As the implementation of the stay-at-home orders for Hawaii took effect, it is hoped that the spread of the COVID-19 virus will abate.
But its going to take time, full stop.
With that, there is another limit of exposure that should also be implemented. I am talking about the bulletins on our phone, that we allow to pop up whenever “breaking news” comes up.
In fact, it got to the point on Saturday, the 28th, in response to a friends posting of the most recent infection numbers, I told him “do you know (friends name), very soon I’m gonna be starting to ask you to not contact me unless you have any good news. Because all the news is just depressing (friends name) and I’m actually starting to tune out from the news because of it.”
To prove this point, I am writing this piece while watching the original “Rocky” on AMC. I did watch the news this morning for about 20 minutes, and then turned it off.
“COVID ANXIETY, You’re Welcome…” by POP’S PIC’S is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The point is this, if we are going to even have a prayer for society to get through this crisis, we better watch our physical health and our mental health. With societal moves now almost fully dictated by our government short of martial law, people need to find a way to not let the event overwhelm the mental capacity of people.
Because a good number of people, even before all the new rules that have relegated most of Hawaii to stay at home, were already on edge for the thousand-and-one things that worry people’s minds in normal times.
Now we are collectively adding on threats to people’s livelihoods, their homes and their ways of life. And if you think that we will “just get through this” while being told bad news over bad news – I counter that people are mentally strong, but they aren’t Rocky strong in that way.
So, to suggest, using the writer’s example as a baseline, limit the amount of time your exposing yourself to the news. For my wife and I, we are going to watch the local and national news in the evening, and the rest of the time we will go about our business. We will find out enough of what is going on through that level of exposure, and then focus on the things we need to do to continue living.
“Rocky” by BANDIDOGUAPO STUDIO is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Because at the end, that is all we got folks – continuing to live. Like how Rocky did.