harms way - railway stations have been deserted for pretty much nigh on a week and unnecessary journeys are being punished with hefty fines (reports of a woman being fined £850 or nigh on $1000 for jumping on a train when she's not a key worker, so they aren't messing around).

I expect at some point the trains will grind to a halt because of the spread and I'll have more time to spend at home so sites like this and the one I run will be a welcome relief from the bad news on loop on the TV and keep me sane!

Stay safe all, don't mess about with the going outside thing unless you have to. Youngest death announced so far has been 13 years old over here and no underlying health conditions. Affects everyone differently and it's really not worth the risk to go out unless it's a must.

[GPMC]

For "venting" it is ?
Well, I've got it relatively save here, wearing a mask in the supermarket (and public transport, but haven't used that much anyway) for me is a pain. I understand the importance, but with my low self esteem and coupled with laziness (and depression) I don't feel "comfortable" I can even use it "safely" and "well". So for me I (mostly) gave up on doing it "perfect" and just try to somehow survive that. On the flip side now here while people showing in the supermarket must have 'em on, people working there started not to, and that.. highly irritates me.
Gives me mixed signals, and I'd much rather be in the same boat with the workers there then .. constantly seeing "them" break the rules, be it legal or not.

Finally here we're allowed to eat out at restaurants again, and I really missed that.
Very few people there (mostly) but better that way in these times.
Having to leave all your contact data ..makes me feel paranoid, but I kind of see the point..
All in all for the past several month I've been feeling like living in a war zone.
The "easing up" on the restrictions, emotionally, are giving me strong mixed signals. I don't "feel" it getting any safer out there, the virus hasn't changed, and though the numbers might've gone down the "problem" hasn't eased up in my mind.
Working on convincing myself that "it" is getting better, but that's quite hard with my .. mind.

I'm quite introverted and the thought of people "partying around" kind of pissed me of right now.
Still "normality" I something we all need, and even I "miss" RPG sessions with "real" people in person.
And eventough the "rules" are about to allow get together again, my panic center ain't ready just yet
My "colegues" and "friends" 've switched to online/programs, but I'm not that easy to adapt especially is "exceptional" situations so I entirely opted out.
I mean, I DID check over here, but more for a "read" then an actual play. (Though I got myself talked into giving it a shot again anyway).

Highly stressed, highly troubled, but at least "officially" it's getting better again.

As for me, I'm starting to get "unprovoked" shavings again, which I "usually" only have in extreme stress sutuations.
Might be a sign of my body slowly "easing" up to allow for that to happen at all ?
Or it's a sign of the wear on my mind through this extended period of "extreme".
..
No "real danger" for me right now, but it ... is a tough time.

Ah, right, when eating out, at places I used to a lot more, and liked, nowadays.. I give (relatively) large tips.
The gastronomy is having a real tough time obviously, and I like to do my tiny little share back for them within my means.

Yeah, that's my stress venting.
And .. thanks for the opportunity to do so a little.