How are you dealing with COVID fears?

[pulisa]

It's very hard when you're not in an isolated country and at the mercy of others who either make the decisions or flout the rules. Going into Winter makes things more challenging still but I think you've done the right thing by stopping watching the news and keeping yourself as safe as possible. That's all you can do...but please continue to post on here and maybe we can all try to help you through all the fear associated with approaching the peak? x

[WiseMonkey]

All of us teachers are worried about the fall, trust me. We’re just going to have to take things a day at a time. When it gets too overwhelming for me, I turnoff the news and do something constructive.

When we came out of lockdown to Level 3, schools were opened for children of essential workers. Only the younger teachers (without pre-existing conditions) went back to work, the others continued to support pupils through online learning.

Relievers (you call them supply teachers) haven't received much work but it's trickling in now. The MOE (ministry of education) paid us 80% of what our wage was in the school term before the lockdown occured. The pay lasted for six weeks which was a bonus. Fully employed teachers got their usual wage.

My daughter who's a college teacher, is back in school now and all classes have returned to normal. She says most pupils are back on track with their learning but a few are still 'zoned out'!! The Government has announced changes to NCEA, which give students more time to prepare for end of year assessment and help manage the impact of the disruption COVID-19 has caused to schooling. NCEA are the assessment and end of year exams for pupils in their last 3 years of college or high school, pupils are 16-18 yrs.

[AntsyVee]

That's good to hear.

Right now, our school district has formed a committee to figure out how we're going to open up in the fall. Unless the state Department of Education puts specific requirements on the opening of schools, they're pretty much leaving it up to each city's district for now. Our summer school is virtual for the time-being. Luckily we were paid fully for the two and a half months we were out of school, but considering how much aid the state has had to pay out to people for this Covid emergency, we are all expecting budget cuts for the fall :S

We know when we go back to school there are going to be a lot of lazy students and more students with mental health problems as those who come from dysfunctional families and families in poverty have pretty much been trapped in those environments.

[panicstricken]

Very badly, I'm pretty much terrified all of the time xx brief moments of restbite when I'm busy with my husband and little ones and then its kicks in that awful voice. What if this, what if that?, it usually centres around me making everyone sick or us catching covid, or is the garden safe? are deliveries safe? is cuddling my children safe? the list is endless😭🤯

Its exhausting, I am trying to be rational and I know a lot of this is anxiety and ridiculous as we are doing everything we can to stay safe but it just slowly eats away at my peace of mind. It didnt help that despite isolating for over 10 weeks at the time, I had been in the garden and my temp spiked the day after, called dr as I felt anxious and fairly I'll. Dr actually said it could be covid u need to isolate sent me into free fall over a month later and I'm still obcessing over it, and anxiety symptoms are worse than ever 😥😥.

[pulisa]

It's easy for a doctor to say it "could" be covid..Of course it could but it's far more likely to be something routine and you've been sent into a tailspin of panic for no reason..

I'm glad your husband and children are fine but you're not, mentally and fear of covid has taken over your life. Do you know when you would be able to feel "safe" again? What would have to happen? x

[WiseMonkey]

We know when we go back to school there are going to be a lot of lazy students and more students with mental health problems as those who come from dysfunctional families and families in poverty have pretty much been trapped in those environments.

My daughter is finding that issue with some pupils who come from dysfunctional families. Being college age, most are aware of their anxiety and know it's because of tension within the family. The school has three counselors who can help pupils and they don't need permission to see one.

[panicstricken]

Hi pulisa, how are you? Thanks for responding x

I honestly think It will take a long time for the covid fear to go away but I think in all honesty I would probably start to feel safe when I see the confirmed cases falling to a lower level. I dont look at them at all now but my husband bless him does and tells me everyday we are going the right way xxx either that or having g a vaccine or medicine to help.

I think for me it's more that my family can get sick my little ones etc. However small the possibility I worry over it, my husband and my children are my world and two of them are classed as pre existing conditions and vulnerable. Its posed a lot of fear as u are always told its these people that get most sick and are at most risk of non recovery.. I want to thankyou for putting up.with my continued anxiety xxx u have been such a help and I find talking on here really helps.
I'm still working through my cbt book will keep fighting as my anxiety will not defeat me. Xxx

[pulisa]

You don't need to thank me, panicstricken. My son has underlying health problems but he is more at risk from severe mental health issues. My daughter has autism and OCD-contamination so for her this is her worst nightmare so I do understand how terrifying the whole situation must be for you. I just have to take my chances with covid as a carer and try not to think about the what ifs because for me it's a question of getting through the days, covid or no covid.

I'm really pleased that you are working through your CBT book because it means that you are making a stand against anxiety and not letting yourself be overwhelmed with fears of something which may never happen. You deserve to get your life back and to stop being a prisoner to covid xx

[panicstricken]

Oh pulisa I think you are amazing xx you are so strong and honestly u are someone I look up to so much xx I hope.your son and daughter are ok it must be so difficult atm for you all xxx

I hope you are all able to find peace and this awful covid disappears very soon xx thankyou so much for all.you are doing and for taking the time to talk to me xxxxxxxxx

[pulisa]

I have other demons so am not as strong as you think but thank you so much for your really kind words and let us hope that this horrible situation gets better as soon as possible. Keep plugging away at your CBT and get your life back to share with your lovely family! xx