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.

I'm happy to continue the lockdown as long as possible. I'm fine like this and in no hurry to come back "out". I'm a natural introvert, a homebody, and DH is my best friend. We're fortunate in that we have a garden so we're enjoying gardening and reading outside, cooking time-consuming meals and baking bread and cakes, going for early morning runs or walks before it's busy out, etc. I'm also getting a lot of reading done, and I'm emailing and messaging with friends and taking on the phone with family. In the evenings we play board games, watch TV or dance around the living room to old episodes of Top of the Pops!

I'm working from home which I vastly prefer over having to get all dressed up and commute to the office where I can't concentrate anyway because it's so noisy as it's open plan.

I don't find pubs or restaurants that fun and I loathe getting my hair and nails done, going to sports matches, etc. So I don't feel like I'm missing that much. It's kind of strange to me that so many people seem to find my preferred lifestyle unbearable! But we're all different and some people need and prefer a lot more external stimulation than others I suppose.

NotJustACigar I'm an introvert but have a 2 and 3 year old and a husband required to work overtime as a key worker so I'm essentially alone for 55 hours a week. If I don't share the load by visiting my relatives soon (my children have lots of cousins) I honestly think I will have a mental breakdown one. Not everyone's lockdown experience is as idyllic as yours unfortunately.

@SamSeabornforPresident , if you don't understand how viruses spread by now, I'm not sure I can help you.

Yes and no.I was working too many hours before and had zero work life balance.I work in hospitality so heaven knows how that will own out.
Socially I didn't go out anyway.Combination of working eves and weekends Christmas etc.Besides ,panic attacks in recent times limited my life so I was used to staying home besides work.
Much of a home bird and happy to while away time entertaining myself,cooking gardening cleaning .So no rushing to crowded places anyway.I don't feel like it has been hard lockingdown.

I know that, Wtfdidwedo, and I feel terrible for those who are suffering. I was only describing my personal experience.

Bellini

No bother bro.

My life with never be normal.

My husband was that person that went on a ventilator, and never woke up again. My only peace is that our hospital went against the rules and we were allowed to say our goodbyes.

@hpsaucy I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I know for you and many others life will have changed forever. I'm glad you got to say goodbye.

I think I must be strange as I’m not worried about the virus at all personally. I’m well and fit and think I have more chance of dying in other ways such as falling off my bike

So yes. Quite happy. But I realise other people have vulnerable people at home. I get that

NotJustACigar I'm an extrovert and need that external stimulation. I find being at home all the time torturous, dull and monotonous. I'm a social person, I love being around my friends and going out, having family get togethers, parties, I love travelling and holidays. Phone and video calling is not enough for me. Work wise, I need to be around my colleagues to keep my motivation.

I'll continue to follow the government guidelines and I'm not going to break any rules but I do not want to go on like this forever, I need an end at some point. This is not a life I want. As a low risk person I'd rather take my chances with the virus than carry on like this for years.

We are going to avoid going out to bars and restaurants and large gatherings. Work from home as much as possible. Prioritise seeing family if we are allowed to see anyone.

I probably will go back to "normal" as far as I'm allowed but then my lifestyle lends itself to social distancing. I hate crowds, busy places, shopping, drinky nights out. I love being cosy at home, preferably with 1 or 2 family members or friends and going for quiet walks in the country. So not much will have to change for me to feel "normal"
Work though? That's a different matter.

Honestly that was my attitude.

my husband didn’t leave the house after lockdown, 2 days in he got the flu. 10 days later after speaking to our gp and NHS 111. I dialled 999 not because he had problems breathing, high temperature or a cough but because he was so ill, his sats were so low. He went to hospital at 7am and was on a ventilator by 12. That was on the Tuesday, Sunday they turned off the ventilator because his kidneys failed.

everyone that dealt with him was amazing but they don’t know what they are dealing with, and that’s what’s scary

As soon as the things I love are open, National trust, theme parks, zoos, farms, pubs yes I will be there. Life is too short and the way things are at the minute is no life.

This has been heaven for me apart from one thing- not seeing my parents. I can facetime them and see them from the garden but it is hard.

Other than that, its been bliss. I like my own company and I fucking hate my job (no chance of finding another one due to covid 19 though).

So I'm in no rush to go back to normal. I'm too scared to leave lockdown without a vaccine also.

I’m sorry for anyone who has lost a loved one.
I have no choice
It’s food on the table or starve.
In the last few weeks I’ve had to accept the shittest of jobs because clients know I’m struggling financially. I smile, I do it & take their money because I have NO choice.
Honestly the last 6 weeks have broken me & I cannot wait to hug my son & im sorry but normality cannot come soon enough

I will be normal ish. Still be wary of people too close

I'm still working out of the home and harder than ever so this lockdown feels like I'm living in a parallel universe. I feel like I'm working hard all week and then in the evenings and weekends there's nothing to look forward to. Normally I have a full and active social life.
Also makes me laugh all these people, oh I'll send the dc back to school but I'll work from home. Shame us teachers don't have tat option! Parallel universe again ...

I won't be rushing back to normal anytime soon just because the government says we can start. Granted they will do this gradually so not to have masses of people in public places but it only takes 1 person to pass it onto so many. Lots of people are wanting to get back to their normal lives, I understand that but common sense has to be used. Even when we're out of the peak, until there's a vaccine available we're all still at risk. Hopefully they might develop one by the end of the year/beginning of next and I personally wouldn't put others or myself at risk if I could avoid it.

Also. If everyone stays hidden away at home, who carries out the essential jobs? Most people are going to have to go back to work, back to spending money, back to normal, in order to raise the revenue and taxes required to keep the country running, otherwise no NHS etc.
It strikes me that those who are happy to stay locked up at home (those who need to shield exempted) are relying on others to venture out to facilitate this eg food manufacturers, supermarket workers, nurses, etc. They can all go out and take the risk so the stay at homers can continue with their cosy smug lifestyle. If everyone took that attitude there would be no option to stay at home. Cos the country wouldn't function.
We need to learn to live with this virus and get up and running again ASAP.

hpsaucy - I'm so sorry for your loss.

My son has chronic lung disease so we are shielding and I guess will need to do so until there is a vaccine. Maybe as time goes by we will feel comfortable taking him for walks in secluded places, but for now we don't leave the house. Thankfully my husband is able to work from home (I don't work), so we count ourselves lucky in that regard.

As soon as we are given the green light I’ll be going back to normal.

@hpsaucy

I'm working with covid patients in my job, so when lockdown eases I'm not likely to do much different to now! Im not worried about catching the virus so much as spreading it to somebody vulnerable. I wont be seeing my elderly parents or going to crowded places. We definitely will help my niece with childcare, she's an icu nurse with 2 small children.

No one is going to put their lives on hold indefinitely to protect someone they don’t know or have feelings for.

Just not going to happen