A new word has entered the vocabulary of most of us. Coronavirus or COVID-19. There has been panic buying leaving no toilet paper or hand sanitiser in many supermarkets. Both New Zealand and Australia have gone into various stages of lock down to try to curb the rising numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19. The world is certainly a different place than a month ago!
For those of us with someone inside, the fear of what might happen to them is also not far from the front of our minds. Will there be an outbreak in prison? Will this mean more violence? So far the worst nightmare of COVID-19 entering the prisons and people detained getting unwell has not happened either in Australia or New Zealand thanks to the efforts of Corrections staff to try to keep the place free from the virus.
This does mean however that visits have been stopped, and in some prisons total lock down to cells is also being implemented to help people stay safe – especially for new people coming into the prison. More resources are being given to increase access to emails and phone calls. Phone cards are even being provided each week in New Zealand so that people can make contact with those at home.
I try to concentrate on the efforts that have been made to stop the virus from getting into the prison. Sure I don’t like that we cannot visit and especially that there are longer lock up times. At times I also have those ‘what if’ thoughts. Thinking negatively though can drain us and lead us from anxiety to rumination to depression.
Now is the time to stand up to those thoughts and move into a different way of thinking. Instead of fear, we can come from a strength that although we know there is little we can do about the situation, we can stay safe and positive for our person inside. It may be difficult but we can choose to stay strong because they need us to. We may be getting a little taste of being inside through the lock down where we cannot leave and do all the things we want. I am using it to think of other ways I can support my person inside when I email – which I am doing more regularly so that we are still keeping connected. I too have given the lecture on how to hand wash properly just to make sure though (yes there are some good you tube clips if you are not sure you are washing your hands properly to get rid of all germs).
We know this virus may move on, or it may stay with us and we all adapt to life differently. I remind myself that this situation is temporary and there will be a time we will see our loved ones again soon. In the meantime I remind myself that they and ourselves are as safe as can be.
You are not alone. We are in this together where ever we live.
Kia Kaha – Stay strong!
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