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Covid

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To think people need to be released from the idea that they must 'stay safe'?

434 replies

TheDailyCarbuncle · 01/07/2020 13:55

IMO people's heads have been messed with on an absolutely massive scale during this pandemic. So many people seem to be locked into the idea that they absolutely must avoid getting covid at all costs, no matter what, to the extent that they're convinced that if they don't do everything possible to 'stay safe' then they're definitely going to die.

I genuinely think that the extent to which governments around the world have convinced people that the only thing that matters is this virus is a far far far bigger problem than the virus itself. I think governments are too cowardly to say what needs to be said, which is that there is no way to prevent everyone from getting it, and that attempting to prevent it is causing so many other problems that it just can't be done any more.

I think people are being driven around the twist with the idea that this threat is out there, lurking at all times, waiting to get them. It's like a form of mental torture, with people questioning everything and worrying about everything, while the economy crumbles around them.

There is no guarantee of a vaccine or of more effective treatments. There is every chance that covid will still be circulating, along with every other virus, in 2030. You could do everything absolutely 'right' now and still get it next year or in five years.

I get the fact that it was new, unprecedented, etc. But where do we draw the line? When will the acceptance come? When it's too late and there's no way to restore the millions of jobs lost? When economies have collapsed so much that poverty, violence and starvation make covid look like a walk in the park?

OP posts:
eaglejulesk · 03/07/2020 21:03

I suspect NZ will get to low level community transmission at some point.

There is no community transmission in NZ and hasn't been for quite some time. All the cases here are in people who were in quarantine after returning to the country.

Lweji · 03/07/2020 21:08

@eaglejulesk

I suspect NZ will get to low level community transmission at some point.

There is no community transmission in NZ and hasn't been for quite some time. All the cases here are in people who were in quarantine after returning to the country.

The sentence above doesn't say there is. Rather that there will be at some point.
CorporeSarnie · 03/07/2020 21:18

@HerRoyalNotness

Thinking about it the fear isn’t necessarily catching it and dying. We know the % is small. I don’t want to catch as the long term health implications are awful. Who knows who will be affected by wrecked lungs or other organs that will hinder or shorten lives. I’d like to know the % of people affected that way. There will be a lot of studies done on the health implications after ‘recovery’ I’m sure
Exactly this. I'm not particularly likely to die if I catch coronavirus. Relatively low risk. But I've got friends who have had this illness who suffered badly, and others who have nearly died from sepsis who will never be the same again. This risk of ongoing complications and the ramifications for a society where a large number of people have been affected, concern me more than an immediate risk of dying of covid. Agree we have to get used to the risk of the disease but that doesn't mean tripping off to the pub in an effort to "take it on the chin".
dobbyssoc · 03/07/2020 21:26

I don't agree OP. I think people should have the mentality of staying safe at all costs. If we relax then transmission will rise. If everyone is tense and on their toes so to speak then you are much more cautious and aware.

Jrobhatch29 · 03/07/2020 21:41

@dobbyssoc

I don't agree OP. I think people should have the mentality of staying safe at all costs. If we relax then transmission will rise. If everyone is tense and on their toes so to speak then you are much more cautious and aware.
At all costs? What is included in this?
dobbyssoc · 03/07/2020 21:56

@Jrobhatch29 not doing things just because you are now allowed to e.g jetting off to Spain, going to the pub, moving within 1m if someone if you could easily stay 2m away, staying at home as much as you can, not mixing with loads of households etc

B9008 · 03/07/2020 23:31

It’s too late OP. The damage is done. I see shops open and no one in them, holiday bookings weak, still 50% of parents keeping
Their kids off in my daughters school and older people still worried about going to the shop let alone anywhere else. The media and government have absolutely scared so many people to death with this that your prediction of economic catastrophe is just about how long it takes to get there now.

ShastaBeast · 04/07/2020 02:27

YANBU! It’s very weird now as some people are still crossing the road to avoid being a meter away passing in the street, while I see teens hanging around in large groups and mums with kids chatting close together. People seem to trust their friends not to have it but strangers passing a meter away for a second are deemed dangerous. Talking is a much higher risk activity.

I may have caught it and was fairly ill, but not worse than a bad cold with cough, not as bad as flu and I would’ve been able to work most days, DH did. I was never bothered about catching it, went into London and used the tube knowing it was possible. I’m far more worried about my mum who is shielding, and we knew MIL wouldn’t survive it and she didn’t which was devastating for DH. We don’t meet any vulnerable people so don’t worry about passing it on, barely go to the shops. And any of the kids at school with my eldest have chosen to do so knowing the risk.

chancechancechance · 04/07/2020 06:15

I was making this point on another thread, I don't think it is 'weird' that some people are still cautious.

How do you know they are not a person with another health risk, rather than just someone who is 'weird' for wanting to stay 2m away?

CV has been quite a shocking event. People are trying to deal with it, and think it through, in a country that has managed it and still is managing it very poorly.

I think we all need to be a lot more understanding of the range of feelings about the virus.

I am sorry about your MIL Flowers

BillywilliamV · 04/07/2020 06:34

And where is Scotland getting its money from, while Nicola strives to keep everyone safe? Oil revenue through the floor and no tourism. They can't all be sat at home crunching data and writing video games?

chancechancechance · 04/07/2020 06:38

If a country cares about future finances, Scotland's approach is much more sensible, as they have lower risk of future shutdowns being needed.

BillywilliamV · 04/07/2020 06:44

They cant keep the rest of the world out though, they really need the tourism

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 04/07/2020 06:45

YANBU. YANBU. YANBU

I live in scotland. I’m in utter despair watching business collapse, jobs being lost, anxious children. We must STAY SAFE.

The time to stay safe was MARCH and we fucked that up by flying to Italy for skiing and ignoring the patently obvious warning signs. We also decided to release people into nursing homes. It was a bloody disaster but is done now. Unfortunately Nicola Sturgeon is a sociopath who will do anything - I mean anything - to gain separation from the dreaded “Westminster”. I can assure you in Scotland there is not a lot of support amongst non-SNP cult members for her approach. We are in despair

emmetgirl · 04/07/2020 06:54

I have a lot of sympathy with your view and share it to an extent. I'm being careful but I'm not hiding away and being paranoid. I own a business in the hospitality sector which I bought last year. Every penny I have had been sunk into this business. I literally have NO money left. I'm struggling to access a bounce back loan as my business bank doesn't provide them (this is a whole other story) and I owe thousands that has accumulated during the time we've been closed as there are costs we have to meet whether we're trading or not. I actually might lose everything I have. I know some people will say "oh but it's people's lives" etc but you know what? When you find yourself in your mid 50s having done everything "right" in your life - got an education, worked hard, paid your taxes etc and find yourself on the verge of having NOTHING through no fault of your own, then and only then will you have the slightest idea the position some of us are in. I'm very angry.

chancechancechance · 04/07/2020 07:11

The tourists will be much more keen to visit countries with good public health.

The things I have read about Chinese students' views on England's response suggest a real problem going forwards.

We are in the early stages of responding to this.

Businesses in England, which is more open, are not faring well either.

Tourism will be low this year, it couldn't have been otherwise.

chancechancechance · 04/07/2020 07:13

Well, it could have been, but that ship sailed globally in March.

chancechancechance · 04/07/2020 07:16

@emmetgirl

Sounds horrendous, I absolutely hear you, my relative here facing similar worries of should I close or try to hang on.

userxx · 04/07/2020 07:34

@emmetgirl What would you have done differently? Just out of interest. I completely get where you're coming from, I think shutting down the economy was a disgrace and it absolutely did not need to happen. I can only imagine what you are going through.

caribooshriek · 04/07/2020 07:45

I don't know, OP. Today I was reading about how COVID-19 affects the body and it's very disturbing. It can attack the brain as well as the body. Yes, the majority survive it but for those who don't, it's a nasty way to die!

Kazzyhoward · 04/07/2020 08:05

We don’t meet any vulnerable people so don’t worry about passing it on

How do you know they're not vulnerable? Lots of vulnerable people are working, shopping, taking their kids to school, etc.

NotShiny · 04/07/2020 08:09

Vulnerable people have been "othered"

userxx · 04/07/2020 08:10

it's a nasty way to die!

There are very few nice ways to die.

weepingwillow22 · 04/07/2020 08:14

I don't understand why there are so many people taking things to the extreme. On one hand we get poster who are completely terrified of leaving their houses and on the other hand posters like this OP dismissing all risk.

Yes we need to support the economy but why can't we do it in a sensible manner. Go out wearing masks, distance where possible and maintain good hygeine. This is the only way to ensure that businesses will be able to remain open until there is better treatments and a vaccine.

nether · 04/07/2020 08:18

Vulnerable people have been "othered"

I agree very strong with this

There are 2.5 million people shielding (paused, not removed, from 1 August). This is not a category defined by age.

And many more millions who are medically vulnerable - the pregnant, the over 70s. Other vulnerable, such as those with asthma, diabetes, non-shield cancer or recent cancer, and the seriously obese. And arguably the entire BAME community

Stellakent · 04/07/2020 08:21

Emmetgirl I'm the same age and in a similar position so I know how you feel. It's tough, you have my sympathies.