So a very close member of my family has become incredibly cautious about all illness/viruses since Covid.
Anytime my DD,8, has a slight sniffle or seems below par, we seem to go into a sort of self inflicted social distancing/self isolation situation with said family member. It then snowballs to worrying that either myself or DH “could be harbouring” whatever illness DD has so cue avoidance of us all for at least a week.
I have struggled myself with anxiety (for the first time ever in my life) due to the pandemic and being classed as Clinically Vulnerable. A year ago I wouldn’t go inside anywhere for fear of getting Covid.
However, I have come a long way since then. Partly down to the vaccines, partly due to resigning myself that DD is at school and the risks with that and partly because getting on with life as “normal” has been far better for me mentally.
However, I feel the situation with this family member is making me overthink every cough/sniffle/cold/sore throat and it’s exhausting!! Obviously, I wouldn’t go around spreading stinky colds or sick bugs or Covid if any of us were clearly unwell and full of symptoms.
I am very very close to this family member, so is my DD and feel like we spend so much time avoiding them (at their request) for weeks at a time to ensure we are free of bugs!
This person has also started to become anxious about going into shops & other indoor places and won’t even have the odd friend visit their home due to worry that they might get Covid.
I feel horrible that they are feeling so anxious but wonder if I am being harsh and that they are just sensibly cautious?
FWIW this person has also chosen not to be vaccinated.