COVID-19 and Mental Health

[Althea Hamby]

Coronavirus made a lot of impact on our lives globally. It has caused depression and unnecessary anxiety. There are also many claims here and there that it's hard to say which is true.

How are you affected by it? How did you manage the mental effect of this pandemic?

[Panshot]

Coronavirus made a lot of impact on our lives globally. It has caused depression and unnecessary anxiety. There are also many claims here and there that it's hard to say which is true.

How are you affected by it? How did you manage the mental effect of this pandemic?

All three of me are doing just fine.

[Kay_B]

At first it was very depressing. Then I started looking for solutions to the problem. Found new hobbies. Sitting dumb all day near a TV or computer is not my option. I got busy with chores. It turned out to be very interesting. Now I am learning to make frames from baguettes. The wife paints pictures by numbers and collects diamond mosaics. It is very beautiful and in an adequate frame will be both a good gift and just a decoration of the house.

[DarkShadow]

Coronavirus made a lot of impact on our lives globally. It has caused depression and unnecessary anxiety.

Well, unnecessary anxiety definitely, especially how the pandemic seemingly ripped the facade off this nation, and exposed a lot. You have individuals who refuse to wear masks, because it goes against their 'freedoms,' but yet will take their shoes off at the airport for the rest of their life when they travel or will fasten their seat belt when they get in their care, without thinking about their freedoms in those instances. I get anxious at people who talk about the virus in a 'past' tense, as if it will not continue affecting us through out the next year. Those are the same who think that vaccines have rolled out, the pandemic is over. I get anxious at the way the younger generation (in some parts of the country) couldn't fathom social distancing, and were the first people to suffer from "Covid fatigue," and continued packing indoor venues. I get anxious at the way politicians managed to politicize the pandemic and I get anxious on how some of the populous refused to believe the doctors and immunologists and infectious disease specialists, because agreeing with their analysis would somehow get them labeled a 'liberal.' I get anxious on how our federal government refused to lift a finger, and have a game plan in December of 2019 when we first were getting information regarding the virus. I get anxious on how there are some who still think the virus is a hoax. I get anxious that local governments were left with fending for themselves, and how many dropped the ball by over reaching restrictions that unduly affected local economies and shuttered mom and pop businesses all over. i get anxious that during the pandemic, the rich got richer while the working class were thrown a measly $1200. I get anxious watching other countries handle the pandemic a lot better than we are.


How are you affected by it?

Didn't effect me much, mostly because I am a introvert and prefer smaller crowds. I'm getting to work from home, which is good and I hope that telecommuting becomes the norm for certain sectors, especially those who can perform that majority of their duties from home. The stress of a 3 hour daily commute is removed, the stress of having helicoptering management buzzing over my cubicle removed. Worker productivity has increased, and quality of life has increased. Remember how smogless LA was there for a few? All it took was getting commuters off the roads, imagine that.

It's affected me because I've found who my true friends were, the ones who continually reached out during the pandemic to make sure everything was on the up and up, and I also realized that other certain individuals were "friends" just due to proximity and convenience, not because of a real friendship. I also learned that there are some individuals who desperately need the daily validation of other people in order not to be depressed, and I've learned there are a lot of individuals who have never been comfortable with themselves, and by themselves, and who suffered greatly having to spend time with themselves. I've realized that when a pandemic hits, you truly realize who the essential workers are. So, there's been a lot of elucidation that has occurred in the last few months, and in the months to come and it's definitely helped me grow as a person.


How did you manage the mental effect of this pandemic?

Lots of marijuana.

(I kid)

Well, I did a lot of fishing this year, and now I realize that when my fishing closet is disorganized, my mental health is very organized. With my local forests burned down, I found myself dusting off the bass gear, and dusting off all these Japanese lures that I spent my entire life collecting and never using. Getting out on the water was mental therapy.

It did help that I'm very 'outdoor' oriented and staying safe these past few months has been a priority, obviously, since I do actually understand that just because I'm not in a high risk category of fatality due to the virus, I don't wanna be a silent spreader of the virus, simply because I feel the need to hang out with others. So, it was easy to grab the backpacking tent and some food, and spend days out in the woods, catching trout till the sun came down, and spending some quality time around the fire with a book and my thoughts.

2020 has definitely been surreal, but really hasn't had any mental effect, except the general anxiety that comes when an entire nation is going through a state of revelation and reckoning and you see peoples' true colors shining through.

[Althea Hamby]

Hi all. Thanks for all your responses!


All three of me are doing just fine.

I'm glad to hear that the three of you are doing fine. :Big Grin:


At first it was very depressing. Then I started looking for solutions to the problem. Found new hobbies. Sitting dumb all day near a TV or computer is not my option. I got busy with chores. It turned out to be very interesting. Now I am learning to make frames from baguettes. The wife paints pictures by numbers and collects diamond mosaics. It is very beautiful and in an adequate frame will be both a good gift and just a decoration of the house.

That's great. Among the good things this pandemic has brought us is to practice self-love and discovery. It seems like it has given us a break, a time to explore. We now love things that we didn't know we would.


Well, unnecessary anxiety definitely, especially how the pandemic seemingly ripped the facade off this nation, and exposed a lot. You have individuals who refuse to wear masks, because it goes against their 'freedoms,' but yet will take their shoes off at the airport for the rest of their life when they travel or will fasten their seat belt when they get in their care, without thinking about their freedoms in those instances. I get anxious at people who talk about the virus in a 'past' tense, as if it will not continue affecting us through out the next year. Those are the same who think that vaccines have rolled out, the pandemic is over. I get anxious at the way the younger generation (in some parts of the country) couldn't fathom social distancing, and were the first people to suffer from "Covid fatigue," and continued packing indoor venues. I get anxious at the way politicians managed to politicize the pandemic and I get anxious on how some of the populous refused to believe the doctors and immunologists and infectious disease specialists, because agreeing with their analysis would somehow get them labeled a 'liberal.' I get anxious on how our federal government refused to lift a finger, and have a game plan in December of 2019 when we first were getting information regarding the virus. I get anxious on how there are some who still think the virus is a hoax. I get anxious that local governments were left with fending for themselves, and how many dropped the ball by over reaching restrictions that unduly affected local economies and shuttered mom and pop businesses all over. i get anxious that during the pandemic, the rich got richer while the working class were thrown a measly $1200. I get anxious watching other countries handle the pandemic a lot better than we are.



Didn't effect me much, mostly because I am a introvert and prefer smaller crowds. I'm getting to work from home, which is good and I hope that telecommuting becomes the norm for certain sectors, especially those who can perform that majority of their duties from home. The stress of a 3 hour daily commute is removed, the stress of having helicoptering management buzzing over my cubicle removed. Worker productivity has increased, and quality of life has increased. Remember how smogless LA was there for a few? All it took was getting commuters off the roads, imagine that.

It's affected me because I've found who my true friends were, the ones who continually reached out during the pandemic to make sure everything was on the up and up, and I also realized that other certain individuals were "friends" just due to proximity and convenience, not because of a real friendship. I also learned that there are some individuals who desperately need the daily validation of other people in order not to be depressed, and I've learned there are a lot of individuals who have never been comfortable with themselves, and by themselves, and who suffered greatly having to spend time with themselves. I've realized that when a pandemic hits, you truly realize who the essential workers are. So, there's been a lot of elucidation that has occurred in the last few months, and in the months to come and it's definitely helped me grow as a person.



Lots of marijuana.

(I kid)

Well, I did a lot of fishing this year, and now I realize that when my fishing closet is disorganized, my mental health is very organized. With my local forests burned down, I found myself dusting off the bass gear, and dusting off all these Japanese lures that I spent my entire life collecting and never using. Getting out on the water was mental therapy.

It did help that I'm very 'outdoor' oriented and staying safe these past few months has been a priority, obviously, since I do actually understand that just because I'm not in a high risk category of fatality due to the virus, I don't wanna be a silent spreader of the virus, simply because I feel the need to hang out with others. So, it was easy to grab the backpacking tent and some food, and spend days out in the woods, catching trout till the sun came down, and spending some quality time around the fire with a book and my thoughts.

2020 has definitely been surreal, but really hasn't had any mental effect, except the general anxiety that comes when an entire nation is going through a state of revelation and reckoning and you see peoples' true colors shining through.

The mainstream media seems to be manipulating us into believing what they want us to believe. It's crazy! As of now, I couldn't see how we'll go from here, as a nation, but we could only hope for the better.

[Natural Lefty]

Anything that causes people stress and anxiety, makes it more likely for people to have mental health problems. The pandemic and all its effects on our lives is definitely a major stressor, with its own particular effects on people. I asked my class that I had to teach online about its effects on their lives, and the responses were similar to what I see here. A lot of people are using the opportunity to relate more closely to their families or develop their hobbies, which is good, but mostly the effects are stressful, ranging from anxiety to actually losing loved ones, to loss of income.

I have fished less this year, and I really would have liked to fish more, but Lake Perris (my local lake) was closed in March and stayed closed for quite some time, and my wife didn't want to go anywhere due to the virus. We never went on vacation this year as a consequence. There were no trout catching trips for me this year. We didn't even go farther than half an hour or so from home very often. That in itself was a stressor, plus having to change the way that I teach (still going through that), and loss of income due to fewer classes.

[DarkShadow]

The mainstream media seems to be manipulating us into believing what they want us to believe.

A disinformation campaign, almost. Reminds me of someone's handling of the Covid pandemic. We all know who 'he' is.


A lot of people are using the opportunity to relate more closely to their families or develop their hobbies, which is good, but mostly the effects are stressful, ranging from anxiety to actually losing loved ones, to loss of income.

But don't fret! I think the Feds are throwing us $600 with the next round of assistance. A whopping $600. I wonder what big business received in this round.


I have fished less this year, and I really would have liked to fish more, but Lake Perris (my local lake) was closed in March and stayed closed for quite some time, and my wife didn't want to go anywhere due to the virus. We never went on vacation this year as a consequence. There were no trout catching trips for me this year. We didn't even go farther than half an hour or so from home very often.

I think I traveled more this year than any other year, honestly. I took the opportunity that I was 'working from home,' to go on several road trips, and followed the advice and guidelines set by people who actually study infectious diseases instead of people who graduated from Facebook University or YouTube Comments College, and remained safe throughout these travels. And not one vacation day taken from work! I remember having conference calls in the middle of the bayou in Louisiana after catching a few fish, and on the side of the road in the middle of Texas while trying to find a body of water to fish. It's funny what mask wearing when around others, washing your hands, and avoiding large gatherings does.

I heard a few people who would bicycle into Perris and wack those fish when the lake was 'closed.' I wish I lived closer to there or else that would've definitely been on the menu.

[Natural Lefty]

It didn't help that rodents ate the wires in my Toyota Prius so it was at the dealer for over one month last summer. The repair cost over $8000 but the insurance paid all but the deductible. I thought that we could travel safely as long as we were cautious, but my wife was worried about naughty little viruses hanging around hotel rooms, etc. And she isn't into camping. We did go to Big Bear last week, but she tripped and fell over a small rock and seems to have a painful bone bruise now, plus it was cold and the fish were not biting. I am obviously hoping for a quick recovery for my wife and a lot more fishing next year. She is already talking about it. ;)

Businesses will be raking in money in the millions per business. Maybe that's what Trump meant when he suggested raking the forest. He probably thought those were dollar bills under the trees.

[Althea Hamby]

Anything that causes people stress and anxiety, makes it more likely for people to have mental health problems. The pandemic and all its effects on our lives is definitely a major stressor, with its own particular effects on people. I asked my class that I had to teach online about its effects on their lives, and the responses were similar to what I see here. A lot of people are using the opportunity to relate more closely to their families or develop their hobbies, which is good, but mostly the effects are stressful, ranging from anxiety to actually losing loved ones, to loss of income.

I have fished less this year, and I really would have liked to fish more, but Lake Perris (my local lake) was closed in March and stayed closed for quite some time, and my wife didn't want to go anywhere due to the virus. We never went on vacation this year as a consequence. There were no trout catching trips for me this year. We didn't even go farther than half an hour or so from home very often. That in itself was a stressor, plus having to change the way that I teach (still going through that), and loss of income due to fewer classes.

We've been caught off guard that's why people are scrambling like "what are we going to do," "how am I supposed to do this, and that." We're so used to being comfortable and everything is planned, organized, and made easy for us. I keep telling myself, this can't be the most oppressed a human being can be. I won't complain. I'd rather deal with this than what people had to during the last century. Nonetheless, things that are happening around us are too overwhelming and very stressful.




I think I traveled more this year than any other year, honestly. I took the opportunity that I was 'working from home,' to go on several road trips, and followed the advice and guidelines set by people who actually study infectious diseases instead of people who graduated from Facebook University or YouTube Comments College, and remained safe throughout these travels. And not one vacation day taken from work! I remember having conference calls in the middle of the bayou in Louisiana after catching a few fish, and on the side of the road in the middle of Texas while trying to find a body of water to fish. It's funny what mask wearing when around others, washing your hands, and avoiding large gatherings does.

I heard a few people who would bicycle into Perris and wack those fish when the lake was 'closed.' I wish I lived closer to there or else that would've definitely been on the menu.

That's smart. I think that's the secret to this, to know who to follow and listen to. Avoid social media as much as possible as it's filled with disinformation.

That must be fun and healthy at the same time. I would love to try bicycling when given a chance.


Anyhow, I've read an article from CDC. They're someone we should be listening to about facts. Somehow, when we understand better, we tend to have less anxiety. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html Check it out when you have free time.

Keep safe!

[Kay_B]

That's great. Among the good things this pandemic has brought us is to practice self-love and discovery. It seems like it has given us a break, a time to explore. We now love things that we didn't know we would.


This is for sure, only, unfortunately, not everyone realized that there are things that are much more valuable than those they are chasing and cannot catch up with. One pandemic will not fix all people, and some will not make them think at all.

[classfummy]

Truly, that's the unfortunate thing about humans. What does it take for us to wake up that we are only here for a while?

[Althea Hamby]

I think some people will never get it and will only realize when their time is up.

[classfummy]

Yup, that's why we need to do what we can to help others and to love ourselves and the people around us. As long as we're not harming anyone, I say we continue on with our lives as meaningful and happy as we can. We never know how long we still have.

[Kay_B]

I think some people will never get it and will only realize when their time is up.

You know, there are people who, even on their deathbed, believe that they did everything right in life and they would not want to fix anything. Situations such as the current COVID situation show the essence of many people very well. Of course, it is morally very difficult to survive the quarantine, but this is aggravated by the swinish behavior of those who are always right (in their own opinion).

[Althea Hamby]

You know, there are people who, even on their deathbed, believe that they did everything right in life and they would not want to fix anything. Situations such as the current COVID situation show the essence of many people very well. Of course, it is morally very difficult to survive the quarantine, but this is aggravated by the swinish behavior of those who are always right (in their own opinion).

Sadly, there are those. We can never be the same as everybody else. So it's the thing that we cannot control. I just hope that people would still act with compassion.

[MaddFish]

At first, this whole thing was scary as hell. Maybe it's because of the movies about the zombie apocalypse. Everyone went nuts. I had to admit I kind of had anxiety, too. However, later on, I realized I'm only making things worse by panicking. I stopped visiting social media and watching the news on TV 'cause everyone's like this is the end and all is just horrible. After several months of focusing on myself, I felt better.