How long do you think we can tolerate this lockdown?

[TeethingAgain]

I know it's necessary and for thy e greater good, but how long do you think society will tolerate it before (more) people start flouting the rules? Are there psychologists who the government are consulting about how long humans can be expected to live like this? I know people say we are just being asked to sit on our sofas but that's a very simplistic way of looking at a gargantuan change in lifestyle and social habits which are engrained within us.

I think people could manage 8-12 weeks and I think the toll on mental health will start to outweigh the physical health benefits.

I'm willing to do my bit. But am struggling with 2 kids different levels of learning and trying to work, cook keep the house clean. Husband who is a key worker out most days! But for me it's all well and good telling us to stay in but when is mass testing going to start. All other countries are doing this why not here. I feel we are doing our bit the state needs to do theirs by test, test test not just rely on us to stay in!

Does nobody else have young children and work? I'm exhausted. I have a 2 year old and we both work full time so we are doing really long days and constantly bouncing from work to childcare and back again. I don't think I can do this level of lockdown for more than 4 more weeks but I know I will have to as I can't afford to lose my job.

8-12 weeks would suit me fine as long as I could get deliveries and wouldn't mind - for me - if the period was extended.

However, it will be very hard on many others, I'm not insensitive to them. Quite honestly I wish there was something I could do to help them.

We are into Week 3 and I was struggling. Especially with two kids.
Then my friend sent a message that her dad died today of COVID and she was allowed 15 mins to say goodbye but could not touch him because she wasn’t in full PPE as there isn’t enough. He was old (69) but in very good health otherwise. Not overweight, not diabetic. No heart conditions. He contracted COVID and went into multi organ failure last week. He died this morning. I checked my privilege a little after reading that message.

But I don’t have financial worries and that too puts me in a position of privilege, and I am aware of that.

I already have a mental illness and I'm struggling already as I live on my own in a tiny flat with no garden. I haven't spoken to a single person for weeks as I've had to self isolate. If this goes on for months there's a genuine chance that I might have committed suicide before the lockdown ends. There will be many more people at risk of dying of suicide (I'm thinking of the people I know through group therapy and art therapy sessions) if they are left in isolation like this.

People are already bending rules, myself included. Went for a drive the other day. Was desperate for a change of scenery.

My parents and teenage sister have been in lockdown in France for two weeks. They live in a flat with a balcony but no garden, and are finding it very difficult to be cooped up together. My parents are working from home, and my sister is revising for her bac (A-levels) which is still going ahead so stress levels are high.

I'm a teacher juggling days in school caring for key worker children, setting work, and looking after my own DC. But I'm very grateful for a loving DH, and a garden! It's not enjoyable, but I could tolerate it for a long time. For people in worse living situations, I don't know how long people will cope.

Too many people are taking the piss which unfortunately means restrictions will get even tighter.

I don't mind it so far but I'm a real introvert and am quite happy pottering around indoors.

I find the lack of social contact hard and miss seeing my wider family. But I will carry on for as long as needed.

However, if I feel like this is turning into a police state with road blocks and the searching of shopping bags as we have heard about today I will have enough.

I’ve been in lockdown for the last 50 years, l like my own company and being at home so its not been hard for me to follow the lockdown advice.

From the comfort of my front room window Ive seen a lot more people out today. So think people are getting cabin fever already

I’m a real rule follower and will stay home for as long as I am told to. However, I’m struggling already, no idea why, wfh, kids are teenagers so sorting themselves really. Dh going out to work. We have a garden and a dog. However, can’t believe how hard I’m finding every day being the same.

Would you rather you or your family dies? to some people the restrictions given their circumstances are worse than death. This is not as simplistic as some (usually those in a more privileged position) like to make out.

I'm really struggling already. I have 2 toddlers who need constant-ish supervision and being trapped indoors is sending us wild.

Can't believe the number of people saying "as long as is necessary". I'll be able to cope for about 6 weeks but then I'd have had enough. My children will have had enough too.

My husband is self-employed and is not entitled to any government funding as he has previously earned over the threshold for help, so our future looks bleak as all the pipeline has dried up.

It's difficult, there is no question.
If it isn't too difficult for you, it will be for your neighbour. It is for me.
If it goes on for around 3months, many many people will worry about the roof over their head, getting enough food, and will suffer minor or even major MH effects of being separated from their work / volunteering / families and friends.
The long term effect on the economy is terrifying, frankly.
BUT the alternative is worse, so we all just have to get on with it.

If the schools weren't closed OR I wasnt working. No problems, I think.

If I was alone, I think I'd be getting on just fine, with the walk outside allowed. But I'm a socially awkward introvert by nature who is perfectly happy on their own company so 🤷‍♀️

As it is, I'm wfh and homeschooling two young children so I'm stressed as hell and hating every minute of it! I'm finding being around people constantly very very hard.

I'll do it for as long as I have to. I feel very strongly that we all need to, to save lives.
It's affected alot of what I do like everyone else. But not being able to attend 2 funerals has been hard to swallow.

Sadly, I don't think we will last long as a society. The amount of threads on here show a how angry and how badly people are coping. Add to that to the people/half arseholes determined to find ways around sticking to the rules, then add to that again the complete arseholes that aren't even trying to stick to the rules.

I know I have to stick to the rules to protect others and I won't bend them, sadly, with as many arseholes and the half arseholes mamingbit up as they go along, it will have a negative affect on the ones that want to to do it properly.

We're fucked imo. Not 1 week in and so many people are alrwasy kicking.off about how unfair this is.

I usually spend quite a bit of time running DC to their various activities etc, but other than that, this is pretty much my life anyway! I didn’t realise how anti social I am until just now. Other than DC activities I’m generally home all day except for taking the dog out (usually a group walk though and I am missing that a little bit) and going to the supermarket, so I could probably tolerate lockdown indefinitely.

to some people the restrictions given their circumstances are worse than death

But what is the solution to that?

I've watched death a few times now. I've been depressed to the point of thinking that suicide seems an okay idea. I've been amazed with how this situation has made me realise that actually I really, most sincerely, don't want to die. And most certainly not alone, which has always been my greatest fear, with no one who loves me, or me them, there to smooth that path.

This is really hard, for everyone, for so many, so much harder, for so many reasons. I'm not judging anyone that finds it hard, not indulging in smuggery for appreciating why it's so much easier for me to say I can hang in there, than it is for others.

I just hope we can all hang in there. We don't want to die, we don't want to watch our loved ones die, we don't want to be a causual factor in someone else dying.

It's shit. As an Aussie mate of mine used to say about pretty much every bloody thing.

People with no income for the next six months or more
do not have the luxury of enjoying lockdown
the electricity bill does not pay itself
and if members of the household are vulnerable, working in a supermarket is not an option

It won't bother me until September. I'm very, very lucky that I have a garden and live in a nice areas to walk around (DS1 and in have taken to critiquing houses; there are a lot of expensive, large houses near us, but not all of them tasteful).

I'm loving the slower pace of life. However, I will worry about money and the DCs education if things aren't back to usual in September. Also, I don't think DS2 will adhere to staying in all summer. I can see him sneaking out at night to see friends by June. I'm amazed all his teenaged friends have responded so well to being told they have to stay in so far.

Also I think my 83 yo mother will rebel and some point and get in her car to go and see relatives who have also been shielding for 3 months.

But what is the solution to that? wish I had the answer- I think we have to be careful with what a lockdown is, perhaps test laxing the rules in some aspects and tightening in others as the numbers decrease. Realistically everyone can’t stay home until the number of infections is zero.
I’m already utterly pissed off that schools are shut yet construction workers are working, yet flights are coming in (not uk citizens returning but commercial flights from nyc).

@Thekindyoufindinasecondhand but that’s actually impossible, you do realise that? If it was possible to always cure people of illness no one would ever die. Even with no pandemic crisis situation, no overloading the NHS, this virus will still kill people - no matter how long we stay in. The rate of recovery of those who are ill enough to make it on to ventilators is only about 50%, those deaths are not because care is lacking.

So sorry to hear that teethingagain, that is so tough.

Struggling here (in Ireland) have 4 kids that are now feral, actually son with DS is the easiest, both are now working from home full-time but as a result my employers have let me do much shorter hours whenever. I know I'm very very lucky so am keeping it together, for the moment....