Where are those who predicted 18 months lockdown now

[AfterAte]

Firstly I realise that the lockdown in England is only being eases not ended. I am also aware that it is entirely possible there will be a second lockdown necessitated by a second spike. Finally, I am aware of and grateful for the sacrifices of those frontline workers, sad for those who have lost loved ones and both aware and grateful for the sacrifices of those who died in the 2 world wars and in other conflicts.

On 21st March on this website a thread entitled "How long are you expecting this to go on for?" was posted. Several posters speculated that "this" would last 18 months or longer and others also said there would likely be a war as well. I realise there has been terrible suffering and my mental health has been I impacted. However, rightly or wrongly, the lockdown is significantly eased and plans are being made for a near future which can in no way be described as lockdown. I wondered if any of those who predicted 18 months would like to comment here and perhaps admit that they were wrong. I'm afraid I still see their motivation as primarily to drag others down, so I'm not holding my breath, but neither am I prepared not to call them out. They've ruined MN, and they made an awful awful time worse.

@Chocolatedeficitdisorder

You don't think this virus is going away anytime soon do you?

It's not. There's going to be repeated restrictions over the next year, or until they get a vaccine sorted. Have you seen what's happening in the US? Their numbers are exploding.

The 18-monthers are more likely to be nearer the truth. Just because Johnson says that the English lockdown is over, doesn't mean that the virus is going away - it's just that your government has bailed on you.

Yep this. People thought it would all be over in a few weeks and we'd go back to normal. All lockdown did was suppress it and not eliminate it.

Chloemol
"What makes you the guardian of what should and shouldn’t be said in case it ruins it for you"
Your own reactions to me posting this do rather demonstrate that you yourself along with others here have expectations themselves regarding what should and shouldn't be written.

wasn't there a thing that some of those posters were called dementors? I remember stuff like "YOU ARE KILLING PEOPLE" if you asked the best time to go to the supermarket. There were posters saying don't go out to exercise (was allowed), come inside if neighbours are in the garden, don't shop for bread & milk as they aren't essentials, etc.

wasn't there a thing that some of those posters were called dementors? I remember stuff like "YOU ARE KILLING PEOPLE" if you asked the best time to go to the supermarket. There were posters saying don't go out to exercise (was allowed), come inside if neighbours are in the garden, don't shop for bread & milk as they aren't essentials, etc.

@EnthusiasmIsDisturbed

Lockdown gives them the horn

You are funny Nihiloxica

It fucking does for some people.

They absolutely cream themselves at the idea of a New Normal of people living tiny boring lives with just their "little families" and no education or society and nobody ever having fun (that they aren't invited to) again.

I think the OP has clumsily worded it, and it is frankly odd to expect some sort of applogy, but I do get what they are saying.

OP is referring to those frothing at the mouth posters screaming at people 'dont leave your house, dont even go in your garden!' 'Dont you dare visit shops, survive on fresh air and good will' 'leaving your house is literally murdering your neighbours' etc etc.

It's not that it isn't as bad as some people were predicting but rather it hasn't been as bad as some were hoping. At least that is my take on the type of posters OP is referring to.

I don't recall ANYONE saying lockdown would last 18 months. I do recall posters saying that there may be up to 18months of some kind of restriction.

Now given that this has been tweeted by a Sky journalist tonight:

Sam Coates Sky @SamCoatesSky
Government announces £1.57 billion support for arts sector

BUT with public money comes obligations - and there are hints much of the sector to be shut until next Spring. No Xmas panto

Also this is a technically very complex package - big headline £ but winners/losers not clear

It is very much looking like government planning is that some restrictions MAY still be in place until the spring.

This might yet changed, but at this point, the indications are that covid-19 restrictions have some considerable time left to run yet.

I do not see this as disseminating fear and sadness at a time of total and near universal misery. This is saying what the government plans appear to be and setting up a conversation about how a large sector of the economy is going to continue to be shut down. This has a huge impact on a large numbers of people who work in that industry who may decide that its in their best interests to make a positive decision to find employment or an alternative source of income for the duration of these restrictions, rather than 'living in near universal misery'.

Being informed gives people options and allows them to make decisions rather than being hostage to events and unable to continue to live.

I think if we get to next Spring and all restrictions are lifted we will be extremely lucky. Even if we do get a vaccine in Oct as some are suggesting as the earliest possible date, we still have the production and distribution of 60 million + doses to be facilitated. Thats going to take a fair amount of time even in a best case scenario.

This is apparently being a 'miserable bastard' rather than understanding how the world ultimately works. Its like the adult version of people taking a swipe at the 'swots' at school.

Its tedious as fuck.

I personally get fed up of people who have tried to pour cold water on the idea that this was only going to last 3 weeks, because thats not helpful to mental health and how people cope in the long term either. Expectations should be set reasonably in line with reality otherwise you set people up for emotional crashes or set up anger at 'being lied to'.

Being a realist is NOT being a doommonger or scaremonger however much anyone like the OP wishes to frame it. Its a reflection on the situation, how long previous pandemics have lasted and what the government and various experts in the field are actually saying is likely to happen.

Reality seems to be this concept that people seem desparate to avoid at the moment. Its part of our problems in terms of social and political issues - the truth is something that too many are adverse to.

Material reality is something that can only be suppressed for a short period of time before it bites and the truth shows itself.

But whatever. No one wants to here it anyway.

#MyNameIsCassandra

Basically MN is a public forum and will have a wide range of views from those predicting CV doom and gloom for months/years all the way to those who think everyones having a massive overreaction.

Both those views and everything in between are rife on MN. Why have you only latched onto the doom and gloom,?there are plenty of counterbalancing views.

It has not ruined MN and no one owes you an explanation to what they mean by “this”

Sounds like you need a break from MN.

Nobody knew what was going on and we still don't. Let it go, ffs. How spiteful. Will you still be banging on about it in 18 months?

@FilthyforFirth

I think the OP has clumsily worded it, and it is frankly odd to expect some sort of applogy, but I do get what they are saying.

OP is referring to those frothing at the mouth posters screaming at people 'dont leave your house, dont even go in your garden!' 'Dont you dare visit shops, survive on fresh air and good will' 'leaving your house is literally murdering your neighbours' etc etc.

It's not that it isn't as bad as some people were predicting but rather it hasn't been as bad as some were hoping. At least that is my take on the type of posters OP is referring to.

Don't consume health anxiety with people wanting some kind of coronavirus apocalypse. Fearing it and wanting it, isn't the same thing.

I am trying really hard to work back from your point of view and work our what is driving it and I am normally quite good at doing that but here I am really struggling.

You are wondering (not “needing” - we have established that) whether anyone wants to volunteer regret for getting their prediction wrong for the length of lockdown.

Are you asking, “does anyone feel they over reacted?” Because it doesn’t seem that way. You seem strangely resentful, not curious.

Just for the sake of trying to understand your mindset if I state now that I was one of those who posted that lockdown would go on for 18 months and I was wrong - what would you need from me?

I agree with pp that you might need some mental health help. Your posts indicate you have a slightly obsessional mindset.

People catastrophise all the time. They like to imply they have better information, or have thought things through better than the rest of us, or have better foresight, or maybe they love the drama, or find company in misery. Ignore it. Brexit's another example.

Aspergallus
Among all the name-calling and abuse from other posters I found your post really enlightening and will look into this, thanks.

All lockdown did was suppress it and not eliminate it.

Who thought lockdown would eliminate it?

I think there were some people on here trying to make everyone as depressed as possible - almost gleefully

I definitely saw that. Some posted were saying things like millions will die, I take no pleasure in it but I will be proved right etc

I think there is a distinction though. I have been on threads where posters seem almost disappointed that the V Day street parties didnt cause a massive spike. I understand some are genuinely fearful but I also strongly believe that a lot of people are getting some weird kicks out of lockdown and trying to make is as miserable as possible as for some odd reason they are terribly enjoying this new way of living and dont want things to return to normal.

@FilthyforFirth

I think there is a distinction though. I have been on threads where posters seem almost disappointed that the V Day street parties didnt cause a massive spike. I understand some are genuinely fearful but I also strongly believe that a lot of people are getting some weird kicks out of lockdown and trying to make is as miserable as possible as for some odd reason they are terribly enjoying this new way of living and dont want things to return to normal.

I haven't seen any of that on Mumsnet. I've seen a lot of anxiety about it all though.

Some posted were saying things like millions will die

I was informed that "millions HAVE DIED" when the global figure was around 380,000.

But apparently "reality" is what we need to face.

Lockdown hasn’t ended and in some places in the U.K. has reverted to stricter rules.

I think this thread is a bit premature.

And weird.

Well you havent been on the same threads I have, or your extreme health anxiety is clouding your judgement.

Just don't read those threads, surely? If you find it too hard just to read, agree to disagree and move on, then don't read that stuff. Avoid it. Chat about stuff you enjoy chatting about instead.

You seem to be seeking out stuff that upsets you, then getting angry with other people for the fact of its existence. There is a lot of shitty, cruel, horrible, disturbing, upsetting stuff in the world. Why torture yourself by looking for it and wallowing in it? You might as well choose to read the collected speeches of Donald Trump.

Honestly though, the only way I can relate to what you're saying, is by remembering an experience in my life of mild to moderate depression. The irritability, short fuse powering you into an impotent rage of messy frustration, negative perception of others, attribution of malign motivation, slight paranoia - the sense that they're thinking negatively about you, even doing things to get at you (when actually they barely think about or notice you at all). All symptoms of depression.

@AfterAte

hloemol
"What makes you the guardian of what should and shouldn’t be said in case it ruins it for you"
Your own reactions to me posting this do rather demonstrate that you yourself along with others here have expectations themselves regarding what should and shouldn't be written

No idea where you get that from, as I said this is a free country, people can say what they wish , within MN rules, and that also includes having the right to disagree with what people say, which in your case I do, in others I don’t. But I don’t start throwing round that comments people have made have ruined MN, people can say what they want.

In my opinion you are being over dramatic about posts ruining MN for you, but those people are allowed to post, what matters is how you handle their comments

All I can tell you is what I do, scroll on past, works for me, suggest you try it sometime

Yes. REPENT SINNERS!! I think go further. Shave their heads and make them walk the city walls naked.

What the fuck? Some people had on the internet had a guess during the height of a clusterfuck.

It seems to be there were 2 groups of people posting about "this" going on for 18 months plus. The first group were people who by this probably meant the existence of the virus, an absence of a vaccine and social distancing in some form. The second group were posters who were motivated by a desire to drag others down, often waiting for people to speculate about say a 12 week lockdown before knowingly scoffing at their supposed naïvete and taking a gleeful delight of bursting the bubble of optimism that some good things would return. They detonated their posts with every intention of making others feel downhearted, which I find very bad behaviour.

@AfterAte you are welcome, hope you find something useful when you do. It can be hard to stop and take a look at ourselves, but a worthwhile investment.