It is because I deal with autism that I find living in the pandemic unsettling and uncomfortable. In the early days, when the magnitude of the pandemic was apparent, it felt much bigger than me and with no understanding, it was easy for me to feel overwhelmed and for those feelings to be out of control.

My Covid-19 global magnitude struggles

I struggle to comprehend the global magnitude of the virus, and its impact on daily life and cannot seem to find a place for my feelings that the virus might never be eradicated for good, even when the world's population is vaccinated against it.

There are people who are unable to have the vaccine, and those who choose not to be vaccinated and still with little understanding on how the virus mutates leading to new variants, it may take some time before we have full understanding. When I read news reports that the virus will be 'with us for some time' my anxiety takes a hold.

Living under a cloud

For people like myself who deal with a pre-existing condition, we feel that we are living under a cloud, and so where possible we may choose to self-isolate at home, where we feel safest. Other than going for a short drive when allowed, or a walk around 'the block' I don't leave the house.

And although Covid-19 is affecting people without pre-existing conditions, those with a disability are more likely to die or be seriously ill from the virus.

Since Covid-19 doesn’t care whose lives it touches, we should continue to use our common sense, when going about our daily lives, to help minimise its spread and to help efforts to bring it under control, as best we can.