How are you all dealing?

Talking with the wife today - and we both are and have been in a funk. This virus thing has affected life at so many levels. The fact that we aren't operating normally and our routines have been thrown out of whack is taking its toll.

And honestly we certainly aren't living in one of the worst spots in the country (Hilton Head). But we do have a son that's currently furloughed and another that is working in NYC - so there are worries there.

There is just so much anger out there and we are feeling it too. I'm grouchy and irritable more often than not - and I used to be one of the most optimistic people I knew ;)

I can't travel to my favorite vacation spot - without significant compromises. I absolutely LOATHE masks (but am complying).

I think it's the personal touch we are missing. The conversations. The SMILES. Now we hurry from place to place. We don't spend time talking or interacting.

How are you all managing. What are you doing to deal with the stress and challenges of the crazy times we live in.

:marg::beer:?

I'm done. I'm frustrated. I'm sad. Can we go back to February when this virus and all of the changes it would bring weren't here yet?

I know it is small in the overall scheme of the world, but we were supposed to be cruising and visiting Disney in the next couple of weeks, and that's a solid no-go these days. Just has me bummed.

My day job is working from home and crazy busy. I miss the team and it is tough being remote. My weekend job is as a minister and we're back to in-person church services on a small scale (like 10 people) and it is just exhausting trying to ensure we are following all of the guidelines, and still hoping that it is enough to keep everyone safe.

How am I coping? Reading intercot :), trying to stay virtually connected to friends and I've taken up biking. Still tough.

I suspect I'm no where near alone ... at least we're all in this together, right?

I almost feel guilty saying this given all the anger and sadness I see other people describing, but I feel like I'm doing great.

Still working full time so I'm grateful for that, exercising daily and putting in ~150 miles a week on the bike in the fresh air. Visiting Epcot most Sundays and gladly wearing my mask. Reading books and going fishing in the nearby ponds after dinner.

Zero time spent watching television and very little on social media as that seems to be where a lot of the anger and division comes from.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dnickels

I almost feel guilty saying this given all the anger and sadness I see other people describing, but I feel like I'm doing great.

Still working full time so I'm grateful for that, exercising daily and putting in ~150 miles a week on the bike in the fresh air. Visiting Epcot most Sundays and gladly wearing my mask. Reading books and going fishing in the nearby ponds after dinner.

Zero time spent watching television and very little on social media as that seems to be where a lot of the anger and division comes from.

---

Actually, I'm happy for you. Coping here but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't getting to me.

Personally, we're doing ok. I feel that its been exhausting since mid-March to keep up with all the necessary adjustments to keep our lives as normal as possible. I miss going to sporting events and movies, but we have been fortunate to get to dinners, to the beach and to see family...for the most part. We've also been unaffected by employment so we feel fortunate there as well.

My biggest concern is the personal well being of our citizens as compared to the relative risk of this virus. I get that it requires juggling for youth that have survival rates of well over 99.9% vs. seniors with slightly lower success rates.

We have asked our youth to essentially give up an entire year of their life. To miss out on things like last chances to play organized sports, proms and graduations, let alone the little every day occurrences of life and just being social. For older people there can be mental and physical health issues being shuttered as well.

Hopefully our government (mayors, governors and courts) will come to their senses soon to provide some relief.

We are actually doing ok considering how yucky this year has been. There have been a lot of ups and downs since March. Especially for our DD who has had everything torn out from under her. Graduation canceled and finishing up online even though she supposedly graduated in May. Her internship was canceled so she has to do online classes to fulfill that. Her job at Disney - well we all know how that is going for many her included. The only saving grace for her is she is here at home! We are all blessed to have a roof over our head and the necessities of life. So many around us are suffering so much more. We live just east of the now largest wildfire in Colorado history! I try very hard to focus on the positive most days. On days that I feel off I try to do something for myself. Curl up with a book. Scrapbook or cook. I am looking forward to the day that things might be semi normal.

I get by day by day. I live in a community where we had a very active social life (friendly gatherings, clubs for various interests etc) which has pretty much come to a standstill. So, we now go for walks, connect with neighbors/friends/family via e-mail and bumping into them while out walking. Several times, we've spent a few nights at Disney or Vero Beach but have not gone into any of the parks. We used to go to a Disney park at least once a week so we are missing that. I spend time in the pool, work on jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles and try new recipes. I'm hoping things will not go on like this for too much longer!!

I’m doing fair. I’m being temporarily furloughed at Universal’s Volcano Bay. Shutting down until March fir “maintenance “. It’s actually because our foreign guests are not traveling to the US. They usually sustain the water park being open in the winter months. I’m picking up as many shifts as possible at USF and IOA.

I have covid fatigue for sure. This has not been easy. Trying to be grateful for what I do have!

Not much has changed in my life, tbh. I've never had the fear/anxiety/what have you over covid that I know it has caused a lot of people. I don't watch TV/News at all. I also think my job has made it much easier for me to understand and handle. Initially all the misinformation drove me crazy, but I've learned that people will believe what they want no matter what facts you give them.

I'm very blessed to be in the position I am in - a very secure job, my family is close by, and expecting another grandbaby. I learned a long time ago to do things you want to do regardless of the circumstances. No one is guaranteed a tomorrow, so slow down, talk to people, smile, spend time in nature, get together with those you care about and live like you want to live. Don't let one obstacle change who you are.

I'm lucky in that I still have my retail job despite that tens of thousands of people in UK alone have had their shop close down and transplant operations have resumed so :fingers: DH will get his lungs before the rest of his body decides to wave that little white flag ( sorry if humour in adversity upsets some but it's our way of coping with the situation ).
So doing ok but sometimes this half life we're living does get to me, especially when had a letter the other week telling me my autism assessment has been pushed back by about 18 months due to Covid - why is it always written with a capital C? - my Dr agrees I'm autistic but have to have an assessment by specialist people before can be on official medical records.
Hey ho

FAITH
FAMILY
FRIENDS
INTERCOT

I feel blessed that I am still working; some days from home, some days at the office. My choice. The company I work for has done a great job of keeping over 100 branch locations, nationwide, up and going. My wife's business has not been effected and she is close to retirement (We are old dudes.). We live in a nice neighborhood and have many friends that we see everyday. We still eat out once or twice a week and took a trip to the beach between Hurricanes. Our Granddaughter is the center of our life as we plan for her second birthday next month. Have been able to have a lot of minor repairs done to our house, since we were at home to supervise the work. Have spent a lot of time outside in the flower beds and other lawn care.

Our nation is in turmoil, with riots, political unrest, name calling and loss of morality, but there is still no better place to live. Say a prayer for us all.

And...you can still come here, whenever you wish, share your thoughts and plan your next trip to the Happiest Place On Earth. Mine will not be until next year, with my granddaughter.

Think Positive!

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pjbs35a

FAITH
FAMILY
FRIENDS
INTERCOT

And...you can still come here, whenever you wish, share your thoughts and plan your next trip to the Happiest Place On Earth. Mine will not be until next year, with my granddaughter.

Think Positive!

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

---

I had so much fun when on my two Disney trips with my granddaughter - Disneyland at 6 months and Disney World 2 years ago. My oldeset DS took a video of Lillian's first Mickey bar bite that we snuck to her while her mom and dad were riding soarin. :thedolls: We weren't able to take my grandson to Disneyland at the 6 month mark, but we will when Disneyland opens up again.

You'll have so much fun watching her reactions when you take her.

Honestly for us, it hasn't been a big deal. We never stopped going and doing things. We didn't have any WDW trips planned anyway so the parks being closed and all the craziness hasn't affected our travel. We have been on our trips and vacations this year as planned and had great times. Business has been booming so I haven't had any changes with that either.

I too loathe the masks. Like John, I comply but I only do it to a certain degree. If I am in a large big box store walking a lot, I take my mask off and they can just get over it. However, we have already had Covid 19 way back at the end of May beginning of June. We go out to eat in restaurants in what have been considered Covid hotspots all the time at least twice and often three times a week. We have probably been exposed to Covid 19 dozens of times. We probably have better immunity to it than anyone who will take a vaccine in the next year.

There are a few things that have been aggravating though and it is getting old. We have tickets to some concerts that got postponed to next year and one that got cancelled. It is doubtful they will happen next year because if we are being realistic, a vaccine isn't going to be widely distributed anytime in the next 6 months. It will most likely take a year because the distribution will be a complete train wreck. Another thing is our season tickets to sporting events and not getting to go to ball games. That has been really frustrating.

One bit of advice I have given people over the past year is stop watching the so called "news" on TV and get off of social media other than sharing things with friends. I stopped watching the media years ago and that alone will reduce your stress level tremendously. It is all sensationalized and much of it is inaccurate with the sole intent to get you to keep watching to boost their ratings. The garbage spread around on social media is like a cancer so cut that out of your life too and you will suddenly feel less worried or upset.

I'm ready for it to just run it's course so we can all move on with life.

I will add. I recommend not to watch horror stories and "useful tips" on Facebook in different public pages, but to read the website of the World Health Organization. There are at least really scientific methods of prevention and treatment, and not paranoid nonsense of the sick.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 1DisneyNut

One bit of advice I have given people over the past year is stop watching the so called "news" on TV and get off of social media other than sharing things with friends. I stopped watching the media years ago and that alone will reduce your stress level tremendously. It is all sensationalized and much of it is inaccurate with the sole intent to get you to keep watching to boost their ratings. The garbage spread around on social media is like a cancer so cut that out of your life too and you will suddenly feel less worried or upset.

I'm ready for it to just run it's course so we can all move on with life.

---

I haven't had a tv in years, and I am so much better off mentally than a lot of other people I know.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cinderelley

I haven't had a tv in years, and I am so much better off mentally than a lot of other people I know.

---

No TV and no social media certainly helps!

I have to admit that I am in a funk. On top of all the COVID restrictions I had major back surgery during the summer, postponed from March due to hospital closures, so I’ve had far too much not being able to get out. Our Gov just announced a return to more restriction yesterday.

The saddest effects to daily life I’ve seen, as others mentioned above, is what’s happening with kids. They are missing out on so many things we consider milestones in life. I retired as Head Football Coach at our High school 6 years ago but have gone back as an assistant. This year, after a late start our season, things came to a crushing end for our team. Our kids were actually loaded up on the 2 charter busses in the school parking lot to head to our second round playoff, game when our Head Coach got a call from the AD. We had a player test positive that morning and results just got called in. He had obviously been a close contact of most players on our team. We had to get the kids off the busses and forfeit the game. It was so sad to see, tears from football players always get to me. I felt so bad for the Seniors as, just like that, their football season was done. So, so sad for them. It’s such things that we are forced to give up that are hard to see and it’s beginning to take a toll.

It's probably only going to get worse with these seemingly power-hungry mayors and governors looking to lock everything down again. Vaccinations most likely be available to the general public until at least spring 2021 and even there Dr. Fauci is recommending that people wear masks even after the pandemic has passed.

My concern is for the mental health of all, but especially the children or those that live alone. Even for the biggest introvert among us, we are social people. Getting limited contact helps, but for students that haven't been to school or even seen their friends since early March, it is troubling. Let alone for those that have been furloughed, laid-off or just flat out had their business close. All for a disease that has a death rate of less than 1% and mostly among the elderly.

I installed a new floor, new cabinets, new countertops, multiple decks, siding, new plumbing, on demand hot water tank, dredged a pond, new walls, new electrical, new well pump, pressure tank, and learned how to clean a chimney and wood burner. Most of these things did not need to be done but the alternative would be to mindlessly watch Netflix, peruse the internet and read the days bad news. So....when the pandemic finally ends....I have a lot of skills I can assist my friends and family with. I also get the satisfaction of seeing something I built / did. What’s my point? There are ways to make this a positive experience for yourself. Do what you think you can’t.

I am tired. Working 6 days a week is getting to me. Well, it probably isn't the work but the addition of a young dog on top of it (She wasn't cared for before, so I'm having to start as if she was a young puppy - house training, chewing, etc.) Normally I would assign a certain hour or hours of overtime to pay for something on our Disney trip (2 hours of overtime would be slated to pay for Breakfast at Crystal Palace, etc), so I was pretty upbeat when working. Now, that strategy won't work. So, I've decided to plan a trip to a Disney park outside of the US. Now I have to decide which one to go to. . .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cinderelley

I am tired. Working 6 days a week is getting to me. Well, it probably isn't the work but the addition of a young dog on top of it (She wasn't cared for before, so I'm having to start as if she was a young puppy - house training, chewing, etc.) Normally I would assign a certain hour or hours of overtime to pay for something on our Disney trip (2 hours of overtime would be slated to pay for Breakfast at Crystal Palace, etc), so I was pretty upbeat when working. Now, that strategy won't work. So, I've decided to plan a trip to a Disney park outside of the US. Now I have to decide which one to go to. . .

---

It probably doesn't help that most are now seeing a second wave of lockdowns. I agree with Rand Paul, the best economic stimulus would be to get everyone back to work. Outside of one outbreak in May, my work has been operating safely for nearly 10 months now. We are food processing, but if we can do it than so can everyone else. We still get cases now and then, but everyone knows the protocols and good about do their part to avoid the spread. If your health is compromised or you are elderly and would like to avoid the risk then of course stay home and avoid contact.

Awesome news on your plans though! If money were not a factor then DisneySea would probably be my first choice just because it seems to get such rave reviews. What's yours?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by baldburke

It probably doesn't help that most are now seeing a second wave of lockdowns. I agree with Rand Paul, the best economic stimulus would be to get everyone back to work. Outside of one outbreak in May, my work has been operating safely for nearly 10 months now. We are food processing, but if we can do it than so can everyone else. We still get cases now and then, but everyone knows the protocols and good about do their part to avoid the spread. If your health is compromised or you are elderly and would like to avoid the risk then of course stay home and avoid contact.

Awesome news on your plans though! If money were not a factor then DisneySea would probably be my first choice just because it seems to get such rave reviews. What's yours?

---

I try to see everyone's point of view with it, but it is hard for me to do. I've seen so much worse stuff in the ER. I find myself amazed at nurses on social media who act like the sky is falling. I always have to keep in mind though that my previous specialty made me pretty hardened to things that most people would find horrific. All the newer nurses have been scared away. It is pretty much all of us battle-hardened old-timers who are keeping things going at this point. Thus, all the overtime. One good thing that has come out of this is they are now highlighting the nursing shortage. It's been around a long time and will get worse as we start retiring.

I have been looking at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. For one, Disney in Paris is closed. :P
Two, I want to go see the cherry blossoms. It will probably be a while before I can go due to the nursing shortage. It is nice to daydream though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cinderelley

I try to see everyone's point of view with it, but it is hard for me to do. I've seen so much worse stuff in the ER. I find myself amazed at nurses on social media who act like the sky is falling. I always have to keep in mind though that my previous specialty made me pretty hardened to things that most people would find horrific. All the newer nurses have been scared away. It is pretty much all of us battle-hardened old-timers who are keeping things going at this point. Thus, all the overtime. One good thing that has come out of this is they are now highlighting the nursing shortage. It's been around a long time and will get worse as we start retiring.

I have been looking at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. For one, Disney in Paris is closed. :P
Two, I want to go see the cherry blossoms. It will probably be a while before I can go due to the nursing shortage. It is nice to daydream though.

---

That's interesting because that's certainly the narrative that the media would want you to believe as well. Our oldest DD is a new nurse as well and her unit gets the COVID-19 overflow. Are they busy, yes. Is it unbearable, no. Are there some unfortunate circumstance, no doubt! She is Gen Z, but I would agree that for the most part Millennials and her generation tend to be a little more, let's say, emotional. Hopefully things turn around sooner than later with vaccines now upon us. Thank you for your extra service during the last year!

We know a few nurses too and they have all said the same thing. The Covid 19 thing has been completely overblown by the media. They have been saying it since March and are still saying it now. They have across the board said that the ones they have seen extremely sick and dying from Covid 19 are ones who were high risk and very likely to be very ill and possibly die from any one of a number of things in the next few years. Covid 19 just more or less brought their day to them a little sooner than what otherwise would have transpired. So basically the way I have come to see it is we have more or less seen the next 5 years worth of deaths from illnesses compiled into less than a year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by baldburke

That's interesting because that's certainly the narrative that the media would want you to believe as well. Our oldest DD is a new nurse as well and her unit gets the COVID-19 overflow. Are they busy, yes. Is it unbearable, no. Are there some unfortunate circumstance, no doubt! She is Gen Z, but I would agree that for the most part Millennials and her generation tend to be a little more, let's say, emotional. Hopefully things turn around sooner than later with vaccines now upon us. Thank you for your extra service during the last year!

---

I kind've see it as similar to the pain scale. If the worst pain you have ever felt is a paper cut, then a ripped fingernail is a 10 on the pain scale (with 0 as no pain and 10 as the worst pain you've ever felt.) If you've been on fire, had a life threatening injury, open femur fracture, etc, then a ripped fingernail is like a 3.
If the worst trauma you've had in your life is not getting the grade you wanted in a class, then seeing someone die is going to be very traumatic. I've seen it in all generations, but younger people haven't been through as much as someone my age or with my life experiences (hopefully. I know some people have very tough lives.). They haven't had to develop the coping skills yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 1DisneyNut

We know a few nurses too and they have all said the same thing. The Covid 19 thing has been completely overblown by the media. They have been saying it since March and are still saying it now. They have across the board said that the ones they have seen extremely sick and dying from Covid 19 are ones who were high risk and very likely to be very ill and possibly die from any one of a number of things in the next few years. Covid 19 just more or less brought their day to them a little sooner than what otherwise would have transpired. So basically the way I have come to see it is we have more or less seen the next 5 years worth of deaths from illnesses compiled into less than a year.

---

It's not just the news media (which I am assuming you were referring to). There's a lot of stuff on social media also. Regarding that though, take it with a grain of salt when you see a "medical professional" on social media. Every hospital I have worked at has strict rules about posting on social media or responding to the news media. They have a particular contact person that we are told to refer all inquires to. If I see someone on social media or a news outlet that isn't completely professional with a scripted speech, I doubt if it is real. If it is, they will be losing their job very quickly.

It is very hard on the family to lose someone even when it is expected. I think this ridiculousness about not allowing the family to be in the hospital with their loved ones contributes to how much more difficult it is. A lot of times it is easier on the family to let someone go when they see their loved one suffering. It is a lot harder for them to have been talking to their loved one just fine one day and then the next time they see them, they are dead. Patients can also lose their will to fight when their family isn't around. It is sad all around.

Ironically enough, I had to be quarantined for a few days until my covid test came back. After having 4 days off, my attitude is great again. lol. I'm listening to "Disney's California Adventure Master Music Mix" while I'm working. :)

At work, we use an interpreter line for people who don't speak English. I had a patient who spoke Swahili. It is probably a little silly, but I got excited listening to the interpreter introduce himself. He started off by saying "Jambo".

This has been a tough year to say the least. Last March my Mother had a heart attack and was in a hospital here in NYC for three weeks before she died. During those three weeks we were all in the hospital every day with her. During this time Covid-19 went from a small blip on the news to crisis mode. She died on March 15th and the very next day the entire city was locked down. No wake, no funeral allowed, 10 family members at the cemetery for ten minutes only. It's hard to express how we all feel that, even now, we never had a chance to even process her death. There was so much more to worry about.

I am so grateful that we were able to be with her in her last days before lock down, and that none of us got covid while spending all that time in the hospital (sleeping there some nights). I am also grateful that my job was considered essential and I work with family members only close to home so that is a blessing. But it has been a very depressing and anxiety inducing year and I cannot believe that it is 2021 and we seem to be no better at this moment.

Disney has always been my escape from stress and I miss it soo much. We have a trip planned for April and hope that we can go safely. New York was hit very hard and it has given me a high anxiety watching it all unfold.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GrumpySue

This has been a tough year to say the least. Last March my Mother had a heart attack and was in a hospital here in NYC for three weeks before she died. During those three weeks we were all in the hospital every day with her. During this time Covid-19 went from a small blip on the news to crisis mode. She died on March 15th and the very next day the entire city was locked down. No wake, no funeral allowed, 10 family members at the cemetery for ten minutes only. It's hard to express how we all feel that, even now, we never had a chance to even process her death. There was so much more to worry about.

I am so grateful that we were able to be with her in her last days before lock down, and that none of us got covid while spending all that time in the hospital (sleeping there some nights). I am also grateful that my job was considered essential and I work with family members only close to home so that is a blessing. But it has been a very depressing and anxiety inducing year and I cannot believe that it is 2021 and we seem to be no better at this moment.

Disney has always been my escape from stress and I miss it soo much. We have a trip planned for April and hope that we can go safely. New York was hit very hard and it has given me a high anxiety watching it all unfold.

---

I am sorry about your mother. Perhaps you could have a dinner in her honor to help your family process her death when things are a little better. I know it isn't the same as having it then, but it would be good for your family.