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.

@bellinisurge I appreciate it must be incredibly worrying for you and your family, but what would your preferred solution be? Vulnerable people will, unfortunately, have to be much more cautious until a vaccine is found, but should that mean others should be kept locked down too? How would others being prevented from going out and about help in your situation? Not trying to be argumentative, I am genuinely interested.

Artesia , an awful lot of people who didn't realise they were unable to recover from it have become seriously ill requiring hospitalisation. And many of those have died.
If you are still kidding yourself that it's only "those other people " that need to worry about it, you haven't been paying attention.

So I ask again, what do you think should happen?

And clogging up the nhs when you could have avoided doing so doesn't help anyone.

What should happen? A carefully phased return with the proviso that we snap back to lockdown if the numbers start creeping up again. And, of course, a Brexit transition extension requested in June.

Yep I’ll be going back to normal as soon as I’m allowed. Realistically we’re all going to get this virus sometime, unless we shield for the 12+ months it takes to develop a vaccine or decent treatment and I’m not vulnerable enough for it to be worth waiting that long.

Sounds like people on here want those more obviously vulnerable to wear a badge or get chipped so that they are The Other People that they don't have to think about very much.
Maybe they could all live in a special area of town.

The "new normal" may be just not shaking hands, not automatically hugging & kissing friends/relatives, more acceptance of masks on public transport, greater use of tissues or hankies for catching coughs/sneezes, no spitting in public, more awareness of personal space, etc. Easy things like that could well keep the disease controlled to manageable numbers, but only if people comply.

Otherwise, we'll be back to severe restrictions, lockdown, again when cases start to rise again.

Having watched my mum die of CV (on her ipad) I'm not in any rush to get back to 'normal'
I'm terrified of getting it. Its not a nice death (not that any deaths are)

@papooshka so sorry for your loss

From what I can see on here everyone has said that once they are allowed they will go back to their "normal" life, I assume in whatever way pur normal lives are allowed. A phased return is what will happen and everyone here seems to know and understand that so I'm not sure why there is such hostility towards other posters from some people.

At the end of the day we HAVE to get back out there, we need to shop and not just for food but for clothes and furniture and shoes and electrical etc to keep the economy going and ergo keep as much of the population employed, and paying taxes as possible. We simply cannot shut up shop for the whole country except food, medicines and the NHS/care as it would mean a vast section of society not paying taxes and the country will run out of money.

Mental health has to be considered too, as humans we need to have contact with other humans. Yes we love our families but I also like seeing life go on around me.

I get how worrying it is for those most at risk, and who feels like if their neighbour goes out to dinner they risk passing the virus on to them, but what the answer then.....no one leaves their homes?? Ever? A vaccine is a hope but may never come (God I hope it does) but we may learn to deal with those unwell with it with medications for example & deaths may be prevented as with many other illnesses. Of course some will die from it, and that's just a horrid thought but it's the same as some die from cancer and some die from measles and some die from flu.

I like to think life will be a new "normal" but it will be as close to the previous normal as possible and should the virus get a grip again, well, we are all trained (for want of a better phrase) for lockdown now so it would be easy to dip in & out of it as the need requires.

Normal as soon as we can
We part way there now dd back at school, all but 3 were in her class today
As soon as crowds allowed at the footy, im booking my ticket
Browsing random shops is on cards too

Even Adelaide's Christmas pageant in November is planning to go ahead with crowds so fingers crossed it does

Eager to return to normal but I’ll be avoiding large gatherings and will also continue to wear a mask in public and to wear disposable or rubber gloves where it isn’t feasible to immediately wash hands (eg during weekly shop, to avoid transferring to my car).

Yes absolutely. Whatever restrictions are eased, I'll enjoy partaking in. The only material difference to me will be hand washing. I'll keep on doing it much more often now, and nagging DS to do same.

Probably won't do large gatherings, but I don't really do crowds anyway. I have always worked from home so public transport not a major issue. I will:

• go back to seeing all friends and family, unless they're vulnerable
• visit restaurants and cafes - will be doing that ASAP!
• go to the hairdresser
• send DS back to nursery the minute it opens

I'm resigned to getting it, I think most people probably will.

Sounds like people on here want those more obviously vulnerable to wear a badge or get chipped so that they are The Other People that they don't have to think about very much.

I don't agree with this at all. The fact of the matter is that certain people are more likely to be seriously ill with or die from this disease than certain others. I have two family members in that category - a grandmother with heart problems and a grandfather with pulmonary fibrosis. I deliver them shopping, chat to them from a distance and make sure they have everything they need.

We cannot put the entire population's lives on hold indefinitely. There is no other option. Those shielding will need to stay protected and indoors, while receiving as much support as possible.

Yes I agree frogs. My parents are over 70 and retired. It's crap for them missing out on their busy social lives but if they catch the virus they might die. They don't work or have childcare commitments other than ad hoc babysitting. It makes no sense to keep the economy closed indefinitely to protect people who no longer need to work.

Hate crowds anyway and also large gatherings.

Definitely will observe the social distancing forever more I think- I hate people in my personal space as it is, but that only applies to strangers not family.

Hate with a passion the cesspits that are soft play centres. With a bit of luck these germ holes will be permanently shut although I don't know why I'm worried as mine are past that stage now. Although saying that, they never went to any ever and they've not missed. I really don't know why they bother me so much.

Bloody hell I'ma miserable sod!!

😂😂

Because obviously people who are old or who have health challenges don't want to live normal lives and are happy living in a climate of fear where they are a burden to everyone. They are also defined by "being older " or "having health problems "
Bizarre attitude to other people.

Because obviously people who are old or who have health challenges don't want to live normal lives and are happy living in a climate of fear where they are a burden to everyone

Sorry but no one said that either. I don't understand what you think the solution is here.

That is very obviously what is being said.

The solution - because we were too late getting on top of this - is testing testing testing. Followed by a vaccine. And until we can do testing, I can't see how we can agree to broad population circulation.
Why do you expect someone like dh who has mild asthma, or his parents who are over 70, to stop living a relatively normal life so that you can pretend they aren't there.

If this government / scientific advice is we can go back to normal, I will be going back to normal ASAP. Cannot wait for gigs, pubs, sporting events, parties, being back at the gym etc. Happy to bin off handshaking and air kissing though.

Yep.

Though I had chemo to wipe out my immunity and since then have been using hand gel, antibacterial wipes, and keeping arms length from people as much as possible, so my 'normal' was a bit coronavirus lockdown anyway!

Vulnerable people will, unfortunately, have to be much more cautious until a vaccine is found, but should that mean others should be kept locked down too?

I'm concerned that if lockdown continues, we will end up with a whole load more vulnerable people. The longer it goes on, the higher poverty rates will climb. Poor health goes hand in hand with poverty. It also contributes significantly to domestic and child abuse, addiction and social unrest (all things which put extra pressure on our coppers).