Dear anonymous03:

You are welcome. I share your feelings about people who refuse masks, social distancing and vaccination, being socially irresponsible in these ways, participating in the spread of the virus to more and more people.

“It feels like my homeland is dying, and it makes me cry to think that”-

Your homeland- the Republic of India, the most populous democracy in the world, consisting of 28 states and 8 union territories, with 55,000 years of history, with incredible architecture (including the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World), and cultures,  the home of Buddhism, and Hinduism, and the home of my favorite foods, and so much more- your homeland is not dying!

I think that it is a good idea that you wear a wooden bracelet whenever you are afraid, or at all times. When you feel particularly scared, touch the bracelet with your fingers and think about nothing other than how the wood feels under your fingers, maybe take it up to your face, rub it gently against your face, smell it, it will give you a break from your anxious thoughts.

When you get scared and angry about the numbers of infections and deaths, about the lack of equipment, about the socially irresponsible people, repeat this to yourself, if you will: (god) grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

When something, any particular thing scares you, think: is there anything I can do about it? If there is, do it; if there is nothing you can do- let it go because… there is nothing you can do about it. Carry on your shoulders only the worries you can do something about.

How is life for you practically these days: I am guessing you go out for groceries and such… wearing a mask (I think that wearing 2 masks is better than 1), when people get close to you on the street, you move away, keeping distance, and I assume you spend a lot of time at home, no visitors?

anita