Predictions of how long this BS will last?

[BlueMoon1103]

I really need some lights the end of the tunnel. I know no one knows for sure but how long do people predict this social distancing bullshit is going to go on for? My depression has already crept back in and I’m worried about how bad it’ll get if this goes on with no end in sight.

Please only nice posters, no snarky, snipey comments or people being mean.

The longer people and businesses think they are an exception to the rules the longer we will be doing this for.

I think 3 - 6 months.

I find swearing to be a very helpful coping strategy when I'm feeling out of control, so I won't be criticising your choice of language. You have the freedom to choose how to express your experiences without being told it's wrong.

I'm not sure I will ever understand why anyone thinks lecturing someone about their language or "resilience" is helpful. I don't think a point of crisis is actually the best time to foster "resilience" or to suggest to people the only problem with their circumstances is their lack of "resilience" skills. Quite the opposite for most humans.

I'm struggling with the uncertainty. I have moments where I feel like I can handle it and then moments when I definitely, definitely cannot.

I personally find preparing for the worst but hoping for the best is what is most useful for me. I find false hope or pretending shit situations are actually awesome extremely damaging. I know some people find it helpful to put a positive spin on things, but for me it makes my depression worse. It's not "wrong" to cope differently.

At the moment I'm trying to come to terms with the idea this will be 12-18 months before we can think about saying it's behind us, but I am hoping the suggestion I read yesterday or Friday that we wouldn't spend that entire time with strict measures proves true. There's talk of moving through periods of more stringent and less stringent measures.

I am also hoping that our knowledge and understanding might escalate faster than usual due to the way people are collaborating instead of competing, so maybe we will be able to build on each others' efforts more effectively.

The idea of being prevented from going out and it not being safe to go out is, among other things, making me feel quite trapped and frightened. I'm still wondering what to do about that.

I think (for me anyway) the difficulty with the uncertain end date is both about loss of hope and loss of control. So in terms of coping, I'm trying to find things I can feel in control over and things to feel hopeful about. My personal initial assessment is that both of those will be key factors in protecting my mental health from deteriorating further.

‘Social distancing bullshit’ honestly the mind absolutely boggles! I have severe anxiety and depression myself and am stuck in the house with twins who are 3 year old toddlers and it’s really hard work I really do feel like I might go insane but I know it’s not bullshit. We are staying in to protect ourselves and those who are more vulnerable than us. It’s a horrible crazy surreal situation but you must know that it’s not bullshit? People are dying??

If you’re not going to be nice get off my thread! I said in my OP I don’t want meanies on here so off you go! Sick of it

I have to hope that things will be a little better in 16 weeks. I never went out with big groups tbh. But I was going to go to visit a friend in London on the 3rd April and I'm so disappointed that I can't.

When 60% of the population who aren't isolating have had it, will that be a turning point (of sorts)?

I’m hopeful that within the next 4-6 months there will be drugs available to treat this so that high risk people will avoid the need for ventilation and will make a full recovery. No expense should be spared in testing existing anti virals and looking to produce a vaccine.

Lockdown for 45 days, social distancing for the rest of the year.
It’s very predictable if you look at other epidemics.
Each day the government delays the lockdown, the longer it will be.

It would help to stop referring to it as 'social distancing bullshit' as you're just framing it as a negative. We all need to make the best of it, you and your dc are healthy, make the most of that. At such a young age they aren't going to know any different so make it fun, play in the garden if you have one, do crafts and play games.

I predict this wont go on for longer than 6 weeks, if that- probably 4 max. I think by then people will be tiring of it, the economy will be on its last legs and they will have to relax the restrictions for the sake of people's mental health.
Then we'll have freedom for a while and in autumn, maybe more restrictions

Research resilience, OP. And you'll need to find new coping mechanisms; we're all feeling the trauma of what's going on, but being negative about everything and every suggestion isn't going to help you help yourself.

You can do this! :)

I'd say the kids are off school until at least September. Then we get ready for a second wave of Covid19.

People may start worrying about their financial security less when they hear about people they know who have it/are in ICU/there is talk of nowhere to put the bodies.

I think at the moment we're scared of what's coming. Soon we'll be scared of WHAT'S HERE

Yes, agree, by mid september, there will be a second surge.

what can we do though? keep children off school indefinitely?

Three months. I work in a public facing government office and we’ve said all face time face appointments are cancelled for three months at LEAST.

I just read the full Imperial College study. The model they are using is:

• 12 weeks of home quarantine for anyone with symptoms, closure of schools, social distancing of entire population and heightened social distancing for over 70s

Then easing off restrictions and having an "on"/"off" mechanism. Essentially easing off restrictions when the case numbers are low and then switching back on again once they pass a certain threshold. This is in order to ensure ICUs are not overwhelmed. The current model suggests we will be under some sort of social distancing restrictions for 2/3s of the time until a vaccine is widely available.

I'm sorry this sounds totally shit, I'm just copying what the study is saying so don't shoot the messenger. This may well be wrong or the government may follow a completely different strategy, I don't know.

I think this will be waves too. Until they find a vaccine. And as long as the virus doesn't mutate.

The thing is that I think, for some people, they'll get so worried about this that social distancing will become the norm. So whilst some of us will go back to some sort of normality, other's will prefer to keep their distance. And that's their right.

OP, I feel exactly the same as you. I want to wake up and find it was all a bad dream. Because I am already thinking that I don't want to wake up at all if this carries on.

I have suffered very badly from depression, and the things that have lifted me out of it are:

Exercise (can't do this ATM, as I have a back injury)
Seeing friends, in the flesh.
Having time completely on my own when I need it
Going to work and having an income

The lack of any one of these upsets my equilibrium. The loss of all of them is like looking into the abyss. So I can't answer your question, but I can tell you that I feel the same.

@RandomComment really no need.
OP it’s ok to feel this way. You are really not alone in this. A lot of us feel the same.
Starting some sort of blog is a great suggestion. If not, how about a diary? Just somewhere to focus your thoughts.
We have a daily timetable that I’m trying to follow with my 2yr old and 5yr old. It is helpful to structure the day.
In answer to your original question, I think it will last until September with a period of 4-8 weeks ‘lockdown’ in the middle, followed by more social distancing and then slow release back to work and school come September.
Try and incorporate some exercise into your day, even if it’s a you tube video you copy. You can go out for a walk, I’d probably go early or late to make sure you stay a safe distance.
Finally, I’d maybe look at some form of medication to help you cope on the basis this is not going to be short lived.

If people keep on being knobs, then full lockdown of course. What's more important ? You being immature or people dying? Bless

Please only nice posters, no snarky, snipey comments or people being mean.

Don't start your post with:-

social distancing bullshit

Social distancing is not BS.

Sorry you have depression but you are not the only one.

As for how long it will last, who knows? If people are reasonable and responsible and keep their distance when out and try to stay inside as much as possible, the sooner it will be over.

This is a new situation for all to deal with the best way we can.

I am a very nice poster in the ‘cocoon’ group

Your actions could kill me

Stop being so selfish

And stop starting these threads (there has been one after another in the last 48hours or so).

People are going to keep telling you to

a) get the MH help you need
b) refrain from endangering others

This "BS" and the blatant disregard for it is what will stop people dying.

This will go on for months, no doubt, we are in it for the long haul. Everyone’s on the same boat though and we need to support each other through it.