ADs won't tut when you're stuck in a rut, we're all too busy pouring Amaretto in our porridge

[BogRollBOGOF]

Welcome into another thread of alternative reality as we try to nagivate through the Coronacoaster of life.

We may be up, down, spinning around (generally in confusion at the next random edict drawn up on the back of a fag packet) but never sucking the joy out of life.

@SufferingFromLongLockdown I don't understand why there's not been more focus on the way the Zoe app and ONS data are now giving vastly different figures to Imperial. In the absence of any other info, I'd be believing the two agreeing sources which use a high amount of population data. Worth noting that Zoe and ONS are using totally different methodologies and data, so the fact that they are coming up with figures in the same ball park suggests they're doing something right.

DS1's friendships are rare and precious. He has his best friend at school. There is our friends who live 15 miles away who happened to have children at the right time, and of the right disposition. There has been very little of this year where the rules have enabled them to meet, and even less when the parents were relaxed enough to meet. The same applies to his cousins too.

DH met a friend for a walk on Sunday.
I met the wife for a walk on Monday.
But legally, the children can not meet because of travel and supervision.

DS had a bedtime heart to heart last night. His hair chewing is up, a sign that he's anxious. He can only really see his friend at break, and he's struggling making sense of some rules... because there is none! I try to vent on MN rather than at home where little ears can listen and little mouths can repeat, and I try to be balanced about what I say about the situation and edit my opinions. But he needs validating when things don't make sense, because it will damage him to play the party line when he can see the holes in it.

Local news has had an article against "Covid deniers" and how full the hospital is with Covid patients. They cited the ONS 60,000+ deaths rather than the PHE 50,000. No reference of how many are admitted because of Covid, how many were identified through routine testing, how many contracted in hospital. These are important questions to ask, and being critical is not denying.

The virus is real. It is a hazard to people vulnerable to illness. It can randomly be hazardous to low risk people. But context matters. Transparent data matters.

I am struggling to get mine out to the playground.

I am struggling again full stop. My anxiety is through the roof because of masks. I need to collect some library books and I had an anxiety attack because I think I am going to have to go indoors to get them.

I am starting to avoid any indoor spaces except a handful of shops and public transport because it is too stressful for me. And I hate it because I used to love museums and libraries and even sitting on buses, trains, etc. But now it feels like all those things are barred to me.

Still, at least I will be quite fit from literally walking everywhere.

I felt so down this morning when I passed lots of teenagers on their way to our local secondary. At least half of them were wearing masks - outside, nowhere near anyone else (quite a few of them were walking on their own 😕). It looks so wrong - like we’re silencing a generation - and I hate everything which normalises this with a passion as it just makes all these pointless measures that much harder to leave behind

@ISaySteadyOn.

I really sympathise. I think of myself as level-headed and cheerful with a Positive Mental Attitude and I'm taken aback how hard I find it to keep that up.

Just before Lockdown 2 DH and I went for a coffee on a pouring wet day and I had to force myself to go and sit down inside, although the cafe is large and airy and the tables well-spaced. I had to stop myself knocking back my drink in one go and running out - DH would've thought I'd lost my marbles.

I could weep when I think what this is doing to anybody in more difficult circumstances or with a different personality.

The irony, if that's the word, is that I am not remotely afraid of corona virus. I am afraid of being yelled at because I can't mask up. It's a stupid thing to be afraid of, but I am. And it makes every fucking thing I do and every where I go be tinged with anxiety. So I can't go to a coffee shop or a cafe or anywhere like that any more.

It's the lack of escape from the masks. Everywhere indoors, creeping outdoors, on the TV, adverts popping up. I never was going to be a fan, but I'm far more anxious about them than I was a few months ago.

I'm doing better this week. Partly that the weather has had lighter days, partly that my house isn't shrouded in scaffolding, partly that I started the week with a good friend, partly that I have a mission to get out a few evenings per week and the kids are playing ball with it, partly that the y5 parents are all back at drop off and haven't ostricised me and my non-compliant ways It probably helps that I've been open about DS1's diagnosis and I have said that I'm struggling with processing and that's why I'm struggling with face contact.

For a few months I could largely avoid the environments where they are required. Shop at quiet times, avoid indoor activities where they are needed for longer than it takes to sit at a table and then remove. And now it's a minimum of 20 minutes every weekday before I do anything else.

My cluster of parents had been pretty good at standing a respectable distance apart... funny how they're shuffling together more now it's harder to hear each other...

Well, here goes for the library. I loathe myself for my fear but I can't help it. If I can manage this though, then I can reward myself with a few minutes on my little fantasy farm (Stardew Valley).

I had to drop my car at the garage this morning for a service. Trying to have a conversation with the service desk while we were both wearing masks and had a Perspex screen between us was interesting. I have no idea what I’ve agreed to! Might be picking up a new car!

We'll be needing a new thread by the end of the day. Any thoughts?

ADs take the National Express when their lives' in a mess, it will make them smile

Any other ideas?

I'm having a bad day. Been sat on the sofa crying. I'm supposed to be writing a report and a presentation for an interview next week (for a piece of freelance work) but I am so so tired from trying to save my business with no support from anywhere except the offer of debt, looking after DD, coping with my DM's constant problems and anxiety, and waiting for the results of my DB's biopsy that I just can't think straight. I feel resentful they are making us do so much prep for the work - it will probably be about three or four days - in the middle of a pandemic in which women are already over-burdened, and feel like telling them to eff off, but I don't want to use the business loan I've had to take out unless I really have to. I feel absolutely at breaking point. I've got my exercise clothes on but feel too bad to even do that, eating seems to be the only thing that makes me feel any better! I keep reading people calling for the lockdown to be extended too, even New Scientist had a dementor article in it this week, it's making me feel murderous.

@ISaySteadyOn

Well, here goes for the library. I loathe myself for my fear but I can't help it. If I can manage this though, then I can reward myself with a few minutes on my little fantasy farm (Stardew Valley).

I understand your fear.

I’m also surprised your library is still open!

for everyone having a shitty day today.

I'm in the 'always knackered' camp too. So is DH. We both look pale and exhausted all the time, neither of us is sleeping well and he has painful mouth ulcers at the moment too.

I lost it a bit and had a cry this morning. I yelled at my robot vacuum cleaner. I called it a... well, I called it a c-word. (Sorry.) And kicked it. Which hurt my foot. Then I cried. DH came rushing through to ask me what the matter was and found my standing over the sink in tears, like something out of a Mike Leigh film. Except with a slightly malfunctioning Roomba called Ted Rogers going round in jerky circles on the floor, blethering away about being stuck on a cliff. I just blubbed, 'There is no cliff' and collapsed onto DH's shoulder. Not my finest moment.

@BogRollBOGOF sounds like a great title

For @TabbyStar and @NastyBlouse and everyone else who has been trying to speak through snotty tears recently .

There is a very obvious reason masks are affecting us badly. Until March anyone wearing a mask was either up to no good, or about to carry out a medical procedure. We are socially conditioned that people wearing masks = bad person.

I’ve also been surprised at the conformity of youth but I guess that’s the generation raised under the gaze of social media approval.

@BogRollBOGOF I’m not sure if I mentioned but my DD has full permission to poke the rules and ignore any that don’t make sense. Sadly her best friends parents do t see it that way so no after school play dates, even though they are sat head to head all day at school.

@NastyBlouse. Your post had me crying with laughter, I hope after some cake you can see the funny side too! Poor Ted Rogers 🍰🍰🍰

Thanks Blobby. At least I don't have a malfunctioning Roomba .

from me too for everyone else having a hard time.

It's actually quite sunny here instead of the drizzle of the past few days, I feel as though I should make myself go out, though there's nowhere much to head for other than the supermarket! It's difficult to believe we're only one week in. DD has (illegally) gone to visit her BF so I'm alone and can't even drag her out with me.

Tabby “ It's difficult to believe we're only one week in”

Yep.

Great thread title.

I feel as though I should make myself go out, though there's nowhere much to head for other than the supermarket

We had that problem in the firebreak - now the charity shops are open and we tend to head to the local ones to get out the house.

Been out this morning and feel better - I'm often just meh these days.

Library open for click and collect.

It was fine. I forgot that the librarians there know me well and like me so no issues.

Wonder if it would be better to think of the masked masses as scared people.

Glad your library visit was ok, @ISaySteadyOn.

Genuinely can't believe it's only been a week. Fucking hell.

I've been painting my kitchen cupboards this week and although the smell of the satin finish paint is getting to me somewhat I'm halfway through and really excited about how nice they are looking!! Hoping to finish the satin paint bits tonight then emulsion first thing tomorrow (have taken a day off work )

@ISaySteadyOn

Library open for click and collect. It was fine. I forgot that the librarians there know me well and like me so no issues.

Wonder if it would be better to think of the masked masses as scared people.

Or just bored with it people. I wear a mask because I'm not exempt and if it helps then yay. But im not convinced it makes much difference. Nor are a lot of people I know. But it also isn't worth the fight, particularly where I am.