to be terrified?

[Newkitty]

I've just read in The Times that the UK's economy is forecast to have the slowest recovery from covid of all developed nations. Brexit is on the horizon. Debenhams has just folded. Everything is absolutely terrifying, and this country is already on its knees - schools and hospitals are crumbling, millions of people rely on food banks. How much worse is it going to get?

How do you cope? I can't concentrate. Everything seems so pointless. What can we do? There's no amount of preparation that would make a difference. We don't have enough room to stockpile even if we had the cash to do it. We rely on systems working. I'm so, so scared.

I'm sorry but stashing a few of Mrs Baxters finest behind a bath panel doesn't sound like the actions of a sane human being.

Ummm stop reading the doom and gloom. We've just had a note round from work anticipating record growth and my pension fund is worth significantly more than it was last February.

Some things are changing for sure but we are not all going to end up in the workhouse.

New Kitty

I realise I am probably over anxious, but I don't share your experiences this country at all. My DC's school has had its funding cut year on year since he's been there - they've got rid of most art, sport, music, SEN support, even TAs. My mother lives in a care home that is run ragged. There is no social care at all for my father, who lives alone. My local hospital relies on charitable fundraisers to keep afloat. Our local foodbanks are always putting out desperate appeals, and I really really don't think it's ok that foodbanks are needed at all. There are many more homeless people living on the streets than I ever remember, And I live int he South East, which is meant to be wealthy.

I live in affluent area bordering poorer areas and I can see the social support network is fraying around the edges. We have a lot of foodbank appeals. Local primary school is outstanding but has nearly £200k annual budget deficit (www.schoolcuts.org.uk is illuminating) and we have donations for activities or they can't provide them.

There is huge deprivation in the wider area and this is reflected in the higher than national average covid-19 rates - there is more poverty, more ill health and these correlate with the higher rates/death rates for covid. There have been extra covid restrictions for months with no end in sight.

OP, it is a difficult time. I'm trying to see the silver linings and have some projects on the go to give myself something to work towards. I'm decorating the house and decluttering. Supporting local food banks, especially at this time of year. I'd buy a few extra things with your shopping if that makes you feel more comfortable about not running out after Brexit in case of any supply chain disruption. Top tip, buy yourself a bottle of wine. I'm remembering the horror in March on the day the schools closed and my local supermarket was stripped bare of wine by a bunch of alcoholic locusts and I didn't have a bottle in the house to drown my sorrows of the possibility of months of home schooling.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

That's what is on the coffee mug I am drinking from right now.

Don't read the news: too much of it is opinion on what the future may hold-not fact. Headlines such as: Snow Storms to Bring England to a Halt when what it really means is: Sleet Showers on High Ground.

Sensation and, even better, sensational fear, sells. Puffed up hacks out glooming each other!

Stockpile if you want, if it will make you feel better, but it really isn't essential. I recall several posters on here-after the Brexit vote-advising people not to tell anyone that they have extra supplies because their homes will be raided! WTF! What rubbish but when you allow that thought houseroom, you can't get it out if you're feeling anxious.

Fill your head with nice things, as they used to say, count your blessings and don't run to meet trouble.

Watch people doing gentle everyday stuff. Go to YouTube and look up Miranda MIlls. There she is in Yorkshire, reading, baking and enjoying simple stuff! I've just been watching her- and others- and feeling much more calm.

Take care! All will be well. There may be soup tins under the bed but there are no zombies!

Tweet from an international freight forwarder based in Dover:
"Just spoke again on the LBC James O'Brien show. I hope I got across how much bleaker the prospects are. I repeated that the hauliers are no longer going to send trucks here after Xmas."

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