This lockdown is forcing a reset for the planet.

[XingMing]

Where we are, it's rural, beautiful and in fine weather (after six months of rain) this lockdown seems like an opportunity rather than a penance. It's spring, we are gardening. The air is fresher, the sky is clearer, emissions are down across the planet. It's not exciting, but it is an interlude to enjoy family life before DS leaves home for university and starting his career. It's a very special time and I shall treasure the memory of this month. Am I alone in making the most of the moment? (We have aged parents to worry about too but as they are well into their 80s, I know they are not bothered about getting the telegram from the Palace.)

Lucky you... I’m shitting myself for various reasons. For many of us this isn’t a nice little break, and we’re facing financial meltdown.

I think you need to recognise the privileged position you’re clearly in. Glad you’re having a nice time and a hit of a holiday but your situation does not reflect the majority

There’s a children’s playground behind my house, it’s usually teeming with children, little ones during the day, school aged after school. It’s been virtually deserted for a week now, completely so since Monday night. I hate seeing it like that.

I feel so sad for those who can’t see or hug their loved ones, for anyone in poor health who must be so scared right now.
I won’t be treasuring the memory of this month.

Even with my privilage I know you are being unreasonable

This lockdown is hardly going to fix the wildly fucked planet we’ve created.

Blimey. I mean, it does sound nice for you. Not the people who are dying, losing their jobs and worrying about relatives young and old with conditions that make them very vulnerable.

I find there have been lovely moments in among the worry, and the homeschooling and the work and the general anxiety. But I couldn’t say I’m outright enjoying it.

To be fair the best thing for the planet would be a mass cull of humans.

I do get the fear of financial meltdown Cheerbear. We are spending the accumulated profit from 25 years trading which would have been our retirement money pot in two years to keep our team employed.

Yes, I would love to be out enjoying the garden, reading, painting etc but unfortunately I am trying to work from home full time with two infant/junior aged DC who need home schooling/supervision, trying to keep the household running and supporting my DH who is an intensive care doctor

I am very anxious for the future, I have a 7 week old and with me on maternity leave and my partner being sent home for the foreseeable future, we are financially frightened and trying to stay afloat.
However I voted that you’re not being unreasonable because we too are trying to look on the bright side - my partner is getting time with his son that is so precious and we are spending time together, that due to our finances, cannot happen often going forward. I’m NHS as is my mum, who I am so worried for as she works long day after long day in a major ICU. My partner has chronic asthma and I have elderly grandparents I am terrified for but all these things are nothing compared to the grief of losing a loved one. If this isolation and financial crisis mean I have all my family safe, I can get through.
I hope this comes across correctly, there are so many people suffering awfully and I am in no way trying to demean that.

XingMing god bless you for trying!

It’s not a ‘reset’, people have short memories, we’ll be back to flying and over consumption of resources in no time.

I'm in the same position XingMing, been gardening all day and its the first time in 2 years as i'm usually too busy working..

Yes, i'm self employed, so i have no income while this lasts.
Yes, i'm running out of food and can't get a delivery slot.
Yes i'm really anxious about DS1 who lives in a city.

But in the sun, gardening, i can focus on what i'm doing and the quietness (also rural) and forget everything else for a bit.

I’m glad you’re confident that the universities will be open by the time your son starts. Have you not considered that it might not work out like that?

Sounds like heaven, I'd kill to get all that free time in my garden but some of us need to keep the economy going so I'm still going into work 😏

It's no fun alone in a poky house with no garden, a job in the aviation industry and no idea how you'll keep your home 🙃

YANBU in terms of trying to keep your mental well being strong by appreciating the small things in life. Sometimes it is the best way to get through a very stressful time.

I'm massively stressed and mad sick with anxiety, but have found little moments to be thankful these past two weeks.

I don't know if I'm imagining it, or there really is less pollution in the sky (or maybe just because of the sudden weather change), but the stars seemed loads brighter the other night as I was putting the recycling out. So I grabbed a blanket and sat on the bench in my garden with a cup of tea. It was lovely. Would definitely recommend it.

Well, yes, of course it's lovely to have to do nothing. But people are dying. So probably not very nice to talk about how special it is.

YANBU. I think it will be interesting to see the (positive) environmental impact of Covid-19 once the data is all through. Already seen, for example, is a decrease in how fast atmospheric CO2 is rising.

Perhaps this will be the proof that humanity can turn our planet's environment around. The Covid-19 restrictions aren't sustainable but in future we can take steps that are.

I know I am enjoying a privileged interlude of calm and reduced emissions ATM. I have faced bankruptcy and its consequences three times since 1992. We have been the people who paid the wages for 20 months while taking nothing and eking out my income, so I understand hardship too.

This was intended to focus attention on cleaner air and quieter roads. But I was hoping a few people would look for and find some good in the enforced standstill.

I'm hoping we all live differently after this, not sure if it would take more than this though.
Unfortunately, still seeing the chemtrails. Maybe they are dropping more virus, who knows.

And thanks all, some of you have!

The air is fresher, the sky is clearer, emissions are down across the planet

It's interesting, isn't it? The extremists in the green movement have been sidelined recently because their predictions about Climate Armageddon looks like yesterday's protest next to the global pandemic possibilities. But hey. I guess some can always find cause to celebrate the cessation of global trade and travel in the wake of a lethal virus.

YABU it's shit.

Working, 2 kids at home trying to teach them , very small garden. Husband's job in jeopardy and could lose house.

Plus an asthmatic son.

I am lucky though.

There was a fake? Extinction Rebellion tweet today about resetting the planet.

It's so offensive when tens of thousands are suffering and health care workers on their knees.