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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think Covid is changing people in unusual and disturbing ways?

275 replies

tttigress · 04/12/2020 10:51

Have you noticed Covid changing you friends? Effecting their mental health?

Couple of examples of friends who have been very vocal on social media:

Friend1:
previously: quite left wing, into animal rights.
now: sees Covid as a scam, posting stuff from right ring/conspiracy oriented sites, attended a protest where people like David Icke was in attendance, many comments about "do your own research, don't listen to the main stream media"

Friend2:
previously: quite relaxed (maybe too relaxed), bit of a stoner, bit of a drinker, life of the part, quite sociable.
now: hardly leaves the house due to Covid, thinks people should wear masks at all times - even when outside, thinks people are taking Covid nowhere near seriously enough, thinks the media is underplaying Covid, thinks doctors are underplaying Covid etc. Although they think their life is in imminent danger from Covid still smokes and drinks at home

I am am bit concerned about the mental health crisis Covid could be causing

OP posts:
ssd · 04/12/2020 10:52

I agree.
Its changed me and others too I'm sure.

Porcupineinwaiting · 04/12/2020 10:57

Well it changed some people I know into dead or disabled people and I find that pretty disturbing. I' e only seen that once before (measles epidemic in Nigeria) and it was pretty disturbing then too.

Livelovebehappy · 04/12/2020 10:57

I reckon once all this vaccination is out of the way, and we’re back to normality, there’s going to be a lot of demand for mental health services. I think a lot of people’s anxiety levels have gone through the roof this year, and for some it’s not going to go away for a long time.

nosswith · 04/12/2020 11:01

Yes I have seen some people change and it has affected some people's mental health. I'm also concerned that some behaviour will be different once there vaccine is rolled out sufficiently for most of the restrictions in the Uk to end.

Not just personal behaviour but company too. I noted on another thread my thought that Covid 19 will be used as an excuse for poor service for a long time by some (I suggested Royal Mail, BT and Ryanair and think banks counter/branch service).

Serendipity79 · 04/12/2020 11:06

I think Covid has changed people. I've definitely seen different sides to people over the past 9 months, some of which I really don't like. I've witnessed supreme acts of utter selfishness, e.g. a former friend who is a carer persisting in having parties every Saturday night with her family throughout the first lockdown...… My own family have called me borderline insane because me and the kids have actually stuck to the rules and we aren't visiting them at the moment (tier 3 area), and I've seen parents at school getting hysterical over homework/Google classroom/staggered start and finish times.

I'm found myself telling friends to stop being that parent/give your head a wobble/you definitely have TOO much time on your hands quite often! :D

Its definitely affected people and it might be quite some time until we really understand just what the mental health cost of the pandemic truly is

Ducksurprise · 04/12/2020 11:13

I'm found myself telling friends to stop being that parent/give your head a wobble/you definitely have TOO much time on your hands quite often!

Ah @Serendipity79 so you've turned into one of those people, who I now do my best to avoid.

kennelmaid · 04/12/2020 11:15

Granted he is in a high risk group but my DF hasn't left the house, unless it's for visits to gp or hospital, since April. He used to enjoy going out on his scooter around the village or to the shop to pick up his newspapers. He isn't depressed by it but I would say he's very cautious now.

Original poster
tttigress · 04/12/2020 11:17

It is quite scary, friend1 in particular has had a political conversation from being a bit too far left to a bit too far right/conspiracy orientated in a matter of months. (although possibly you could say, that the two extremes are similar).

Friend2 fairly apolitical, just obsessed that they or their family are about to die.

OP posts:
warmandtoasty2day · 04/12/2020 11:20

I''ve developed a degree of anxiety about going out, very unusual as i'm an out and about every day sort of person.

SomewhereEast · 04/12/2020 11:23

Yes definitely! Funnily enough I don't actually know a single conspiracy theorist type, but I do know a few who have massive Covid anxiety, despite being at minimal risk demographically. I also know a few who seem happy enough, but have drifted into isolation (WFH, shop online, never go out). I worry more about the latter group than the conspiracy theorists TBH.

SomewhereEast · 04/12/2020 11:26

@Livelovebehappy

I reckon once all this vaccination is out of the way, and we’re back to normality, there’s going to be a lot of demand for mental health services. I think a lot of people’s anxiety levels have gone through the roof this year, and for some it’s not going to go away for a long time.
I worry there's a minority the population who will never find their way back to 'normal' & will end up being the Covid equivalent of those Japanese soldiers still hunkering down in the jungles of Borneo thirty years after WWII ended.
GreenlandTheMovie · 04/12/2020 11:29

Its not surprising if people are becoming a bit de-socialised. I know I had to really work on my social skills when I was younger, it didn't come naturally as I was quite shy.

Its a very strange situation, it being made illegal to socialise in the wider community. Its a social experiment that has never been tried on a mass scale before.

lljkk · 04/12/2020 11:29

I've discovered Libertarian instincts in myself I never thought I could have, so I'm finding my own changes a disturbing situation, too.

After govt said we could drive short distances to get exercise, I posted on FBk pics of me & DC at deserted cliffs 5 miles from my home. Friend-A said "I'm surprised no one gave you grief for that" and she proceed to hint I'd been very reckless. Friend-A used to be so down to Earth...

Few days ago Cousin B (who has had confirmed covid, btw) posted pic of self standing close with 8 other people outdoors at the beach. Cousin-C said something like "Well I don't mean to moan (but I'll moan anyway) : why are almost none of you wearing masks!" It was Fing outdoors in bright sunshine, and honestly, does Cousin-C think she's going to change all these people's behaviour in future? Cousin-C lived with us 30 yrs ago. I don't think I can easily stomach knowing who she was then and how risk averse she is now.

It's the claims to moral highground that I find most ridiculous.

Rollingpiglet · 04/12/2020 11:29

I have seen some previously fairly calm sensible people have screaming rows about minor issues. I agree that there is going to be a massive impact on mental health. I just hope the Government are willing to throw some money at mental health services, although I am not convinced that will happen.

Cyw2018 · 04/12/2020 11:30

A friend was asking my advice recently regarding her DH. He is early 70s fit well except for very well controlled type 2 diabetes and an active mountain walker who normally has a balanced world view and ability to risk assess, and has never suffered health anxiety before in his life. He now won't even hold his newborn grandchild because he thinks they are a risk to him, and this is causing sadness and concern for the whole family.

Is such a shame because a quick vaccination injection isn't going to instantly reverse the changes and damage done to peoples mental health.

kennelmaid · 04/12/2020 11:30

A friend told me that Bill Gates is behind it all and he is evil. She has form for being a conspiracy theorist in a minor way but this has become an obsession.

Twatalert · 04/12/2020 11:31

@SomewhereEast

Yes definitely! Funnily enough I don't actually know a single conspiracy theorist type, but I do know a few who have massive Covid anxiety, despite being at minimal risk demographically. I also know a few who seem happy enough, but have drifted into isolation (WFH, shop online, never go out). I worry more about the latter group than the conspiracy theorists TBH.
Just let them be. They may be introverts. I am one and I love how my life has slowed down. No pressure to be somewhere or meet someone. I used to feel that pressure because of people like you who make it sound not normal wanting to be isolated.
Original poster
tttigress · 04/12/2020 11:37

I think there will be long term consequences for the service economy. For example people start to think it is too much trouble to attend football matches, concerts, parties etc. They prefer to stay at home, so don't need so many new clothes or maybe even a car.

OP posts:
WhySoSensitive · 04/12/2020 11:38

It’s made me more aware of those idiots around me.
MIL spouts on Facebook how everyone should be distancing and people are all being irresponsible, but then she’s had people in her house, in others, not wearing a mask etc.

I’ve never liked her but it opened my eyes even more to her manipulative ways.

Original poster
tttigress · 04/12/2020 11:40

My personal attitude is we need to be careful, but on the other hand we still need contact with others, and we cannot let the economy collapse.

I am hopeful a vaccine and hot weather will start to bring us towards normality in April/May. But in some ways I don't think things will be the same again (in some cases for better/in some for worse)

OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 04/12/2020 11:40

lockdown has changed me

the response to Covid has changed me

I'm pleased to hear that one poster has gone libertarian though! Maybe more people have and just don't want to say so.

GeidiPrimes · 04/12/2020 11:44

@GreenlandTheMovie

Its not surprising if people are becoming a bit de-socialised. I know I had to really work on my social skills when I was younger, it didn't come naturally as I was quite shy.

Its a very strange situation, it being made illegal to socialise in the wider community. Its a social experiment that has never been tried on a mass scale before.

I know what you mean, I was never great at communicating with people and seem to have completely forgotten how. I keep worrying I've gone feral.
Livelovebehappy · 04/12/2020 11:46

I was discussing with my sister the idea on social media re the vaccine containing a microchip which people thought was going to be used by the government. Such a stupid theory, and I was laughing. Silence on the phone from sister, and then she said ‘well I actually think there might be some truth in that....’. She’s normally very level headed and would never have believed this sort of conspiracy thing 9 months ago.

Mimishimi · 04/12/2020 11:46

If you read about the T4 program in Germany during the 1940's I can see why people are very worried!!

We cannot discount that there are some very powerful, rich people who are batshit eugenicists.

Momsincharge · 04/12/2020 11:49

I think there will be a lot of agoraphobia when this is over.

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