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How does your faith or worldview help you cope and help others during the pandemic?

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
Sorry to create another Covid 19 Pandemic thread but I thought it would be useful to hear stories for anyone interested about how we are coping or struggling during this rapidly escalating crisis.

I live in New Zealand and we now have 52 cases with another 13 confirmed in the last 24 hours. For the first tine we have a couple of cases we can’t link to those who have entered the country recently. Perhaps its the beginning of community spread. We shut our borders to overseas visitors two days ago. Now we are implementing further measures. Asking our over 70s and those with significant health conditions to stay at home as much as possible. Those workplaces that can implement work from home plans should. Any non essential domestic travel should be deferred. An alert system has been devised.

Coronavirus: New Zealand at level 2 of COVID-19 alert system

I’m on the frontline as a GP so we’re looking at setting up designated testing stations for coronavirus so we don’t have infected people walking into our practices. We’ll probably start implementing telephone consultations this week.

As a health provider I follow developments closely in my country but overseas too. We’ve got it easy here in NZ compared to some parts of Europe and the States. So I’m trying to stay positive and make practical and sensible decisions. I think my faith encourages that but recognise faith isn’t necessary at all for many of us here.

Anyway, just thought I’d check in.:)
 

Howard Is

Lucky Mud
Pragmatism.
**** happens.
You are going to get sick and die sooner or later.
People make such a damned fuss about their precious egos.
You were born to suffer and die.
Any good times are a bonus.
My philosophy ?
Don’t be a total wimp, and don’t be an ***hole.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Sorry to create another Covid 19 Pandemic thread but I thought it would be useful to hear stories for anyone interested about how we are coping or struggling during this rapidly escalating crisis.

I live in New Zealand and we now have 52 cases with another 13 confirmed in the last 24 hours. For the first tine we have a couple of cases we can’t link to those who have entered the country recently. Perhaps its the beginning of community spread. We shut our borders to overseas visitors two days ago. Now we are implementing further measures. Asking our over 70s and those with significant health conditions to stay at home as much as possible. Those workplaces that can implement work from home plans should. Any non essential domestic travel should be deferred. An alert system has been devised.

Coronavirus: New Zealand at level 2 of COVID-19 alert system

I’m on the frontline as a GP so we’re looking at setting up designated testing stations for coronavirus so we don’t have infected people walking into our practices. We’ll probably start implementing telephone consultations this week.

As a health provider I follow developments closely in my country but overseas too. We’ve got it easy here in NZ compared to some parts of Europe and the States. So I’m trying to stay positive and make practical and sensible decisions. I think my faith encourages that but recognise faith isn’t necessary at all for many of us here.

Anyway, just thought I’d check in.:)

I'm usually indifferent about big stuff. I guess it's a coping mechanism or so have you. I'd get myself physically sick if I let myself panic if I'm not in immediate danger-my family, loved ones, and friends.

Here are our virginia cases Coronavirus

The school I used to go to about ten minutes from here I read had one person affected by the coronavirus (or a case, I assume). They shut down the whole campus and all students and employees are being tested. That's the only one reported in my immediate area. The only thing that's open is some of the malls-which I think the food courts are probably closed-grocery stories, and other open areas. Every place that has a sit down area, even gas stations mom-and-pops are closed off.

As for my faith, I just say little prayers and offer things up to altar. I pray for others but sometimes I don't pray for myself. I think the biggest thing is not so much that it's dangerous since it's not contagious but because it's new and we don't have cures. I'm sure the panic won't last too long but that doesn't mean the seriousness of it won't as well. Balance.
 

Laika

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I’m on the frontline as a GP so we’re looking at setting up designated testing stations for coronavirus so we don’t have infected people walking into our practices. We’ll probably start implementing telephone consultations this week.

As a health provider I follow developments closely in my country but overseas too. We’ve got it easy here in NZ compared to some parts of Europe and the States. So I’m trying to stay positive and make practical and sensible decisions. I think my faith encourages that but recognise faith isn’t necessary at all for many of us here.

Anyway, just thought I’d check in.:)

Best of luck to you and to your fellow New Zealanders. :)

As important as it is to help other people in distress, you have to get through this crisis too. Being selfish a little once in a while and remembering you are important too is good for self-preservation, feeling in control and safe in distressing times. Having a laugh can help too. Don't let the news get you down. If you get a chance to go home, turn off the news, put your feet up and stick on some music. If you are fighting a war in the front lines, you don't need to hear the casualty list or what city got bombed. Just try to do what you can and focus on what's in-front of you.

This thing is bigger than any of us. We're all going to screw up and we're all going to make mistakes. There is only so much any of us can do and not all of us are going to come out the other side sadly. the point is to still be standing at the end of it. Take care of yourself and make sure you get enough sleep. ;)

Sorry to create another Covid 19 Pandemic thread but I thought it would be useful to hear stories for anyone interested about how we are coping or struggling during this rapidly escalating crisis.

I live in New Zealand and we now have 52 cases with another 13 confirmed in the last 24 hours. For the first tine we have a couple of cases we can’t link to those who have entered the country recently. Perhaps its the beginning of community spread. We shut our borders to overseas visitors two days ago. Now we are implementing further measures. Asking our over 70s and those with significant health conditions to stay at home as much as possible. Those workplaces that can implement work from home plans should. Any non essential domestic travel should be deferred. An alert system has been devised.

Coronavirus: New Zealand at level 2 of COVID-19 alert system

I feel a distinct sense of relief that we finally have a crisis that is so serious that governments have decided to act rather than just deny anything is wrong. I was comfortable with the knowledge that the Chinese government was literally doing everything possible to stop the spread of the virus and I am reassured that western governments are finally taking action, if reluctantly. I can stop doubting my own sanity and the sanity of everyone else. We're all in this one together whether we like it or not. As weird as it sounds, I've never felt saner.

On an even more perverse note, as everything is now so disrupted and thrown off balance, it helps also that I don't feel like such a failure. Now everyone is stuck at home, not working and worrying about the end of the world. All the sexy, successful, popular, wealthy young things I might have envied because I thought they were "better" than me are in the same situation I've been in for over a decade and I'm actually better prepared than them to handle it. Who knew my total lack of a social life and being stuck in the middle of nowhere would become an asset so suddenly? Well, here we are. :D
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
Pragmatism.
**** happens.
You are going to get sick and die sooner or later.
People make such a damned fuss about their precious egos.
You were born to suffer and die.
Any good times are a bonus.
My philosophy ?
Don’t be a total wimp, and don’t be an ***hole.

Yep, that’s one way of dealing with it. There’s a fair amount of wisdom in that approach. Thanks for sharing.
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm usually indifferent about big stuff. I guess it's a coping mechanism or so have you. I'd get myself physically sick if I let myself panic if I'm not in immediate danger-my family, loved ones, and friends.

Here are our virginia cases Coronavirus

The school I used to go to about ten minutes from here I read had one person affected by the coronavirus (or a case, I assume). They shut down the whole campus and all students and employees are being tested. That's the only one reported in my immediate area. The only thing that's open is some of the malls-which I think the food courts are probably closed-grocery stories, and other open areas. Every place that has a sit down area, even gas stations mom-and-pops are closed off.

As for my faith, I just say little prayers and offer things up to altar. I pray for others but sometimes I don't pray for myself. I think the biggest thing is not so much that it's dangerous since it's not contagious but because it's new and we don't have cures. I'm sure the panic won't last too long but that doesn't mean the seriousness of it won't as well. Balance.

Hey, pleased to hear you’re doing OK.

We had the first two cases in my town earlier in the week. A father and son had contracted the disease from Europe. The son was a teenager at a local school that needed to be shut down for a few days while 150 potential contacts were put in voluntary isolation and tested. All tests were negative so the school will reopen next week.

It seems that we are doing much more testing in NZ. We’ve done more tests here in the last two days than Virginia has in total. If you’re not testing then you have a lot of people roaming around with a low level of the disease spreading to others but oblivious to their carrier status.

Its a rapidly evolving epidemic so it will be interesting to hear where Virginia is in a week. I found the link you provided really informative, particularly from a public health perspective. Thanks for your response.
 

mikkel_the_dane

My own religion
Yep, that’s one way of dealing with it. There’s a fair amount of wisdom in that approach. Thanks for sharing.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.


Don't worry about what you can't control. As for the Big One - Death. Use your faith on it as such, but don't fear it nor seek it out by being stupid.
As a former professional solider - death is a "part of the game", because that is how it is played. Accept that and be realistic about it. That generally works better.

Regards and love
Mikkel

PS We can debate triage if you want to.
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
Best of luck to you and to your fellow New Zealanders. :)

As important as it is to help other people in distress, you have to get through this crisis too. Being selfish a little once in a while and remembering you are important too is good for self-preservation, feeling in control and safe in distressing times. Having a laugh can help too. Don't let the news get you down. If you get a chance to go home, turn off the news, put your feet up and stick on some music. If you are fighting a war in the front lines, you don't need to hear the casualty list or what city got bombed. Just try to do what you can and focus on what's in-front of you.

This thing is bigger than any of us. We're all going to screw up and we're all going to make mistakes. There is only so much any of us can do and not all of us are going to come out the other side sadly. the point is to still be standing at the end of it. Take care of yourself and make sure you get enough sleep. ;)



I feel a distinct sense of relief that we finally have a crisis that is so serious that governments have decided to act rather than just deny anything is wrong. I was comfortable with the knowledge that the Chinese government was literally doing everything possible to stop the spread of the virus and I am reassured that western governments are finally taking action, if reluctantly. I can stop doubting my own sanity and the sanity of everyone else. We're all in this one together whether we like it or not. As weird as it sounds, I've never felt saner.

On an even more perverse note, as everything is now so disrupted and thrown off balance, it helps also that I don't feel like such a failure. Now everyone is stuck at home, not working and worrying about the end of the world. All the sexy, successful, popular, wealthy young things I might have envied because I thought they were "better" than me are in the same situation I've been in for over a decade and I'm actually better prepared than them to handle it. Who knew my total lack of a social life and being stuck in the middle of nowhere would become an asset so suddenly? Well, here we are. :D

It took a while for the States to take coronavirus seriously. Same deal in China though. I was reading about how badly a doctor was treated who raised the alarm only to be charged with disturbing the peace. The doctor later died of coronavirus. In a rare move the communist regime has pardoned the Doctor.

China exonerates doctor who died after warning of coronavirus

That being said, the world is now looking at China as a source of hope in that they have succeeded for now in containing the virus.

I don’t know if you have ever seen a movie called Melancholia. I think you would like it and its about how two sisters ( one with depression) cope with the imminent end of the world.

Melancholia (2011 film) - Wikipedia

I’m somewhat inclined to depression but keeping busy takes my mind off myself.:D
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.


Don't worry about what you can't control. As for the Big One - Death. Use your faith on it as such, but don't fear it nor seek it out by being stupid.
As a former professional solider - death is a "part of the game", because that is how it is played. Accept that and be realistic about it. That generally works better.

Regards and love
Mikkel

PS We can debate triage if you want to.

I just love the serenity prayer used as part of twelve step programme. There is so much wisdom in those few words that touches the core of who we are.

Triage is a great word in health. Like the military, the health system can be quite hierarchical. Having clear roles can help systems respond decisively to the immediate needs.
 

Mock Turtle

Oh my, did I say that!
Premium Member
I think logistics is becoming the big problem. A week or so ago, our PM appeared to suggest that the over 70s stay at home and their food and supplies might be delivered to them. Now, we are allowed out for shopping (small mercies are appreciated) and perhaps it dawned on someone that there just wouldn't be enough people to do such, and that they would be needed elsewhere anyway, or perhaps the situation just changed - or I mistook the message given then. But it does appear that this (logistics) is the main problem, apart from all the panic-buying, and which for many actually is fairly logical - trying to avoid any days without food. If I have to spend more days shopping then I will be putting myself and others at risk, and this is so because of rationing. For example, I would normally just shop two days a week (preferably only one day), but because of limitations, I have to now shop three days or more, or make sure any items ordered online arrive when I need them.
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Sorry to create another Covid 19 Pandemic thread but I thought it would be useful to hear stories for anyone interested about how we are coping or struggling during this rapidly escalating crisis.

--snip--
Anyway, just thought I’d check in.:)

I decided that energy spend on worrying or panicking about it was worthless. It's a far better use of my mental energy to figure out how to help myself and others out of the economic turmoil that'll last far longer than the virus.
 

BSM1

What? Me worry?
I'm usually indifferent about big stuff. I guess it's a coping mechanism or so have you. I'd get myself physically sick if I let myself panic if I'm not in immediate danger-my family, loved ones, and friends.

Here are our virginia cases Coronavirus

The school I used to go to about ten minutes from here I read had one person affected by the coronavirus (or a case, I assume). They shut down the whole campus and all students and employees are being tested. That's the only one reported in my immediate area. The only thing that's open is some of the malls-which I think the food courts are probably closed-grocery stories, and other open areas. Every place that has a sit down area, even gas stations mom-and-pops are closed off.

As for my faith, I just say little prayers and offer things up to altar. I pray for others but sometimes I don't pray for myself. I think the biggest thing is not so much that it's dangerous since it's not contagious but because it's new and we don't have cures. I'm sure the panic won't last too long but that doesn't mean the seriousness of it won't as well. Balance.

I think your info is a little behind. We now have confirmed cases in Roanoke and Rocky Mount.

It took a while for the States to take coronavirus seriously. Same deal in China though. I was reading about how badly a doctor was treated who raised the alarm only to be charged with disturbing the peace. The doctor later died of coronavirus. In a rare move the communist regime has pardoned the Doctor.

China exonerates doctor who died after warning of coronavirus

That being said, the world is now looking at China as a source of hope in that they have succeeded for now in containing the virus.

I don’t know if you have ever seen a movie called Melancholia. I think you would like it and its about how two sisters ( one with depression) cope with the imminent end of the world.

Melancholia (2011 film) - Wikipedia

I’m somewhat inclined to depression but keeping busy takes my mind off myself.:D


We closed our borders to incoming flights weeks ago.
 

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
How does your faith or worldview help you cope and help others during the pandemic?
Having spent my life knowing the Great Tribulation will happen in my lifetime, and spending the last 18 years suicidal from Pre-Traumatic Stress since reading the Bible, and realizing it is real, like Cassandra trying to warn Troy before its destruction...

I'm now calm, and reassured that this is all destiny, and even if everyone dies; I'll still be here to help people spiritually in the time to come, regardless if we all die first as prophesied.

I'm always helpful having studied many wisdoms of the world, and try to be unconditionally loving; where can share advanced soul knowledge from the wisdoms of all the world's religions, to help repair people's hurt, like a wonderful counsellor here at the end of time.

As for helping people cope, I'm slightly extremist, and take it to its end result: that even if we survive this; we still have environmental disaster, WW3, and the sun Betelgeuse will supernova, and change our earth, regardless if people want to pretend prophecy isn't real...

Thus generally in person, I'll explain as much as a person is theologically capable of understanding, without pushing anyone; online I'm making declarations like Trump on Twitter, the only difference is as an archangel, and Messiah sent from Heaven before it, one is confident in what they're saying.

In my opinion. :innocent:
 

pearl

Well-Known Member
It is what it is and playing the political blame game is not useful, we are beyond that now as listening to the actual scientists is all that matters. Several cities have gone into a 'shelter in place' mode, we have not done that here in Massachusetts, yet, but the National Guard has been mobilized. My husband and I have not left the house in weeks. Our daughter, who lives with us, along with her 16 yr old son, does our shopping. She also works in home health and does shopping for elder clients. She wears both gloves and mask in the stores.
I purchased masks and gloves from a medical supply store before the brunt of the epidemic. I had worked in health care long enough that universal precautions were automatic.
The OP asked about the place of faith during this to cope with the isolation. Most churches have suspended services which might feed into a deeper sense of feeling isolated. I don't know what other religions have done to support community, but the Catholic Church offers the Mass livestream so throughout the world we may continue to be one community.
 
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