Today

Is everyone sheltered in place now? How are you feeling today? What are your thoughts?

Including today when I picked up my meds, I have been out a total of 3 times in the past 6 weeks. That's it.

Out state shutdown in the early stages of the virus spread, after seeing how California and Washington reacted. We shutdown before NY, I think, where the virus has spread like wildfire.

My thoughts on this situation is that we could have dramatically reduced the rate of spread, had we taken things more seriously when the virus broke out. Then people would be less afraid. I still think the majority of the U.S. would have ultimately gotten sick from the coronavirus, but we could have slowed the rate of spread so that we don't have people in the hospital needing a ventilator and not getting one because the hospital has run out of supplies.

Oh well. I guess that's an afterthought.

Being home has its pros and cons. The biggest pro is that I can do my work in a recliner or in bed. The biggest con is that I can't really go places to get fresh air or a change of scenery. I actually quite enjoy driving to my therapist's office because I am getting fresh air, but obviously this won't happen again for quite some time.

I don’t have bipolar disorder but I came across this thread in a line of new posts. We are on shelter in place. I feel like crap.

We went to Costco today and entrance was barricaded do people could only get a cart and walk in one line 6 feet or more from each other. It made me anxious and everything felt like a war zone. I had to rush my husband to hurry up, I didn’t want to be there. I feel weird all the time like I am in alternate universe. Either apathetic or anxious. It’s not getting easier

This whole mess makes me very grrr to be honest.

Hugs and respect

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Originally Posted by bluebicycle Including today when I picked up my meds, I have been out a total of 3 times in the past 6 weeks. That's it. Whew. That's rough, blue. Out state shutdown in the early stages of the virus spread, after seeing how California and Washington reacted. We shutdown before NY, I think, where the virus has spread like wildfire. I'm deeply concerned about NY. I have family there, but aside from that it's just shocking, how fast the virus is spreading in New York. But Boston is so close. Yerah, California shut down quickly. We're so fortunate because our governor is a take-charge guy. My thoughts on this situation is that we could have dramatically reduced the rate of spread, had we taken things more seriously when the virus broke out. Then people would be less afraid. I still think the majority of the U.S. would have ultimately gotten sick from the coronavirus, but we could have slowed the rate of spread so that we don't have people in the hospital needing a ventilator and not getting one because the hospital has run out of supplies. Oh well. I guess that's an afterthought. I agree entirely. And think of the difference it would have made if our government would have take change back in January! Being home has its pros and cons. The biggest pro is that I can do my work in a recliner or in bed. The biggest con is that I can't really go places to get fresh air or a change of scenery. I actually quite enjoy driving to my therapist's office because I am getting fresh air, but obviously this won't happen again for quite some time. I feel for you. The days when I went to my therapist's office were always bright days. I'm talking to her on the phone, but I'm not quite understanding how that will continue if this thing drags on for 2 or 3 months - or more.

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Originally Posted by divine1966 I don’t have bipolar disorder but I came across this thread in a line of new posts. We are on shelter in place. I feel like crap. We went to Costco today and entrance was barricaded do people could only get a cart and walk in one line 6 feet or more from each other. It made me anxious and everything felt like a war zone. I had to rush my husband to hurry up, I didn’t want to be there. I feel weird all the time like I am in alternate universe. Either apathetic or anxious. It’s not getting easier

I understand, divine.This does feel like an alternate universe. I also vacillate between apathetic and anxious.


I had to buy cat food today. Afterwards, on my way home, I drove past Target and saw it is open. I noticed that at the entrance there were health workers taking everyone's temperature and requiring people to use hand sanitizer before entering the store.

No, it's not getting any easier. I think about...what if this lasts half-way through summer? People are going to be in dire straights.

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Originally Posted by Fuzzybear This whole mess makes me very grrr to be honest. Hugs and respect

"Grrr" says it all in a word.

Some people have been home for almost two weeks in NJ. Most for about a week. Hubby and I have gone for walks on nice days. We saw many others on walks, too. As for grocery shopping and pharmacies, it seemed a lot worse a little over a week ago. This recent weekend, hubby and I went to the grocery store early in the morning, at about 7 am. It wasn't extremely busy. Today I went at about 10 am. It was even less busy, and with some exceptions (paper products), the shelves were better stocked. One thing hubby and I have noted, is that people in public seem much friendlier to each other since this pandemic started. That's very noticeable in our part of NJ, where under normal circumstances, it's not quite as friendly.

I live in NY, the governor signed New York on Pause executive order which took effect Sunday night I believe, anyway, it's similar to shelter in place but they didn't want to call it that I guess, I don't know why, I haven't been keeping up with the news because it's depressing .

As for how I feel, pretty good. I'm a loner, so I like being by myself and inside. I mean, I don't mind going out normally but it's not my number one choice for how to spend my time. So I'm just being positive and enjoying the time. Only thing I'm a little frustrated about is that I don't have a car, so I have to take the bus to get to the grocery store and back. I'd prefer not to obviously but that's just the way it is.

Since I leave home infrequently anyway, it just seems like a pretty normal day to me.

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Originally Posted by BirdDancer Some people have been home for almost two weeks in NJ. Most for about a week. Hubby and I have gone for walks on nice days. We saw many others on walks, too. As for grocery shopping and pharmacies, it seemed a lot worse a little over a week ago. This recent weekend, hubby and I went to the grocery store early in the morning, at about 7 am. It wasn't extremely busy. Today I went at about 10 am. It was even less busy, and with some exceptions (paper products), the shelves were better stocked. One thing hubby and I have noted, is that people in public seem much friendlier to each other since this pandemic started. That's very noticeable in our part of NJ, where under normal circumstances, it's not quite as friendly.

I, too, have noticed that the grocery store where I do my shopping is nearly empty. It's usually bustling. I have also noticed that people are generally friendlier. Being kinder really helps all of us to cope.

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Originally Posted by Blue_Bird I live in NY, the governor signed New York on Pause executive order which took effect Sunday night I believe, anyway, it's similar to shelter in place but they didn't want to call it that I guess, I don't know why, I haven't been keeping up with the news because it's depressing . As for how I feel, pretty good. I'm a loner, so I like being by myself and inside. I mean, I don't mind going out normally but it's not my number one choice for how to spend my time. So I'm just being positive and enjoying the time. Only thing I'm a little frustrated about is that I don't have a car, so I have to take the bus to get to the grocery store and back. I'd prefer not to obviously but that's just the way it is.

I like "on pause" better. It reminds me that this dystopian weirdness will end; it's not forever.

I can only imagine how difficult taking public trans. I'm sure glad it hasn't been shut down, though, and hopefully won't be.

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Originally Posted by Skeezyks Since I leave home infrequently anyway, it just seems like a pretty normal day to me.

I rarely leave home, either. So in that way..."sheltering in place" is pretty much my life. I think what feels so odd to me is the lack of people around, and especially children's voices. Everything is weirdly quiet.

When I do go to the grocery store I feel a tremendous pressure to rush and I feel a sense a paranoia about everything I touch or brush against.

I guess what I'm saying is in a strong way my life isn't much different than before. Just even more stressful...damn anxiety

It's not surprising, though. Most people who were panic shopping were doing so because they (wrongfully) assumed that coronavirus was about to hit, and thus, they figured they should stock up "before it gets here." But in reality, people in every state were already walking around with coronavirus in their system for up to 14 days with no symptoms. The panic shoppers thought they were beating coronavirus. Now that there are confirmed coronavirus cases, they've all backed off the shopping because they think they'll catch it now if they go outside.

While all of this was going on, I bet a good portion of the people who caught coronavirus had gone shopping when all the panicky chaos unfolded... because news outlets were reporting that supermarkets and big box stores like Wal-Mart and Target were packed to the point you couldn't even push your cart around and everyone was breathing/coughing on each other. But even other stores in general... people all at once were racing to buy stuff before things closed down, so stores like Best Buy and whatever was probably another breeding ground for coronavirus. (I'm just saying it's ironic and kinda silly that people panic shopped "to avoid getting coronavirus before it hits." The timeframe to panic shop was back in January through very early February, when virtually no one had it.)

Whatever floats people's boats, though. I think they were just as vulnerable during the panicky chaos as they are now, so I don't see why people think differently. I guess they pay more attention to "confirmed cases" than the fact people are walking around with it and being asymptomatic.

I know this is in the bipolar section...but I hope is is okay if I post here as it seems this is where everyone is today.

When I think about going to the supermarket I get very anxious. I am high risk for Covid 19 - due to age and preexisting condition (asthma) - and as well I live alone with no family nearby.

I went on Amazon Prime and ordered a few grocery items because I can't face the store. I am already anxious. I feel that empty shelves and people around me would make me more anxious. It is also on my mind that if I caught this virus I have no one to take care of me and I am not sure I would fare well with pneumonia.

I think because of all these factors I should probably 100% shelter in place.


The more that comes out about this virus the more paranoid I feel.


Luckily I am good about being alone...and I guess if I feel anxious about the supermarket I should just not go. I have an adequate supply of food and TP.

Do stay safe, DechanDawa.

I think many of us are feeling anxious in the grocery stores, and any empty shelves are a little disturbing. To be honest, the last few times I went I was sweating towards the end of my trips. I tend to sweat when I'm anxious. There really wasn't any major reason for that, but it's hard to tell your system otherwise.

I'm glad you feel OK being alone. But you are here at PC. You are not all alone.

Ah, thanks so much for reminding me I am not alone. Yes, I do come on Psych Central and it is a comfort. I have a few other places online where I interact with others.


Thanks for telling me your experience with the store. It just helps to know it happens to others. I was thinking I could go to a smaller grocery store (instead of a big box store) but the small one near me is very expensive. Ordering online is also expensive but my son called me and advised me that if it makes me feel safe I should do it.

I feel paranoid about getting this virus...but the truth is I do not live in a big crowded city. I live in a semi-rural neighborhood. I do live in an apartment complex but it isn't densely populated. I hardly ever see the other residents.

I think it might be okay if I go for evening or early morning walks. It sounds crazy but we do have mountain lions that sometimes come down into town and I wouldn't mind seeing some people outside...if I decide to take walks during these times. With less traffic it might be easier for the mountain lions to wander around.

We're locked down where I am in Canada. Just about anything that not essential has closed including parks.

I actually don't mind it at all and am so far enjoying being home. It does get boring once in a while and I have to watch my eating because I have been over eating lately but it's nice to be at home with my family.

It's also nice to work from home and I can make coffee anytime I want and no commute

Because I'm the rare person totally unaffected by quarantine, I've actually been able to use my ability to be a calming influence to other people. Someone I know well from shul has 3 children with the virus. She calls me for sanity. I also call some of the older people from my shul just to say "hi" and see how they are doing. I have no problem listening to their fears and anxieties and I'm good at soothing. So, in these times of forced isolation for everyone, those of us who do this all the time really can be helpful. This is truly the most social I've been in years. I just do it on the phone.