Originally published in Hideaway News July 31, 2020
Every person that I have spoken with who has tested positive for COVID-19 has agonized over how they could possibly have got it and whether they passed it on unwittingly to someone. “I thought I did everything right! Did I get too close to someone? Did I forget to mask up one time? Was I wearing my mask properly? Did I wash my hands enough? Did I wipe down surfaces sufficiently? Did I infect someone else unknowingly? Are my co-workers upset with me for having possibly exposed them to the virus? Are they mad at me because they now have to quarantine themselves for 14 days?” And the questions go on, tormenting them with doubts of when they might have done something wrong to get this virus and how they might have affected someone else’s life.
Some people are judgemental of those who test positive. “They must have been careless. They must not have worn masks. They probably had their mask hanging below their nose. They didn’t stay home enough. They must have not washed their hands or cleaned their homes properly.” Such thoughts and comments are not helpful and often add to the guilt and anxiety that they are already feeling.
Someone could have taken all appropriate precautions and still have got the virus. I know of cases where the person masked up everywhere, social distanced with their own family, washed hands and disinfected everything obsessively and still got infected. Some may hear of this and say, “Well what’s the point of doing all of that if I’m going to get infected anyway, I’m not going to do any of it.” Another may hear the same case and say, “Oh my, if all of that was not enough, maybe I should also wear a gown, a respirator and shoe covers.” I believe the practical and prudent response is somewhere in the middle. There are very few things in life that are truly risk free, and it is impossible to reduce risk to zero. We can minimize risks, but we can’t eliminate them. The only thing we can do is try our best to take reasonable precautions while still living life responsibly and safely. We can’t constantly worry about things we have no control over.
Some may have been super vigilant and others a little lax taking precautions. But we are all human, and however good our intentions, it is hard to stay vigilant 24/7 for months at a time. So if you test positive, give yourself a break, stop torturing yourself with endless questions and be kind to yourself. Instead, redouble your efforts to reduce spread of the virus from yourself to others in the community. Isolate yourself according to CDC guidelines and identify all your close contacts. Encourage others in your family and social circle to avoid large gatherings, practice social distancing, wear face coverings when social distancing is not possible, and wash hands often. If you know someone who tested positive, please be kind to them and don’t judge them.
If your positive test is making you suffer from worry, fear, guilt, sleeplessness or agitation, or if you are feeling lonely, isolated and sad, please get help early. Make sure you reach out to friends and family and share your thoughts and feelings with them. Having someone to talk to is sometimes all you need. If that is not enough, talk to your doctor about a tele-visit with a counselor, therapist or psychologist. The pandemic has made access to tele-health services much easier. Do not hesitate to use them. Above all, in addition to being cautious, stay hopeful. Even though some people may have serious complications or even die, most people have mild symptoms and recover without complications. Even if you are considered high risk, it is very likely that you will come through just fine. Best of health to all!
To read Dr. Royappa’s blog as the Chief Health Officer of Hideaway, please visit Doc’s Corner at www.cityofhideaway.org.