Dealing With the Aftereffects of COVID

Just a couple of months ago, nobody would have thought that there was going to be a global pandemic. Now, about eight months into this pandemic, things have drastically changed.

What has changed since the start of Covid-19?

A regular FCHS school year for students has them ending school at the end of May. However, the 2019-2020 school year ended in March as most schools implemented an online learning plan to finish off the school year.

Along with the closures of schools, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a “stay at home” order. According to WHSV 3, this stay at home order suggested people should “only leave home if you have an essential reason to do so; going to visit a friend for a poker game would not be essential.” In April, Northam stated that the message to Virginians was clear: stay home. “We know this virus spreads primarily through human-to-human contact, and that’s why it’s so important that people follow this order and practice social distancing,” he said.

Months later, social distancing is still here. What does that look like in a public setting? According to the CDC, “Social distancing, also called ‘physical distancing,’ means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household.” Specifically, it means keeping safe space between yourself and other people of at least six feet unless you have a mask on. Going out in public means you have to practice social distancing and also follow mandatory precautions like wearing a face mask at all times and sanitizing your hands.

So how have people reacted to these restrictions? Everyone handles things differently. For some, this might not be hard, but for others, it has been very difficult. Mental health can be compromised by this virus and its subsequent lockdown. Fear and anxiety are things that can be really overwhelming in adults and children. If you don’t know of ways to cope with stress it can be very unhealthy.

To help with coping, the CDC recommends that people “take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.” They also say that taking care of your body is a great way to cope with stress.

In order to get through this challenging time, it is important to think positively and keep your head up. Make an effort to maintain social distancing when out in public and wear a mask or face protection at all times. Taking the most precautions and being safe will help slow the spread of this virus.