do you know anyone personally who has died from Covid?

[greystarblanchard]

Just that really. Posting here for traffic.

After a conversation with my mother we both agreed that people who have actually personally lost someone due to Covid are more likely to take it more seriously. Have you lost someone? Has this affected your attitude towards the virus and your own behaviour?

DD's classmate's grandfather died of it in April, two older neighbours in different houses in my road have also died in March/April. All previously fit and healthy but over 60. So yes, I take it very seriously. I'm avoiding busy places as much as possible, mask wear, still stand 2m from other people, wash hands, get food online delivered to my doorstep; I'm only popping out to smaller shops when I need something I can't order online. In May an older man laughed, pointed at me, as I was the only customer in the queue wearing a mask, in my local Co-op...."oh, FFS...I ain't got it love!". I told him in no uncertain terms why I wear a mask...."to protect older more vulnerable people like you from my germs, as I may be asymptomatic and I've so far known three fit and healthy people aged 60+ who have died of it". Shut him up...

Fortunately no. But I do know two previously incredibly fit and healthy people who have been completely floored by catching it.

One went from Ironman levels of training literally, he does those events to post recovery...4 months on still not being able to even walk 5k let alone run for any kind of distance.

The other now basically resembles someone with ME and is constantly needing to rest/sleep.

Both younger than 40, both previously enthusiastic exercisers with an excellent diet. If that's a hoax, it's a fucking incredible one!

We've always taken it seriously, especially because one of my parents has COPD. Breathing is arduous on a good day, I'm bloody terrified of them catching someone that inhibits breathing which now includes covid19.

• catching something!

I know a few people who died but I wasn't close with any of them, they were mainly friends of an elderly relative.

I've been pretty careful throughout the whole thing but am more worried because two friends have been diagnosed with long COVID, both about my age and really struggling with symptoms.

2 people I know lost their lives due to covid-19 but had underlying conditions.
I wear a mask, use hand sanitizer, wash my hands more than usual. Have cut down visits to family and friends to essential visiting and keep my distance etc.

But, I know of at least 7 people that have been made redundant through the pandemic and even more who've had their hours cut or been furloughed.

No, I don't know anyone who's had it at all. It does make it seem more unreal/distant - BUT I still behave responsibility because, well I try not to be an arrogant jerk who plays loose and fast with other people's health.

Not UK, but I have only heard of 1 person in my greater circle of acquaintances that has died of covid.
Sadly a young-ish chap, married within the past 5 or 6 years leaving a widow and young daughter :-(
He was, however, very overweight.

I dont know anyone personally who has died or who has had a positive test (that anyones told me)

But I’m following the guidelines as much as possible

I haven’t known anyone personally but a colleague’s dad died of it and I have several long term Twitter friends who had it and are still very ill. They weren’t in hospital either. They have no energy, and various other symptoms and are worrying if they will ever get well again.

What do people mean by "taking it seriously" though? Everyone seems very confident that their behaviour is impeccable and everyone else is being a shit but I'm not sure it's as black and white as that. I "take it seriously", I'm not a conspiracy theorist and I know if people who have died or have been very ill. I comply with the guidelines and I keep my distance as best I can when out and about. But I don't take every possible precaution. The kids are at school, I've been to restaurants, I am seeing people up to the rule of 6 limit, I haven't been abroad. Am I "taking it seriously", a selfish fuckwit or something else? Does everyone really have to be divided in this way?

We know 2 people one in their 40s and one in their 50s. Both did have underlying conditions.
One of my best friends knows 2. One was an elderly neighbour and the other in her 40s who worked on a covid ward.
I take it very seriously and get very annoyed by people saying it is a hoax, or that they will take the risks. So bloody selfish.

I don’t know anyone who’s died but I know several young, sporty people who have been seriously ill after confirmed cases.

Nope not personally. But my aunt (through marriage) sister died of it. Never met her or anything so it's affected someone in my family!

Also know of someone else who died of it locally.

It is very real.

Also I lost someone just before lockdown. It wasn't of covid but it sucks. Not being able to grieve with your family etc.

Yes we lost someone to it but if it hadn’t been that it would have been something else soon as she lead a very unhealthy lifestyle. That sounds uncaring but it is not meant unkindly. I just mean that it has not made me more wary of Covid personally although I will continue to take precautions so that I do not transmit it.

No, and I don’t know anyone who has had it.

I know five. All elderly, but no underlying conditions. One possible, but not confirmed.
I know one man, early fifties, fit and healthy who was in hospital for three months, had a couple of heart attacks, organ failure, dialysis, nerve damage and will suffer for the rest of his life.

Nope. I don't know anyone who's even tested positive, though I know a town about 40 minutes from here had quite a few deaths in March.

I suppose it must depend on where you live.

A friend lost both her parents.

A colleague (late twenties, very fit and healthy) ended up on a ventilator but thankfully survived.

Lots of friends who have had it, two suffering long Covid.

Wife (nurse) redeployed to a covid ward where she held the hands of those dying.

Never occurred to me not to take it seriously even if I hadn’t known anybody.

I don’t even know anyone who is confirmed to have had it.

No but my husband knows 3 people who died. Hasn’t affected his opinions either way

What @longestlurkerever said!

No, and neither does anyone I know.

But we all take sensible precautions anyway.

There's a world of difference between eagerly lapping up every government pronouncement and exhorting people to "stay safe" with every breath, and being a "denier".

Nope. I don't know anyone who's even tested positive

Same. And I've been in Manchester with big numbers. Weird

Sister, BIL and friends 25 year old daughter all tested positive but have all made a good recovery..thank goodness.

Yes I have. I observe the regulations, but it hasn't made me take any additional steps or made me more worried.