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Original poster

Is the COVID 19 pandemic "over"?

222 replies

verdantverdure · 17/08/2023 08:50

I just thought I'd ask.

YABU The COVID 19 pandemic IS "over."

YANBU The COVID 19 pandemic is not "over".

OP posts:
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8
Original poster
verdantverdure · 19/08/2023 12:59

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 19/08/2023 12:51

Agree with pp, it's gone from pandemic to endemic. I feel grumpy that after more than three years of not getting Covid I've just caught it. I don't think it's a small number of people getting it, numbers are on the rise again though we're not testing and monitoring so much so who knows. With the vaccines it seems more like a nuisance with some risk than a big danger.

I'm in Scotland, over 60, been offered flu but not Covid vax this autumn.

Yes I think there's probably a bit more covid around than we realise.

Several people from the same party in the garden with a marquee we went to seem to be out of action but as far as I can tell from the hosts I'm the only one who has rung to say they've got covid. We talked to a guy who had left his wife at home "absolutely felled by some bug" which is pretty much how I felt. (Am beginning to feel better today thank goodness)

OP posts:
AmaryllisNightAndDay · 19/08/2023 13:12

verdantverdure · 19/08/2023 12:59

Yes I think there's probably a bit more covid around than we realise.

Several people from the same party in the garden with a marquee we went to seem to be out of action but as far as I can tell from the hosts I'm the only one who has rung to say they've got covid. We talked to a guy who had left his wife at home "absolutely felled by some bug" which is pretty much how I felt. (Am beginning to feel better today thank goodness)

Show quote history

Well yes, there's no obligation or NHS advice to test any more so to a lot of people it's just "a bug". We're supposed to get Covid and flu vaccines if eligible, wear a mask if coughing and sneezing (no-one does), wash our hands, and that's about it.

I know there are other nasty cold/flu bugs going round because some of my friends and family do still test.

Glad you're feeling better. DH is getting better and I'm well enough to fanny around on the internet in my pyjamas but that's about it!

Original poster
verdantverdure · 19/08/2023 13:36

That's how you know you're properly poorly when you're not even well enough to fanny around on the internet in your pyjamas  @AmaryllisNightAndDay

OP posts:
Original poster
verdantverdure · 20/08/2023 15:44

I've just found out my neighbour is ill with something similar to me and has tried 111, A&E, and a throat swab at the pharmacy to get antibiotics for it but without success. They haven't tested for covid though (according to the other neighbour who was doing them some shopping.)

It's just dawned on me that this endemic forever covid means forever jabs doesn't it?

Still, the kids go back to school soon. By Half Term we'll have a good idea if it's kicking off again won't we?

OP posts:
AmaryllisNightAndDay · 20/08/2023 15:56

It's just dawned on me that this endemic forever covid means forever jabs doesn't it?

Depends on your age. My age group gets flu jabs every year anyway but too young for Covid. Would be nice to get both at the same time but whatever. I suppose the govt might lower the Covid vaccine age if more people than expected need to go to hospital.

Neverseenbefore · 20/08/2023 16:00

verdantverdure · 20/08/2023 15:44

I've just found out my neighbour is ill with something similar to me and has tried 111, A&E, and a throat swab at the pharmacy to get antibiotics for it but without success. They haven't tested for covid though (according to the other neighbour who was doing them some shopping.)

It's just dawned on me that this endemic forever covid means forever jabs doesn't it?

Still, the kids go back to school soon. By Half Term we'll have a good idea if it's kicking off again won't we?

Well, only the elderly and vulnerable are getting jabbed.

Original poster
verdantverdure · 20/08/2023 16:08

Neither myself or my neighbour fit into that category and have both been out of action for about 11 days now. Spread over a whole country that's going to have a detrimental impact on productivity isn't it?

OP posts:
AmaryllisNightAndDay · 20/08/2023 16:17

I'm not sure the vaccines stop people catching it or getting ill, just keeps us out of hospital and alive. It was social distancing, masks etc that stopped it spreading. Or maybe the vaccines made catching it and spreading it less likely as well?

I've lost track to be honest!

maddening · 20/08/2023 16:18

It is no longer a pandemic situation- pandemic is a specific thing with specific conditions that need to be true to make it so.

Yabu.

Wsmi · 20/08/2023 16:20

The pandemic is over. And some people are devastated because they can lo longer engage in the hysteria, complain about people not wearing masks, can’t shriek about neighbours breaking pointless lockdown rules, cannot demand that they be allowed to work from
home or be given furlough. It really was a gravy train for millions financially, those who actively engaged in corruption by ripping off the taxpayer and those that just jumped on the bandwagon and those who loved the drama.

Original poster
verdantverdure · 20/08/2023 17:21

maddening · 20/08/2023 16:18

It is no longer a pandemic situation- pandemic is a specific thing with specific conditions that need to be true to make it so.

Yabu.

This does not mean the pandemic itself is over, but the global emergency it has caused is, for now. WHO, 5th May 2023.

I'm interested in what people think obviously, that's why I started the thread but as far as I can see the WHO's position is that the pandemic is ongoing.

www.who.int/europe/emergencies/situations/covid-19

fullfact.org/health/who-covid-pandemic-over/

Is the COVID 19 pandemic "over"?
OP posts:
PinkCherryBlossoms · 20/08/2023 18:01

It's an interesting one because there are so many different ways to approach it. Do we mean over in WHO terms, legal, medical profession views generally, social attitudes? They're all valid ways to consider the question.

Lingfield01 · 20/08/2023 18:47

It was over months ago.

beeonmybonnett · 21/08/2023 01:02

Wsmi · 20/08/2023 16:20

The pandemic is over. And some people are devastated because they can lo longer engage in the hysteria, complain about people not wearing masks, can’t shriek about neighbours breaking pointless lockdown rules, cannot demand that they be allowed to work from
home or be given furlough. It really was a gravy train for millions financially, those who actively engaged in corruption by ripping off the taxpayer and those that just jumped on the bandwagon and those who loved the drama.

Yep!

I’m honestly flabbergasted - did people really expect covid to just magically disappear into thin air? Of course it’s not going anywhere, but we have treatments for it now as well as vaccines and immunity to the virus.

We just have to live with it and of course those who are vulnerable to it should protect themselves, but that’s no different to any other virus like the flu. There isn’t this hysteria with flu so I don’t know why there still is with covid, 3 years on!

Not sure if some people want a return to lockdown or mask mandates - I can’t work out why they would! There’s absolutely no need for it at this point and we’ve been without restrictions for 18 months now and we are doing just fine.

CutTheBSJustGiveMeCake · 21/08/2023 01:14

Covid exists but it's no longer a pandemic.

wheresmymojo · 21/08/2023 02:05

bigknickersbigknockers · 17/08/2023 09:16

Its over, now get over it.

Me too. Not tested yet but I have a pretty strong gut feeling that's what I'm awake with right now

Original poster
verdantverdure · 21/08/2023 04:13

PinkCherryBlossoms · 20/08/2023 18:01

It's an interesting one because there are so many different ways to approach it. Do we mean over in WHO terms, legal, medical profession views generally, social attitudes? They're all valid ways to consider the question.

I would tend more to the scientific, medical, facts and official bodies side of things rather than social attitudes because my attitude of not giving it much thought until I got it again didn't end the pandemic, it was just "out of sight out of mind" for a few months.

But I'm interested in social attitudes. It's why I started the thread.

I have a theory that the more people who are doing that emotionally driven denial thing about the position we're in with covid, the worse the wave is.

OP posts:
Original poster
verdantverdure · 21/08/2023 04:15

I'm also up with it now @wheresmymojo. My loud breathing was disturbing DH and he has to get up in 45 minutes so I'm having a hot drink downstairs and I'll go back to bed when he gets up.

OP posts:
Original poster
verdantverdure · 21/08/2023 04:16

CutTheBSJustGiveMeCake · 21/08/2023 01:14

Covid exists but it's no longer a pandemic.

Loving your confidence!

Why not?

OP posts:
wheresmymojo · 21/08/2023 04:33

If it is COVID then it's only day one for me.

Restless aching legs, fever, sore throat, banging headache and ringing in my ears(?). Blocked sinus comes and goes but only occasional cough so far.

I'm supposed to be staying in a plush London hotel on Tues/Weds all expenses paid with work which I've looked forward to for ages, so typically amazing timing! Sad

wheresmymojo · 21/08/2023 04:34

DH gets up at 5am and I can't wait as dehydrated but too ill to go downstairs for water....

I was secretly hoping the light of my phone screen would wake him up, but alas not.

Original poster
verdantverdure · 21/08/2023 04:42

wheresmymojo · 21/08/2023 04:34

DH gets up at 5am and I can't wait as dehydrated but too ill to go downstairs for water....

I was secretly hoping the light of my phone screen would wake him up, but alas not.

Not long to wait now. You poor thing. Will you ask him to leave you a water bottle (or two) before he goes? It's important to hydrate.

I didn't cough at the beginning this time round but it's day 12 I think, and I have a cough now. I sound like a warthog lying down. I hope that wears off soon. It's not at all attractive. Grin

OP posts:
OCaptain · 21/08/2023 05:40

@beeonmybonnett

We just have to live with it and of course those who are vulnerable to it should protect themselves, but that’s no different to any other virus like the flu. There isn’t this hysteria with flu so I don’t know why there still is with covid, 3 years on!

It isn't like the flu.

PinkCherryBlossoms · 21/08/2023 06:36

verdantverdure · 21/08/2023 04:13

I would tend more to the scientific, medical, facts and official bodies side of things rather than social attitudes because my attitude of not giving it much thought until I got it again didn't end the pandemic, it was just "out of sight out of mind" for a few months.

But I'm interested in social attitudes. It's why I started the thread.

I have a theory that the more people who are doing that emotionally driven denial thing about the position we're in with covid, the worse the wave is.

Show quote history

I'm interested too. Ultimately, that actually underpins everything. And it always, always has. Any pandemic response will have social attitudes and people's realistic responses at the centre of it, or it'll fail. Even in China, the most sophisticated surveillance state in the world, we saw what happened eventually.

Closer to home, for me the lesson to take from that here is that our responses need to meet the population where they are. It would be best to prioritise structural changes like improved statutory sick pay.

Wsmi · 21/08/2023 06:46

Wow the government nudge units really did a number on some people on this thread. It’s like they have the shakes from Covid withdrawal syndrome.

Swipe left for the next trending thread