I Have a New Respect for Michelle Obama

It was all over the news this morning.  Michelle Obama came out and said she has “low-grade depression.”  That’s right, the former First Lady of the United States” came clean!  I watched the segment about her on the “Today Show” and it’s all over the tabloids.  She says “racial inequality amid the challenges of the Corona Virus Pandemic has left her feeling that she has some form of low-grade depression. “Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting,” she said in the latest episode of her podcast released Wednesday.  For the complete story go to NBC News.

It took a lot of guts for Mrs. Obama to come out and share her plight with the world.  I think she is awesome!  So, what about the rest of us?  How are we handling the pandemic, racial inequality, rising food costs, loss of a jobs, social distancing and of course, the quarantine?  You talk about stress?  You talk about depression?

Depression due to Pandemic

I want to share some information regarding some folks that are very near and dear to me and what has happened to them over the last 6 months.  I am not going to mention names as that would not be fair except in a few instances I will be specific.  The pandemic is making folks irritable, angry, sad, they lash out at people and in some cases do things that just don’t make any sense.

For starters, my daughter a full-time school teacher with 3 boys has had to deal with her oldest who broke his leg and her middle son broke his arm.  Both boys are great athletes and now are spending part of their summer rather bored!  She is now figuring out what to do when she goes back to work full-time.  The kids school district is half in school and half home schooling.  Who watches the kids?  Many parents have the same dilemma. 

Another very close friend who is in the service industry is doing all she can to keep her daughter busy.  Well, her 11-year-old fell off a skateboard and broke her arm.  So much for any special activities.  It is just heartbreaking. My love and thoughts go out to both of them.  My musician friends on the Suncoast are certainly hurting.  With “live music” venues few and far between at the present time it’s certainly causing them financial hardship.  And of course, my friends and clients in the restaurant business.  My love goes out to them.  If anyone thinks they are making a killing working at 50% capacity, you are greatly mistaken.  Many of them are working 12-18 hours a day (and not sleeping at night) to make sure their restaurants are following the CDC requirements.  On top of that, they have to deal with folks who do not want to wear masks and giving staff a hard time.  I am sending good thoughts to all of you. 

No One Exempt

All of us have stories about the Pandemic.  No one is exempt.  We are all experiencing some anxiety and fear.  There is the story of a wonderful 5-year relationship that ended abruptly with no notice, not even an inkling that it was coming.  The gal just packed up and left town. It had a trickle-down effect leaving a successful business with no notice, leaving friends and family without saying goodbye.  Heartbreaking but true. 

And, so many small businesses are struggling to stay open.  They are having difficulty paying rent and making ends meet.  Please support our local businesses.

Please, if you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or any pandemic related mental health issues, seek help from a professional.  Talk to a friend or family member.  We are all in this together. 

Love to all of you, be safe and most important wear your mask.

Photo from Michelle Obama Facebook page from 7/23/2019.