I'm so scared

[Toffeesprinkles]

I live in Medway, Kent - in Tier 4. A lot of people have said the local hospital is at capacity, ambulances queuing outside, 12 deep. I'm so so scared that if something happens to any of my family, god forbid to my children, like a heart attack, a fall down the stairs, anything, an ambulance will not be able to get here and they won't be able to get into the hospital and they will die. And on top of that the borders are closed so how will they import the vaccine? This is never going to end. I can't eat, i can't sleep, i often feel like i can't breath. I feel like i am unravelling and i can't protect my family.

I don’t have any real words of wisdom but just wanted to say you are not alone, I feel exactly the same. The lack of hospital capacity is terrifying and something many people don’t understand.

I think most of the vaccines are not brought on lorries but in shipping containers so should be ok

I didn’t want to leave this unanswered, please try not to get too carried away by your worry.

I’m not saying you’re lying at all but are the sources you’re hearing this off reputable? Things are pretty awful right now but things do get sensationalised as they work their way through the grapevine.

Poor you, it sounds like you're having a tough day

Rationally, the risk of being unable to access treatment because the NHS is overwhelmed is the whole point of restrictions, so everyone in your areas is being urged to Stay At Home. Not everyone will follow this perfectly, but everything rests on most people following both the intent and the actual law pretty damned fully. Do your bit.

I'm not sure when we are due another delivery of vaccine, but for vaccine (and all other medicines) a way will be found, using military means if necessary. Whether covid or no deal, there is no will to prevent medicine getting through and both sides will find a safe way

I feel similar. I'm hearing of so many people carrying on with Xmas plans (Tier 4) and it's so frustrating as hospital capacity if too many people get sick is a major issue.

The only thing I can say is to focus on the positives; it's very unlikely your children will get sick enough to need hospitalisation or have an accident. The France issue is outbound, not inbound.

I find fresh air and exercise helps with my thinking. Take care.

Yes, I haven't been worried, particularly, about the virus itself, but I am starting to worry about the wider impact.

I was previously worried about the long term economic impact, but now feel quite anxious about short term practical aspects.

Plus DH had just had a big diagnosis, so I'm very worried about the impact on hospitals.

@Cornettoninja not sure where the OP has heard it from but I know nurses who work at the Medway hospital and these stories are real and has been the case for the past week at least. They have cancelled all non emergency treatments and are choosing who to treat and ‘let in’. Other local hospitals are taking patients as ‘overflow’ so it’s not long until they have the same issue themselves. @Toffeesprinkles I agree it is scary at the moment, esp in this area as so many ambulances around and lots of people catching COVID and people having issues accessing treatment. Try not to watch/read too much about it all, I watch the news once a day unless there is a major development then catch up on it and turn it off to avoid overload. Take exercise daily if possible and plenty of fresh air. Try to distract yourself from it by doing other things and keeping busy where possible (reading, puzzles, games, tv-not news! Etc)

@Lifeispassingby fair enough. I’m not doubting it more hoping that it’s not as bad as the OP fears. I work in a (tier 4) hospital myself and have been banging this particular drum since March. There’s a tipping point where it becomes irrelevant what people at the hospital are there for because there’s just too many of them.

We just have to do our best to get through it and keep as safe as we can.

@Cornettoninja no problem, just wanted to clarify for everyone to realise how bad this situation actually is. Thank you for your work x

Thank you for your responses, they are reassuring. I seem to have a rational part of my head that tells me we will get through it and we just need to keep on going. And another part of my head is just panicking and letting my worries get away with me.

@DailyPotion I'm sorry to hear about your DH's diagnosis, i hope it's not too serious xx

I’m also in Kent, the hospital situation is scary but if people stay at home and only go out for work or food if necessary I’m sure things will be ok. I’m sure it’s unlikely anything will happen to any of your loved ones during this time, and if by any chance it did and they needed urgent attention the hospitals wouldn’t just abandon them.

I agree with the others, try not to read and think about it. Distract yourself with other things. We will get through this!

Oh don’t thank me @Lifeispassingby - I’m a paper pusher of the worst kind

@Toffeesprinkles I recognise that uncontrollable spiral you’re talking about, for me I talk to myself like I would do a friend - have a full blown, out loud conversation if it helps. You wouldn’t let a friend panic without trying to calm them would you? Be your own best friend, this has the advantage of not having to hold back and there are no secrets.

Thanks @Cornettoninja i think i need to tell myself to pull myself together!! I just can't seem to get rid of the knot of anxiety in my chest, it's like a physical presence there.

Thank you everyone - it's been good to have a space to write down how i'm feeling xxx

NHS frontline worker in tier 4. Yes hospitals are busy and so queuing systems and prioritising are being used to ensure that the sickest and most poorly patients are being treated in the place that has the skills and equipment to do so. Some of the patients that still need hospital care but don’t need access to operating theatres etc may be moved to smaller hospitals for this reason but at no point are sick or injured people being denied treatment. The cancellation is of elective hip and knee replacements that although very frustrating for those that have waited 2 years for it, does not lead to death of the person not having the op. If your family get sick/injured then they still will be treated. The Pfizer vaccine is already here, possibly one of the reasons it was fast tracked so they could avoid any potential border hold ups and the Oxford vaccine is in mass production ready for Jan so although although the Brexit/Covid/tier 4 issues in the press are all very worrying, try to keep some perspective, the vaccine is here and the nhs will continue to function.

OP, would a good long cry help? Or build a pile of pillows, get a big stick and whack the stuffing out of them until your arms ache. You have a load of hormones and chemicals in your system triggered by fear and you will get them out of your body (abit) if you do one of the above. Or a walk or jog. Whatever gets your body moving. Don't just sit there living in your head ! Good luck. It is all absolutely shit

Me too. Travel/freight blockade and Brexit. And the clown in number 10.

Interrupt your thinking.

Try not to worry about things that have not happened and are unlikely to happen. IF it happened you will deal with it then. Until that point worrying will not change anything.

I’m a qualified worrier... I’m about to put on some dance music and clean.