The ManicaPost
Dr Mazvita Machinga
I Am writing this article following the establishment of Covid-19 screening and testing centres in Mutare by the city council in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
We appreciate this move, since it is one way that enables us to win this fight. We understand that during the first week, close to 820 individuals were tested.
This is great. We know that in the event of any infectious disease outbreak, testing becomes an important and ideal response to curb the problem and I believe among this number were couples.
This means in the process, couples, partners were able to know their status. Also, we know that patients get discharged from isolation centres to their homes, some isolate themselves while at home.
It can be difficult to know how to help a loved one with coronavirus when you are unable to visit them or be physically close by. There is no doubt that Covid-19 is putting a strain on a lot of aspects of our life, one of them being our relationships.
So, how do I support my partner or spouse when they have been diagnosed to be Covid-19 positive.
I am writing this after I learned about some couple relationships that have been shaken or even broken because of Covid-19 positive diagnosis.
Which is sad, Covid-19 should not destroy our families and relationships. We also have leant of incidences of gender based and sexual violence. If anything, this is the time that spouses need to be supporting each other.
This article is intended to remind us on the importance of supporting each other when our loved one has symptoms of Covid-19 and has been diagnosed positive.
It is important to know that Covid-19 changes our lives as a couple and family. Once a partner or household contact has a known exposure or tests positive for Covid-19, it is vital for all household members to wear masks and for the infected individual to self-isolate immediately.
In situations like this, the sick person needs support, as well as good hygiene skills. They need constant interaction with you the better half. Remember that even as you must limit your face-to-face interactions with your spouse-the sick person, he/she still needs emotional contact.
You need to visit via phone calls, text, or video options like WhatsApp videos, zoom etc. Limit your physical interactions-but not your emotional ones.
Offer support and care
Your support and love as a partner come when you are proactive in keeping a clean, sanitary home. The good thing about the coronavirus is that it is easily killed by soap and water, so you need to ensure that your partner has clean water and soap.
Do not take a negative approach now that one of you is sick. Do your part as a spouse, show love to your wife or husband, but remain safe and maintain proper infection control procedures as ascribed.
As mentioned by Bender Ignacio, anybody leaving that house also has the possibility of bringing the virus out.
Listen and ask how to help
Keep Your spouse Informed — While you do not want to make someone who is isolated feel more alarmed than necessary about the situation of the world, being a source of reliable information could help to dispel any myths that they may be subject to through social media.
Do a Shared Activity — One way to stay socially connected might be to suggest a shared activity that will keep you in regular contact.
Engage in virtual stress reducing conversation — The stress reducing conversation will allow you to connect to your spouse on a more intimate level. Say how was your day? How are doing? Make your partner feel their emotions are reasonable by validating etc. Check each other’s anger levels and confrontations.
Communicate & convey genuine interest.
Stay focused on what your partner is saying, ask questions to better understand what they need and show them that you care. Stay in touch through phone calls even letter writing. Let your spouse know that you share in their feelings and validate your partner’s emotions. Find ways to keep your relationship strengthened.
Seek medical help when need be
Reach out to your spiritual support for strengths. Remember love always finds a way. Keep your love rekindled. Do not allow Covid-19 to rob you of your joy.
Remember, remaining connected and reaching out to your spouse can help them stay well mentally while they heal physically. The worst thing to do is to neglect or abandon your spouse during such times. Where there is love there is life.
Dr Mazvita Machinga is a qualified psychotherapist and mental health consultant located in Mutare. For counselling, psychological, and emotional support call 0771 754 519 / 0778 83 84 19.
