Pandemic Mental Health - How YOU doin'?

[Chauncey Gardiner]

I have a coworker who came to America from a war torn country. His mental health is stellar during the pandemic. He is an engineer that speaks 7 languages well, and has 3 degrees. Now when he arrived here his credentials meant zero. In his homeland he would be a department head. But over here he is one of my laborers so to speak with the role of field engineer.

The other day he rejected a concrete test and the contractor threatened him with bodily harm. I chuckled and said to the contractor "this guy has tested concrete for the American government while being fired at by snipers with an AK-47, and mortars, I seriously doubt you scare him right now".

He hits "control S" on his laptop every 30 seconds or so since he is used to power suddenly shutting off where he came from. He smiles knowing he has a laptop but does it anyway. He keeps 5 gallons of fresh, clean water with him at all times since he is used to going without it. He played on the national volley ball team and was headed to the Olympics one year when a band of raiders stopped the bus on the way to the airport. They killed a few, captured a few and let the rest go to warn others not to persue national fame.

While in his homeland one of his children had a heart condition nobody in his country could treat. He did not have the money to pay doctors in a nearby country to fix the child and had to "watch his 5 year old child die" a slow death. Over here his youngest has the same condition. Over here the child is getting treatments for the condition.

My point here is while Americans fuss and moan about how tough it is over here with our first world struggles, this guy smiles and thanks his God every day that he lived long enough to see his wife and kids make it to America. The only time I've seen him unhappy was recently when his wife reported her brother had just been murdered back home for driving a catering van for the government while another army was re-taking his home country.

All valid points, bykfixer. However, one can't help but wonder how long til your coworker's children look to new horizons to seek happiness, and where will that shining city on a hill be.

Pandemic mental health? Personally, me and mine are getting along pretty well (other than COVID keeping the Lovely Mrs Gardiner from a needed hip replacement. She was rear ended by a drunk-driver.) Nevertheless, my heart breaks for our countries' direction and for where Australians now finds themselves.

 

[Poppy]

All valid points, bykfixer. However, one can't help but wonder how long til your coworker's children look to new horizons to seek happiness, and where will that shining city on a hill be.

Pandemic mental health? Personally, me and mine are getting along pretty well (other than COVID keeping the Lovely Mrs Gardiner from a needed hip replacement. She was rear ended by a drunk-driver.) Nevertheless, my heart breaks for our countries' direction and for where Australians now finds themselves.

What happened in Austrailia?
They were doing so good!

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Still thinking about putting on a mask when entering work, then remembering we do not have to. We are still getting cases at our school, and 'close contact' students are sent home for days. Maybe 15% staff and students wear masks. A strong effort has been made to respect other's beliefs about masks being optional.

It is concerning that education has been delayed from COVID but now the funding is getting tight for education in our district because fewer people are having children, more have chosen alternatives to public education, and the state pays according to how many students are enrolled.

An article from The Lancet, looking at overall mortality as compared to 'average years'. COVID is associated with over 18 million deaths even though reported COVID deaths are about 6 million. Some countries had a lot of excess deaths compared to pre-pandemic. Other countries who had heavy lockdowns, not so much.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02796-3/fulltext

 

[bykfixer]

Good bump.

A fellow I've worked with (on occasion) over the years died of covid in February. He was in decent health. It wasn't like he was weakened by diabetes or other health issues. He was just one of those blokes whose body went into attack itself mode when he contracted the virus.

One guy I've worked with died and we all said "eh no big surprise" but when the other guy died in February we all said "really, that guy? wow"…

Life feels like post pandemic, but I'm still not ready to call it normal. I still stay arms length in line but then again I always did.

 

[jtr1962]

I saw that article also. When this started I recall telling people we're going to have at least 25 million dead before it's over. I might not be far off.

This is in no way over even if we're acting like it in first world countries. It's spreading like crazy in the Third World. There will be more variants. Some may spread more easily than omicron, and be more lethal that the original variant. I'm not letting my guard down. It's still only bi-monthy trips to the grocery for me, and wearing an N95 mask. I'm still doing washdowns of everything that comes into the house, except cardboard or paper. I'm letting that stand for a few days before using it. It's always better to err on the side of caution anyway. At worst it costs you a little extra time and effort. At best it may prevent very unfortunate results. I'm a very patient person. If need be I can live like this for many years.

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

I saw that article also. When this started I recall telling people we're going to have at least 25 million dead before it's over. I might not be far off.

This is in no way over even if we're acting like it in first world countries. It's spreading like crazy in the Third World. There will be more variants. Some may spread more easily than omicron, and be more lethal that the original variant. I'm not letting my guard down. It's still only bi-monthy trips to the grocery for me, and wearing an N95 mask. I'm still doing washdowns of everything that comes into the house, except cardboard or paper. I'm letting that stand for a few days before using it. It's always better to err on the side of caution anyway. At worst it costs you a little extra time and effort. At best it may prevent very unfortunate results. I'm a very patient person. If need be I can live like this for many years.

I'm assuming (not asking) that you're vaxanated and boosted. Are you being cautious for yourself also, or primarily just for your mother? I'm not aware of the current thinking on this matter.

I've much respect for your efforts and sacrifice to care for her.

 

[jtr1962]

I'm assuming (not asking) that you're vaxanated and boosted. Are you being cautious for yourself also, or primarily just for your mother? I'm not aware of the current thinking on this matter.

I've much respect for your efforts and sacrifice to care for her.

I'm vaxxed but not yet boosted. Unfortunately, my mother hasn't been vaccinated yet. Her primary care physician passed away last year. I found out about it when we were trying to make an appointment for a regular check up. I figured she could get the first dose, or if the doctor had J&J the one and only dose. Getting her vaxxed through the normal channels (i.e. in Walgreens or places like that) isn't an option. First off, in her present state it would be mentally traumatic being in a crowd. I have no idea how she would react. And she won't reliably keep a mask on. So basically getting vaxxed in the normal setting poses a risk of her catching covid. Since she's 83, she's in the very high risk group. I've been looking for another primary care physician within a few miles but nobody so far is taking new patients.

That said, even if we were both vaxxed and boosted, that's no guarantee. It just brings the odds more in your favor. Taking the precautions I do makes sense regardless. Remember before we had vaccines just masking, social distancing, and washing your hands really helped keep this in check. I'd probably be living like this even if my mother weren't around. This virus if anything is unpredictable. Look at bykfixer's coworker who died. Not in any of the high risk groups. I'm really not, either. I'm 59, relatively good health, and type O blood (which studies show reduces the risk of severe covid somewhat). My mom's type O also. In all honestly, she does have a great immune system. I noticed when she catches things she usually kicks them within a day. But you never know.

I want to come out the other side of this with everyone I care about still around. Unfortunately, I lost my cat last year to cancer. I hope that's the only loss before this is over.

 

[turbodog]

I've got some serious concerns about the loss of life and the loss of workers (c-19 pushing people into retirement) affect the speed & quality of return to normal.

Many of my clients having serious staffing issues.

 

[turbodog]

I'm vaxxed but not yet boosted. Unfortunately, my mother hasn't been vaccinated yet....

I can't see any office refusing to make small accommodation to vaccinate outside on the sidewalk or something.

This would be a 'really good time' to get your booster. You'd be past the ~4 month mark when this fall's (probable) new shot becomes available.

 

[jtr1962]

I can't see any office refusing to make small accommodation to vaccinate outside on the sidewalk or something.

This would be a 'really good time' to get your booster. You'd be past the ~4 month mark when this fall's (probable) new shot becomes available.

I was due in February. I've just been fighting something low-level all month. It looks like it's finally almost over. I didn't want to get the booster while my body was dealing with something else. So hopefully in a week or two. Have to check the appointment availability.

I'm going to ask my brother if maybe anyone from his hospital could come by after work to vaccinate my mom. There might be some legalities with that though.

Yeah, the worker shortage is going to be a thing for the foreseeable future. Automation will help, but mostly only for repetitive jobs.

 

[Greta]

I find it very interesting how different things are in different parts of the country. With the exception of staffing issues in local businesses, we are most definitely back to pre-pandemic normal here. The snowbirds flocked in by the thousands (no exaggeration!) and the Spring Breakers are also here by the thousands. (Spring Break lasts for 6 weeks here due to the staggering of schools). Very few masks are seen anymore. Most people that I know who may or may not have one of the variants aren't even bothering to get tested. They do their own thing and move on. Obviously, they haven't had any severe symptoms... myself included. I *think* I may have had omicron early on for about 3 days but I was never feeling yucky enough to go to urgent care for testing.

All that being said, I have come to appreciate and absolutely love not having to go shopping physically in the stores! I do grocery pick up (and get 20% off my order) and use the hell out of Amazon. I've even been using Amazon and other online shopping for my 80+ year old parents in NY. No need for them to have to go around to 4 different stores to try to find cat food for their cat when I can have it delivered to their doorstep in 1 day! I was thinking about it the other day and I haven't stepped foot in our local Walmart in well over 2 years - and it is only 5 miles away. Nope - I won't be going back to THAT normal. I'm saving too much money now with THIS normal

I understand others taking maximum precautions. It's scary. I do know people who have passed due to the virus - no one close to me though. We all have to do what we have to do to make ourselves and our loved ones feel safe and protected. It seems trite, I know, but my new motto is "You do you, Boo!" And I mean it. Respect for all.

 

[idleprocess]

The de facto end of the pandemic in the DFW area was some time last year. Got my vaccine in April 2021 and generally relaxed - pretty much stopped wearing a mask in public for most of the summer until hospitalization rose and breakthrough infections started happening at a greater pace then resumed so as to avoid being an asymptomatic carrier. The spike in hospitalization during flu season seemed hardly remarked upon outside of limited circles. Now, mask policies are more or less gone in most places outside of the medical field - even Costco's policy seems to be gone.

Subjectively, one aspect of it endures for me and a significant slice of the workforce: permanent work from home. The office closed last year and I've seen my co-workers but once since : a going-away get-together for w few who had been laid off and/or sought opportunities elsewhere at about the same time. Looks like they're revamping one of the former admin office/call center buildings so I might be able to head in every other week or so and get a change of scenery, perhaps see some co-workers again.

 

[jtr1962]

The enduring change for me, even if covid numbers dropped to zero, will be doing grocery shopping twice a month. Before the pandemic I shopped like a lot of other city dwellers. Every other day or so I'd buy groceries, then hand carry them home. The store is only 4 blocks away, so why not? I could have shopped less often by using my shopping cart, but I didn't want to drag it along. Lots of times I went out for long walks before hitting the grocery on the way back home. Didn't want to be lugging along an empty shopping cart the whole time. And I didn't want to just do a short walk to and from the store.

The pandemic changed that. With the need to limit the number of times I go in public places, I opted to shop every other week, loading up the cart. And I started paying with credit card, instead of cash. I also started buying about 1/3 of my stuff on Amazon. It's a huge time saver grocery shopping this way.

I haven't hit any other local stores since this started besides the grocery. Not sure how enduring that will be, but I typically get better deals on Amazon anyway.

My sister is on permanent work from home, also. She loves it. It saves at least two hours a day, plus commuting expenses.

 

[bykfixer]

I used to grocery shop once a month jtr, but then I married my wife who had 3 teenagers. Heck there were times once a week wasn't often enough. One was a walking muscle. At 14 he weighed 180 pounds at 5'6" and you could probably count his fat content on a postal scale. I told the Mrs "if he gets outta line I'll have to shoot him 'cause I sure can't lick him anymore." That boy could tear up some groceries. We laugh now because he drives for UPS and during the pandemic schedule it whittled him down to a tooth pick. He could probably still bench press a garage but he sure is thin.

Now speaking of UPS etc, my street has UPS, FedEx, Amazon, Amazon contractors, all beating a path in the pavement at least twice a day, seven days a week since the pandemic. My one nieghbor no longer gets 3'x3' boxes of toilet paper delivered. And my wife tells her family "we could build a small house with our toilet paper stash"…

I too resumed wearing a mask at times as a way to make sure I wasn't being a Typhoid Mary during the omnicron part. The Mrs and I both thought we might have it after being plagued with cold-like symptoms that would fade then return. Fade and return. When I read sneezing was now a symptom where previous variants it was not, she went and got checked. Nope. No covid.

Two former coworkers perished from the Delta. People my age and in not so bad health. Diabetes was thought to play a role. One guy died like 3 days after he fell sick. The other guy lasted about a month I was told.

We're kinda used to life post-pandemic (it seems like). Some is pretty much same ole stuff. Some is not. But the only contant in life it seems is change.

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

........ snipped
My sister is on permanent work from home, also. She loves it. It saves at least two hours a day, plus commuting expenses.

Also worth considering is the lack of daily exposure to the cause of much death or dismemberment on our streets, roads, highways, and freeways.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

We lost one co-worker due to Covid. He was a super nice guy, always had a smile and a compliment for everybody. I don't know if he had other health issues that contributed to it. I was really saddened to learn of his passing. Another coworker was very ill from it but has since recovered.

Our workplace is offering a hybrid work model - 2 days home, 3 days at work. It's been popular and I see my co-workers regularly which is nice.

 

[jtr1962]

Also worth considering is the lack of daily exposure to the cause of much death or dismemberment on our streets, roads, highways, and freeways.

Definitely. Traveling to/from work is the single most dangerous part of many people's days.

 

[idleprocess]

Also worth considering is the lack of daily exposure to the cause of much death or dismemberment on our streets, roads, highways, and freeways.

I certainly don't miss putting 15,000 miles a year on my daily driver just commuting.

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Merging the subjects, commuting, and C-Mental Health, Washington State has always had way too many drivers that lacked the ability to measure risk versus reward. However, their number seems to have squared over the last two years ......... Wondering if there's any causality between COVID-Life and an increase in the numbers of reckless drivers.

 

[jtr1962]

Merging the subjects, commuting, and C-Mental Health, Washington State has always had way too many drivers that lacked the ability to measure risk versus reward. However, their number seems to have squared over the last two years ......... Wondering if there's any causality between COVID-Life and an increase in the numbers of reckless drivers.

That's been happening nationally. My take on this is when the pandemic first started, the roads were empty. Those who still drove got used to much shorter travel times. Once things went back to normal, they went ballistic every time something got in their way. Then there's also the general incivility which started in all other facets of life. It's a regular thing for random strangers to just attack people on the streets for no real reason. Or look at all the incidents on planes. People just lost their tolerance of other people. Plus a lot of people's true colors just came out. They were nasty people all along, but at least they restrained themselves most of the time. People are just angry. Some of it might be justified, a lot of it is just irrational.

You also have the fact that people think differently when they can see their own mortality. Covid did that. Even young people saw that. The Great Resignation was in part caused by this. When you see you might have very limited time left, you might start asking yourself do I want to keep doing a job I hate with people I otherwise wouldn't want to associate with? I guess then a better work-life balance is something positive that is coming out of this, to balance all the negativity.