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Let's Chat: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

It’s been a big start to the year with lots of world news that can start to get a bit much. It’s no surprise that seeing updates about the Coronavirus has been stressful for some people. 

 

If you are feeling anxious about this virus, we want you to know that you are not alone and you don’t have to struggle in silence. Feel free to have a chat about it here with us. As always, we are here to listen and support you through tough times. 

 

What personally helped me wrap my head around the Coronavirus was getting the facts. I’d really encourage everyone to have a read through them here and check out the links at the bottom of this post for the latest, updated health information: 

 

  •  Australia is taking action: There are protective measures in place including travel bans, self isolation and social distancing to reduce the transmission of the virus. You can find up to date information on the action Australia is taking here and here.
  • Person to person spread of corona viruses generally occurs between people who are close contacts with one another. A close contact is someone who has been face to face for at least 15 minutes, or been in the same closed space for at least 2 hours, with a person that was infectious.  
  • Globally the fatality rate is 2%, which is significantly lower than other recent major outbreaks. It is important to remind ourselves that we have a good healthcare system in Australia that is working hard to make sure we’re all okay.
  • It’s important not to avoid Chinese people, Chinese products or Chinatown as this can have very negative outcomes for this community. If anyone is at risk of transmitting they will be isolated. There is also a great article here about dealing with and fighting against the racism associated with this outbreak. 
  • Although it can be stressful sitting with the uncertainty of a new virus, know that scientists are working really hard to get on top of this. 

What can help to ease the stress is working on the things we do know and can control. Read on here if you need some tips on coping with things out of your control. 

 

So what can you do? 

 

  • Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty.
  • Practice respiratory hygiene: When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with the crook of your elbow or a tissue – get rid of the tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Also, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. 
  • If you have a fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Tell your health care provider if you have travelled overseas, or if you have been in close contact with someone with who has travelled recently and has respiratory symptoms.

If you’re still feeling like you need more information, we’ve got some links below that might help to reduce the stress. 

 

  • Get all the information you need on the NSW Health site here or check out the FAQ page on the Department of Health website
  • If you’re feeling unwell and would like to check your symptoms you can do so here
  • Coronavirus health information line, call 1800 020 080 for people with questions regarding prevention and the spread of the coronavirus
  • Healthdirect helpline, call 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse who can provide advice when you're not sure what to do — whether you should see a local GP, manage the condition at home, or go to an emergency department, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • This is a great info-graphic on coping with the stress of a viral outbreak here

 

You are not alone, and we will get through this together Heart

 

 

Bre-RO
Bre-ROPosted 14-02-2020 01:27 PM

Comments (6 pages)

 
 
 
 
 
JazzInMay
JazzInMayPosted 24-03-2020 06:53 PM

Hey @Claire-RO thank you for checking in and for your kind words! It's going to be difficult for sure, but I suppose we all have to accept, adjust and adapt to a new normal for a while. We are all allowed to dance or cry or paint or scream our emotions about this out Smiley Happy and I fully intend on doing all of the above!

 

@trashconvertersthat is so awesome! Honestly, nothing better for a podcast than someone's true enjoyment and passion about what they're talking about. Get it!! Can't wait to hear how channeling into the podcast world goes Smiley Happy and smart too - ain't no time better for a podcast, I'm on about three per day now!! Smiley LOL

 
 
 
 
 
keezeik
keezeikPosted 24-03-2020 08:24 PM

It's funny but does anyone get chest pain when they have a panic attack? I woke up really early this morning (funny because I exercised a heap yesterday, but I think it's my nerves). And I thought the only reason that I go outside is to take the dogs for a walk. Normally I will go when it's not peak hour i.e. lunchtime because that's when most people aren't out and such. I also try and stay away from people. Apart from that I stay inside, and make sure that I clean EVERYTHING whatever I touch. I also sanitise before and after taking my dogs for a walk. At the moment I am using an app for meditation, but I still feel quite anxious....

 
 
 
 
 
helentran12
helentran12Posted 24-04-2020 09:27 PM

Well I have had chest pains frequently everyday due to this event of the covid 19. I've seen so many doctors and went for an xray - and they told me I am fine. It is just my anxiety. Crazy right? Well it does take some time but it's worth the wait.  Right now, I have a dry throat and I am slowly overcoming this health anxiety that I am having. It's hard ill be honest with you, but somehow I will overcome this, and so can you. So please don't give up on yourself, and you're not alone at all because I feel the exact same thing.   So please let me know if you need any help, because I'll be happy to talk 🙂

 
 
 
 
 
Jess1-RO
Jess1-ROPosted 30-04-2020 11:19 AM

Hi @helentran12,

 

I can imagine the chest pain must have been so concerning for you Heart Very relieved to hear that you have seen a doctor about it and working through each day moment by moment. I am also someone who gets chest pain when I am really stressed, and really feel for you that you are having chest pain daily. 

 

Completely agree with you, we can and will get through this together Heart Thank you for your beautiful words of support for others reading along. We are here for you too, any time you need to chat

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 30-04-2020 10:45 PM

Hi all, I'm not sure if these have been posted before but here are some resources I found helpful today:
Coronavirus resources from BeyondBlue 
10 Psychological Tips for Coping with Coronavirus 
Coronavirus resources from Mindspot 

 
 
 
 
 
Jess1-RO
Jess1-ROPosted 01-05-2020 09:26 AM

Thanks for sharing @WheresMySquishy 🙂 There are a lot of great resources floating around at the moment, please feel free to share any here that have been helpful

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 01-05-2020 10:47 AM

I have to get tested today 😞 I’m so scared

 
 
 
 
 
Bre-RO
Bre-ROPosted 01-05-2020 12:42 PM

Aww @Bananatime04 we're all thinking of you today. Can you treat yourself in some way once you get the test out of the way? 

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 01-05-2020 12:45 PM

@Bre-RO thank you Heart I’m scared it’s going to hurt because I’ve seen videos of people getting tested and they put a big long thing right down your nose.. it looks very uncomfortable 😞
I’m not worried that I have it, I’ve been pretty good with isolation but we need it done so we can move.

How can I treat myself?

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 02-05-2020 08:11 PM

@Bananatime04  I'm so sorry you've been unwell and had to get tested. 😞 I remember when I was around 12 and had to do that annoying nasal swab test at a pathology centre. It's pretty uncomfortable, especially if your nose is irritated or you have nosebleeds. I think the inside of my nose was bleeding a bit at the time. They also made me cough up my phlegm into a jar.
It was such a full on day. They did the full works on me to try to find out why I was sick. At the end, they offered me a lolly but my dad said I didn't have a sweet tooth. I really wanted that lolly though.
Ouch! I'm not looking forward to that other test either, but after what they did for my kidney stones, I don't think it will be as bad.

 
 
 
 
 
Bananatime04
Bananatime04Posted 02-05-2020 08:52 PM

@WheresMySquishy hehe I had a little laugh at you not getting your lolly! 🙂
I wasn’t unwell, I am moving to another state so I had to be tested. I have been sneezing a lot though but it’s not bothering me 🙂

I’m sorry to hear how unwell you were!
What happened when you had the kidney stone? Did you have needles?

 
 
 
 
 
Tiny_leaf
Tiny_leafPosted 02-05-2020 08:21 PM

@WheresMySquishy aww.. I'm sorry you didn't get the lolly.

(I mean mostly I'm sorry that you were sick, but you know...)

 

The closest I've had was the last flu shot I got. I was very brave but I didn't get a sticker  Smiley Sad Smiley Tongue

Anonymous
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lemurien
lemurienPosted 10-09-2020 09:06 PM
Totally agree @Anonymous it is incredibly frustrating. It’s not even 2 weeks only that they’re extending it by but essentially until the end of October since the lifting of restrictions until then is so minimal. obviously I want the virus to be contained safely but i honestly don’t know how Victorians can be expected to go on living like this. so I’m with you, please hang in there. what makes me feel a little better lately is putting a blanket in the little bit of front yard I have so I can lie in the sun. At least the weather is looking up hey?

Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 05-05-2020 02:34 AM

I'm so glad you're okay @Bananatime04! 🙂

Anonymous
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