From literature and films, what did you expect and what did you not expect about a pandemic?

[KindergartenKop]

I'm quite a fan of apocalyptic books. There are a few things about the current pandemic which appear as tropes in this genre. For example, there are still buses with posters on advertising films released in March!

On the other hand, the books and films never warned me about the government floundering though this situation. In the books it all happens much more quickly and the government are usually all gone by week 3 (I get that in reality that would be a very bad thing though!)

What did you expect?

[TheOrchidKiller]

"I'm just disappointed they closed the pubs in the first wave so we couldn't make a crazed dash through a series of suburban back gardens to hole up in the Winchester."

"Pork scratchings, anyone?"

I was expecting a cross between 28 Days Later, Dustin Hoffman in a hazmat suit, & the bit from Father Ted when the Irish mammies discover that Eoin McLove is staying on Craggy Island.

These disaster films never feature anyone doing jigsaws, or their video conference being disrupted by shit wifi or a cat.

[Chosennone]

Ar one point I thought TV schedules were going to be worrying affected. Watching Ant & Dec completely change their format for Saturday Night Take Away, I was very unsettled! Then there was talk of Coronation St 'running out of episodes by summer', I was horrified... how could it come to this 🙈

[HeronLanyon]

Well this has reminded me of the archers - completely off air for a while then monologues then two handed scenes only and now still only 4 episodes a week. I’m worried about what is going on when we’re not listening in !!
Nothing could have prepared me for this !!

[minou123]

I expected to be beautiful!

Hear me out...

In the film, complete armegeddon, the female lead is immaculate, not a hair out of place, eyebrows perfect, makeup professional.
Me - 2 inch roots, eyebrows look dubious and not worn makeup for 6 months.
How do they do it?

[StealthPolarBear]

"you're on MUTE" is definitely the slogan for this pandemic

[SplitEndsNHairyLegs]

I thought there would be a lot more foraging, fighting for survival and passionate apocalyptic sex. Not so many Netflix marathons in me PJs.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

@sueelleker

Yes, and it should have mutated at least two or three times by now!
I thought it had? Once at least. I was working in a an NHS hospital pharmacy when bird flu started, and everyone was panicking-we were even measured for respirators, which never materialised; and all the panic died down. I rather hoped Covid would go a similar way.

I don't mean boring mutating. I mean proper mutating, like in Outbreak. So in the first mutation, it grows a tiny propeller and some grappling hooks. This is after about a day. In the second mutation, it grows guns. In the third mutation, it talks in the quiet carriage. And so on.

[TheSeedsOfADream]

Jesus, you're going to think I'm a mad stalker but I'd love you to stand up or write a book. Thank you for existing!

[TheSeedsOfADream]

do stand up.
I'm sure the mutant virus hasn't laid you flat.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

I can never remember anyone's usernames, so don't worry about that I constantly worry that I've just been horrible to someone who's always really nice to me.

Also, sadly I'm crap IRL. I occasionally manage to make someone smile when laboriously typing with one finger after just the right amount of , and I'm always chuffed when that happens.

But thank you!!

[EsmeShelby]

I didn't expect it to be so boring.

[PoulePouletteEternellement]

Can't remember if anyone's mentioned the TV series Twelve Monkeys - which appears to be about a virus.

Is it worth my time and money??