Advice to Self
Take a break from a situation I am struggling with. Physically or mentally remove myself from the situation to calm my nervous system. Then I can improve the moment and tackle the situation with my head on straight.
Reframe a situation, to avoid attention bias.
Direct any anger at a problem, not a person.
COVID Fears:
I won’t have the courage to say no and I will think of others’ opinions and make a bad decision. I will need to remind myself that I need to only do what I feel safe doing, and respect others to make the choices that are best for them.
Don’t overthink or think ahead. Context is continually changing.
Considering Risk
Decrease risk. If I want to see friends, avoid crowded bars and instead host in our back patio or a park, where everyone can keep their distance. Use own utensils and, to be even safer, bring our own food and drinks. Skip the hugs, kisses and handshakes. If we go to the beach, find areas where we can stay at least six feet away from others who are not in your household. Takeout food is the safest. If we really want a meal out, eating outdoors with tables farther apart will be safer than dining in an indoor restaurant.
If we engage in high-risk activity and are around others who do the same, we increase everyone’s risk. Common sense reveals that those who have very low exposure (small footprint) are probably safe to associate with one another.
This principle is particularly relevant for separated families that want to see one another. Many of my friends are grandparents who miss their grandchildren and want to know when they can see them again. If two families have both been sheltering at home with virtually no outside interaction, there should be no concern with them being with one another. 
Families can come together for sleepover arrangements this way if all continue to abide by strict social distancing guidelines in other aspects of their lives. (The equation changes when any one individual resumes higher-risk activities — returning to work outside the home, for example.)
Pooled Risk
My risk of acquiring COVID 19 is additive for every person I come into close contact with. We will choose the activities most important to us. If I must have my hair cut, I won’t go out to eat in restaurants. (Actually, I won’t do that until at least Phase 3).
Cumulative Risk
How much we do will also depend on our personal health. By now, we know that those most vulnerable to the severe effects of Covid-19 are older people with chronic medical conditions. These individuals should aim for lower cumulative risk to best protect themselves, as we keep up the reminder that there is no demographic immune from COVID 19. Even otherwise-healthy children and young adults have died from it. Since we are in the “older people” category we will keep staying at home and will minimize contact with others.
Leave a Reply