What NOT To Do During the Pandemic

There are a lot of recommendations floating around about what we should be doing right now. I’ll probably add my own thoughts on that here in the coming days. But, here are some ideas of what NOT to do during the pandemic. These things have no place in our lives and will not benefit us or those around us.

It has only been a matter of hours since we’ve hit this escalated state of chaos, but they haven’t been fun hours. Whether you are handling this pandemic with funny memes or tissues and nightmares, you’re not alone. This is an unsettling time! We are dealing with something that even most of our older generations have not faced in their lifetimes. It is totally OK to feel uncertain right now!

#1. Don’t let this consume you.

I’ve already been struggling with this one today to be honest.

It felt like every other minute some new question or scenario was popping in to my head. Then I’d pick up my phone and start googling: foamite transfer? will insurance pay for meds in advance? can I sew an N95 mask if it comes to that? I wonder if we’ll have church…

And then my child would say, “Mom, I’m ready for my next spelling word!” and I would snap at him for yelling… and he’d tell me he already asked me three times but I wasn’t listening.

That kind of distracted living is not good for me and my family OR you and your family! We cannot let this thing consume us. It’s good to be educated and get our questions answered, but in a responsible way. So, instead, I started jotting my questions and must-dos down on a notepad as they came to mind. I’ll google them later – when the kids are sleeping!

#2. Don’t make fun of or belittle those who are concerned.

You’re healthy, you’re strong, the world is losing their mind? That’s great for you (and me, really). But many people are NOT healthy and strong. Immune suppressing diseases are very common, you may not even know which of your friends are battling them. Even common things like asthma and diabetes can put people in the high risk category. What about the person on chemo or steroids? We are surrounded by real humans who have valid reasons to be concerned right now. You might not see the ailing people, but you probably come in contact with their caregivers without even realizing it.

That said, I’m clicking the laughing emoticon on all the toilet paper memes, too. A little comic relief is definitely called for here IMO. Let’s just be really careful that we are not having a laugh at the expense of someone who is truly worried right now. They may have a reason to be.

Along the same lines, it’s important to remember that everyone handles stress differently. Downplaying or ignoring someone’s feelings is not helpful. Whether they do have a real reason to be anxious or not doesn’t matter much. Listening is still a good way to show kindness, and being heard might be enough to help them feel better.

At the same time, though…

#3. Don’t whine!

Yes, you deserve to be heard and yes you should be able to vent. But know the difference between confiding in someone close and blasting your every woe on social media. This crisis is affecting all of us. There are job concerns, childcare struggles, disappearing paychecks, logistical challenges, and growing grocery bills. It sucks and it’s going to be hard! Go ahead and say it’s hard if you want, just don’t act like you’re the only one.

If you want to use social media in a productive way, maybe post something like, “I’m really struggling with _____ right now. Who can relate?” or, “I know a lot of us are having a problem with ____. Any great ideas to help us through it?”. And definitely share the links and ideas that help you!

If you’re looking for practical help getting through the day, I have a to-do list of the basics to get you started.

#4. Don’t ignore it and bury your head in the sand.

Have you heard the term “flattening the curve” yet? It’s legit. The fact is that the choices you make right now don’t just affect you. They affect everyone you come in contact with. Do we all hope this whole thing is being blown way out of proportion and life will be back to normal in a few weeks? Of course we do.

Let’s consider, though, how it’s going in Italy right now. Political divisions and lack of following quarantine recommendations have made a bad situation worse. The illness is now overwhelming their healthcare system. Furthermore, failing to follow the recommendations here could lead to mandatory regulations with violations punishable by law. None of us want that!

#5. DON’T Disconnect From Social Media!

This might seem a little out there, but hear me out…

If you’ve already been one of those unicorns who doesn’t use Facebook and isn’t on Insta, keep on with your bad self. But if you’re like most people and at least casually check your social, now is NOT the time to stop. Practicing social distancing in person might already be a shock to your system. Especially if you are someone who gets energy from being around people, you may start to feel very isolated and alone. {Note: If you start to feel seriously depressed, please reach out to someone. I’m always available on messenger if you need someone!}

This period of social distancing is the perfect time to utilize available technology to stay in touch with your friends digitally. Then when this is over, we can pick up our face-to-face relationships right where we left off. Obviously, I’m not suggesting you ignore your family in favor of your phone. However, this a great time to teach your kids how to Facetime the grandparents or their friends. My friend even suggested we use Facetime to let our kids recite their memory verses or play their new music to each other. I love that idea!

What would you add?

I hope this was helpful and got you thinking about guarding your heart and your household against some of the negative behaviors that could creep in. We’re all facing this together, so let’s make the best of it. Now you know what not to do during the pandemic. What would you add? What should we NOT do right now? Tell us in the comments here or on Facebook!

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