The United States has begun to re-open. With all 50 states slowly easing coronavirus-related restrictions, the Center For Disease Control And Prevention released a detailed guideline for various establishments on the categories to consider before reopening.
According to the 60-page document, “widespread community mitigation combined with ongoing containment activities” can limit the spread of COVID-19 while addressing a “serious threat to the economic well-being of the country and the world.”
The plan details three phases on how establishment like restaurants, bars, schools, child care facilities, transit and more can reopen while tracking and controlling the spread of COVID-19. Certain criteria – including a drop in new cases, decreases in emergency department or outpatient visits for “COVID-like illness,” and “robust” testing ability – should be met before moving on to the next phase. The document also covers topics like contact tracing, testing, and monitoring for a possible resurgence of the coronavirus.
Read the full document here.
At the time of this writing, the number of reported coronavirus cases worldwide are nearing 5 million – the death toll has reached over 320,000. The U.S. alone has over 1.5 million reported cases and over 90,000 coronavirus-related deaths. (Source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center)
The past few months saw the world coming to a standstill to help stop the spread of the virus, with countries issuing shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders as well as social distancing guidelines.
While many of us are coping as best we can, experts have noted that the prolonged isolation from friends and loved ones as well as the secondary effects of the pandemic – including grief and loss of loved ones, missing milestones (birthdays, graduations, etc.), loss of economic stability, and more – are also taking a toll on mental health.
Here are some signs that coronavirus anxiety is really getting to you and how to counter them:
- Lack of quality sleep – loss of sleep can lead to more anxiety and depression. It’s a vicious cycle. Exercise, establishing regular sleeping and waking hours, and keeping your sleep environment comfortable can often help get us back on track.
- Loss of interest in connecting with others – create a daily call rotation of your friends and loved ones and make sure to reach out to at least one person a day.
- Feelings of panic and helplessness – when feeling overwhelmed, take deep breaths (in through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth). Learning and practicing meditation also helps.
- Extreme productivity (hobbies, learning, etc.) – this could be a coping mechanism to gain control over your surroundings. Make sure you carve out time to rest and chill and confront those underlying feelings you’re avoiding.
- Apathy – with our normal routines disrupted, some can feel like life has become meaningless. Create a new routine or find a new interest.
- Headaches or other physical issues – Anxiety can also manifest itself as physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, ulcers, insomnia, rashes, hand tremors, general restlessness and gastrointestinal issues. Keep an eye out for these.
- Easily irritated/frustrated or frequent outbursts – find some quiet time to focus on your inner peace. A shift in perspective can also help – try writing two or three things each day of what you’re grateful for.
- Thoughts of suicide – seek immediate professional help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. The strongest thing someone can do is take the first step to getting help.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Take care and stay safe, everyone!
