New and ... feeling dread and unease of the times

@robbie1956 Hi - I wanted to properly welcome you to Mayo Connect, and encourage you to look around for information that may help you in this most unsettling time. Yesterday I was working from my (mostly uncooperative) tablet, and unable to locate the following free course on handling our anxiety, I have found it helpful and so have my daughters. https://www.coursera.org/learn/manage-health-covid-19. Last night my husband was complaining about feeling anxious, so I plan to ask him to look at it as well. I'm guessing his feelings arose from the abrupt change from 7 weeks of total stay-at-home safety in a small community to 3 days of totally uncontrolled public travel since we both have serious underlying health issues that make us vulnerable.
Like you, I have been limiting my exposure to media (not just TV & radio, but social as well.) Some other things that help me a lot are exercise (mostly daily walking), contact (mostly virtual) with family & friends and distraction (sewing, reading, painting...) What works for you when you get that restless feeling?
Sue

@zeiracorp What a great philosophy! "Know you are doing everything you can, then try to find reassurance in that. If you are getting 'worked-up' about things, it would be a really good time to turn off the COVID-19 constant media drama and try to concentrate for at least a little while on something that occupies your mind in a positive way – reading, movie, exercise. And it is a great time to rely on whatever faith you follow."
As a rebel child of the '60's, I am perhaps less worried about the current draconian measures becoming permanent because once the threat has passed, I am convinced they will not be tolerated by the public (including me.) But I do understand the need to impose them, because prior to them being mandatory in our county, almost everyone thought it was OK to ignore them in this "me, me, me" society.
The same for the alarmist messaging and images - without them, until directly & personally affected, people believe "this can't possibly be happening."
I look at our group here as a way to reassure people - especially those whose anxiety goes into overdrive, like with your hand washing example.
Thank you for being one of the voices of reason and reassurance.
Sue

Unease... yes, a good word for it. I am not frightened.. at least I do not think I am. I told my husband that I slept, but feel very tired. I have felt like I have awoken from a nightmare, but have no recall of dreaming. He said he is the same.

My county, Dougherty, is a hot spot in Georgia at 123 covid deaths .. many that have died had chronic conditions, but many did not. We plan on continuing our shelter in place.. just brief outings to purchase the essentials, and going to the doctor when necessary. We take all safety precautions we can... my husband does the shopping. It does not bother me to be home so much.. he is a people person though. My 92 year old mama is in a nursing home. I miss her so much. I phone her daily, but it just is not the same as hugging her.

Oh, that is so sad. I wish you could hug your mama.

Hello Sue, thank you for welcoming me and sharing your situation...my “unease” came again, and it usually does in the wee morning hours (usually accompanied by having to make frequent trips to the bathroom)...I can get these feelings in a Target, like today....or in the supermarket.....and a lot of times very late at night.....I usually watch old vintage films, film noirs, sci-fi classics,
(War of the Worlds) 1953 is actually coming out on Blu Ray via Shout/Scream factory..these old innocent films from my childhood give me comfort...but, when I get the “unease” - it’s the worst, in those early a.m. hours of consciousness, horrible scenarios.....being left alone, with nobody to turn to for help....then panic for awhile....
Like many of us, I have underlying health conditions that limit my intake of any kind of “spirits”....the best thing I do, try to keep moving....I also walk, I try to get 7000 steps + a day, practice guitar scales and theory and lean on my poor wife, who also has health concerns....but I feel for the person who has nobody to live with and has to go this alone...I hope this gives you some idea as to what I do.....you seem to be doing well and the right things....I definitely have to stay off the cable networks.....thanks again, and so glad I am on this wonderful discussion group....

I agree. Was reading articles about cleaning one’s home and it was insane. Can see if you have family members at home who all go in different directions during day. But for those who are single or retired couple, etc. - exactly what or who is making all these germs?! Friend who was microbiologist agrees!

Glad you made it home and are well! It is very unsettling the number of people who do not abide by guidelines that are there to help protect them and others. The Creator/God/or whoever one believes us must guide us at this time as others seem unwilling to heed caution....as I heard today a saying- people seem to be choosing “health or wealth”. Without health though, there will not be wealth again😔

I’ve been wondering that also...Washing hands for sure after going outside and shopping, and coming home....but then, I would think regular washing would suffice....I talked to a fellow I knew, the poor man thinks that the COVID 19 virus can ‘come and get you’ through a connected townhouse...not to minimize hand washing, but I have said that I just can’t listen to anymore media coverage of this......

I could not agree with you more....if you’re at home, and have washed down after coming home from a shopping expedition, then just regular washing at proper times would seem sensible....very good point...

@migizii I am afraid for many people it's more than a choice between "health and wealth" - more a matter of survival. It is alarming in this seemingly wealthy nation that so many are literally one or two paychecks removed from hunger and/or homelessness. So I get that people want and need to get back to work ASAP. The government and employers need to figure out how to make that happen.
I really hope we come out of this with an understanding of who the MOST VALUABLE workers are in our country - truckers, teachers, meat packers, farm workers, retail workers, medical assistants - and the collective will to make sure they earn a living wage and medical coverage.
Sue