For those of us playing along at home... I wasn't working when Covid first hit.  So I wasn't IN the work force when lockdowns/restrictions/quarantines happened and were put into place.

I had my own fears - huge Anxiety, and I heard from those I knew in the workforce (so like, everyone except my retired parents!) what was going on for them and how they felt about it.  For some, it was a fairly easy/supported transition to work from home, for others it was layoffs or something and for yet others it was "you have to work anyway".  But I wasn't part of that, I haven't gone through it.  Yet.

I assume, depending on where you live, you have had memos or meetings or communication from your "higher ups" about what this variant might look like and what it might do to your workforce/work place.  Maybe for most it's "here we go again" but for me it's really the first time and I'm working hard at not being totally overwhelmed.

Ok, I'm pretty overwhelmed.

Part of that is living in the "what if" that is happening right now.  Our health doctor lady (why can't I think of the term... uh..... PHO, Public Health Officer??) has said "we" (the province?) should be ready for up to 1/3 of a workforce to be off sick.  I guess she means across all sectors.  That's a possible scenario and they're suggesting we be ready/prepared for that to happen.

But see... here's the thing... for me at least... anxiety LIVES in and thrives on the "what ifs"... the unknowns, the possible "bad things" the future might bring.  And so to have all the news and public people living in the THERE IS A PROBABLE BAD THING HAPPENING! is not helping me tone down my anxiety.

Last week, going back after the holiday break and some "slow down due to snow" days my anxiety went through the roof with all the conversations and meetings being around BAD THING IS COMING BE READY (BUT ALSO WE AS YOUR WORKPLACE HAVE NO REAL WAY TO HELP YOU YOU SHOULD HELP YOURSELF) .

I had some acupuncture at the end of last week and that helped a lot - it really can be quite sedating and calming, which I very much appreciate.  It's just too bad it's fairly pricey.

So yeah, all this to say... this is my first go-around of "covid will affect your work situation" and I'm not liking it.