Dad has taken up smoking

[annabellacomestotea]

Since the pandemic my father who I live with (in his 70s) has become increasingly stressed. We lost my mother the year before the pandemic and my father had planned to travel and even met a new gf. Since the pandemic he hasn't been able to see the girlfriend (and it's ended now) and can't travel. He is depressed and taken up smoking and drinking (nightly, he has always drank.)

He is in the vulnerable category. I feel he has just become suicidal and I don't know how to help him.

If you’re worried about smoking and COVID, bizarrely there is data showing that somehow it doesn’t really make a difference with COVID and smokers are not more at risk. It was either China or Spain where only 2% of COVID ICU patients were smokers.

Anyway, it’s a difficult time for all. My dad in his 70s and lonely, we lost my mum many years ago. Do you video call him regularly or see him? I try and call my dad daily.

I live with him, but doesn't seem to help. Very relieved that smoking and covid don't seem to overlap too much. Thank you.