A test of our mental resolve

Living with a pandemic for over a year and half already is an awful new experience for all of us. A similar pandemic a century ago, the Spanish flu, did not leave enough detailed documentation on how we could have handled today’s pandemic better.

Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a true test of our mental resolve. Some people are passing the test well so far. They have primed themselves mentally that this crisis could take around three years before things could settle down to a new normal.

Most people, however, are anxious, and are dealing with their anxiety in different ways. For instance, many resort to avoidance. They brush aside the unpleasant truths about COVID-19. They are also the ones who are prone to confirmation bias. They look for evidence that supports their inclination to move on from this crisis. Any evidence that points in the opposite direction irritates them.

Related to the avoidance behavior is the reassurance behavior. This behavior is characterized by those who downplay the threat of the novel coronavirus. They would like to assure themselves and others that the case fatality rate of COVID-19 is just less than 2%. They’ll gloss over the fact that a surge in cases could overwhelm the healthcare system which could lead to an increase in non-COVID-related deaths.

There is nothing wrong with feeling anxious in going through this pandemic. I deal with my anxiety through praying regularly, getting busy with work and new hobbies, and watching YouTube and Netflix more than usual.

What is wrong is when we try to avoid feeling anxious at all cost. You may limit your exposure to alarming news media coverage of the pandemic, but don’t delude yourself with conspiracy theories and alternative realities that do not exist. That will only put you in a much dangerous place.

To borrow the words from a book title, realize that you are “braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think.” In case you forgot, you are the descendant of survivors. Those who came before you experienced much worse natural and man-made calamities.

You mental strength can help those who need help most --those with existing psychiatric illness, those who are chronically ill, and those frontliners who are not trained to deal with the psychological distress of this pandemic.

No one is exempt from the pressures of this unprecedented time. We can only try to find that well of strength we can draw from. In my case, I think about my training in Law school and the psychological rigors I went through for the Bar exams. I also think about my years as a journalist, those days spent covering tragic stories in accident sites and trauma rooms. Prayers are my infinite well of strength too; it works all the time.

Be guided by the three C’s – Cautiousness, Compliance, and Composure. Cautiousness means not letting your guard down; wear face masks, avoid crowded places, and practice good personal hygiene always.

Compliance means educating yourself with and following the guidelines and medical advice set by the World Health Organization and the Department of Health. Stop listening to confusing and unverified information coming from dubious sources.

Composure means trusting the experts and science. Know that we have the technological means to fight this pandemic. The vaccines, for one, give us a way out of this crisis. Quick cures may also soon be a feature in this battle. Cheap, rapid, and reliable testing methods may later be invented to make isolation measures a breeze.