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Has Covid made you struggle more?

Agatha

Hi

I was just wondering if anyone else was struggling more than usual with basic things like going out to shops due to covid.  I don't go out a lot - I do my weekly food order online, my husband kindly fills my car up with petrol for me; but occasionally I cant avoid the fact I need to go to shops.  Today was the Vets to pick up my dogs prescription and the Post Office/Shop to get stamps and biscuits for my elderly aunt.  I looked at the text the vets had sent yesterday to say the medication was ready and the instructions "ring and pay over the phone first", then "let us know you have arrived in the car park and we will bring the medication out to the table under the gazebo for you"  ... I looked at the message yesterday and several times today before I sat down and made myself ring and pay, then I dithered about actually going out, but the thought of coinciding with school runs forced me to get in the car.  I'm not worried about covid and say catching it from going into shops its just my normal fear of being in a shop and paying at the till etc is ramped up a gear with the rules and regulations - like one way arrows on the floor, keeping your distance, standing on the cross on the floor till a cashier is free, not to mention the panic of hearing and processing what is said paritucarly hard with face masks on.  I managed the Post Office/Shop ok for a change and then drove to the vets, turned into the carpark and it was hideous - cars everywhere and people and I found myself trying to reverse into an awkward spot and stalling the engine, then I looked at the gazebo - the people - dogs, owners, vets and I just couldn't do it, couldnt work out which bell to press, where to stand while I waited etc etc!  I panicked and drove out again !  And now i have to go through all that tomorrow ...I'll probably end up parking some way away and walking .. and that will solve the parking issue and I'll just have to deal with what bell to ring, the gazebo, all the people, where to stand etc !!!!!!

Sorry to sound so stupid - I just wondered if anyone else is struggling more than usual with processing the signs, the rules etc only I found it hard enough before without all this !  I'm currently going through the assessment process but am pretty sure i will receive an autism diagnosis, however being 52yrs and dealing with my limitations and anxieties all my life I've no idea what is normal anxiety or autism related ..or maybe they are one and the same !!  Sorry for the long post !  Agatha

Parents

  • Hi , I am a vet and am autistic. All the rules and regs throughout Covid have been (still are) incredibly trying. I get upset by clients refusing to keep their distance, not wearing masks, staff not adhering to the rules, you name it.  At the same time we're sadly dealing with a big upswing of verbal and online abuse from people towards all veterinary practice staff which is heart breaking to all of us who have worked so hard throughout the pandemic as we always do, to look after our patients, only to face tirades like this. And yes, I have definitely found things harder - I went to Tesco Extra at the end of a very long day a few weeks ago to get something for dinner. There were so many people there (smallish local shop), so it was hard to keep distance, music was on, there was so much noise...and then I got to the till and realised I'd left my wallet in the car. I apologised to the cashier and said I'd  have to leave it and the guy behind me in the queue kindly offered to wait while I went to get it, but the wallet was the last straw, I was about to cry and flip out, so gasped thanks but gotta go and pretty much ran out of the shop...God knows what they thought. Anyway, I thought I'd post this to say you're not alone, and also, to make a suggestion that might help you if you need to get more meds for your dog! The only reason your vets have set up the collection system they have is to reduce person to person contact. They would be horrified if they knew how stressed it was making you, I guarantee it. When you ring to pay next time, ring from home, and arrange a specific collection time that they think should be less busy. Tell them you get anxious near other people, and ask if they could bring it out to your car and leave it on the bonnet when you arrive. You don't get out to grab it until they've gone. Hey presto, you're safe in the car, they're not coming within 2 metres of you, everybody happy (happier, at least). I'm sure they'll be pleased to help. Take care, look after yourself x 

Reply

  • Hi , I am a vet and am autistic. All the rules and regs throughout Covid have been (still are) incredibly trying. I get upset by clients refusing to keep their distance, not wearing masks, staff not adhering to the rules, you name it.  At the same time we're sadly dealing with a big upswing of verbal and online abuse from people towards all veterinary practice staff which is heart breaking to all of us who have worked so hard throughout the pandemic as we always do, to look after our patients, only to face tirades like this. And yes, I have definitely found things harder - I went to Tesco Extra at the end of a very long day a few weeks ago to get something for dinner. There were so many people there (smallish local shop), so it was hard to keep distance, music was on, there was so much noise...and then I got to the till and realised I'd left my wallet in the car. I apologised to the cashier and said I'd  have to leave it and the guy behind me in the queue kindly offered to wait while I went to get it, but the wallet was the last straw, I was about to cry and flip out, so gasped thanks but gotta go and pretty much ran out of the shop...God knows what they thought. Anyway, I thought I'd post this to say you're not alone, and also, to make a suggestion that might help you if you need to get more meds for your dog! The only reason your vets have set up the collection system they have is to reduce person to person contact. They would be horrified if they knew how stressed it was making you, I guarantee it. When you ring to pay next time, ring from home, and arrange a specific collection time that they think should be less busy. Tell them you get anxious near other people, and ask if they could bring it out to your car and leave it on the bonnet when you arrive. You don't get out to grab it until they've gone. Hey presto, you're safe in the car, they're not coming within 2 metres of you, everybody happy (happier, at least). I'm sure they'll be pleased to help. Take care, look after yourself x 

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