Will you be going back to 'normal'?

[supersop60]

Since we don't know yet when lockdown will be eased or what that might mean, I was wondering what you all might do when things become more normal?
DP and I have both said that we shall not be attending any large gatherings of people, and still be observing social distancing for as long as possible. I do not want this disease. Ever.

We're shielding due to my OH's cancer (for which the NHS has suspended his treatment!), so we'll be in isolation and social distancing for the duration, until there is a vaccine. He's only in his 50s and has a very treatable cancer (if the NHS would actually treat it!), so plenty for him to live for. We're digging in for being locked down behind closed doors for the rest of the year at least, assuming the oncology dept re-opens an starts treating patients again - if they don't, he won't live past Summer!

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

I'm with you. We cannot continue to live our lives in fear.

Shark attack is at the top of my "Horrible -Ways-To-Go" list. The movie Open Water gave me bad dreams for weeks.

@Nekoness isn't it still in very, very early research stages though with only a handful of cases? Also stroke risk is increased by inactivity, alcohol, poor diet and obesity. All of these things will increase with a longer lockdown period. I will be flying straight out of my front door as soon as I'm able.

We won't be allowed to go back to normal.

At least I can't imagine DC going to school/college normally, everyone will still freak out if you get within 2m, masks may be required. At short notice I could be made to WFM or told I'm on house arrest. My favourite sport won't be happening. The govt keeps its extreme powers until March 2022. My job may exist or not.

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Gee I DO live in a house with running water. And it's even hot! I'm not living with 6 other people in a tiny shack in the slum controlled by violent drug gangs nor do I use a plastic bag to defecate in every day. Gosh, my blessings ARE bountiful.

I will be getting back to as normal as possible in whatever form its allowed, but I will be much more conscious of hygiene more so of the idea others may not be as hot on it as we would like.

I'm a karate teacher and massively miss teaching the classes, I expect they'll be suspended for a while yet but I cannot wait to get back to it.

I really miss my friends, we speak multiple times a week on video chat but it's not the same.

We're digging in for being locked down behind closed doors for the rest of the year at least, assuming the oncology dept re-opens an starts treating patients again - if they don't, he won't live past Summer!

Hope he can resume treatment soon. That must be so stressful and frightening for both of you.

I'm looking forward to treatments at the salon, hairdressers, eating out, weekend breaks, gigs, theatre....everything

This. Plus the DDs will be going back to nursery, baby groups, soft play. I worry they've lost out on a lot of socialising over the past few weeks (and however long this goes on for) so am keen for them to get out among other people again.

I'll go with whatever the government guidelines say. At whatever point they deem it safe enough to allow concerts, festivals etc to start up again I will be attending.

I don't want to live a life where I can't do things I enjoy and as a young healthy person the risk of me dying from this virus is very low. I'm prepared to take the chance.

Yep, we’ve both had it and keen to get back to normal ASAP

We're working on reducing our vulnerability where we can (mainly around losing weight and better control of asthma/allergies) in preparation for eventually catching the virus.

Which is inevitable for us at some point as the DC will be going back to school/college.

Personally I think people are better off prepping for fighting the virus than trying to hide from it forever as that seems a tad impractical.

Thing is, as with any virus, including measles, anyone's return to happy go lucky can fuck it up for someone else. You may have the "well, you have to die of something " song in your heart but you might spread it to someone else who will die of what you gave them.
Unlike flu, there remains no vaccine.

Imagine if you die of anything between now and xmas.. The last months of your life spent without the people you love and under house arrest.... No thanks

No, I'm carrying on with social distancing and staying in. I don't believe it'll be over for some time

bellini well yes, but nobody is going to live their life social distancing forever just to prevent someone else from catching the virus. Something has to give at some point.

I'm really looking forward to going swimming again and getting back to my exercise classes and yoga.

I can't wait to spend time with my close family members (non of whom are high risk) and small groups of close friends.

I will get my hair done ASAP. I got to a small salon where I know the owner and her one colleague very well.

I'm really looking forward to being able to go out for the day and go for walks on the beach.

I don't go to nightclubs and very rarely go to pubs, so I'm not missing these, and will be avoiding public transport and large gatherings.

Yes i will be. As soon as the bars are open etc I'll be going.

I will be going cautiously and looking to China and the rest of the world to see how things progress. Will definitely be giving places I used to go a wide birth for a while.

Thing is, as with any virus, including measles, anyone's return to happy go lucky can fuck it up for someone else. You may have the "well, you have to die of something " song in your heart but you might spread it to someone else who will die of what you gave them.

As someone who once had to explain to her pregnant neighbour that I really hoped she'd been vaccinated for rubella, because I wasn't and guess what...I'd just had it so must have been contagious when she was babysitting for me and tutoring me for German, I understand that probably more than most (I was 11, it was a rather interesting life lesson).

However it works both ways. People will make their own choices. I will choose to go out understanding that I may catch it from someone else because I can't go on like this. My ptsd symptoms are back, I'm paranoid, can't sleep, am barely eating, fighting to control my temper around the kids. I would also totally understand people refusing to come out of their house until there is a vaccine even if that's in 2050. Every time people get behind the wheel, they could kill or cause serious injury. Every time people choose not to vaccinate their kids (Hi Mum), they could kill someone. People make those sort of decisions every single day. I worked for the council before I had kids and I evicted someone once from temporary accommodation. I had the absolute support of management, she'd broken every rule but because I was pregnant and feeling like shit, I didn't look for my usual loopholes. She went and pulled a knife on multiple old ladies one of which who was rushed to hospital with heart issues. Our actions can have serious and/or lethal consquences every single day. Yet people still make those decisions all the time quite often without a moment's thought.

I’m outta here when the time comes. At the end of the day people have different attitudes to risk. Some will be an assessment of the data - everyone in our household has had it and it was mild, we’re a low risk group others will be at the opposite end of the scale. And some will be attitudinal - I’d rather experience life and see things, and am happy to take some risks to do that. Not everyone feels the same and that’s fine. Lots of people wouldn’t trek the Himalayas for the same reason.

There is a risk of transmission but we can’t all live under house arrest forever. For people who want or need to isolate longer they should be able to. But they also need the rest of us to get back to work as well. There are lots of things which aren’t essential or urgent for 6 or 8 weeks but eventually they become necessary for everyone.

Interesting to hear about everyone's 'Normal'
I used to be very extrovert in my 20s and 30s. But actually my normal is just fine right now. As in, I'm fine to not see anyone and not have folk knocking on my door.

I have MS, my husband has asthma. His parents are over 70. Suppose I'll just have to put our lives at risk so someone can get a bikini wax again. Or live like a small number will have to live under virtual house arrest because someone really needs a KFC.

Probably a middle ground. I’d like to see family and go to the forests etc which are closed but I’m in no rush to go to attractions/restaurants/shops.

I’m quite happy to live a more limited life for a couple of years and see if they produce a vaccine. Then hopefully live a totally normal life after that.

I know people say “you’ll die at some point anyway” and whilst this is true I’m in no rush to miss out on watching my child grow up and leave her without a mum. I get a flu jab annually, vaccinations if I go abroad, wear a helmet on a bike, don’t drink drive, don’t speed etc doesn’t mean I’m risk adverse just trying to be sensible so that I get to live life.

I want to see my family. Not really missed my friends . I'd also like to go for breakfast at the cafe down the road and get my eyebrows sorted. But other than that, not arsed.

bellini, how is your neighbour having a bikini wax putting your life at risk? What would you suggest happens? Everything CANNOT stay closed until there is a vaccine. In fact, if there is less pressure on things like supermarket deliveries surely it'll be easier for those who choose to continue to self isolate?

I think we’ve already had it, I know there’s no guarantee of immunity, but we will be going back to mostly normal. As much as is allowed.