Tough time will pass
Dear Annie: My husband of almost 22 years died of cancer a few months ago. Overall, I’ve done well coping with his loss. I’m involved in our new smalltown community, where we built a beautiful custom home just 3 1/2 years ago, and I have many wonderful new friends and neighbours who include me in lots of their social activities. I’m quite fortunate.
Just as my husband’s absence started to become more real for me, which has been a challenge, the coronavirus alarmism took over all our lives.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Businesses are closing. Events are being cancelled. And going to a store to buy essentials is suddenly a surreal experience of observing hoarders behaving with territorial abandon.
As a result, I am spending more time alone.
On top of all that, I seem to disagree with most of my friends and neighbours on just how seriously to take this “crisis” in light of the fact that, by all credible accounts, this virus is far less serious for the healthy and non-elderly than the flu in an average season. I’m more worried about economic consequences of all of the hype.
I wish to educate people before it’s too late for businesses, jobs and people’s livelihoods.
I have made my views known but to little avail.
All of this has me feeling isolated, depressed and at risk of alienating friends. Do you have any suggestions for how I can cope? — Wanting Nightmare to End
Dear Wanting Nightmare to End: First of all, I am so sorry you lost your husband. Secondly, by the time this letter reached me, the national and global impact of COVID-19 grew exponentially. By the time this letter is printed in the newspaper, the impact of the pandemic will again have grown.
The coronavirus has disrupted everyone and everything.
Please listen to the guidelines from the government and World Health Organization by staying at home, washing your hands and doing your part to reduce the spread. Trying to educate people about your point of view will not help you feel less isolated. The last thing you want to do is alienate friends, especially in times of crisis.
Try and remember that this very difficult time will pass. If we all do our part, this will end soon. We will come out of this isolation appreciating one another more, being more thankful for the little pleasures in life that are on hold right now.
Use Facetime, Skype or some other video conferencing program to connect with your loved ones.
You might not be able to physically see them, but you can still let them know how much you love them.
Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. To find out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at creators.com