How are you handling anxiety in this time of COVID-19?

Actually, the article I was referring to was just released on the 17th of April. Here is 1 Hour and 12 Minutes of the Doctor/Professor/Epidemiologist Explaining why the death count is likely much lower than stated, he's enjoyable to watch because he's not political. I hope you, and others, enjoy it as much as my wife and I have.

Perspectives on the Pandemic | Dr. John Ioannidis Update: 4.17.20 | Episode 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwPqmLoZA4s

While I have your attention, let me tell you things that I know. I taught Air Purifying Respirators for nearly 8 years, to 1200 people per year, in classes of 35 or so, in an Industrial Setting. I've been through the information before. N-95 - does any one even know what the N Means? It means Not Oil Resistant, versus R-95 that are Oil Resistant, and P-95, which is oil proof - There's 95%, 99%, and 99.97% (basically 100%) that refer to the ability of the respirators to filter particles 0.3 microns in diameter or larger. The virus in question is smaller than 0.125 microns? I'm at a loss to see how professionals are sufficiently protected by a respirator that is not only permitting the virus to pass through the filtering media, albeit in small numbers, but that also, by the nature of the respirator (Negative Pressure Filtering Facepiece Respirators and Elastomeric Respirators [the kind used with replaceable cartridges] both types experience leaks at the face to facepiece seal. 3M advises against the use of such respirators for dangerous pathogens for that very reason. Yet not only are the respirators not available to the public, not only are they allowing a reduced percentage of pathogens around the seal or through the filtering element anyway, but the eyes are an entry point for the virus as well. So the authorities say to wrap a scarf around your face and you're protected? This entire pandemic, from the U.S. and world perspective, is not being handled according the harm that they tell us is occurring (and I am not saying it's a hoax). I believe the media may be overstating things so that people take it seriously, and people should take it seriously, especially those in higher risk categories and those that visit such people. But conspiracy theories can involve the overstating of a situation as well as understating it. I think we're programmed to think of certain people when we say Conspiracy Theories, and yes, I've read older articles by Stanford Epidemiologists saying the situation is being over stated, but with the new study from California, they appear to be right.

At some point we must consider the deaths from a wrecked economy possibly exceeding the deaths from the virus. I only stated to relax when I researched and discovered statistics on other diseases, such as up to 80,000+ deaths from the flu in the U.S. on some bad years, and 600,000 World Wide.

If it's so contagious, and the respirators leak, and permeate, as I said, and I can offer the 3M Documentation saying that such respirators must not be used for dangerous pathogens, something just isn't right with what we're seeing.

You cannot extrapolate the deaths in 2 months to a years worth of flu deaths, the flu deaths occur over 4 months top. 80,000 deaths in a flu season a few years ago is 20,000 per month averaged over 4 months, and 26,000+ per month averaged over 3 months. At this time. we simply don't know if this virus will continue through the summer, I agree if the rate would continue unabated the situation would be worrisome. Watch the video, he's advocating a slow return to normal, when it's decided that it's time. So people can be reassured, but I agree, we must all still be careful.

Thank you for the response.

@woogie Thanks I needed this today

I had written and it disappeared...then I realized I was commenting on podcast.. I’m new to this, will get the hang of it eventually I’m sure.

I'm going to try this again. Glad you enjoyed the Olympics and a bit of a view of Canada. We are truly blessed to live in this country!
I am trying to limit my tv time devoted to Covid , but Covid has taken a back seat to the senseless tragedy in our Province over the past weekend.
We live approximately 3 hours from the areas affected and our daughter in Halifax about an hour . Our other daughter lives on the other side of the country on Vancouver Island… from sea to sea. We are all trying to wrap our heads around this… I'll be doing something and all of a sudden the tears come.
One thing I've learned along the way to seniorhood , if that's a word, is that we do not have enough, what I call doctors of the mind. and if we are fortunate enough to find one, that we connect with, we are truly fortunate. We still are waiting to learn if there are more bodies in burned out structures, homes along the way or other of the 15 or 16 crime scenes. And why, why did this man do what he has done. Nova Scotians are close, we do for each other, wave at folks we don't know, stop for folks to cross the street, and cars to take there turn at stop signs… doors for the most part are open to friends and neighbours, Why oh why when life is so difficult in so many other ways, did this have to come along… and was this maybe as my grandmother used to say…something in this man's mind the straw that broke the camels back. these things don't come about over night.. obviously well planned and executed… when and why did this obsession begin.
Bless those that are grieving… bless those that are at these crime scenes every day trying to figure out "why". take care…stay safe!

Hi @maggiek, you'll notice that I moved your message to this discussion called "How are you handling anxiety in this time of COVID-19?" I believe this is where you meant to post it. I moved it so that you can connect with others who are talking about dealing with anxiety during the pandemic.

But yes, the world in Canada has a different tragedy dominating the news these days. The senseless killing of over 20 people by a lone gunman. It's not to be understood. To add to this unimaginable grief is the unbearable imposition of physical distancing. People need to gather, embrace and mourn together. How are you dealing with this news and the new ways of finding community to grieve together?

I want to cry. I try not to watch too much tv, and when I do take time away from the things around the house, getting out in the yard and cleaning things up for spring, the house work, when I watch up dates and see the expression on peoples faces change as they are asked questions, you know they are close to crying, to breaking down, and I cry. Before the virus arrived in full force, and we are lucky right here, no cases locally, I knew it was time to,ask for help , time to ask to see a therapist again. I‘Ve been fine for ages, but life hits you In the gut and everything changes. I wasn’t fortunate to see someone before covid, I’m hanging on, good days bad days, and now this tragedy. You can’t help but care, hurt, cry. I’ve always been a person to see things from both sides. And though this man did unspeakable things, he had to have been mentally ill in so many ways. He may not have realized it and didn’t reach out for the help he obviously needed. So much happened, so many killed, houses burned , cars burned, there is no answer to why. There may be, .once authorities find his computers, phones! I grieve for all those suffering lose, I also grieve for this mans family, remaining siblings, mother , father, wife and or children.
I keep trying to rationalize things, ask myself why why. And yes, at this time of covid, sharing your grief by hugging, touching and sharing closeness Is physically is gone. Skype, Facebook , all the social media is there, but it’s not the same. Just not the same as the physical touch. I am a senior and have to say in many ways I am glad I was born before all this social media nonsense.
Could go on for ever about that. Dear God why did this have to happen? I ve met few Nova Scotians that weren’t huggers! I’m sitting here tonight with my cat and dog in a kind of fog. I guess having this venue to vent and share is one good way of helping to let out and deal with the pain and sadness. Thank you for asking and for helping place my comments in the best group. Stay safe!

You sound like a very caring and sensitive person. All that goes on in the world can overwhelm a person. Have you tried an appointment with a therapist by phone or face time. I know they are doing things like that. That could be helpful and keep you from getting too down. I experience depression and anxiety and find therapy helpful. Good luck.

The background alone is enough to scare me stupid.

This might be useful..

@soliloquized I read your post with interest and have always been curious about how individuals make their career choices. An exec. dir. once said I "should have been a reporter because I ask so many questions"...vbg Just a lifelong curiosity and find it fun to learn more about others. Often a person "lands" in a field almost by happenstance which happened to me. Did something specific lead you to your field of training others in use of respirators? Were you already working in the industrial setting you mentioned?

I appreciated learning about the differences in the N ratings and labels for various respirators.

As an elder with several serious chronic health issues, I am taking and will continue to take more precautions for safety than many others may be observing. I'm adhering to the personal belief that if the virus is "somewhere", it can be "anywhere". I may be overly cautious and much slower than many in venturing out again but my primary goal right now is not to become a covid-19 statistic.

Thanks for your information and the snapshot into your career. Wishing all a safe and healthy weekend and week ahead.

By all means, take precautions, I myself am. I'm not making light of the virus, but I think there's things we need to learn and apply to other viral outbreaks, including the flu. I listened to a Swedish doctor that said they did not see the extent of covid infections in their nursing homes that we did. But one reason is they have smaller nursing homes than we do. A Stanford researcher said we must guard the vulnerable, including hospitals and nursing homes, I couldn't agree more, I don't think he believes enough is being done in that regard, and the loss of people from these areas rather proves it. I am not talking the quality of the staff, I'm specifically addressing the control of infectious pathogens.

I worked in an Industrially Challenging place. As an Electrician (an Industrial Electrician, I paid to have my house rewired, it's not the same, though I could have struggled with it) my job was less demanding than the Mechanical Repair employees. There were devices that used electricity, we fixed that, but the things these devices connected to were installed and removed by the Mechanics. In that regard, Gas Streams were involved, things that you're not permitted to be exposed to over 20 ppm (parts per million) existed in these pipes and processes at over 500,000 ppm. Without full face respirators, breathing air and Hazmat Suits, some of these things were quickly deadly. Many would render a person unconscious with a single breath. Teams then had to wear the proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and go into the area to rescue the worker. Thankfully, I wasn't a Mechanic (they did all the dangerous stuff) so I never had to wear Breathing Air to do my job.

But other chemicals were present, and particulates. And both these were at levels that OSHA permitted the use of Air Purifying Respirators. Respirators were ubiquitous, everyone had to wear them, working an 8 hour shift is was possible to be in the Air Purifying Respirator most of the shift. So they were very important.

The Union offered me a position as a Safety Rep, and I accepted. I like to research, I like to read technical literature about things that interest me. So I discovered areas where improvements were possible in Respirator use in the plant. At one point, the yearly Industrial Hygiene classes were taught by a contracted employee, and the Corporation offered it to the Union, and Union people, with contacts from the Company throughout the day, began to instruct various segments of Industrial Hygiene. The Segments were provided, Power Points, and the class and content was approved by the Corporation. I was grateful to both the Union and Corporation for the opportunity.

We were provided training as part of our job, over the years, from the International Union, and from the Company. We had completed the Train the Trainer Outreach Training with OSHA, and attended week long Safety Seminars once yearly provided by the Company. Alas, Local Union Presidents appoint the safety reps, so after two and a half terms, one and one half with one president, and one term with another, I wasn't appointed to the safety office of an incoming Local Union President. Such is life, it was interesting and challenging but we all know that the Local President decides, it's just the way it is.

I think Respirators will reduce the chance of getting an infection, I think the right respirator or surgical mask reduces particles given off by those that are infected, during a cough, sneeze, or just talking. They both keep a person from inadvertently touching their mouth or nose while in areas that may have infectious agents present. I agree that a scarf, or other covering can prevent particles from significantly becoming airborne, so I understand why some areas require this.

Take care, enjoyed writing this, hope this is what you wanted as a response.

Be well.