What It’s Like Being a Hypochondriac in the Wake of the Coronavirus

It’s not always full-blown panic mode

A degree of anxiety ensues when I find out that a new confirmed case exhibiting symptoms of the Coronavirus took the same bus as me at the same time a few days ago.

Down the rabbit hole, I go googling “ how long does coronavirus live on surfaces” only to find ambiguous answers that really don’t put my mind at ease.

Luckily, I’m fine.

In fact, I was more annoyed by the news of someone exhibiting symptoms and still travelling all across the city's underground metro system than I was scared.

For once in my life, I’m not crippled by fear, I’m prepared for it.

Hi, I’m Andrea and I’m a Hypochondriac aka germaphobe.

Ever since my dad caught the norovirus (gastro) 3 years ago (ironically around this time of year as well ), the trauma that lay dormant in me since 1999, long manifested in something much more: OCD and hypochondria.

From frequent hand washing (hello eczema- ridden hands) to touching doorknobs with kleenexes (which I leave crumpled up inside my long shirt sleeve like an old lady), to holding my breath whenever someone coughs near me, this has become my daily routine since 2017.