How is The Coronavirus affecting your life?

nivek

As Above So Below
First and foremost, I find myself dealing with the relentless existential horror of knowing that thousands of wonderful people are being slaughtered by this virus - people with friends and families, people who none of us will ever get a chance to know now. And then it strikes me that this is only the beginning, and that the scale of this nightmare will soon reach unimaginable proportions. It doesn't take a genius to see that this trend of an increasing rate of deaths could reach into the millions before we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel:

View attachment 9186

And yet there's a glimmer of hope at the back of my mind for the world we'll find on the other side of this horrifying calamity. For so many years now I've been watching the world get worse every day, as the corrupt and powerful have gradually refined exploitation and deceit into a sublime sophisticated machine, like a noose slowly strangling the spirit of humanity to death. Perhaps if we can break free of this relentlessly oppressive paradigm as a result of this horrible mass sacrifice of human life and happiness, at least it won't be a meaningless sacrifice. I feel like we have a deep moral obligation to the people we're losing, to create a better world on the other side of this. And eerily, for the first time in my life, that seems like it might actually be possible.

Some historians argue that The Black Death played a key role in the dawn of the Renaissance. I hope that the shadow that this pandemic casts upon the world will likewise herald a more compassionate and flourishing era for human civilization. Perhaps a major global disruption and the deaths of millions of innocent people is the only way that we could ever break the shackles of corporate oppression strangling this world and crushing hope from the human condition.

With this kind of stuff on my mind, I'm finding it hard to focus on my professional obligations, but when I do, I'm grateful for the sense of escape they afford. But it's very difficult to maintain focus for long periods of time right now - which is the bedrock of productivity, in the face of the uncertainty about the survival of friends and family, and even oneself, over the weeks and months ahead.

I will be immensely grateful if none of us lose loved ones to this. But logically I know that's virtually impossible.

My best wishes to all of you.

Well said Thomas, which is the reason for the awesome, my best wishes to you and your family and to everyone and everyone's family...It's only just begun and we likely have a hard road ahead of us, I hope for the best for all of us but I'm also as prepared as I can be for the worst if it should come...

...
 

nivek

As Above So Below
Day 4 of self imposed lock down at home, its raining and I am partially doing stuff for my job online and via phone calls...I did have to go out to the grocery this morning for my mother, I wore my P100 respirator, goggles, and nitrite gloves, I was laughed at by some at the store, others just shook their heads but I do not care...It is they who are risking their lives more so than I, got back home and stripped off the clothing I wore in public and into a hot water washing machine they went and I went into the shower for a hot water rise and wash...I am not taking any chances, I will not leave my house again for 2 weeks, told my mother I do not want to go out anywhere again unless its absolutely necessary...I see the local town is business as usual, people out and about, damn fools all of them...

...
 

nivek

As Above So Below
By the way, the grocery store had more bare shelves than not, they also had a sign at the front door stating that if any individual coming into the store was from another county, do not enter...What a ridiculous sign to post without any enforcement or control, instead relying on each person/customer to heed that notice...

...
 

nivek

As Above So Below
From the city of Charlotte NC they're saying that 1 in 8 patients who have been hospitalized because of the coronavirus are in serious condition....

...
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
I guess for me, I've always been a very open person about my feelings. Some people like that about me other's think it's strange.

I just, I think people have emotions for a reason and to hide them or pretend they arent there is like maiming one's self spiritually. So, I'm quite open. The Pandemic has effected me greatly, It's been like one long endless panic attack and the feeling does subside some, but Nothing ever feels normal. It feels like the world is different and, I know it truly is changed, But, There is a tension that never goes away, I long for that feeling of, Well, I suppose the best word would be Hakuna Matata, <-- A words that I swear I never use, But it does best fit what's missing from my life. It's hard to feel and experience joy and relief.

I know, I am keenly aware that some people think I'm a weird guy, But, Psychologically I realized that Emotions all function on the same basic principals, People tend to Dwell on Sadness and pain and as a result, they become Miserable and depressed, But, Happiness and Joy function, in the same way, If you spend as much time thinking about Happiness and Joy as some do pain and depression Many would find that Joy and happiness are emotions that can lead to a state of elation, For a really long time, I had been Anti-Depressed, Elated to the point that people just think I'm some kind of weirdo, but, I had no worries, I had no sadness, I only had moments when I was less elated than others. All that came crashing down a little over a month ago when shit with this pandemic Got real.

I have begun having panic attacks, The kind that makes a person not able to properly respirate, And my heart will be so fast, And because I'm not able to catch my breath This continues until I blackout. These happen about two to three times a week now.

I come on here, I pretend To be strong, But When I'm by myself in the garage at night and no one can see me, I cry, I fear Losing my Wife or my mother and father, And to this point, I swear, I don't fear for myself, I see Death in this way, If I truly do die, It won't matter what Death will be like because I won't be aware of it or what it's like. My fear is losing those people who are my life, If I lose them, I won't have any reason to go on. They are my everything.

This is how the Coronavirus has effected my life.

SP.
 

nivek

As Above So Below
There's a backlog of unemployment claims in my State...

...

Between March 16 and March 23, the N.C. Division of Employment Security received 113,002 claims for unemployment benefits. About 87 percent of those claims were related to COVID-19, said DES spokesperson Larry Parker. The agency is staffed to handle about 3,000 claims in one week. Parker said the agency is in the process of hiring 50 additional people to process claims and has current staff working overtime and on weekends.

.
 

Sheltie

Fratty and out of touch.
In many US cities no one seems to be addressing the real 800 lb gorilla: what to do about the homeless population. Here where I live, you still see homeless people hanging around at the usual places like the convenience stores.

I worry about what could happen in some of the larger cities, like LA and Seattle, if this thing gets really bad. We were already hearing stories about how diseases like typhoid and dysentery are making a comeback at homeless camps.
 

pepe

Celestial
Rough sleepers in London have been given hotel rooms. What a gesture and if they get a freehand in the minibar all the better.

I bet some of them have good immune systems from finishing off your lunch for you.
 

Sheltie

Fratty and out of touch.
Unfortunately, the homeless population in London is bigger than then entire population of the average mid sized city. Combine that with the fact that many of these people have serious mental and drug or alcohol problems. It's a recipe for disaster.
 

Sheltie

Fratty and out of touch.
I guess for me, I've always been a very open person about my feelings. Some people like that about me other's think it's strange.

I just, I think people have emotions for a reason and to hide them or pretend they arent there is like maiming one's self spiritually. So, I'm quite open. The Pandemic has effected me greatly, It's been like one long endless panic attack and the feeling does subside some, but Nothing ever feels normal. It feels like the world is different and, I know it truly is changed, But, There is a tension that never goes away, I long for that feeling of, Well, I suppose the best word would be Hakuna Matata, <-- A words that I swear I never use, But it does best fit what's missing from my life. It's hard to feel and experience joy and relief.

I know, I am keenly aware that some people think I'm a weird guy, But, Psychologically I realized that Emotions all function on the same basic principals, People tend to Dwell on Sadness and pain and as a result, they become Miserable and depressed, But, Happiness and Joy function, in the same way, If you spend as much time thinking about Happiness and Joy as some do pain and depression Many would find that Joy and happiness are emotions that can lead to a state of elation, For a really long time, I had been Anti-Depressed, Elated to the point that people just think I'm some kind of weirdo, but, I had no worries, I had no sadness, I only had moments when I was less elated than others. All that came crashing down a little over a month ago when shit with this pandemic Got real.

I have begun having panic attacks, The kind that makes a person not able to properly respirate, And my heart will be so fast, And because I'm not able to catch my breath This continues until I blackout. These happen about two to three times a week now.

I come on here, I pretend To be strong, But When I'm by myself in the garage at night and no one can see me, I cry, I fear Losing my Wife or my mother and father, And to this point, I swear, I don't fear for myself, I see Death in this way, If I truly do die, It won't matter what Death will be like because I won't be aware of it or what it's like. My fear is losing those people who are my life, If I lose them, I won't have any reason to go on. They are my everything.

This is how the Coronavirus has effected my life.

SP.

I'm not a mental health professional but it sounds like you may be struggling with PTSD issues. There's nothing weird or unusual about that.
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
I'm not a mental health professional but it sounds like you may be struggling with PTSD issues. There's nothing weird or unusual about that.
I've never considered it could be Ptsd, But, When I reflect on it, It very well could be.
 

Sheltie

Fratty and out of touch.
You've described a lot of childhood experiences that were very threatening and dangerous, such as dealing with your brother. I think most psychologists would probably characterize you as a PTSD case. You should definitely talk to a professional and pursue that possibility.

At any rate, you're not alone. These are very anxious stressful times for everyone.
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
You've described a lot of childhood experiences that were very threatening and dangerous, such as dealing with your brother. I think most psychologists would probably characterize you as a PTSD case. You should definitely talk to a professional and pursue that possibility.

At any rate, you're not alone. These are very anxious stressful times for everyone.
I think you are right, Even though I've made great strides in the issues with bipolar. All I'm really doing is trading in a hand full of issues for another handful. I believe it is time I saw someone, These panic attacks can't keep occurring.
 

pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
You take a guy who was already bored and then this .... and you have a guy posting a lot more on AE, which isn't such a bad thing to be doing.

Feel myself getting out of shape - dog walking and push ups alone aren't cutting it. Neither is behaving like a pirate, and believe me, I've hoisted the skull and crossbones and arrrr harrr harrr ...... coronavirus might not get me but the self-isolation just might
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
You take a guy who was already bored and then this .... and you have a guy posting a lot more on AE, which isn't such a bad thing to be doing.

Feel myself getting out of shape - dog walking and push ups alone aren't cutting it. Neither is behaving like a pirate, and believe me, I've hoisted the skull and crossbones and arrrr harrr harrr ...... coronavirus might not get me but the self-isolation just might
I was working toward being less isolated, I had made a lot of progress with my bipolar condition, My mind is sharper than ever sans any form of Ego, Overall, I was primed to Join society and even kick ass at it. But, I'm terribly comfortable in isolation, Being forced to set back down and resume my old habits it fits like a custom made glove, The isolation won't be an issue for me.
 

pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
I was working toward being less isolated, I had made a lot of progress with my bipolar condition, My mind is sharper than ever sans any form of Ego, Overall, I was primed to Join society and even kick ass at it. But, I'm terribly comfortable in isolation, Being forced to set back down and resume my old habits it fits like a custom made glove, The isolation won't be an issue for me.

I will admit to indulging in one of your bad habits these past few days and it's working out pleasantly. It makes painting - which is never my favorite task - much more engaging. Pop on the headphones and get lost in Kilz primer. Everything in here is really, really white right now including the tips of my dog's whiskers. Like I frosted a gigantic inside-out cake.

So it's back to #419 of The MuscleCar Place to be followed by #404 of Last Podcast on the Left and the JFK assassination, and then Astonishing Legends Lost Colony of Roanoke Part 2

I tune in and out of here all day.
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
I will admit to indulging in one of your bad habits these past few days and it's working out pleasantly. It makes painting - which is never my favorite task - much more engaging. Pop on the headphones and get lost in Kilz primer. Everything in here is really, really white right now including the tips of my dog's whiskers. Like I frosted a gigantic inside-out cake.

So it's back to #419 of The MuscleCar Place to be followed by #404 of Last Podcast on the Left and the JFK assassination, and then Astonishing Legends Lost Colony of Roanoke Part 2

I tune in and out of here all day.
Some of my habits aren't for everyone, But it really does make activities you would enjoy way more immersive. You like books, You are there, You like video games, You are part of the action. You like movies, you are part of it, the euphoria is something some people aren't used too. But, for those that can and do enjoy that, It can greatly enhance any activity one enjoys :)
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
Time on your hands? Take up a new hobby like cooking - or maybe baking


I love cooking, It's amazing you love cooking and have an interest in the herbal essences,

Try this sometime, It will change your life brother. Use this butter as you regularly would in any dish that calls for butter. remember this stuff is strong, a little dab'll do ya.



Also keep in mind the High from edibles is "Different and stronger" Go lite with this stuff. Because it's eaten, you get 100% of the high from the amount used. Truly a little Dab'll do ya
 
Top