Panic Attack re COVID-19

Full disclosure: this pandemic gets to me. It has taken a physiological toll on me.

I watched it develop in China via Twitter in January and February. I went down numerous wormholes and my eyes cannot unsee what I saw. Citizen journalist accounts (now silenced by the Chinese Communist Party) revealed horrors and heroics. But it seemed distant and we in North America were safe. I wrote and spoke of the contagion and our urgent challenge of prevention then—to no avail.

So, the virus is now spreading globally—it is in our city and our neighborhoods. It will take the lives of people we know—perhaps our own. We just don’t know with this thing. It’s not just a threat to older and physically compromised neighbors.

Thus, the fodder for my panic attack earlier this week. It was terrifying. I’m grateful for some friends and temporary meds to get me through and over.

Daily, I challenge myself with basic self-care practices, which absolutely include serving and supporting others—some of whom are on frontlines and at high risk for our sakes.

We know what each of us—and all—can do to reduce infections and spread and care well for ourselves and—distantly, safely—for our neighbors.

Let’s take care. Stay put. Stay safe. Stay human.