Terrified reading the news. Afraid of getting COVID-19

Hi Elizabeth @enska, Thanks for starting this discussion. I don't think you are alone when it comes to being afraid with all of the news and statistics about COVID-19. I just read an article that I thought was quite helpful and gave some tips we can all use.

COVID-19: Tips for Mindfulness & Coping with Anxiety -- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-tips-for-mindfulness-coping-with-anxiety/

@enska- Good morning Elizabeth. COVID-19 is scary. I'm scared, petrified in fact. I have stage 4 lung cancer and I have been ill. I had a virus or something other than COVID-I9. I am using these feelings of fear and loss of control to help keep myself as healthy as I can be. My husband does all of our errands. Do you have anyone to help you run errands? I would start and make a list of all the very necessary things that you have to do and don't do anything else. Life, as we have been used to is over for now. We have to make changes to adapt to this new life. Pay attention to all recommended cautions. Since you have been out and about I would self-quarantine yourself until you are cleared of having the virus.
Here are some steps that you can take and information that might interest you.
https://healthmatters.nyp.org/how-to-protect-yourself-from-coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963

Hi @enska, Elizabeth, it can be a challenge to shut out the news. It is all around us. I like the article That @johnbishop shared
- Tips for Mindfulness & Coping with Anxiety — https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-tips-for-mindfulness-coping-with-anxiety/

News that keeps the news channels in business needs to be separated from the news you need know. Because information that you need to know if changing day to day, I recommend that you check in periodically to trusted websites like
- Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Mayo Clinic News Network’s up-to-date news and information https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/category/covid-19/

If you don't live in the US, follow the trusted health authority of your country or region. This will keep you informed without the headline hype that popular news channels lead with and will help you avoid the untruths and hoaxes that plague social media sites.

Above all, put the phone and electronic devices away before going to bed. I need to follow my own advice on that one. How are you feeling tonight?

Hi. I hear you on your anxiety ramping up. Mine is too. I am on other sites and chat with people who have family members in ICU, etc. My heart is so heavy from hearing their stories, and I am terrified. All we can do is to lay low, stay home, and wait for this to pass.

Good morning. It is very very surreal. How do we make it real without looking at the news all day? Grocery stores are running out of necessities.

@merpreb AS I stated before I get groceries usually in a day but last week I ordered on Thrus. wont be delivered till 25th so all is getting stretched . I hope they don't run out of food either . I saw that the farmers market is also doing a good business .

@liones- Morning Linda. I know, these are times that we've never incurred before which is one thing that is making us tense. Questions like yours about the lack of food and medicines and test kits are unprecedented and are terrifying. How do we act? and what do we do?
We've been warned against fresh loose-leaf produce but some people aren't paying attention.
Also, Linda, I think that we will just have to wait to see how private industries act in replenishing store shelves and medicines, tests kits and all things necessary for survival. Everyone is scared, and if they aren't they should be.

@merpreb So true . I have a tip here for you as far as fresh vegies . Long time ago I was listening to Dr. Oz . He said if you make a solution of vinegar and water . spray all vegies let set for a few minutes it kill the pesticides ,insecticides on vegies so I have my vinegar water bottle handy and use on all vegies and also strawberrys they are harder put them in this solution in a bowl and set 20 minutes so the solution gets into the bumps Try to get your mind of the virus as you are doing posting this will help you and breath deep always several times a day . Do you do any meditation or listen to relaxing music ? This helps me when I let my panic go wild. Hope you stay safe Merry

@lioness- I'm sorry but I wouldn't believe anything that Dr. Oz had to say. I'm good Linda. Thank you. Am hoping that you are too.

Panic buying and hoarding are creating the shortage. Yes, we need to make sure we all have adequate food supply, no argument there. My children who knew alot about supply chains and logistics said there are food and household supplies in warehouses across the US. But the stores are selling out faster than they can replenish due to hoarding. The stores are doing their best. I saw online an old lady standing in front of the empty shelf crying, that breaks my heart.