to think there will be a lockdown divide

[coronamoana]

Firstly understand why it's necessary & will comply.

After talking with family, friends & colleagues it seems that for some lockdown will be hell on earth, for others heaven.

Hell
Older people who may live alone and will miss social interaction, etc.
Vulnerable people who really on particular services
Families with children, particularly young ones. Plenty don't even have gardens

Heaven
Healthy, childfree adults/couples who can look forward to diy, organising, netflix etc.
Rich families who plan to retreat to huge 2nd home & garden despite the fact they should stay put.

I have 2 young ones at home & we fortunately have a garden but not a big one or a big house for that matter. One will need schooling to continue which DH & I will attempt to facilitate around our jobs (can wfh). Dreading it!

You don’t have to stay in all the time. If you’re not in a vulnerable group, you’re encouraged to take outdoor exercise. It was in the BBC Coronavirus programme yesterday.

Dh and I are working from home but already some people are sick and the remaining ones are u de huge pressure. We have already been told we may need to cover widely, so I expect long hours.

All this whilst looking after a number of children... Its going to be fun... Ours are a bit older but that doesn't mean it's going to be a walk in the park!

To others I am supposed to be in an enviable position. I'm single, childless, my job isn't in danger, I've been self-isolating (enforced on me) due to a bit of a cough though I'm due back next week as I can't work from home. It's supposed to be Netflix and chill galore for me.

However it just reinforces how lonely this can be. Whenever people mention loneliness it's always attributed to the elderly (I'm late 30's). I have always had a fractious relationship with my family and I haven't heard from them since this all kicked off. Friends have their own families/partners/kids to prioritise.

It hits home that I really do just have myself to rely on. Actually looking forward to going back to work.

I think it will be worse for some than others, that's obvious. Not much we can do about it though. Thank goodness for the internet! It's possible to look up what is going on locally in which we may be able to help others, even remotely.

Divide you say OP? Well your incredibly divisive and thoughtless post won't be helping.

Nobody in their right mind, no matter how affluent or materially rich they are, would consider the coming weeks and months "heaven". What a stupid, insensitive thing to say.

I would consider myself very fortunate in life, but do you really think I'll be "Oh, I'll be in heaven because I'll be able to get the garden up together, organise the kitchen drawers, and catch up on netflix??" That I don't care about the rest of society, those working in the NHS, older people, the vulnerable???

Do you really have such a low opinion of your fellow man??

Me, DP and 12 year old in a tiny flat here, no outside space. For myself I’m not too worried. I like reading and Ive got my musical instruments to keep me occupied, plus I’m planning on doing lots of walking, only in open space with those from my household though. DP and DS might be a bit more challenging however as neither of them seem able to amuse themselves in any constructive way.

I really feel for those stuck in with young DC. I’d be pulling my hair out if my DS was still little.

Just out of interest, National Trust are keeping all their outdoor spaces open for free throughout the CV outbreak so people can get outside.

cushioncovers vulnerable children and those on free school meals will still attend school alongside children of keyworkers which I think is a good thing.

I'm extremely lucky- both DH and I are working from home and have jobs that easily facilitate that so still have routine and interaction with colleagues via videoconference everyday. My mother (who isn't in an at risk group) is staying with us to provide childcare. The three adults and my DD means there is a lot of social interaction in the house but our house is big enough that we aren't all on top of each other. I'm mostly concerned about how my 3 heard DD will take being cooped up all day as she normally goes to several activities and is very social. So far she's taken it in her stride but weeks on end of this might be more difficult for her.

Daisy you are the only one trying to rial up a fight. Please stop.

I do think the OPs post should probably distinguish that introverts and those living with people they enjoy are better to cope with lockdown than those that live completely alone, are very extroverted irrespective of size of house, children etc

Its going to be hell for us, im both myself and DH are classes at key workers, i am classed as high risk,sons nursery is closed, i rely heavely on my mum who is also classed as high risk oh and ive got to do jury service aswell in two weeks! Dont know how the hell were going to deal with this. My streas levels ar at 100!

I don't think you are aware of your privilege if you think 'no garden' is enough to put you in the hell category.

Five of my friends have already lost their jobs and have no idea how they will buy food and pay rent, let alone anything else.

All these threads on here by people not knowing how they will cope having to stay inside -- can people get some perspective please?

The big divide I see is between people who will be uncomfortable for a while and people whose lives are already being destroyed.

So @dreamingbohemian you don't think anyone can be stressed or anxious because people are worse off than them? Where do you draw the line?

My parents were immigrants & my mother has moved back to her home country. She is very at risk & who knows if I will see her again. I'm certainly not there to help her. My mil is in a care home with severe dementia. However this doesn't mean that I don't understand why my friend is worried because she lives in a high rise flat with her 2 young dc, things still will be hard for her. It's not either/or.

The divide is already here.
I commented the other day about the haves and the have nots.

Unfortunately we're in the have not category. No garden, small flat, not much money and now the only support I/we have are self isolating for 12 weeks.This is going to be hell on earth and I'm heartbroken.

I know everyone is going through versions of this but honestly, if I just had a garden that ds could still get some air/exercise in I think I wouldn't be feeling quite as panicky as I am.

We are lucky, I work from home anyway and my husband can work from home. We are childfree by choice, both introverts and enjoy just hanging out the two of us at home. We are ok for money, have good broadband, netflix etc, loads of books and gamesand enough of food for now.

On the downside I am slighly worried about food if the panic buying doesn't settle down soon and I hope we can still get out for some exercise each day. I also have and underlying health condition so need to be careful.

Worried about older relatives who are on their own and a friend who is due to start IVF, I think its been cancelled now, she is 43 and running out of time. She has gone very quiet and I can't visit her (shes in another city). She had a supportive partner but I'm very worried about her.

Like I said, it's about perspective. Everyone is stressed but let's be realistic about who is actually in hell. Maybe it would help people be more resilient about being cooped up with no garden if they reminded themselves that it is much worse for many people.

I am 2000 miles away from my high-risk parents, if they get sick or die I will not be able to go home because of the travel restrictions. It is what it is. I don't consider myself hard done by because they are not actually sick and they are unlikely to die from this. I'm not going to worry until I have to.

My friends who have lost their jobs are in hell. They don't know how they will eat or live.

My friends who are stressed about entertaining their children inside? Not in the same league at all. Go on, be stressed about it, but it's not the end of the world, literally.

It won’t be heaven for anyone. Those middle aged among us are more likely to lose parents or neighbours. That’s a tough thing to accept.
The older you are the more likely to die you are. It’s not just over 70s. That’s a tough thing to face.

However, certainly affluence makes life easier. Certainly not having children of school age makes it easier - although we have concerns for our doctor daughter and her fiancé. Different things to worry about and people are naturally more or less anxious. Some are more resilient than others.

Undoubtedly there will be a financial divide.
Those in secure jobs are much more fortunate.
Those living outside cities in large houses with more space and big gardens are better off.
Those who can buy bulk supplies easily off major distributors or from expensive local sources are more fortunate.
Those who have a rural network that can exchange eggs, milk, vegetables, meat and fish are better off. They can afford to make vegetable patches if they haven’t already got one. They can keep chickens.
They are less likely to experience civil unrest.
Those who can afford to buy into meal delivery kits like Hello fresh may be protected for a while.
Those with second homes can escape the city.
Those with money can buy most things and will profit in the slightly longer term when house prices crash and they can buy more.
They can invest when share prices are very low and can afford to ride the storm.

@LondonGirl83 I have every right to strongly disagree with the lazy assumptions and 2 binary categories in the OP, I don't have the inclination to start a fight. Other people have backed up what I said as regards not neatly fitting into one or the other category.

My point is it is not helpful putting people into two categories where one group of people have an "easy life" and the other group doesn't. It sets people up against each other. I don't apologise for being irritated by that.

I don't know which group I'm in. I'm in one of the vulnerable groups and having to WFH. This was my employers decision.

Why generalise?

Some will cope and others may struggle. I don't think stirring up division is helpful. We should all being what we can to support those who may be struggling - who ever they may be.