I'm I alone in thinking that we're not doomed? And other unpopular thoughts...

[GalesThisMorning]

Here is a list of my unpopular opinions. I'll list them now and then do everyone a favour and stop engaging on these threads!

Lockdown needed to happen. It may need to happen again
We have a lot to learn from countries like Vietnam, but we probably won't.
Teachers are employees with the same rights of safety in the workplace as anyone.
Children, for the most part, will cope.
A few months of disrupted formal education is not a catastrophe for most children.
Humans are resilient creatures
It's ok to enjoy the sun while furloughed.It doesn't mean you want the crisis to continue.
We've survived worse things than recessions
We should follow the rules of lockdown.
We will have a very high death toll at the end of this. Probably among the world's highest. This is not proof that lockdown didn't work and wasn't needed.

[SailingAwayIntoSunrise]

I agree OP.

[KindlyFOD]

It depends what you mean by doomed, and on your individual circumstances..for some people this episode will mean loss of job, therefore loss of income and inability to pay their bills, loss of home and future, slide into depression etc etc..I imagine these people will feel pretty doomed. Others less affected, not so much. It's not a one outlook fits all.

[camsie]

I agree OP.

[GalesThisMorning]

I guess I'm thinking on a societal level. Yes some individuals are going to be badly hit, no one can safely say they won't be hurt by this. But I don't think a generation will be lost

[MsJuniper]

I agree OP. It is strange to me how some very forceful anti lockdown opinions have emerged here recently. I'm sure some people felt like that all along. But there is something quite aggressive about them.

[GalesThisMorning]

@MsJuniper yes I agree. I dont see these opinions in real life. I find it really strange but I think I just need to stop arguing with strangers on the internet

[Eyewhisker]

I disagree. I saw an article yesterday which called millennials ‘generation unemployed’. No one is hiring and those new to the job market are first to be fired. Ironic as those who bear the brunt of the economic cost are those who have no health risk from the virus. Studies from last recessions are that those who come to the job market in a time of recession never fully recover. As it is my children, yes I do care about their future.

[sandragreen]

Totally agree OP.

I have been shocked at the level of spite against teachers and anyone who dares to say they have found positives from lockdown (whilst acknowledging the general shitnessof the situation)

On Mumsnet, unless you are raging against teachers/the furloughed/SAHM, frothing about how you will die if you don't get to visit Top Shop by the end of June, you are mad. Mad I tell you!!

[missyB1]

Here’s my unpopular opinion.
I don’t think we will have a second wave. I think this virus won’t disappear as such it will rumble along in the background of our lives until we are all vaccinated - if we actually end up going down that route.

[GalesThisMorning]

Yes me too. I have an 18 year old. But some things are out of our control, like a global pandemic. The economy will recover eventually and my child, and I'm sure yours, will be ok

[sandragreen]

I agree OP. It is strange to me how some very forceful anti lockdown opinions have emerged here recently. I'm sure some people felt like that all along. But there is something quite aggressive about them.

YES!! It's almost like they have been shipped in .........

My Real life interactions generate far more measures responses and I do not know one single person who thinks any schools should be taking in more students from June. Mysterious.

[GalesThisMorning]

@sandragreen I didn't dare mention that actually a slower pace of life with more family time actually has some benefits as I didn't want to be attacked for my privilege!! (But it does)

[sandragreen]

Agree Gales that has been the consensus in my friendship groups too.

We range from having DC at school, DC at uni, DC in early 20s and DC who have just become parents themselves. All can see the positives. All agree lockdown necessary and will comply if/when it is needed again.

I might take a break from this site as it is so doom and gloom and so far removed from Real Life. Like you say, no point in arguing with deranged strangers on the internet so I think my mind is made up.

[GalesThisMorning]

@sandragreen I agree. It's bad enough without adding in internet arguments!

[bathsh3ba]

I know people with a lot of different views ranging from conspiracy theories to locking down until a vaccine. My daughter's Y6 class is split about 75% planning to go back and 25% not. So I can believe the range of views are genuine.

[GalesThisMorning]

The conspiracy theories are an interesting one. The truth is just awful, why do people feel the need to pull Bill Gates into it?

I'm in Wales where we're still on lockdown. Most people I know are following it.

[SunbathingDragon]

Here’s my unpopular opinion.
I don’t think we will have a second wave. I think this virus won’t disappear as such it will rumble along in the background of our lives until we are all vaccinated - if we actually end up going down that route.

I do think we will have a second wave, or else this current wave isn’t really over yet, but I also think you are right that the virus will continue to rumble along in the background. I’ve seen quite a few comments about people intending to refuse any vaccine anyway, so I’m not really sure how that will work if some people have (possibly temporary) immunity, some are vaccinated (hopefully for life) and others hoping for herd immunity or just prepared to keep catching it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Most coronaviruses mutate until they are nothing worse than an annoying cold, which I what I think covid-19 will eventually do. It’s just how long it will take it to do so.

[sexbearhouse]

My LA, Brighton and Hove, has joined the group of those who are saying none of their LEA schools will be going back (aside from mandated key workers as currently) until the health of teachers can be guaranteed.

I totally support this as does everyone I know. We are making the best of a situation which is totally beyond our control. We are mourning the dead - those close to us who have died from this dreadful virus but finding the small joys. I have developed really meaningful relationships with my neighbours and deepened understanding of friends and family.

I have been WFH and have absolutely loved it. The air is cleaner, the sun is shining, my cat is happy to have me home all the time. Believe me, I am no Pollyanna but it's bollocks to say we are all doomed.

Mumsnet is like a weird parallel universe at the moment.

[GalesThisMorning]

@sexbear completely. There are a lot of benefits which we would do well to hold onto.

I'm waiting for people to swoop down and accuse me of singlehandedly destroying the economy if I dare say that it's not all bad, all of the time.

I work in education so really, really not allowed to say much on here

[FourTeaFallOut]

I agree with all of that. I'll join you in the unpopular bench.

[Viviennemary]

Lockdown was a mad idea. Furlough scheme grossly mis-used. Economy ruined. We're doomed.

[Sallycinnamum]

@missyB1 couldn't agree more. That is exactly how I think it will play out and by the end of the year things will be very much back to normal with society still being very careful and following good hygiene rules.

[CrunchyCarrot]

A refreshingly sensible list! I agree.

[GalesThisMorning]

@FourTeaFallOut welcome. Not much risk of being asked to budge up!

@viviennemary I blame Bill Gates

[Tfoot75]

The economy has tanked and my kids education is basically a train wreck. My job won't be affected in the short term, dh's might be. Starting to feel pretty angry about it tbh. I know many are on the other side of the fence. Government found themselves in a place where only bad decisions were possible really and there seems to be no easy way out of it now, hardly surprising that many people are feeling extremely angry and anti lockdown.