More afraid of being locked in my house than the virus

[zafferana]

Anyone else feel like this? I woke up early this morning feeling really anxious about the idea that we could all be locked in our homes, like is happening elsewhere. I'd be okay with lots of places being shut, avoiding mass gatherings, etc, but the thought that I couldn't even go out for a walk or a run, couldn't get the kids out of the house for some fresh air and exercise, particularly if they're off school. I'd be happy to keep at least a metre between us and anyone else, we'd avoid playgrounds, but just knowing that we couldn't do that makes me feel intensely claustrophobic.

We spent a day at home yesterday just to test what it would be like if we were all stuck here and it was horrendous! The kids were bored stiff and I had cabin fever by lunchtime. DH wasn't bothered as he's normally at work and so he bumbled in the garden (in the rain), but I'd rather take my chances than be stuck at home. We are all healthy and have no reason to think that the virus will affect any of us badly.

I totally understand the anxiety of the elderly/vulnerable who wish to themselves down at home, but for healthy families I think it would be far worse than catching the virus, particularly those with young kids.

I’ve been speaking to someone I know in China and he says even in lockdown there they were allowed out for a bike ride or walk, just not to a busy area: so as long as you stay in a fairly rural or empty place and keep away from people. It all depends where you live I guess. I’m lucky that we live in a very rural area of Yorkshire.

If not about how you and your children would be if you got the virus, it’s about trying to contain and delay it so that older people and vulnerable groups don’t get it- if everyone gets it at the same time the NHS won’t cope.

You’re lucky to have a garden! I’m stuck in a small flat.

It can be very relaxing if you can shift your mindset. It’s a chance to exercise, read, cook, watch films, do DIY, work etc. without any need to be anywhere at a particular time.

Yes, it's shit being stuck inside with small children to entertain, but we're at the start of a natural disaster which could kill millions of people, so you may not be able to carry on exactly as normal

As I've posted on another thread, the statistics from WHO show that this has a fatality rate in every age group 10 and up that is significantly higher than the death rate for all other causes combined in an average year.

So if you are afraid of anything that leads to death in a given year, add up all those fears, and add a little extra, and that's how afraid you should be of this.

Don't bother doing up the seat belts in your car if you think it's worse to be in your house than to put your kids at a greater risk of dying than car accidents, suicide, cancer, murder, household accidents combined. Don't bother washing your hands in general. Your usual risk mitigation is done to protect you from far lower risks than this disease prevents, so if you don't think this is worth guarding yourself and your kin from, don't bother with any of the rest of it, either.

I dont get it im afraid. I love being at home and im baffled at the what shall we do how shall we cope threads.

In Spain they now have a 15 day stay at home. You cannot even go for a walk. I can see that coming here. You will have no choice. You just need to find other ways of keeping everyone occupied.

It can be very relaxing if you can shift your mindset.
Not very relaxing if you run out of money because you can’t work.

I really hope you're right @CathyandHeathcliffCathy We are already following all the advice and like I said above, I'd be happy to avoid anyone else and keep at least 1m away. I really hope that if it comes to a national lockdown we are allowed to go for a walk/run, even if all other activities aren't allowed. I know this is a national emergency. I have no wish to put anyone else at risk. But sorry, I'm really not worried about us and I don't get all the hysteria/panic buying.

but for healthy families I think it would be far worse than catching the virus, particularly those with young kids.

0.2 percent death rate in ages 10-19.

That is 2 in a thousand.

What happens when 80% of the UK population gets it?

Young healthy people are expected to die, just in far less numbers than older people or those with health complications. And I imagine those rates will only increase in the UK where our health service is poorer than in Italy, and we have far less beds/staff available than in China.

Add to that the deaths caused indirectly by CV and an NHS on it's knees. Dc with appendicitis, RTAs, cancer symptoms etc. who may not be seen on time, or the resources to treat are not available.

Then there is the worry over survivors health, even those who have had it mildly. Reports are coming in of male infertility and life limiting respiratory conditions.

You might be fine, your dc will probably be fine, but I wouldn't go wishing to get the virus over a few weeks house arrest.

Everyone needs to do their part in stopping this thing spreading, and needs to stop thinking they don't have to be concerned about it because they are 'young and healthy'.

I'm not WISHING to get the virus, who the fuck wants to get ill with anything if they can avoid it? I'm just saying that being shut in my house for what - two weeks? two months? - would be fucking horrendous for me personally. I get that homebodies who don't care about exercise will be happy to 'Netflix and chill', but I'm not that kind of person. I need to get outside and exercise regularly or I feel low and anxious.

I'm the same @Regain4men , I've been in the house with self isolating DD since Friday and loving it

My fear of lockdown is not being able to help my Df and his partner. His mental health isn't great and he has masses of underlying health issues. They are struggling already without being trapped together for months.

Me too. I was almost having panic attacks last night thinking of not being able to leave the house for weeks. It makes me feel extremely claustrophobic and stressed. I'm already feeling stressed thinking that my parents in their 70s have to stay in for 4 months. I don't know how they'll cope.

You’re lucky to have a garden! I’m stuck in a small flat.

And yes, I know @Egghead68. It was seeing people in Italy standing at their windows in flats that got me thinking about this. Some people don't even have a balcony . I really fear for people's mental health.

I'm content to be at home. There is plenty to do.

Dh does not do well indoors. Even a short walk outside each day would help him. His MH will suffer from thus but if it keeps him alive it's worth it.

My DD has been largely housebound for 4 years through illness. Yes it's hard. It's awful. She didn't step foot outside her house for over a year between the ages of 14-15. It's shit for MH, it's isolating and it's boring.

Tbh I find threads like this moaning about being forced to stay at home for a short period of time pathetic. Millions of people live their lives like this every single day, disabled people, the elderly, people with chronic illness. And people like you ordinarily don't give a shit about that until becomes your life too.

I'm finding the hand-wringing and self-centredness extremely hard to bear at the moment.

Yes, me too @SallyWD. When I saw the news yesterday about over 70s being stuck at home for 4 months I called my DM and was nearly in tears. She is exactly like me and she's horrified. I worry that she and stepdad will kill each other too!

Me too op, I'm really going to struggle and all the people who say enjoy it, try doing that with small children who are climbing the walls!!

So don't read 'threads like this' @BonnesVacances! We are all entitled to feel the way we feel, whether it's feeling devastated about missing out on a much-anticipated holiday or feeling horrified at being stuck at home. There are masses of threads for people clamouring for schools to be shut immediately - I don't want that at all - but people are entitled to feel the way they feel - whatever that is.

I'm in Spain where lockdown has kicked in from this morning. You are not allowed out for a walk or a bike ride (we live quite rurally and there are police circulating). You can walk the dog but only one person. We are lucky to have a big garden but it's going to be a very tough few weeks for the many many people who live in small flats. People are imaginative though and starting live streaming activity and work out groups, dancing on their balconies and sharing advice. You'll get through it if it happens in the UK!

Fai hope you are housebound
OP, I hope you are stuck at home and going out of your mind. When you've been doing it for 4 years, look me up and apologise for your absolute lack of empathy towards my DD and other people who live like this.

I don't have a lack of empathy for your DD @BonnesVacances. Where did I say that? MN drives me crazy when posters come on just to bash the OP for stuff they didn't say and don't feel. My post asks if others feel the same way that I do. Some people do. I'm sorry your DD has a shit life, I really am.

I'm sorry your DD has a shit life, I really am.

Thank you. That's all you needed to say. Responding "well don't read these posts then" was not appropriate.

FWIW having lived it (because as her full time carer who had to give up work I'm largely housebound too) the only way to cope is to spin it positively. Otherwise you will descend into depression.

You need a timetable or schedule and stick to it. It helps.

I have the same fear OP. I know it's for the greater good (I'm immunocompromised so it's important for me) but I find it very tough entertaining an energetic toddler in a small flat for days on end. I think people are being pretty harsh, it's ok to say we find something difficult.