Were you scared at the start? Are you still scared now?

[Lou0808]

I'm trying my absolute hardest to try and adjust to this new "normal".

But so far I'm not doing very well.

I'd love to just go shopping but the thought of having to be constantly aware of keeping a 2M distance, being mindful of touching things or wearing a mask is just not my idea of fun. 😞

We drove past our local shopping centre yesterday and was really surprised at how full the car park was.

It's gone from people panic buying back in March, people saying how bad this was and how serious it is, to now parks, supermarkets and shopping centres being packed.

Are people not as scared of this anymore?
Do they feel like it's not as serious or as much of a threat?
Or are people just accepting that they have to live their lives with this threat around and are happy to do that?

I do have anxiety and OCD and I know they play a big part in How I feel.

But why am I still stuck to my feelings back in March whilst everyone else seems to be moving on and accepting this new way of life 😞

I felt relived when we did finally lockdown because my husband is type 1 diabetic, I’m asthmatic and A+ and my Mum (who is 80 next year), is also asthmatic and diabetic and relies on us for help! I have felt protected during lockdown, we have been able to work from home and we have been careful. I know that life must go on (especially for our kids) but I feel much less safe now that restrictions are being lifted.

I’m a teacher and the prospect of being back indoors in a room full of 30 people in September is terrifying - especially without PPE. I love my job and before this have never had a day off sick. But the idea that I could pick something up that could make me and my loved ones very ill (or worse) is so stressful.

It’s the best job in the world but I am often coughed and sneezed on, I have to help little ones with their school work, I help with zipping coats, tying shoe laces, helping them get changed, giving them first aid. I usually don’t mind this at all but social distancing isn’t possible. For the first time ever it feels like I will have to give up a job that I love because of all this. I also worry about my own two children bringing it home if they return to school, especially my youngest who forgets not to put fingers and pencils in his mouth etc. Obviously I am well placed to home educate but like everyone else I would then worry about them missing their friends and their old lives. I honestly don’t know what to do for the best.

@TiredMummyXYZ

I felt relived when we did finally lockdown because my husband is type 1 diabetic, I’m asthmatic and A+ and my Mum (who is 80 next year), is also asthmatic and diabetic and relies on us for help! I have felt protected during lockdown, we have been able to work from home and we have been careful. I know that life must go on (especially for our kids) but I feel much less safe now that restrictions are being lifted.

I’m a teacher and the prospect of being back indoors in a room full of 30 people in September is terrifying - especially without PPE. I love my job and before this have never had a day off sick. But the idea that I could pick something up that could make me and my loved ones very ill (or worse) is so stressful.

It’s the best job in the world but I am often coughed and sneezed on, I have to help little ones with their school work, I help with zipping coats, tying shoe laces, helping them get changed, giving them first aid. I usually don’t mind this at all but social distancing isn’t possible. For the first time ever it feels like I will have to give up a job that I love because of all this. I also worry about my own two children bringing it home if they return to school, especially my youngest who forgets not to put fingers and pencils in his mouth etc. Obviously I am well placed to home educate but like everyone else I would then worry about them missing their friends and their old lives. I honestly don’t know what to do for the best.

It's a hard situation 😔

@TiredMummyXYZ. Can you not take comfort from the research that has found no evidence of children under 10 transmitting Covid? Of course the evidence can’t be conclusive as 80% of any age seem to be asymptomatic but your risk of flu or noro In any given year is probably higher.

I felt very scared for vulnerable older relatives as cases started rising in March, we all went into lockdown a little early. I had a few days feeling really upset that there was a clear risk things could go wrong and I'd never see my dad again. Luckily he's avoided it so far. While the bare numbers have looked higher recently, it's obvious to me that the actual number of cases now is much lower than back then and that far more of those who are infected are actually isolating. There is now better understanding of how the virus presents and how to treat it, and it's much clearer what the transmission risks are. So overall I'm much more relaxed about it now than in mid-March. Actually I'm very keen for us all, including vulnerable older relatives, to get out and about so that we enjoy our summer, ready to lock down again if needed in autumn.

I was the same as cornishyarg the week before lockdown- even ended up ringing 111 thinking I was having a heart attack which turned out to be a massive panic attack! It was for me the empty supermarkets, massive amount of change and news in a week (from sitting in the pub on the Saturday joking about school closing to five days later realising we were heading for lockdown) and worrying that we would descend into anarchy
In my job I'm trained to support children with anxiety and the key strategy is often challenging negative thoughts and putting into perspective the 'worse case scenario' the problem with late March was the worse case scenario felt likely to be pretty bloody horrendous so all my tried and tested coping methods were useless
However- by the Tuesday after official lockdown I started to adapt and adjust and was much calmer and more optimistic. Also as I'm nhs there were a few weeks I was looking at being moved to a Covid ward which actually did put my worries into perspective - when I found out this wasn't happening I was so relieved and made the most of being at home and more time with the family
I did get wobbly when lockdown was first eased but I'm fairly relaxed now and hopeful that we are more prepared and resilient should a second wave happen

It's been really interesting reading all of these replies.

I was worried at the start, mainly due to the Govt's variois failures and BJ's insistance that we all shake hands, joking around etc.

Now I'm not scared, but am fortunate to not know anyone who's had it, even though I live in the highest risk rated area in the country back in May.

What I am scared of is the impact on my 2 teens' education, the cancelled exams and what will happen come September.

Yes. Terrified at the start. All online deliveries that are anti backed and we SD from everyone.

Last week we started relaxing it with family and go into houses, hug etc.

This week, I've been shopping!! Only supermarkets and with gloves and a mask. It's so nice to be more normal now!

We're going to do so unless cases start rising.

I am a worrier so the fact I'm going shopping is a surprise 😂

I was worried at the start, relaxed in the middle quite a bit, now I'm pretty worried again. I'm going back to work in a pub and although(basic)measures will be in place I don't feel particularly safe. But we need the money so I should be grateful to have a job I guess.

I was really scared at first. I work front line though and constantly read about the threat other countries like Italy had dealt with. I had many sleepless nights worried about my family and my own risk. I knew I couldn't stay safe at home whatever happened.

Now, I'm not scared. We've got through it so far pretty unscathed as a family. The death rate though is awful. I'd like to think we've progressed a lot scientifically if it comes around again. But I am concerned about a resurgence in winter.

Yes and no I also have bad anxiety but have managed to control it as I have worked so much over the last few months and I work in a supermarket. I've seen some nasty things by customers from abuse to a degenerate spitting in a managers face. It's actually made me alot more stronger now and I count that as a good thing