Helping You Get Through It: COVID-19

Iesha
Apr 1, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Apr 30, 2020

I know it feels like we have been stuck in this month for more than a month. The days have started to mush together and lose their meaning. Everyday feels like either a Saturday or a Sunday, depending on how the day goes. But today is FINALLY the last day of March. Although it is the last day of March, it is only the beginning of what we as a nation are going through.

Coronavirus … COVID-19 … Novel coronavirus … whatever you call it or heard it called, it is something that has taken over our daily lives and is not leaving any time soon. I am not going to say what the virus is. I am not going to mention how many people have been affected by the virus, in regards to those infected and those who have died because of it. The news does a good enough job on briefing us on information like that and although it is great to stay informed, it is even better to stay mentally healthy. The news has a track record of scaring people and it is no different here. Staying home while continuously watching the news can cause stress and anxiety, two things that are definitely not needed during a time of social distancing and staying home.

If you needed a sign, here is a sign now: TURN OFF YOUR TV! Unless you are on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Crunchyroll, or any other streaming services, TURN IT OFF! Go one day, or even two without watching the news. Limit how long you watch the news each day, from 30 minutes to an hour. Limit when you watch the news each day, only the nightly news or the morning news. Whatever works for you. But do not keep the channel on the news all day. It does more harm than good.

I also feel like this has to be said: do not let others bully you into being “productive”. If you have been just laying in bed, being on social media, and just relaxing, THAT IS FINE. Do not let anyone make you feel bad for how you are adjusting to the changes going on every day. Do what you feel is necessary to get you through these confusing and panic-filled times.

There are plenty of theories regarding this virus but please understand the consequences are very much real. There are massive amounts of people without jobs and having to file for unemployment. There are people who are not sure of when their next meal will be. There are people who are unable to find someone to care for their children while they are out working at their essential job. There are people who have had work/school as an escape from home life and are unfortunately forced to be in a damaging environment. In one way or another, everyone is affected and the consequences are real and damaging. Below are websites you can go to, if you need any sort of help. I also know there is a lot of talk about stimulus checks, so I put a link to FAQ about the check. Resources depend on the state so I put general websites.

For FAQ about COVID-19

Resources for: travelers, households, pregnant women and children, people who are sick, and small business owners.