We Need to Take Care of Each Other
It’s been a little over a month since I last wrote and while I intended my next entry to be about the realizations and lessons I learned in that time, it’s no longer the subject I want to write about.
Like much of the rest of the world, Canada is facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 12:01am this day, Toronto’s medical officer of health has recommended that all restaurants and bars stop dine-in services and offer only takeout and delivery. As of Monday, March 16th, at 6:45pm EST, Canada has 424 confirmed cases.
I know there’s fear and I completely understand that. There’s always going to be fear when things are unpredictable and we feel out of control. But panicking never helps – it prevents us from thinking with a clear head. We all need to try and take a moment’s pause; take some deep breaths before deciding what to do next.
We need to ask ourselves: what are we really afraid of?
Is there a fear of catching COVID-19?
Possibly, but I ask again: what are you really afraid of? Most of us, even if we test positive for COVID-19 will be fine. If you’re not in the at-risk group (older people and those with underlying medical conditions), you will more than likely recover and may only develop slight symptoms. “For COVID-19, data to date suggest that 80% of infections are mild or asymptomatic, 15% are severe infection, requiring oxygen and 5% are critical infections, requiring ventilation.”
Is there a fear of running out of food or supplies like toilet paper?
It’s highly unlikely that this would occur, especially if you live in a major city like Toronto / the GTA. The ability for stores in our region to restock is a relatively easy task. There’s no need to stockpile. Even if you needed to self-isolate, it’s only for 14 days. Additionally, if you have friends and family in the area they can purchase items for you and leave it at your door. By stockpiling, we’re leaving our neighbours and fellow community members in need, particularly those who are in the most vulnerable positions.
Is there a fear of income loss?
Yes – there’s no denying the possibility particularly for those in the entertainment, hospitality, tourism and retail sectors. Those who are in the low-income category may also have less or no option about whether to work or not. As a self-employed worker, I also share this worry. I don’t quality for EI benefits. But worrying about it isn’t going to help my situation – I’m healthy and fortunate to live in my hometown with friends and family so I choose to focus on doing what I can to earn income. I also choose to think about tough choices when the time comes, rather than worry about hypotheticals that may never come to pass.
Is there a fear of the unknown?
Yes – that’s a very normal human response. We feel fear when things are unpredictable and we feel out of control. But letting fear drive our actions doesn’t help: we often react with overly emotional and rash decisions rather than choosing wisely. It’s taken me a number of years to get to a place where I accept (most of the time) the unknown and change as simply part of life; to a place where I can roll with the punches most of the time. I don’t think there’s an easy or quick answer for confronting fear of the unknown but I believe that there are things can help:
Try to take things one moment/day at a time: worrying about hypotheticals uses up a lot of time and energy and leaves you in a state of negativity that will impact your overall attitude and thought process. Conserve your energy so you can be clear headed when you need to make decisions.
Connect with others: reach out to friends and family, community or social groups that share your concerns. You are not alone and you don’t have to carry that weight on your own.
Breathe. I know it sounds possibly too simple and/or trite, but taking deep breaths will activate your parasympathetic nervous system and help you reduce stress, improve attention and control emotions, all of which help with thinking more clearly.
Let’s each do our part to battle this pandemic. For many of us, that means staying home if possible. It’s not about our individual chance of catching COVID-19 – it’s about who we might unknowingly pass it on to. If a few weeks of staying home can save lives, isn’t it worth it?
Stay home to protect those in the at-risk group, like my parents. Stay home to protect those who have underlying conditions, many of whom you wouldn’t be able to identify simply by looking at them. Stay home so those who need hospital beds and medical resources for other health conditions can still have access to them. Stay home so the medical and health professionals don’t have to end up in a position where they need to make the heartrending life or death decision about who does or doesn’t get a ventilator.
Thank you to all the medical and health professionals, particularly those who are on the frontline, who are doing and giving everything of themselves to take care of others.