Following the events at the Capital Building on Wednesday, the headlines announcing the new strain of Covid, the constraints that Covid has imposed in our daily lives, as well as daily life, if you find yourself saying “I just need some P & Q” (peace and quiet), you aren’t alone.
I’ve written many times about the importance of turning of the media, particularly social media, because it so easily can raise anxiety levels and often unnecessarily. Instead of watching endless news feeds of the Capital building, I found myself looking to history to see what I can learn from it.
What history tells us: In its 220 year history, this is not the first time the Capital building has been scarred by violence. In 1814, the British occupied, looted and burned the U.S. Capital, though it wasn’t fully destroyed thanks to a sudden rain storm. In the 20th century alone, there were at least four major incidents. As troubling as these current events are, particularly since the last time such a large scale attack happened was over 200 years ago and then it was by a foreign power, the Capital Building and the American people have weathered through and will do so again. Recognizing our country’s resilience helps.
Civil unrest is one of thing things that happens during pandemics/epidemics. A study in the journal Peace Economics, Peace Science and Policy Policy reviewed evidence on protests and unrest around the time of 57 epidemics between the Black Death in the 1300s and the Flu Pandemic of 1918, finding only four occasions where revolts were not clearly connected with the respective outbreaks. There is evidence to demonstrate that epidemics can disrupt civil society in three ways. Firstly, because policies to prevent the spread of disease can conflict with people's interest; secondly because the epidemic's impact on mortality and economic welfare can worsen inequality; and finally due to the psychological shock that can lead people to believe irrational narratives regarding the spread of disease, "which may result in social, racial discrimination and even xenophobia."
Yes there is a new strain of Covid that’s starting to appear all over the country. This strain is at least 50% more transmissible. However, mortality and morbidity are the same and the vaccines currently being administered are proving to be effective against it.
Viruses like to self-replicate in order to increase their transmission rate, so a new variant isn’t surprising and in fact, there are now a lot of variant strains of Covid. This one grabs our attention because:
• it spreads quickly
• has a higher “secondary attack rate,” which means each case infects more people
• those infected appear to have a higher viral load, carrying perhaps 10-100 times more virus in their nose and throat. In short, if someone coughs a lot more virus is going into the air than before.
The prevention message hasn’t changed. By following the Covid protocols-mask on faces, 6 foot spaces, and avoiding crowded spaces, social gatherings, and any non-essential travel, you will significantly reduce your risks and help to slow the spread.
There is light at the end of the tunnel-we have two vaccines and it’s likely we’ll see several more approved. It will get better.
For more immediate relief, consider the following:
Pause and breathe. I find alternate nostril breathing works well for me but here are 8 exercises to try when you feel anxious.
Exercise: Get outside in nature and walk; try a calming Qigong or yoga practice
Accept the situation: You can’t change what’s happened you can only change how you respond.
- Ask for help if you need it
Choices. Make choices that aid in your ability to think clearly and rationally.
- Choose Gratitude. Studies show it reduces stress and anxiety
- Choose wisely about what you want to expose yourself to via news, social media etc.
- Choose to focus on what you can control
Embrace the crisis as it can provide opportunity as well as be a threat. In spite of all the negative press, there are some very positive things happening from people helping one another, the planet breathing a sigh of relief when people just stopped, families reconnecting in many new and wonderful ways, people finding they prefer telecommuting etc. Oh and if you’re a natural born problem solver, this is your time to shine.
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