To think some people are ‘enjoying’ the pandemic

[Flynnqwer]

I’ve noticed an attitude amongst some people where they’re nothing short of praying for a new, more lethal, variant.

I’ve noticed it amongst people I work with and people I do a hobby with. Any discussion about going back to our workplace (we can work from home but not easily or particularly effectively) once the Government ends the restrictions on waiting from home, or back to our hobby in real life instead of on Zoom (the hobby is controlled by a central board who are following the WFH advice until it is lifted) are met with cries of ‘No! We can’t do that! It’s dangerous!’ and it anyone points out that, thankfully, it looks like the vaccination programme is working and Omicron is less severe, they come back with ‘but what if there’s a more lethal strain that appears and kills millions?’

My workplace has one element which has legally got to be done in person. I have had emails today from managers begging us to cancel said work thing and do it online. We cannot do it on line lawfully (it’s along the lines of witnessing signatures). We have told them no, we must go into the building for an hour to fulfil this function. They are saying that that is breaking the working from home directive, that it’s unsafe, and what if a deadly variant is discovered? Then we’d have to find a way around the law.

AIBU that some people are actively hoping that the situation worsens and we are locked back down? Why would anyone want this to happen?

I was wondering if we might revert to local hobbies such as bowls, tennis, cricket - which people used to do in larger numbers. I imagine you can't commit to these things if you are holidaying abroad several times a year, driving round the country visiting friends and family.

So live more locally.
It's hard to believe the jetting abroad on cheap hols will return to the same amount that it was before.

Everyone is dealing with it in a different way.

Like any situation, some people will find the good in it. It has had silver linings for some people e.g. people who are very introverted and now don't feel so anxious about pressure to do things they don't want to.

That doesn't really mean they actually wish for a more deadly variant to kill more people. I think when they say things like they want it to continue, they aren't actually thinking about that comment in terms of the wider implications and the reality of it.

They're not seeing the reality of people dying, so psychologically that element can feel less real - for all of us, to be honest (that's why you get so many people with mask-fatigue etc). What they do feel is the impact on their own lives and that they are not having as much pressure/ demands on them as usual.

People often don't see far outside of their own worlds and they are just thinking about their own lives, that's human nature.

I think your post is a little snappy, yes some people do find good in the situation, but that's just because they are thinking about their own lives (which is pretty normal).

If anyone points out that, thankfully, it looks like the vaccination programme is working and Omicron is less severe, they come back with ‘but what if there’s a more lethal strain that appears and kills millions?

Also - this could happen and isn't necessarily an unreasonable comment to make.

Certainly in our home the pandemic has shown that there's a way of working that's more in balance with family life. Dh working from home has freed up a lot of commuting time and saved us a lot of fuel money. He sees a lot more of the kids and because he has to work a set number of hours a day but isn't restricted in terms of what time he works, he can do the school run which also saves us money in terms of wrap around care.

Obviously in not revelling in the pandemic in general but I do hope it paves the way to a new way of working. I think we're already seeing the start of it in the US in terms of workers waking up to the fact that there's a possibility that things could be different.

It's not possible for me to work from home and I worked right through the lockdowns so I do know that not everybody can benefit from a bit of a restructure.

@Alexandra2001

And could well not happen (and given the nature of viruses is to develop weaker, more contagious variants probably won’t.)

I can't wait to get back to normal again...... but i take issue with the above.
what viruses become weaker over time?

Most of them generally a virus mutates to become more contagious but with less chance of killing you.

I think how you view covid can depend on whether you anybody you know and love has died of it.

@WhatTheWhoTheWhatThe

If I never have to hear “I’m a key worker” ever again I’ll be happy

I am a key worker and really hate this phrase too. Embarrassing.

I wouldn't say enjoying the pandemic itself, but I definitely know some who have enjoyed the off shoots and are willing them to continue even if that means wishing the pandemic lingers on. Working from home seems to be the main one, although equally I have other friends who absolutely hate it and can't wait to be back. I suppose when things return to normality and companies have decided on their policies people can try and find jobs that align with how they want to work.

God yes. Often said with a slightly pious tone implying that anyone that is not in that sainted category is a pointless money grabber type.

I wouldn't say those comments are people enjoying the pandemic. I do think a lot of people are comfortable working from home and don't want to return to office life whether to save on commute, anxiety or what ever their reason though which is different to enjoying having a disease ravage the world....

@cookiemonster2468

Everyone is dealing with it in a different way.

Like any situation, some people will find the good in it. It has had silver linings for some people e.g. people who are very introverted and now don't feel so anxious about pressure to do things they don't want to.

That doesn't really mean they actually wish for a more deadly variant to kill more people. I think when they say things like they want it to continue, they aren't actually thinking about that comment in terms of the wider implications and the reality of it.

They're not seeing the reality of people dying, so psychologically that element can feel less real - for all of us, to be honest (that's why you get so many people with mask-fatigue etc). What they do feel is the impact on their own lives and that they are not having as much pressure/ demands on them as usual.

People often don't see far outside of their own worlds and they are just thinking about their own lives, that's human nature.

I think your post is a little snappy, yes some people do find good in the situation, but that's just because they are thinking about their own lives (which is pretty normal).

Fully agree.

Also this thread isn't really kind, is it? People are doing their best to get through this, from what I have observed.

Maybe they are genuinely scared?

@ohfook Yes often repeated but the ones that seem to kill us, don't become milder i.e Ebola, Polio, HIV, Small Pox nor Measles (not as deadly as the others listed)

'flu is sometimes given as an example but thats not really true, it changes very often into very deadly variants.

However, with Covid19, Coronaviruses haven't that background, so finger crossed, we will see this become a background illness that the more vulnerable can be vaxxed against.

Covid has highlighted so many issues. As thus thread shows, the drama queens, the angst ridden.

@Oblomov22

Covid has highlighted so many issues. As thus thread shows, the drama queens, the angst ridden.

Agreed.

Of course, it's also shown up people who are thoughtless, devoid of empathy and imagination, who like their own narrow window of "normal" and attack anyone else who differs or wants a new type of normal from now on.

@Oblomov22

Covid has highlighted so many issues. As thus thread shows, the drama queens, the angst ridden.

Horrible comment, 150k dead (nearer 170k) & you think it was all a hoax and folk over reacted.

Maybe show a bit of understanding

I’m not sure Oblomov has said it was a hoax

I think this is one of those ‘walk a mile in their shoes’ situations. I’m sure many would say I’m over cautious but they have no idea what I’m living with or what my life entails. We should all respect each other’s choices.

Unfortunately, some people have been shut away for so long, normal life will not be possible for them again. This virus has killed far more than the statistics show.

I dont enjoy the pandemic, but I do like that there is cleaning facilities in supermarkets and places that use trolleys. I used to get funny looks wiping them down before the pandemic, now everyone does it! 🤣

There absolutely are, yes - and they are ALWAYS people with houses, lovely gardens, living with other people that spent months furloughed paid for by my taxes whilst I worked 14 hours a day to keep my organisation going and try to help us survive.

The privilege, entitlement and arrogance makes me sick.

@AllThePogs

So many vile people on this thread. Carry on thinking people love hysteria just because they don't agree with you.

Absolutely! Can just see them all, with their judgy pants pulled up around their ears!

As an introvert- I loved the whole staying at home, and also others had to stay home so the expectation for me to go out was not there. However, what I've learned.....is to just own my reclusiveness, I just don't go out and accept others will and might think im a grumpy git

YABNU.

Some people loved a lockdown!!! Remeber discussions on here people literally chomping at the bit for a lockdown so they can make sour dough!

I agree with you.

Yes. See it on here too.

If I go onto one more thread where a poster just mentioned they are "Covid positive - sigh" when it has fuck all to do with the discussion I'll go crazy. No one cares. Like they just have to tell anyone who'll listen.