Death comes to us all. It is mostly unexpected but a variety of factors, such as the way we choose to live our lives and the choices we make, could give us an idea of how long we will be around. But now that the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is around, taking thousands of lives globally, we feel a lot more helpless and much less in control.
We are often told by experts that the probability of a fatal case will likely have to do with an underlying medical condition, compounded with Covid-19. But what about the supposedly “healthy” persons who are under 65 and who have died? While there may be some statistical evidence to support the notion that the younger, more physically fit are likelier to make a full recovery than their older, sicker counterparts, there are no guarantees and countless cases around the world suggest that this virus shows no mercy and no preference for race, class, culture or age.
There is no vaccine and one may not come for at least another year. Infected persons are treated based on the symptoms they show and sadly not everyone survives. Globally there are thousands of deaths. Quite apart from the growing number of cases in Guyana, we also feel afraid for our relatives and friends who reside in the United States, which is now the most affected country in the world based on the growing number of daily infections. It has now reached a point that many of us know someone personally who was snatched away by the disease.
Coping with losing someone from Covid-19 might be harder than we think. We may feel angry, afraid, helpless and confused. It may seem like the disease is playing Russian roulette with our lives; there are some who will be saved and there are those who won’t be. There is no one way of coping with the loss of death in general and much less so in the case of a sometimes deadly disease. But if you have lost someone recently, here are some things that might help you with coping:
Reflection of the person’s life: Think of all of the memories and fond times spent together. Of all of the negatives this virus can bring, the one silver lining is that we are now much more conscious about how valuable life is. Unlike accidental deaths where we don’t get to say our goodbyes, in the case of those hospitalised patients, in some cases may be able to keep in touch with them during their last days. And at least we can feel comforted by the fact that we made our loved ones feel loved in their final moments.
Continue to follow safety precautions: The only certainty that this virus brings is uncertainty. Every time we step out of our homes, it’s like fighting a war with an invisible enemy. We must, therefore, do our best to follow all safety protocols, such as good hygiene, social distancing, leaving our home when absolutely necessary for food and /or medication and adhering to the curfew. By doing this, we are not only protecting ourselves but those around us. If you have lost someone to this disease, then you will have a lot more value for human life.
Reflecting on one’s own life: Whether you have lost someone or not, now might be a good time to start to reflect on your own life. On the things we’ve been doing or not doing. Let this serve as a wake-up call to value the things that really matter in life. Now more than ever we ought to stay connected to our friends and family and remind them how much we love them while we encourage them to do everything possible to remain safe.
• Make a contribution where you can: At a time like this many people will have a hard time financially, so if you are in a position to make a donation of food or safety supplies to at least one family need, you could be saving a life. Whatever way you choose to help, remember that it will be appreciated more than you know.
Alicia Roopnaraine is a Psychologist at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Psychiatric Department. You can send questions or comments to her at aliciaroopnaraine@gmail.com
