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Sad that the pandemic didn't make us better

138 replies

Pennyforyourthoughtsplease · 28/06/2025 11:52

Those first few weeks were terrifying, but we made it through. Many worse off. Isn't it sad that coming through a global pandemic, we didn't become kinder, more appreciative and less materialistic; realising what really matters. If anything, I've noticed a significant shift these last few years where people have become more selfish and entitled. What happened?!

OP posts:
Dangermoo · 28/06/2025 12:13

Ponoka7 · 28/06/2025 12:08

We had a long term Tory government, which has convinced everyone to be envious of what their neighbour was getting and that single parents, the disabled, carers and people on low wages were the issue and if people are poor/badly housed, it's their fault, while giving us a non functioning justice system, you expect people to become kinder?

What's that got to do, specifically, with the pandemic?

Wolmando · 28/06/2025 12:08

People only pretended they cared, many were just out to get others into trouble, spent all their time curtain peeping and worrying about what others were doing. They were the worst people but thought they were the good kind ones.

Ponoka7 · 28/06/2025 12:08

We had a long term Tory government, which has convinced everyone to be envious of what their neighbour was getting and that single parents, the disabled, carers and people on low wages were the issue and if people are poor/badly housed, it's their fault, while giving us a non functioning justice system, you expect people to become kinder?

DingDongDenny · 28/06/2025 12:08

I've noticed a few things which are really disappointing
Firstly, all the clap for carers and recognition for unpaid, family carers as well as paid carers has gone out the window. Local Authorities seem to have concluded that people coped without services and have responded with widespread cuts, so unpaid carers are on their knees
Secondly, people are so much more flaky when it comes to social arrangements. They agree to stuff and then call off last minute for no good reason, it drives me mad

Tiredofwhataboutery · 28/06/2025 12:06

I think life seems like much more of a struggle these days. I earn ok but am skint, joys of dc. It’s hard to get a Gp appointment, nhs dentist. I’ve just had my one year anniversary of non treatment for gallstones / dodgy bile duct so am grumpy about that, it’s not a horribly severe pain but like a niggly toothache thst you are really aware of and hurts when I move.

Essentialy life feels like a slog, lots of people are struggling on various levels. I remember hearing someone say that free range eggs are a middle class issue and it reminds me of that. Unless your own / your families basic needs are being met it’s difficult to put time and energy into the wider community.

BlueJuniper94 · 28/06/2025 12:03

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/06/2025 11:57

Personally I believe that the many lies and incessant grifting spoiled what might have been an opportunity to focus more on the common good in future

People were expected to sacrifice so much, and to find out they'd been thoroughly manipulated by a cohort dedicated only to their own interests was unlikely to end well

Who is this cohort?

deadpantrashcan · 28/06/2025 12:03

I was living in another country when this happened. There was a curfew imposed and everyone followed it as fines were imposed, fairly, to anyone who didn’t. The government also appeared to follow their own laws. Even had an alcohol ban to give people less reason to congregate, and to curb binge drinking through boredom. It was so so embarrassing to hear how the U.K. handled it, and how people acted.

CeliaInside · 28/06/2025 12:02

Same reason why people don’t generally have an Ebenezer Scrooge type epiphany and start acting completely differently after a personal tragedy. Or if they do, it tends not to last. Human nature 🤷‍♀️

PeapodMcgee · 28/06/2025 11:58

I think some social altruism died somehow. People realised that nobody cares about anyone else, really.

Vaxtable · 28/06/2025 11:58

I agree wholeheartedly

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/06/2025 11:57

Personally I believe that the many lies and incessant grifting spoiled what might have been an opportunity to focus more on the common good in future

People were expected to sacrifice so much, and to find out they'd been thoroughly manipulated by a cohort dedicated only to their own interests was unlikely to end well

Ninkynonkpinkyponks · 28/06/2025 11:56

Way more selfish and every man for themselves. I’ve noticed it with driving, queueing. In shops. Most public places

BlueJuniper94 · 28/06/2025 11:53

No, because we all love being individualistic consumers and that's not compatible with solidarity

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