“Most people associate grief with death and death alone. And while death is certainly loss, there are many other life events that can produce feelings of grief related to COVID-19,” reports mental health professionals at The Grief Recovery Method. Globally, thousands have lost their lives to this virus since the outbreak began and everyone’s life has been disrupted in some way. While no loss compares to the loss of a loved one’s life, everyone is experiencing some sort of grief during this time, as there is loss of work, financial stability, social life, social norms, freedoms, and basic safety. The Grief Recovery Method goes on to explain that, “Grief is the normal and natural emotional reaction to loss of any kind.”
Adding to the insurmountable grief that so many are currently experiencing as friends and relatives lose their battle to COVID-19, is the loneliness of not being able to comfort loved ones and to be able to be physically present as they take their final breaths. Traditional funeral services, where closure often begins, is sometimes not possible, as rules for social distancing and the limit on groups must be adhered to in order to slow the spread of the virus.
The New York Times offers the following tips to help navigate through our losses during this pandemic:
- Acknowledge the grief
- Stay in the present
- Let people experience loss in their own way
To speak with a healthcare provider at Primary Medical Care Center & Urgent Care Clinic to assess any non-emergency health concerns, including suspected COVID-19 symptoms, please call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911. For coronavirus updates and resources, please visit our website at www.primarymed.com.
Sources: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/blog/2020/03/what-you-need-know-about-coronavirus-and-grief