I'm stressed!

[Welikebeingcosy]

So I live in a block of four flats in a court of 7 blocks the same size and we all share bins.

My upstairs neighbours got positive covid tests last week and did the mandatory 10 day isolation until yesterday. The whole time they were isolating another neighbour from another block was coming in and out of the building to use an empty flat here which he has keys to, to smoke weed. Our block shares one front door and the small hallway which my front door is right next to. On top of that all the other people coming in and out to deliver packages, food etc, although I've been trying to take as many as my deliveries as possible through the window to keep delivery people safe.

I feel worried that germs are being moved in and out of the building and so I haven't been out much with my 18 month old since her nursery holidays began (not that we are supposed to go out much either- tier 4).

On top of this my neighbour told me that she still can't smell or taste still, even though her isolation has ended and I'm wondering if anyone knows enough about the virus to tell me if that makes her still contagious or not? I've been wearing a mask and covering the buggy the few times I've gone out into the communual hallway, but I still feel apprehensive. On top of this because of the other neighbour using our building and another neighbour popping over last week to drop christmas cards through the doors, feeling like it could be spreading throughout the court and not wanting to use the communual bins for fear of picking it up. Not only for myself but for not wanting to put anyone else at risk.

I guess there isn't really an answer without a microscope- I just needed to get it all off my chest!

My colleague can't smell or taste 9 months after infection.
Try to carry on with your life within the rules and not worry too much.

I think you need to speak to someone about your anxiety as that level of worry is extreme and you are over thinking it. You will not catch it from the communal hallway and if you use the bins just wash your hands afterwards as you would usually when you have been to a bin. It would also do you good to make sure you get out and about as much as possible within the guidelines especially walks in the fresh air. I do think the more you isolate yourself the worse the worry gets. Life has to go on just take precautions and try to rationalise your thoughts as much as you can.

I did speak to

I need speak to my counsellor and she said my

Not sure what is wrong with my phone! I did speak to my counsellor and she said my worry is justified and understandable, given the circumstances.

Your anxiety seems out of proportion by a long way. I'd seek help for that and try to get out and about as sitting in a flat all day with an 18 month old is horrendous - I have one, I know!

www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9055743/amp/Coughing-walking-corridor-leaves-coronavirus-particles-you.html

And actually you can catch it from a corridor!

I don't find it that horrendous to be honest, we have a garden and lots of indoor space. Would be nice if we could go and see people but we are not allowed. The alternative is walking around in circles with everything closed in the freezing cold and no one out and about to say hello to.

Well you seem to believe your fear is proportionate and rationale so I’m not sure what you were expecting to get out of your post. Just because an article reports that there were particles left in a corridor doesn’t mean it will happen to you there needs to be a significant amount of virus present for it to infect you. There are plenty of people out and about to pass the time of day with of you go for a walk and lots of outdoor spaces open to visit, outdoor exercise is encouraged and is vital for mental wellbeing of both you and your child. It’s going to be a huge shock for a lot of people when things start to get more normal and so many people have conditioned themselves to be afraid of setting foot out of the front door.

Thanks but I've been out every single day of the pandemic. I'm talking about one to two weeks where I am taking some extra precautions, to be on the safe side, and expressing how difficult it is. Didn't realise you knew my area well enough to know what it is like round here or were qualified to comment on my mental health!