I’m self-employed and essential in some work that I do (caring for seniors at home), so I’m missing a huge chunk of work without any pay compensation available and the other work I can do puts me in a position to potentially pass this illness onto the people who need protected the most, so I am sick with worry that I’ll unknowingly pass this virus onto someone vulnerable.
Both of my sisters have health risks (I do, as well), but they’re way more exposed than I am. One working in a high volume fast food place and the other doing triage in a medical clinic. I am heartbroken for people working in grocery stores and Walmarts because I know most of those people couldn’t stay home even if they want to and you’re clearly taking the brunt of the hits from this outside of medical/hospital settings. It’s so messed up. I wish people would reevaluate priorities in all of this and see where the real backbone of our society is.
As for coping, I try to focus on what I can control. I can only do what I know how to do to minimize the risk of getting sick, which IS effective. It is not a guarantee, but it does improve your chances. Also, I remind myself that there’s a good chance I will get sick (most of us will eventually) and that the overwhelming majority will survive, hopefully with minimal complications. I say this as a person who has been hospitalized with pneumonia in the past, so I am not taking it lightly because… well, fuck that, it sucked. I don’t want this virus. I don’t want to give anyone this virus, but there is only so much I can do about that and I’m doing all that I can. Worrying beyond that is only causing me more distress, so I’m trying to just accept that the odds are still in our favor at this time because even in the worst case scenario, I will be able to access a hospital with ICU beds because of other people who are able to stay home. Thank you, to those of you who are isolating if you’re able, and thank you to those of you who are providing services to the rest of us at the risk of your own health. You deserve so so much better than what you get.