Has anyone noticed the world has changed since Covid?

So many sides to the covid story....I was already isolated due to ill physical and mental health so continued to rarely go anyway. Also I made the decision to wear a mask and how other felt about it they could go fly a kite. Husband has had cancer and heart surgery and took every precaution he could and still wears a mask in grocery store and pharmacy etc. He usually is the type of person who is "in denial" but last stay in hospital duirng covid with no visitors and food barely edible, out of town too, he does not want to face that again if avoidable. Why someone else wearing a mask would upset anyone is behond my comprehension. Mandatory masking is another issue and hope we don't face that again. Now in Canada we dont have to report if we get it; dont have to test ourselves etc., it is going to be a fragile situation should things get so bad again - and the statistics of course represent the death of many loved ones not just a number.

Not a whole lot changed in my house, but outside the front door of course lots changed.
Besides the fact that I was repeatedly threatened with withdrawal of medical care at the doctor office or hospital if I did not get multiple covid jabs, of course.
So, as a person with multiple health conditions I had no choice but to get vaccinated repeatedly to have the ‘privilege’ of obtaining access to medical monitoring and follow up.
That’s how things were horrid, because I didn’t want the vaccines, and I’ve had some significant side effects including repeated pericarditis that I now take a medication to treat (never had that before in my life), and bouts of increased brain inflammation which temporarily significantly reduced vision, balance, and ability to stay awake. Horrible stuff.
However, in terms of life at home, things actually improved: there was increased access to connecting via remote sources online, and the increased access to click and collect and online shopping (eventually), which helped me get by because at the time I was on an immunosuppressant (significant dose), and needed to live in isolation. Prior to covid, I would get constant insults, jibes, and overt ridicule for wearing gloves and a fitted mask, and then suddenly I’ve got people asking me what types of masks, sanitisers, etc, work! What a turn around; people went from the ones kicking dirt in my face, to the ones then digging me up, wanting my help. However ungracious this behaviour was and has always been, I am one to humbly and gracefully stay removed from participating in tit-for-tat, and I gladly helped anyone who asked me, because that’s who I am, and nothing that anyone can and will do to me will change the good nature I was blessed to be born with, which is and has always been an asset (theme: don’t let your experience of others or the world remove you from you)🙂🌺
When things started to get back to normal, I lost many of the remote online connections, because these facilities were closed down in favour of catering to people who could be in physical contact with others, however I am unable to participate in that kind of interaction, so my life went back to one of both physical and online isolation, in terms of social connectedness. Now, I have been living in isolation - lockdown, is the label that international community now understands this phenomenon to be - since 2018, November. Lockdown. For years.
Imagine the state of mind that occurs when you haven’t been hugged. For years. Now imagine the kind of mind it takes to remain sane. For years. In lockdown. For years.
I lived on tinned tomatoes and plain oats with water, for around 6 weeks after I ran out of other foods, because of closures of supermarkets, because there was absolutely no way I could obtain food. I have no family, friends, or relatives, social services, or supports, so I had nobody to help, and that was the only food I had left in the house. I rationed myself, with discipline, and calm, knowing that I may have more weeks yet to cater for…however, the supermarket got stock, and they started allowing people to click and collect - this literally saved my life, because I had lost around 3kg per week from restriction of calories while rationing the food I had in the house.
Covid was particularly challenging in some ways, good in others, and now, has settled back into a pattern of distance, isolation, and a sense that I live skirting the periphery of society once more.
However, I am now complete in desocialisation, and I find seeing people face to face as an overwhelming experience, and I feel the need to remove myself from the proximity of other humans.
Not to worry; sometimes life is like that, right? 🙂🌺

What a terrible time you have had! Having to get the vaccines just to keep seeing your doctors and obtain your medications etc. Then you had those awful side effects! I'm so sorry to hear that. But on top of that, running low on food for 6 weeks is just awful! I didn't know that the supermarkets ran out of supplies. Although I had noticed a lot of empty shelves in them during the whole virus thing. I guess the best thing to do is to buy ahead on things that are healthy and last such as dry beans or canned beans, split peas, canned vegetables and flour and sugar and Crisco so you can make your own biscuits and cookies etc. And, if you feel like cooking and can afford to buy extra! I eat oatmeal with just butter and salt and pepper. I like it! That came about one time when my mom and I ran out of both milk and money. But we had plenty of oatmeal!
There's nothing wrong with avoiding people and society. My husband and I don't really care to go around a lot of people or to events etc. You have to do what feels right for you.
I hope things work out with your physical problems. I'll say a prayer for you.
PML

I think there is a word for smiling with your eyes Lori - Smize: https://youtu.be/rQNmshlCM5I

very very sorry to hear this. I am also from a Jewish background. My wife used to work for UJA in NYC. I am definitely not ok with some of the Jewish response to COVID.

From my point of view, political people have manipulated religious life and theology itself.

They have injected political views into the religious community.

So, I feel no obligation to obey their ideas. To my mind, their ideas directly conflict with the teachings of Moses and the Torah. And that is always consistent with common sense, caution, safety and caring.

Every single person with a major illness has some level of being immune compromised. It is just basic common sense.

I got COVID in Jan 2022. It was a nightmare. I came close to having to go to the hospital. If I went, I am confident that I would never have survived.

I am immune compromised from a variety of medical problems. I think all immune compromised people have to be cautious.

So, you are completely correct about being concerned about your husband's condition.

As far as how to resolve it? I can't see any easy solutions there.

Anyone who does not have fears in your situation, is not dealing with reality. Some level of fear is always going to exist. We are not robots.

All we can do is do our best and hope for the best.

Do take care now.

It’s so easy to lose focus of ourselves when we are deeply immersed in caregiving. I was that way when caring for my mom and after she passed it took me a long time to stop foundering and get my footing again. A similar thing happened to my husband when my AML/bone marrow transplant odyssey pretty much monopolized both of our lives for a good year and a half. When the crisis had passed i found myself returning to my many hobbies and activities which make me whole. But it was a challenge for him to change focus from me, and like I said, I felt smothered. So my daughter and I encouraged him to renew his hobbies and personal interests; To get out more, do some biking and kayaking. Once he began resuming activities with his friends and getting his creative juices flowing, his focus wasn’t so intent on me anymore! It was wonderful for both of us to return to a more normal existence…my medical issues faded into the background and we both ‘recovered’ from my ordeal.

You’ve done an outstanding job as a caregiver for your husband, but you also have to allow yourself to live your life too! Couples can be devoted to each other but to be healthy in the partnership, both members need to grow and flourish. I know you’re scared but it’s unhealthy to live with “what ifs”… that constant worry robs you of precious time and creates stress.

May I ask what your life was like before your husband’s cancer journey? Do you have any hobbies or outside interests which could help give you some much needed distraction and perhaps help you re-direct some of your focus from your husband?

Thank you for your response . I don’t understand the Jewish orthodox feelings about COVID and protecting others . Last night I sent my sister in law an article that the government will be allowing new COVID tests to your home again and she responded……..” no way , waste of government’s money “, not testing “ My husband only has one sister left and he has cancer . I am so frustrated and angry and makes my anxiety ten times worse because my husband is over COVID and does
Not care ! I just don’t get it ‘😢😢😢😢😢😢