Grrr! How much longer can this “stay-at-home” order stay in place? Beaches are closed or limited access. Large gatherings are banned. Social distance exists for all essential shopping trips, etc. People on social media spread rumors saying that (1) Advil (ibuprofen) makes Covid-19 worse and (2) suggesting that booze can protect you from the virus. Yay, vodka! Turns out, neither rumor was true.
“Drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous.” The WHO added that excessive or frequent alcohol consumption will increase the risk of health problems. (source: International Business Times)
“Alcoholic beverage sales rose by 55% in late March, when many states and public health officials urged residents to stay at home, compared to sales in 2019. While the increase in sales could represent stockpiling for the sheltered weeks ahead, it also signals the potential for alcohol abuse.” (source: USC News)
- COVID-19 Fact Check: This Is What WHO Says About Drinking Alcohol To Prevent Coronavirus
- The Ibuprofen Debate Reveals the Danger of Covid-19 Rumors
- Pandemic drives alcohol sales — and raises concerns about substance abuse
Stop telling us what to do!
I’m confused by conflicting information. My guard is up all the time. I’m so tense you could bounce a coin off me. The threat of contagion is constant. Social distance is making me vigilant. I’m clocking anyone who clears their throat or even looks like they might sneeze in my direction.
I go to bed emotionally exhausted and wake up tired. I feel trapped! Like someone else is pulling my strings.
This perfect storm of stress makes my Doomsday Clock tick faster. It’s all wrong! I need a glass of wine with an Advil chaser, please.
Relax in the middle of a pandemic? Every stranger looks like a Covid-19 incubator.
How do you get to neutral when every routine is disrupted and movement is limited? Feeling relaxed is a distant memory. The end is NOT in sight!
Advice from my Cornerman
But what do I do to move out of “stuck”? I feel trapped!
When you can’t work it out on your own, check in with your cornermen.
DramaGuru reminded me to interrupt my pattern and change the game. For today’s problem, he asked me, “Where’s your sense of humor?”
As luck would have it, my friend, Trevor, texted me a video. He always sends me photos and TikTok videos that make me smile. I never hang out online scrolling videos and Facebook posts about Doctor Who and Marvel/DC heroes. But Trevor does. And he keeps me well supplied.
Trevor knows what’s up. He sent me Tova Leigh’s hilarious video. Laughing puts me in neutral. That’s what friends are for.
Quarantine (The Soundtrack)
This video accurately reflects the mood of the people stuck in the house for several weeks in a row. Making videos like this takes a lot of effort and patience. Thank you, Tova, for breaking me out of my funk. Check out Tova Leigh’s blog too.
Quaranqueen has lost his mind (and his pants)
I feel better now.
How are you using humor to break through emotional dread and threat?
What projects or activities are you using to fill the time?
The game I call Demon Spotting developed over time as I worked through emotional entanglements and confusing break-ups. My misery became code words. Code words became mat drills. Mat drills became winning combinations. And my confusion lifted. Consider this your invitation to play. Clarity is freedom.