Mental Health Survey: Modesto-area residents describe how they’re handling pandemic
Ninety-one readers responded to The Modesto Bee’s survey on mental health.
We asked them a few questions on the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on their lives. Here are some of their answers.
How has the Coronavirus impacted your life
- “It has been very very difficult. It has affected the way I sleep, the way I think, and even the way I feel about the people around me. We are a family of eight. Five of us continue to work because our jobs are essential. But it’s just scary not knowing that maybe one of us might get the virus and bring it home and infect the entire family.”
- I live alone with a dog and two cats. My husband passed away suddenly last year around this time, so by being forced to stay at home and with my job put on hold, I feel the anxiety building inside of me. I try not to dwell on the fact that I can’t see my friends from church and especially my grown children and their families. I miss them and my grandchildren terribly. I’m used to seeing them several times a month. My friends I used to see a couple times a week and go for coffee. Zoom is better than nothing, but ... I’m headed for a big meltdown and will have no one physically to help me through this time of loss.”
- “Every little thing — chores, work — all feel like too much. Half of the family is working and half is laid off, so everyone is either underworked or overworked. It’s tense.”
- “I Feel like I’m in a Zombie world ... We are in hiding and don’t know where they are. When I have to go to the store there are people everywhere expressionless and I feel like I’ve never felt before in my 67 years on this earth.”
- “My wedding was postponed indefinitely. My wages have been affected. Moving to online education at MJC was very difficult for me. All of my days blend together. Shopping is very difficult. I can’t wait to hug my family again. My fiancée is immunocompromised so I only get to see my family from a distance.”
What are you doing to cope?
- “I try not to watch a lot of news and spend as much time with the family.”
- “I’m trying to stay busy. Since March 19 was my last day at work, I came up with a typed list of jobs/things to do both inside and outside the house to stay busy. I find if I’m not busy, then I tend to dwell on my loss both from the virus and the loss of my very best friend of 49 years. It can get overwhelming at times. So all I can get done on those days is sit and cry. And it’s on those days that I am very sad and not functioning.”
- “Eating, drinking, occasionally smoking weed, and taking up running in the AM.”
- “I give myself attainable goals for the day.”
- “Watching TV and gardening. Taking naps. I’m playing games on my phone like crazy. lol.”
- “I have been trying to keep busy doing yard work and chores, my fiancée’s family set up a big group chat and every Friday we have themed dress up days (Harry Potter, super hero, fancy, lumberjack), and I have been spending a lot of quality time with my fiancée.”
- “I don’t need to ‘cope’ — just act rationally and don’t whine about ‘rights’ “
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 4:41 AM.
ChrisAnna Mink
The Modesto Bee
Erin Tracy
The Modesto Bee