The Symptom of Coronavirus That Everyone Gets But Hardly Talks About

This is not about the Coronavirus in medical terms. It is not even about masks or anti-maskers.

Not about treatments, vaccinations and the like. Ditto the lasting repercussions some are forced to deal with months after being rid of the virus.   Not even about the large number of deaths throughout the world and growing number in America. Furthermore, not about the loss of businesses, and there are plenty.

This is about the mental toll this takes on some people. Not all, but a large percentage of people.

Loneliness....

The novel coronavirus, also known as Covid-19 has changed the world. For many the world has become incredibly darker, colder and dare I say, it lonely. Suicide has jumped exponentially, especially among older people and those who

live alone. This is one of the few true statements the occupant of the oval has been forthright about. Unable to see family nor friends has put a great strain on some people. 

Being alone is the state of just that. No one around. Alone. There is a group of people who can be alone without being lonely. Some, especially introverts have not much of an issue of being alone during the time of Rona, as we’ll call this pandemic, that is rocking the world in general and America in particular. Due to the lack of leadership, this virus continues to roil the United States. But you know that. However being alone for some is preferable to a lot of people anyway, so this pause in American life is not as bad to them as for their counterparts. 

Being lonely is an entirely different animal. Extroverts, such as myself, do not do as well during this

time. We want, no, we need the camaraderie of other humans. A shared laugh, a hug, even an argument is deeply missed by this group of people. Quiet is not our friend. Some days are good. Shopping days, trips to the bank and take out runs become good for the soul. You see, being lonely is the state of being denied, for whatever reason, companionship. Family, friends, associates, significant others are no longer accessible. When you’re a people person, this strikes at your very core. A lot of us are a combination of intro and extrovert personalities. I used to fall in this category, and still do to a great extent. I can be home alone, for days on end, but come that fourth day, it’s time to break out! Extreme extroverts cannot handle even an entire day inside and alone. Conversely, introverts can curl up with a book, some tea or whiskey and be set. They go inside to the place only they can go. 

I asked a question on Facebook. I asked how people who lived alone were faring during this time and what were they doing to cope? I received a lot of over-lapping responses(people doing the same things), and some surprised me. A few just masked up and ventured out and continued to pretty much live their lives as normally as possible, during this time of Rona. Below I am sharing some of the responses, hopefully suggestions for some and eye openers for others how to get past feelings of loneliness. Especially as this holiday season has begun. Thanksgiving. Christmas and New Years. They are as follows:  

A few of you work from home. This affords a level of safety that others cannot attain. Home is the safest spot. You miss the interaction of coworkers, but this, for the most part has worked out well for you. Most of you have increased communication with friend and loved ones through more frequent calls, texts, Facetime and Duo, or again Zooming. A large swath of you have upped your social media time, Ditto television. Strangely, no one mentioned music. A few of you have gotten creative with your workouts, by cycling and exercising at home. A few have turned to home improvement tasks, or have resumed a long cast off crafting project. One mentioned she tries not to focus on it. Two have admitted to retail therapy. Shopping is a momentary distraction and a high for some. One admitted her life really hasn't changed in the least, with the exception of donning a mask and social distancing. One uses this time to drive her mom about.  One admitted to allowing herself a good cry every now and then, which is thoroughly cathartic. Lastly, there were two who admitted the sting of being alone, during this time has been especially painful. They miss not having anyone to walk this walk with them. To me, that's the deepest cut of all. Feeling alone. 

So there you have, how people are handling the world during the time of Rona. But as one of my church sisters stated so succinctly, "We will all emerge from this a changed people, which we should, since this has been a life changing event." Sancheon Lindsey.

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