Could someone please hand me a grip?!

[AshMeri]

My elderly mum lives in a draughty, Victorian mid-terrace house. Two members of the family in the house next door have just tested positive for Covid.

Now LOGICALLY I know that the risk of her catching it through a wall is miniscule / non-existent. She has no interaction with them really. They don't really speak to her. So LOGICALLY I know that unless she actually goes outside and licks the next-door neighbour's gate there's no real cause for concern, but there's this nagging worry in the back of my mind. What if it's the new super strain? What if there's a big hole in the walls between the two houses? What if...? I know. Even writing it down feels ridiculous.

She is supposed to be shielding - pneumonia damaged lungs. She's weeks away (maybe a month or two) from her jab... We've not seen her other than in one or other's garden for almost a year.

Could someone please shake some sense into me? I'm really annoyed with my inability to respond to clear logic!

[feathermucker]

At the risk of sounding rude, you need to give your head a wobble and think logically. I suffer from anxiety and know what it feels like to worry about illogical situations. It's really hard and I do sympathise, but you'll drive yourself mad with worry if you keep thinking about it.

[AshMeri]

Rude is really ok in this context, I know it's ridiculous. Think I just need reassurance and a telling off in equal measure!

[WithIcePlease]

I'm sure you will find your grip soon OP
it's more difficult to get a sense of perspective when we have lost normal human interactions to keep us grounded I think
For me, if I felt rubbish for any reason, I'd go to the pub and chat to folks with very different concerns and burdens to my own - not whining on, just being with others in normal conversations- and everything went back to its proper place by the time I left

[MaelyssQ]

The virus - even a mutated super powered variant of the virus - can't slither into your mum's house through a gap in the wall. She is safe. Stop reading the coronavirus forum on here - it instils fear and panic into the most sensible of people! Have a cup of tea and a left over from Christmas chocolate biscuit

[AshMeri]

Thank you lovely people, that was what I needed.

I think it's spot on about perspective coming partly from actually being out and about in different environments and talking to people about "other stuff'. Yes I also need to stay away from discussions about Covid for now I think as am building my own echo chamber.

Ok I think I've found my sanity again. Thank you!