Soothing My Panic, COVID-19 Edition

[jesse_the_k]

For the past week world news has overtopped my mind-wall, and I've been getting more and more anxious. THEN a few things I’ve encountered in the past two days have helped me talk myself down off the ledge and into a spurt of positivism.

I can't know what will happen, so worrying really won't make a difference. I can put that energy into following the social distancing guidelines and supporting my friends.

Positivity Trigger One was my wonderful local bookstore, Room of One’s Own. They sent out an email blast that leads by example. They cut back to four hours/day for in-person, because

As a space in which a lot of physical interaction takes place (people touch books as they browse), and which is not essential to public health during this crisis, we are taking steps to do our part to help flatten the curve and undercut the spread of COVID-19 in the Madison community. We want to increase social distance for our employees and our beloved customers.

[… snip …]

We are taking protective measures to help flatten the curve of infection out of love and responsibility for our community. We hope that, months from now, our precautions look like an overreaction--that will mean they worked.

full details

Positivity Infusion Two is what’s happening in my town. The struggle between US Federal and state-level governments is always contentious. Right now, Federal leadership has been weak, but my city, county, and state officials took the cue from Anthony Fauci (who has earned public trust through plain speaking on the AIDS epidemic, although I'm sure he made many mistakes along the way). Local leaders are making decisions. They're setting deadlines. Events may push decisions beyond those deadlines, but we can burn that bridge when we come to it!

For example:

Gatherings of 250 or more are cancelled (including places of worship and religious gathering centers)

Our library system has cancelled programming, but is keeping the libraries themselves open because they serve a crucial information function. They are hosting in-person absentee voting ahead of our April 7 primary.

Positivity Capstone Three was an Ask.MetaFilter thread on the question, Any Tips for Dealing with Coronavirus Anxiety? Many good answers there. This comment opened me up to consider how remarkable the response has been.

Think of what's happening now, instead. People got sick in China. Did it take longer for them to identify it and react than it might have in an ideal world? Sure. Did they nonetheless identify it and react with lightning speed enabled only by a level of contemporary science and a communication that would've been unthinkable even 20 years ago? Yes. When the illness arrived in Italy, did they know—because of the deep levels of knowledge that came to them directly and immediately from China—what was coming and how to prepare? Yes, in a way that reveals the incredible interconnectivity in the world—China's experience was Italy's experience is now our experience. News of the virus traveled ahead of the virus in a way that is allowing us not only to worry, but to prepare.

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Have you encountered positivity amidst the panic? Share!

Comments

[tassosss]

The comment from the tips for dealing with anxiety is really good. Thank you for sharing it.

[jesse_the_k]

So glad to be useful!

[sasha_feather]

I think it's wonderful that a lot of places are cancelling events and such. There is a local help-network that is organizing to deliver groceries and supplies to folks who need them. I see a lot of people who are willing to help out.

[jesse_the_k]

...and we can help out to the extent we're capable, and that will be good.

[rosefox]

A thread on my neighborhood Nextdoor turned into a group within 24 hours because the thread was already too full of offers to help. People are, on the whole, pretty good.

[jesse_the_k]

Hooray! I've only heard Next-door mentioned in dire contexts, so I'm happy to hear it supports great action as well.

[julian]

I turned off my anxiety spigot (aka Twitter) yesterday. (The confluence of my spring break and all this happening was less than great.)

However! Twitter did provide me with Gloria Gaynor doing her own mini-version of Wash Your Lyrics. (It is, mind you, only 14 seconds. But you get the idea.)

[jesse_the_k]

Yes, the less Twitter the better. I trust my sturdier-minded online folk to mine for exquisite gems like that Gloria Gaynor video.

COURAGE!

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

I'll be posting various sorts of Fun You Need during this time.

[jesse_the_k]

Super! I'll be enjoying them.

[pauraque]

Thanks for the constructive post!

One positive thing I've seen: Author and all-around-nice-person rachelmanija is giving away ebooks to people who are bored/stressed/stuck at home and have nothing to read.

[jesse_the_k]

Brilliant!

[chanter1944]

We really are lucky to have the local government (and the governor) we do, aren't we? And Room Of One's Own is a treasure. :)

[jesse_the_k]

Amen. Twice.

Although we have to amen in smaller groups now -- Dane County/City of Madison Public Health just announced that meetings are limited to 50 people, and the schools are closed. I am very grateful I don't have young kids to cope with right now.

re: Room

[bibliofile]

I was also happy to see that they'll ship to your house for $1 flat fee, and they'll deliver to your door in town. Excellent help for people who are isolating/-ed.

Re: Room

[chanter1944]

Oh, cheers! Knowing this, I may just have to spring a surprise!book delivery on my sister, who's up in Fond Du Lac.

[j00j]

Positivity: I'm just really enjoying all of the creative ways people are finding to gather virtually, to get work done, to enjoy things together. Planning to do a virtual opera date with my partner-- we'll dress up together and watch a concert streamed.

[jesse_the_k]

Virtual Opera Date! That's just lovely.

[toft]

This does make me feel better, thank you.

[jesse_the_k]

I'm so glad to hear this! Sending you and HW all the sweetest warm thoughts.