Surviving The Covid-19 Pandemic

Many of us started 2020 with the attitude that this was going to be “the” year. The year we would change our lives. The year we would accomplish those goals we had previously set and so far failed to achieve. The year our troubles would finally subside and life would get better. The year we would go from surviving to thriving.

Enter Covid-19. Last year, if you had asked anyone what it was, nary a person would have an answer. How could they? The word didn’t exist until February 11 of this year. Just a month later, it’s the only thing in the news and on social media.

What Is Covid-19?

For those who are living under a rock, Covid-19 is a virus that appears to have originated in China at the end of 2019. A variant of the coronavirus, Covid-19 has shown to be more dangerous, even deadly, to individuals with weakened health systems. Even strong people have a hard time surviving an infection.

On January 30, the WHO (World Health Organization) declared a national emergency. It was starting to be the major headlines in news outlets. Even people who spent little time paying attention to the news were taking notice.

In the US, we had our first case in Washington state confirmed on January 20, and the first death from the disease on February 29. With the first death came travel restrictions. On March 13, the US declared a national emergency.

World Turned Topsy-Turvy

In a couple of months, the entire world turned upside down. People worldwide understood that life as we had known it would never return. Those surviving this pandemic would live with different rules and routines.

Some went on sprees buying up all the toilet paper and cleaning supplies they could get their hands on. (I’m still not completely sure why they chose toilet paper since Covid-19 is a respiratory disease, not a gastroenteric disease. Presumably, it has to do with supplies coming from China being shut down.) Suddenly, we were more vigilant about washing our hands frequently because we didn’t want to contract Covid-19.

And, if it wasn’t bad enough that strong political arguments were separating people, we had something new to divide us. Covid-19 was our new division. One side blew it off as just another side effect of the flu and nothing to be concerned with. The other side was adamant it would kill us all if proper procedures were not diligently followed, and we should all remain quarantined in our homes for the duration of the outbreak.

Theories about the onset of 5G having something to do with the virus popped up and even those were not consistent. Fears of martial law taking over spread quickly through social media. Conversations everywhere were about surviving this pandemic.

Shutdowns and Closings

This is now the last week of March. Here in Wisconsin, my county just had it’s first confirmed case yesterday. We haven’t been overwhelmed with cases yet. Our state is under orders to restrict non-essential travel. What this means seems to differ from person to person. Restaurants and bars are closed. (Yes, it seems hell has frozen over. Wisconsin closed its bars!) Schools are closed, perhaps for the remainder of the school year.

Confusion and anxiety are the words of the day. Reactions to the pandemic vary from person to person. As is always the case during any tribulation, there are the helpers. These are the people who step up to the plate to help others in need.

Some of the helpers are making sure those who are unable to leave the house are able to obtain groceries and supplies. Others are doing their part to keep morale up as much as possible and spreading messages of hope. Community sharing groups have sprung up to allow communities to know who needs help and who can help others. People are joining in solidarity in creative ways.

Survive The Day

For those who are having a hard time, surviving the day is the best attitude they can take. Focusing on any sort of future is overwhelming. Rather than trying to survive the pandemic, they need to focus on surviving just this moment, this hour, this day.

If we use our heads this doesn’t have to be a scary time. We need to remain calm and logical, rather than panic. It’s OK to feel anxiety, and I think those who say they feel no anxiety are either lying or have no understanding of what anxiety is. Depression will grow as well for those who are affected personally by this pandemic. Surviving through the health risks is only part of the concern. There are many who will be financially ruined by the repercussions of Covid-19.

Reach Out

Now is the time for us to reach out to our neighbor as much as we can. Although we are under orders to stay 6 feet away from each other, there are other methods of reaching out. The world has never been more connected electronically than it is now. From the comfort of our homes, we can video chat our loved ones, direct message our friends and email our coworkers.

If surviving Covid-19 is the goal, then we need to start working together and acting in the best interests of everyone. If this means keeping our distance and washing our hands as if we were obsessive-compulsive about it, then that is what we must do. Our lives are not ending. They are changing. But, we are surviving.

As with all things we will get through this. Life will not be the same, for sure. But, life goes on.

For those who need a safe place to reach out when they need support, I have a private Facebook group you can join here. Or, if you are one of the helpers who can offer support, I would love for you to join as well.

Let’s all work together and get through this.