I feel safe here, now. Well, as safe as someone can feel considering the current global situation.
Safety is not a typical feeling during a global pandemic when a dangerous and potentially fatal virus continues to advance around the world like a bushfire on a dry, windy day.
Feeling “safe” is especially odd for me, personally. My automatic thoughts are sometimes irrational, menacing and overall distrustful of pretty much everything.
I have lived with a fairly severe anxiety disorder, which made feelings of safety rare: Sasquatch sighting rare. In fact, my solution for this anxiety was to live Sasquatch-like, alone and unhealthily in my own wilderness.
Powell River can be a supportive, safe place for people dealing with different pathologies and demons in their personal wilderness, however they might manifest.
Folks with serious anxiety and additional disorders such as depression often self-isolate and self-medicate to, what seems like, find a single way to feel safe in a dangerous, unhinged reality.
So why would I, someone prone to uncontrollable and irrational fear, feel safe in the midst of a pandemic?
Well, firstly, I have found a community of support for my challenges around destructive thoughts and actions like addiction and prolonged isolation. So, Powell River has systems and professional people who can help manifest a safer, healthier reality.
The second reason to feel safe in Powell River during uncertain times like these is, well, Powell River.
In geographic reality, when seen from an eagle’s eye, Powell River is a very large and resource abundant island. The COVID-19 virus and its contagious, infected droplets have to arrive by only a few points of entry via ferry or air.
This fact, of course, doesn’t stop the virus from arriving here. However, to me, Powell River’s sensational geographic situation gives me a perception of safe separation. In the current uncertain scenarios surrounding this virus, the perception of safety influences the collective sense of well-being. It’s an intangible feeling in the air that we’ll be okay.
Insecurity around finances and health, life’s biggies as far as worries, are eased a little when forced to sequester ourselves at the cabin with family, or, social distance among the driftwood, watching the sun set over the peaceful Pacific.
Generally, our supernatural natural location provides a collective social distance from the world which tends to inspire gratitude and calmness: an antidote for negative thoughts and feelings like fear and suspicion.
Science and time will eventually make COVID-19 and social distancing a fading memory. However, if I had to self-isolate for an extended time with anyone, I would self-isolate with you, Powell River.
Robert Skender is a Powell River freelance writer and health commentator.
