Page 18 | To ask if anyone else feels like the covid era is a bad dream

23rMarch2020 · 2023-07-04T11:41:14+00:00

Whenever I think of 2020 or 2021 it just doesn’t feel real at all. The lockdowns for months on end, the clapping for the NHS, the track and trace system, entire school years being sent home because a single case was discovered, panic buying, people developing intricate methods of sanitising their shopping, public shaming of rule breakers, religious holidays being stopped at very short notice. It’s all so bizarre to think of that this was in our country so recently and, really, there’s nothing to stop any of it happening again. In so many ways it just feels like a different world, my DS who had his GCSE’s cancelled is about to go off to uni (if he gets the grades 🤞) and my then little year 7 DD is doing her own GCSE’s next year. I guess my Aibu is to ask if anyone else feels so totally disconnected from that era to the extent it’s all like a bad dream?

CaptainJackSparrow85 · 05/07/2023 22:37

There were just so many inhumane things that I can’t truly believe happened now.

Cancer treatment suspended, children and adults denied vital surgery, schools shutting, exams cancelled, social services suspending their visits, a lake dyed black to stop people visiting it, women attending scans and giving birth alone, people fined for walking with coffees or sitting on park benches, babies not being able to get their routine vaccines.

I was one of the lucky ones in the sense that my lockdown experience was more banana bread and birdsong, but I think at the time the lucky ones were the loud ones who drowned out the less fortunate.

Vintagejazzing · 05/07/2023 22:38

SoSoSoSo · 05/07/2023 22:36

Have you actually read my posts? Of course people tried to get around some of the restrictions. But they didn't endlessly whine, try to find excuses as to why they should be exempt, and basically behave in the highly individualistic fashion that came to the fore during Covid.

And again the article(And others are available) make it clear that people did do exactly those things see ignoring blackout restrictions, avoiding conscription, pretending they had been made homeless by bombs to claim benefits, claiming extra rations, profiteering, buying on the black market etc.

Yes behaviour that was generally regarded as reprehensible. The difference this time is that non compliance seems to be regarded as praiseworthy

OrangeBoatSailor · 05/07/2023 22:46

OwlHop · 05/07/2023 17:00

@Delatron
if you’re that interested, here’s what we do in order to continue living our lives happily and freely and not getting repeatedly sick.

pub/restaurant/coffee shop: sit outside. If it’s bad weather, get takeout. If need to go in from the beer garden, slip on a mask to order or use WC. Literally nobody cares.
Eating inside restaurants is not that big a deal. And it’s expensive.

shop/theatre/cinema/gallery/concert - wear a ffp3 mask and enjoy

plane/train/tube - wear a ffp3 mask and travel like anyone else

dinner/drinks - yes we have friends over and go to friends houses. We run a HEPA filter and use cross current ventilation as well when we do. We have CV and disabled friends who are grateful we take precautions.
we also hang out with friends in parks a lot with friends with dogs and kids.

kid DS 14 hangs out at the skatepark & wears a mask at school by his choice, or has his best friend over to play video games and make videos. His best friend’s mum is having chemo. His best friend also masks. Some of the other kids also started masking last term because they didn’t want to be sick and were fed up with the waves of illness going through the class and solidarity.

The risk is small (infection) when hanging out inside in people’s homes but still there, however it is a world of difference mingling with friends who are happy to test or cancel if they feel ‘off’ versus inhaling the shared air of hundreds of strangers when it’s likely several are infectious and it’s airborne and almost nobody is taking precautions.

exercise - walk, run, cycle, do yoga & Pilates at home with videos. Saves a fortune.

work - still WFH. Meetings - if I need to go in I wear my comfortable respirator and the office is generally pretty empty. I love WFH and so does DH. He goes in to the office once a week and yep, wears his ffp.

none of us have had Covid
we are really grateful for this and the privilege we have of being able to avoid it
and as I said, we have friends who have been disabled by it, and who have died, and we honour them by taking it seriously and living mindfully.

Wow. It’s mind blowing to me that you live like this. I don’t know anyone who was this extreme during the pandemic. And we are all people who vaccinate, believe in covid etc.

I can’t believe what I have read. Your kid has been brainwashed by you though; that bit is a little sad to me.

OrangeBoatSailor · 05/07/2023 22:51

Vintagejazzing · 05/07/2023 21:57

People acted with the knowledge they had at the time, and often out of concern for vulnerable family members and friends.

What struck me most about that time was how spoilt and self centred many people have become. Could you imagine a similar attitude during the war?

How dare the government tell me to put horrid lining on my curtains and pull them every evening. Have they no idea how depressing that is for me and my family?

Ooh I can't wear a gas mask. Where can I download an excemption sticker?

I'm so stressed I neeeed a holiday. How dare anyone tell me I can't go to Spain just because there's a war on?

I don't live in the UK but the general opinion where I do live is that the British have come a long way from the stoicism for which they were once admired and are now just a bunch of spoilt pampered selfish brats. Not all of you obviously, but your general reputation has gone way downhill.

‘Not all of you obviously, but your general reputation has gone way downhill.’

Who are you actually speaking for? The rest of the world?!

Anyway not sure why you put British people on a pedestal in the first place.. People here can be shitty and lovely. Just like in any other country.

JenniferBooth · 05/07/2023 22:55

@Vintagejazzing id bet a penny to a pinch of shit that you were one of the ones who still wasnt satisfied when people were wearing masks They HAD to be happy about it as well.

I said on here in April 2020 that whatever we do it will never be enough.

CherryBlossom321 · 05/07/2023 22:58

I think about it and remember details every day. It’s haunting. Everyone talks about how things are “back to normal”, but it doesn’t feel normal to me. Things have fundamentally changed and I don’t think they will ever be the same again. I certainly won’t.

wendyjoy · 05/07/2023 23:26

I am just getting over my 4th bout of Covid ( yes l tested) and it was horrific and its left me with laryngitis and ulcers on my throat.
1st time l had it was before vaccinations and lasted a good three months and left me with long covid..( l became suicidal)my daughter has long covid.. it gave her POTS and RA ( not un commmon) my Grandson who was 16 got ot the 1st time l did and reverted back to being a toddler... his Mum had to dress him.. Bath him.. feed him.. I'm afraid its here to stay and will just be like seasonal flu. This new variant the BB.1.5 I've just had is highly contagious.
The lock down didn't effect my Grandsons because they've home educated anyhow.. So to me and my family we are still living the bad dream.
We cannot eat certain foods because its like eating salt or they smell of toilet cleaner.
Our memories aren't like they used to be.. we get exhausted.We suffer with pain daily. Every little cold we get is like the flu.
We have so many horrible side effects with long covid.
So just lucky to be alive l guess.

OCaptain · 06/07/2023 01:25

Southeastdweller · 04/07/2023 15:21

Everyone was pretty scared

No, not everyone. I knew from the early days that Covid was a mild illness for the vast majority of people who were to get it. And that the media were playing on fear, because that’s how they make money. I’ll never stop feeling angry that the unnecessary rules and guidance had so much adverse impact, especially on kids lives.

How would you know it was mild from very early on? Did you create the virus?

sunglassesonthetable · 06/07/2023 02:02

How would you know it was mild from very early on? Did you create the virus?

exactly 😁

OCaptain · 06/07/2023 04:43

Delatron · 05/07/2023 18:54

It’s not a good thing to have never had Covid (unless you’re one of those that are naturally immune). You have zero immunity and it’s going nowhere. Both my children had it asymptomatically, maybe many time who knows.. And have avoided it since. Without measures that impact their lives.

Not heard of 'vaccines', then? It isn't necessarily a good thing to have a virus, over and over, that may land you with severe side-effects.

Goldencup · 06/07/2023 05:05

mondaytosunday · 04/07/2023 13:48

It does seem the distant past. If it did happen again (the exact same sort of virus in terms of contagion and morbidity, unlikely) then hopefully we will have learned that slot if the rules were unnecessary. Seeing all those 'elbow' bumps on TV shoes filmed at the time look silly. Rules of four or six etc. we're OTT.
Washing groceries? Waiting 48 hours to open mail? Never did that...
I wish I had done more with the time during lock downs thought

I agree the whole thing has a dream-like or nightmare quality. However rules of 4 or 6 absolutely would be what I would re- introduce. That, masks and mass testing. I'd try to keep the kids at school.

RantyAnty · 06/07/2023 05:15

I spent it in fucking Melbourne, Australia. Worst years of my life and am still damaged from it.

SunnyEgg · 06/07/2023 06:48

OCaptain · 06/07/2023 01:25

How would you know it was mild from very early on? Did you create the virus?

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The age risk was known pretty early on plus that it would be mild for the majority

turnthetoiletpaperroundproperly · 06/07/2023 06:49

I look back and revel and wonder in it all even now. To comprehend the virus is one thing but how we were expected to endure and live is quite another. I saw sane,normally very intelligent people banging saucepans with spoons on their door steps as we were encouraged to clap for the NHS...looking back the worst kind of social experiment or brainwashing ever.What were we thinking? Banging pans and clapping ?? Like it would make a difference?Bizarre!! Trying to decide who was the most dispensable heading out into the disease ravaged world to get weekly groceries..I will never get over this period.The damage caused will never leave me.

Worldgonecrazy · 06/07/2023 06:53

wendyjoy · 05/07/2023 23:26

I am just getting over my 4th bout of Covid ( yes l tested) and it was horrific and its left me with laryngitis and ulcers on my throat.
1st time l had it was before vaccinations and lasted a good three months and left me with long covid..( l became suicidal)my daughter has long covid.. it gave her POTS and RA ( not un commmon) my Grandson who was 16 got ot the 1st time l did and reverted back to being a toddler... his Mum had to dress him.. Bath him.. feed him.. I'm afraid its here to stay and will just be like seasonal flu. This new variant the BB.1.5 I've just had is highly contagious.
The lock down didn't effect my Grandsons because they've home educated anyhow.. So to me and my family we are still living the bad dream.
We cannot eat certain foods because its like eating salt or they smell of toilet cleaner.
Our memories aren't like they used to be.. we get exhausted.We suffer with pain daily. Every little cold we get is like the flu.
We have so many horrible side effects with long covid.
So just lucky to be alive l guess.

I genuinely think that scientists should spend some time investigating why some families, like yours, suffer so badly with covid, and others, like mine, are completely untouched. I believe it must be either environmental or lifestyle, as my parents aren’t genetically related to each other, only to me, and my husband is not genetically related to anyone in the family, so the chances of all four of us having genes that support immunity is very small. Unless scientists investigate this we will never know.

Wenfy · 06/07/2023 06:55

It wrecked so many people’s IVF hopes. I remember my cousin’s nhs fertility treatments kept getting cancelled (private kept going though, funny that). Then she turned 40 while on the waiting list and it was cancelled altogether. She’s 43 now and while private treatment is still available to her she can’t afford it.

CiaoBellisima · 06/07/2023 06:56

@23rMarch2020

same. Feels like a bad dream. I was redeployed twice to ITU and I’m pretty sure I have PTSD. I think my mind is trying to protect me.

StormShadow · 06/07/2023 07:05

OrangeBoatSailor · 05/07/2023 22:51

‘Not all of you obviously, but your general reputation has gone way downhill.’

Who are you actually speaking for? The rest of the world?!

Anyway not sure why you put British people on a pedestal in the first place.. People here can be shitty and lovely. Just like in any other country.

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Yes, the idea that any other society is that interested in the UK covid response is frankly implausible.

JustDanceAddict · 06/07/2023 07:17

I often think how surreal it was - we were lucky and didn’t lose anyone but my DCs’ mental health suffered a lot and I have had some health issues since getting covid last year.
The whole lockdown scenario was like something out of a film though, and also scary how much we ‘complied’ with it all without much questioning, especially at the beginning,

Delatron · 06/07/2023 07:52

OCaptain · 06/07/2023 04:43

Not heard of 'vaccines', then? It isn't necessarily a good thing to have a virus, over and over, that may land you with severe side-effects.

Show quote history

Good lord what a stupid thing to say. I’ve had 3 vaccines. The vaccines were necessary for most people - because it was a novel virus. Then the population then builds up some immunity. Otherwise we’d all need to be vaccinated every 3-6 months. And the hospitals would be filling up again. Jesus.

Yes it’s frustrating that we have a new virus with us that is going nowhere. And sadly for some people they end up with some side effects (this happens with other viruses, it’s life). But what do you want to happen? People hide away? You have to live your life.

I know of nobody in my group of friends who has suffered any long term effects. Including my doctor friend who has had Covid 5 times.

We’ll just have to hope as our immunity builds we are less susceptible. And it becomes more like a cold (it has for me - round 3 was barely a sniffle).

MinnieMountain · 06/07/2023 08:00

DS got a cough a week before the first lockdown. It was weird going from a relatively normal world to the bizarreness of 6ft apart in the shops and masks everywhere.

And the other rules! I remember very carefully reading the regulations as to whether I could go from England to Wales for my DM’s funeral.

Crikeyalmighty · 06/07/2023 08:29

As I said before - hindsight isa wonderful thing- certainly at the time of the first lockdown it was looking pretty frightening indeed with the pictures from Italy and Spain .

OCaptain · 06/07/2023 08:58

@Delatron

Good lord what a stupid thing to say.

TBH, I felt it was a little silly to say, "It’s not a good thing to have never had Covid (unless you’re one of those that are naturally immune). You have zero immunity and it’s going nowhere," when that is the job description of a vaccine.

Delatron · 06/07/2023 09:27

OCaptain · 06/07/2023 08:58

@Delatron

Good lord what a stupid thing to say.

TBH, I felt it was a little silly to say, "It’s not a good thing to have never had Covid (unless you’re one of those that are naturally immune). You have zero immunity and it’s going nowhere," when that is the job description of a vaccine.

How long do you think protection from the vaccine lasts? Genuine question.

SunnyEgg · 06/07/2023 09:35

I don’t really get the hindsight argument.

The response was prolonged over a couple of years. Even if for a few weeks we had done the lockdown the cost and massive damage would have been minimal compared to what was incurred

Dc could have missed school for a couple of weeks, businesses could have operated without the huge support

Some did realise early on that this was a fear campaign for compliance - something backed up in MH whatsapp when he said scare them

We should have had better ability to hear about the costs and damage