Since the onset of COVID-19, we’ve all been on edge, grappling with anxiety at every turn. Initially, my greatest concern was keeping my children safe from the virus. Then came the stress of navigating online schooling, and things took a turn for the worse when we all faced an unfortunate gastrointestinal crisis, compounded by a severe toilet paper shortage.
That was just the first couple of weeks. Who could have predicted that things could spiral further? A deadly virus spreading globally, coupled with a leadership that feels less than competent—talk about heavy burdens. But the universe decided to add another layer of chaos: aggressive rats.
Yes, you read that right. The CDC has noted that with fewer restaurants operating, there’s a scarcity of food scraps for these rodents to munch on. This means that the already aggressive vermin, which can likely bite through a pinky toe in one go (okay, maybe that’s just my imagination), are becoming even more desperate and bold.
According to the CDC, “Some areas have reported an uptick in rodent activity as these creatures search for new food sources. Environmental health and rodent control programs may see increased service requests regarding rodent issues and reports of unusual or aggressive rodent behavior.” At this point, I’m so tense that my jaw and toes feel permanently clenched. And where’s the Tylenol when you need it?
Let’s not forget the murder hornets that made headlines earlier this year, spotted in Washington State. Many have taken to Google for tips on extermination, while entomologists are concerned about the impact on essential insect populations. While people are convinced they’re spotting these hornets in their own backyards, The Washington Post has confirmed that “there have been zero verified sightings of the Asian giant hornet in the United States or Canada in 2020.” So can we all take a deep breath and relax about that?
You might think that catching a peaceful nap would be a welcome distraction during this time (as we avoid nightmares about menacing insects and rats gnawing on our feet). Yet, vivid and unusual dreams have been reported since the pandemic began. People are experiencing dreams where they’re swarmed by bugs, too close to someone who might be ill without a mask, or even imprisoned, as noted by a researcher from Harvard.
But wait, there’s more! Cybercriminals are thriving during this chaotic time, and Zoombombing has become a troubling reality. On top of that, my son recently came down to inform me that “aliens are real.” It turns out the Pentagon decided to release UFO footage during a global crisis, just to add to the mix of uncertainty.
If you find solace in watching cute bunny videos online, be aware that they’re facing their own crisis: RHDV-2. This highly contagious virus poses a significant threat to the rabbit population in America, according to the California Fish and Wildlife Department. While it doesn’t affect humans, it shares some symptoms with COVID-19, as reported by CBS News.
Now, to add to the anxiety, there’s panic about flying spiders invading us in June. The good news? This is a false alarm. These little arachnids, known scientifically as Larinioides sclopetarius, have been around and are not new creations of the pandemic. They travel by wind, not by flight, so let’s put that fear to rest and remember not to believe everything that circulates on Twitter.
And who needs to worry about spiders when a swarm of cicadas is about to emerge? These insects appear every 13-17 years, and of course, they choose this exact year to make their grand entrance. It’s as if the universe is determined to keep us on our toes while we stay confined at home, battling for our well-being.
In conclusion, I think it’s safer to just stay indoors indefinitely. Solidarity, everyone.
For more insights, you can check out this post on home insemination.
Summary: In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, the CDC has issued warnings about aggressive rats due to food scarcity from closed restaurants. As if that weren’t enough, concerns about murder hornets, flying spiders, and a looming cicada invasion add to the anxiety of life in 2020. With vivid dreams and online chaos contributing to our stress, many are questioning what else could possibly go wrong.