Tips to Avoid Panic

British journalist Nick Paton Walsh, a correspondent for CNN, the Guardian, and other media outlets, gave an interview last week. He has spent plenty of time in war zones and had some good advice for all of us who are coping with the current Covid-19 crisis at home. Here is my take on his suggestions.

1.     

       First, empty shelves in grocery stores notwithstanding, there will always be food. Our national supply chain is in good shape, so grocery stores and big box stores are receiving deliveries of staples like milk, bread, and eggs daily. Many stores have also instituted limits on the amounts people can buy to cut down on hoarding.

Many of us have pantries stocked with stable items like dried lentils and beans, rice and pasta. You may not be able to satisfy a craving, but it’s safe to say that most of us will have access to food. If you are experiencing food insecurity due to job loss, furlough or another situation, please check with organizations such as:

https://www.cumac.org/  or call your local United Way office.

2.       As Muslims, we have the advantage in the current toilet paper crisis since many of us have bidets installed in our bathrooms or use water to wash in the bathroom normally.

3.       Stress is a real issue in this situation. Many of us are, or soon will be, facing economic hardship as a result of the shut-down. Parents are trying to support their kids’ learning at home and ensure their kids attend virtual classes. We also have the stress of keeping our homes clean and our sinks empty with everyone home and eating three meals a day. Then of course there is the problem of not being able to leave the house. We each need to find stress relievers that work for us. Many of us will increase our prayers and reading of Qur’an. We can also take walks, exercise at home, read good books, or spend quality time talking with family and keeping in touch with friends and relatives. The takeaway is that we don’t have control over the events outside our homes so we must work to become comfortable with uncertainty. Now more than ever, we must put our trust in Allah SWA and know that nothing will come to us that wasn’t designed by Allah for us. He will get us through it by His grace and mercy. We need only to call upon Him.

4.       As all of this unfolds, it’s vitally important that we remain kind and considerate of others. This serves to make us feel better and helps others in our circle to remain calm. Check in on elderly neighbors or those with small children. Call friends and tell them you are thinking of them. If you are shopping for groceries, help an elder or let someone go in front of you in line. As with everything in life, this situation is an opportunity to be our best selves, live the example of our Blessed Prophet SAW, and to exemplify Muslim values and etiquette.

5.       One of the most important things to remember is that this will not last forever. This situation will change, and we will get back to our normal daily lives and routines, In’sha’Allah. Let’s take each opportunity to get all the blessings out of this test. To draw near to Allah SWA and remember that He is always in charge, to cherish our kids both big and little, to enjoy some down time from our hectic routines, and to give thanks that we have each other. Together we can get through this.