@Lostsoul30 @NatureLover @Dimity @tyme @Eve7 @Shaz51
I was at the shops and an old lady coughed and I moved away. Its just an instinctive thing i do... to everyone. Actually lots of people do it to me. She then started yelling at me unhinged:
Lady: "SHe MoVed awAY frOM Me BeCAUse I couGHed"
I tested her so I said as I was paying, "I work in a nursing home, if I catch it, I could unalive people" (Appealing to her conscience)
She yelled : "I HAd 4 inJECtions, MY SON had IT 4 TiMEs" (she doubled down, getting defensive)
I said calmly: "that's not good, you should be masking"
I paid then she ranted to the check out lady "THIS IS STUPID, this is stupid yak yak yak"
I said calmly as I walked out: "Youre stupid"
Sometimes when people see me in my mask they freak out and move away. I get offended too because our frontal lobes are designed to connect with other people and be accepted. But I can regulate myself afterwards and say "hey actually, they were being cautious, that is a good thing" and I get on with it. You are basically fighting your own instinctive wiring.
narcissists cannot regulate disappointment or rejection, so they escalate, like that lady did. The virus exploits our sociability. If we dont reckon with this, we will never defeat it.
@Lostsoul30I totally understand your need to protect yourself. I am exactly like that. I think my germophobia helps me too. it gave me the life skills I need to keep me safe. There is a whole covid conscious community out there doing the same thing. Dont feel bad about it. You are only looking after your health. I really missed this group. You are all such conscientious people, diligently testing and being careful. Some people to not do that or even punish you for doing the right thing. we dont live in denial. If you cant catch it you cant spread it. Think of how many people you are potentially saving. thank you for all you do.
