I'm so pleased to read you're working through this, I think Puzzclar gives some great advice 're self care, it seems like the best time to give yourself extra tlc, I hope you can do that on your down time.

The whole mask thing - I hear you. I am in retail in England, here we haven't had a mandate since July, I'm not saying that's a good thing. Over here the mask thing has gone backwards and forwards and it's confusing, I honestly think most people don't know what to do for the best anymore. I went through a lot of anxiety 're masks last year, my personal circumstances made me extra cautious but before mandate/law I was one of the few wearing one. Honestly I love my job and I was going to hang onto it any which way I could, it must be so different to be launched day 1 into this situation, I don't know how I would've felt in your shoes.

Personally I took the line that I couldn't control the behaviour of others but I could control mine - it's my choice to wear a mask, distance, get my vaccination, be careful with hygiene, so I do those things. I'm not saying this is the way to be or if it'll work for you but it helps me, I no longer feel anxious about the mask thing. It's taken time though.

Sending you all my best wishes, I think you're doing great in working through these anxieties.