To be absolutely terrified of our future...?

[tolaughortocry]

I've found myself feeling really hopeless, down and anxious about Covid and the state that the entire globe is in at the moment.

I know it sounds silly in hindsight, but I'm so anxious and cannot imagine the day that Covid is gone / at least 'controlled' in a way where we can all return to SOME kind of normality.

I work in a college, I'm front facing on a reception desk where we see hundreds of students, contractors, tutors and the general public every day. I know lots of people are in this position too, but it's really beginning to take its toll on me now. I'm terrified.

The college has had in excess of 3/4 positive cases each day. It doesn't sound a lot.. but when the students are able to freely roam the corridors, food outlets, come to reception, use the restrooms etc and not necessarily be hygienic in the process; this really does concern me. And I know I'm not the only one.

I don't know what to do or how I feel. Im scared, anxious and helpless and can't see the country recovering for a long time, following the impact of this awful pandemic. Let alone the rest of the world.

Is anybody else feeling the same? Needing a hand to hold 😔

Feeling particularly scared as my DP is vulnerable, and I am overweight too - actively trying to loose weight though. 😔😔

I don't usually feel too bad until I come on here and read about everything is fucked.
Not just the virus, but Brexit, climate change etc means we're fucked.
I am not blaming you OP, but I have to try and look further afield to find some optimism.

@DynamoKev no I can completely understand, sorry if I have caused concern. I am usually very level headed, and optimistic so this kind of feeling is really very unusual for me. I am trying to keep positive but can't help but to feel concerned now.
Wishing you all the best. X

I also work in an educational setting. Our receptions have all had Perspex screens fitted, is this not the case at your place of work? Are masks generally not required when students and members of the public approach you?

@NameChange84 we have got some Perspex screens but they aren't particularly well fitted. We have got large gaps between each screen where the people coming to the desk naturally try to put their head through and speak to you through.

Masks ads required on site, but no matter how many times security go around telling students to put them on, nothing changes.. students just wear them under their nose / don't wear them at all.

Covid is out of your control OP so all you can do is protect yourself as much as possible. Surely the college has got screens up on the reception desk, I thought colleges etc had to put certain safety measures in place before they were allowed to open.

I feel like this sometimes with what’s going on. I usually find coming off mumsnet for a bit helps. Take care of yourself and

In that case you need to go to HR and explain you feel that you are being put at risk due to the shoddy screens and failure of the students to wear PPE correctly.

Is there not a line that the students have to stand behind when at reception?

@Mamamia456 yes totally agree, it's hard though isn't it. Can't seem to see any light at the end of this bleak tunnel.
We do have screens, but sadly not fitted the best. Just worrying when you see more and more cases coming to light in your place of work ☹️🤦‍♀️

No line that the students have to stand behind, no lines in the reception area to dictate queuing direction or anything like that, it's a bit of a free for all to be honest.

Just feeling very vulnerable. Sorry to rant

It must be worrying especially if your husband is vulnerable. It sounds like more safety measures need to be put in place in the reception area. Speak to whoever is responsible for this.

Whenever I am worried about certain situations I always remind myself that nothing is forever. These strange times will pass.

Completely understand OP. The amount of pressure put on almost everyone at this time is incredible and would crack even the most resilient of people. By this point I don’t think there is anyone who has gone unscathed or has managed to avoid the panicky moments or the depression even if they have managed to pull themselves round on the outside. I truly hope though that it brings out the compassion in people towards others. ‘It’s ok not to be ok’ is something I have seen a lot of which is nice and hopefully stops people bottling it up but does not fix anything, and unfortunately I don’t think there is anything that people can do at this moment but to try to hold onto your sanity and remember it will pass and then we can come together to rebuild

@Mamamia456 yes it's just scary really. I like that, thank you. I will keep trying to remain positive and remember that nothing can last forever. Xx

@RoseTintedAtuin thank you - it's scary times. We couldn't have even imagined this a year ago. It's crazy how the world has deteriorated so fast.

Xx

I’ve got a similar job to you OP - you need to speak to whoever is in charge of such things if you don’t feel safe . I agree it’s difficult to persuade the students to have masks on at the time. However , if you are not having 15 minutes or more close contact with them I believe the rust of contracting it is low? I feel that teaching staff are more at risk tbh .

Just read again - I’m really surprised the general public and contractors are allowed to roam freely!

I don't like the situation, and I don't think it'll be over any time soon, but thanks to decades of ridiculously poor health, poor treatment and limited options, it doesn't frighten me at all.

Yes quite unbelievable really isn't it. The offices are packed out with staff, no social distancing at all and nearly all staff hot-desking. It just worries me!

There is nothing I can do to control the global or national covid situation, so give zero f**ks and just get on with life.

I know, I can see your point, hard though when there is so much to worry about. My partner is critically vulnerable. 😔😔

I'm getting by with not thinking too far ahead atm. Which is super difficult because I am usually a list maker, planner a header etc..

Have been overweight and it has prompted me to lose weight but can't fill my head with stuff I can't do anything about

@Eviebeans oh that's literally me down to a T !! Good way of going about it :) thank you x

yeah too much news, social media and too much mumsnet is the cause of a lot of this worry

You can't do much about it

So I tend to be optimistic - arrange fun things to look forward to down the line/next year - knowing I may not be able to always do them - but it's nice to have plans.

Do activities I can do - like go to
museums/exhibitions/meals/cinema/gym classes

Havn't seen my family since last Christmas as I live abroad - won't see them for ages - but stay in touch daily with them - nothing I can do about that unfortunately - just have to accept it

I think accepting that the world is just like this now and for the foreseeable makes it easier to deal with for me! I'm enjoying quiet weekends at home relaxing! Going out for dinner more regularly than I did before for a treat because i'm spending less on holidays and nights out !