Lockdown over sooner than we think - positive outlooks

[oldbeforem]

I keep reading threads about this lasting 6 - 18 months.

I have had an operation cancelled with no date for it to be rebooked.

I need to think positively and believe that this will be over sooner than we think!

Anyone agree?

So many people are just loving the drama of all this. They are literally relishing it.

Agree with this! But I think it's because misery loves company and some people cope by clinging to the worst case scenario. So it's not that they're relishing the idea of six months' lockdown, but rather if they tell themselves that's what it'll be because then they're prepared.

I think the Govt will do everything to start lifting restrictions in early May. By that, I mean allowing a few more shops to open, perhaps allowing seating to be used again in cafes etc. The economy cannot survive months of this.

@Dongdingdong it's not prioritising. If we do nothing no one will be able to access the NHS because it will be overwhelmed. What are doing is protecting the NHS.

Good point.

The longer 'lockdown' goes on, the greater the chance of mass disobedience. It will be in place for a short a time as practicable. Every day is costing us all billions, there has to be a balance between deaths from coronavirus and the total destruction of the country's finances/jobs/manufacturing/retail etc.
I can't be the only one alarmed by the country's descent into a place with onerous powers given to the police, and their apparent enthusiasm for enacting them. Similarly the stasi curtain twitchers so apparent on social media, mumsnet included.

I am optimistic that in 6 months time this period will be a distant memory.
I also think the majority of us should be proud of how we've tackled this. We did get stuck into social distancing quite quickly the lockdown was needed but plenty of people were doing their bit before.
I think as well that we should be enormously proud of the community support and network of volunteers that have sprung up.
We have had the hoarders and the fights for big roll in the aisles but we are very much showing signs as a nation that we are in this together.
And also lets be honest I suspect a lot more daily exercise is happening with the lockdown than people were doing when they had more freedom to roam.

Goodness I hope it ends soon

Bog roll not big roll

So many people are just loving the drama of all this. They are literally relishing it.

Isn’t that the truth! Back to their boring little lives ones it’s all over.

In my optimistic little bubble I reckon we'll be locked down until mid May then very slow lifting of restrictions. Possible schools staying closed until Sept though I'd prefer if they re-opened in June for the last half term but thats me being idealistic for my own purposes.

I can't be the only one alarmed by the country's descent into a place with onerous powers given to the police, and their apparent enthusiasm for enacting them. Similarly the stasi curtain twitchers so apparent on social media, mumsnet included.

^you’re absolutely not!

Yes.. actually they do live the drama. Wanting army in streets and more lockdown

I am optimistic that in 6 months time this period will be a distant memory.

Apart from the fact we'll be skint as a nation and facing massive tax hikes to pay for the bailout! But I agree about the community support and the kindness people are showing each other – this is already changing us for the better.

I’m in the same boat op. I have had surgeries and now need another. I booked and to see the person, who operated on me in the nhs for a private consult. So glad I did because my nhs appointment was cancelled. All ok. But the bloody referral was also cancelled . I’ve now had to pay for a private CT as I’m in so much pain now and need to know how serious this is. All very difficult. Idk if my body can ever really heal.

longearedbat Have you seen the stories coming out of Italy about people raiding supermarkets, primarily because they are skint and hungry? I think you're spot on about mass disobedience being a huge concern for our Govt too.

It can't last 6 months on full lockdown, the economic and social cost would be unpalatable and they'd probably be facing civil disobedience if they did; people can't stomach this for too long. The antibodies test should make a big difference, if it's valid and reliable. 8 weeks? shoot me now

@StormyClouds unlike my name suggests I now work in the NHS and I can assure you that it is NOT all people who will die in the next year anyway. Healthy people in their 30s have died. Don't kid yourself. Whilst it is rare for young health people to die of covid19, it's not unheard of. And believe me after 3 weeks on a ventilator it may take you months or even years to get back to normal (and some never will). If 0.2% of people in their 20s die, that is tens of thousands...

I think we will be in 'lock down' for another 6 weeks and then the gov will start lifting some of the rules. If EVERYONE sticks to the rules then this could start to improve soon....if not then it may be many many months before we see the back of this awful virus!

but I don’t believe it is fair to ask everyone else to give up all their liberties and pleasures for a long period to extend the lives of people who will in all likelihood die in the next year anyway of other causes.

Wow - just wow

Charming - I trust you don't know anyone who is vulnerable or disabled. At least I hope not as your attitude is scary

And there would be little point doing a six month lockdown as it just lengthens the time that people are exposed to it.

That doesn't make sense, does it?

I need to think positively and believe that this will be over sooner than we think!

Anyone agree?

I don't think its particularly helpful to think about it in terms of length tbh.

It will be a few months at least before we get restrictions lifted gradually. Imho six months is an optimistic view. I do think we have more moderate and less harsh changes to life for at least a year before it gets back to 'normal' (normal will not be the same as previously either). I prefer to be realistic about this rather than living on false hope in the long run.

I think for your sanity, its about taking each day as it comes and just living in the present rather than thinking too much about the past or the future. Deal with it as individual days which are either good or bad rather than thinking about it in huge blocks which I think personally can be overwhelming or leave you feeling that things are too big to deal with.

Its the phrase about 'eating the elephant bite by bite' rather than trying to eat it whole in terms of time.

This will come to an end eventually.

I have to say, I do think its not helpful to give yourself unrealistic hopes too tbh, as that can set you up for dissapointment or to struggle even more later on. This is early days and this is going to get harder the further we go on, if you don't find effective coping strategies.

What are your daily goals? What are you daily targets? What do you want to achieve today or just this week? Whether it be to read a book, watch a certain movie, clean a certain room. Set yourself 'constructive goals' rather than time defined goals 'this will end by summer/christmas' etc to mentally get you from this side to the other.

Also create yourself new daily routines for certain things. When you get into a rythym with them, it becomes a new sense of normal which you can find comfort in, due to their familiarity. The thing that is difficult now is the uncertainity so finding a way to give yourself a new sense of normal during this period is helpful.

I have a history of dreadful anxiety, but have found that this thinking can help because it helps me to feel more in control of my situation, even if I'm not fully.

China is nowhere near back to normal, I'm sure some people watch the news with no sound on.
There's civil unrest and hundreds of new cases.

Seems like Germany is looking to ease restrictions once the number of newly infected cases doesn't double in a 10 day period.

I think 12-13 weeks of this (or stricter), then a gradual easing of restrictions until 6 months, when we will get back to normal. I'm looking forward to the little things, like being able to travel to visit my Mum over 100 miles away and letting her hug her grandson

Sorry about your operation cancellation OP.

It’s so stressful not knowing how long this will go on for, I’m finding the uncertainty really difficult. It sounds like we will all know much more in 2-3 weeks time once we see whether the current measures have taken effect; once we have done lots more testing and understand the level of herd immunity currently in the population; and once we see what happens in other countries that lift their lockdown.

No way 12 weeks of this!

@leafygarden

My DM is 81 and she agrees with my hypothesis. She thinks that she has had a good life and she does not think it is fair for younger generations to be effectively deprived of theirs in order to extend her lifespan by another couple of years.

It is not just the lockdown itself that is the issue- I read in the Sunday Times today that the economic effects will last for decades. Again, my DM does not think it is right for today's young people to be left with those consequences.

We need to get to a situation IMO where the old and vulnerable can be shielded at home to limit the chance of them catching it and life can slowly otherwise return to normal.

Although even that is not ideal- my DM would much rather take the risk of catching it (having signed a DNR) and still be able to see her grandchildren and go for a coffee. Sitting at home for months on end is not a life.