Still in shock

[KayEngel]

Is it just me? I still can't quite believe what has happened and is still going to happen for the foreseeable. I've stopped going out, not because I'm worried about getting Covid, but because the whole face mask, social distancing, queuing, booking ahead, craziness is just too upsetting.

[MarcelineMissouri]

@BikeRunSki I was reminiscing earlier about how in the run up to the school closures we were discussing how we thought it might be for 2-4 weeks. Dh works for a cinema chain and they were initially thinking 4 weeks closed, worst case 8-12 max. Now we don’t even know if they’ll ever reopen properly. 17 weeks later and I could cry at how innocent we were back then!

[mrpumblechook]

I feel quite reassured by the social distancing, facemasks etc. if everything just went back to normal a second wave would happen very quickly. As things are I feel there is hope that the economy will improve and children can get back to school without hundreds of thousands of people dying. We just have to hold out until there are better treatments and hopefully a vaccine.

[SunflowerProsecco]

Wearing masks isn't asking much. You aren't being asked to donate a kidney or anything.
It reminds me of when seatbelts were made compulsory and lots of people complained.
Some people have good reason not to wear a mask but they then depend on the majority wearing one for their own protection.

Anti-maskers have a lot in common with anti-vaxxers in my opinion. WHO research clearly shows wearing a mask greatly reduces transmission rates. We need to reduce transmission rates. Look at what is happening in many American states, their hospitals are getting overwhelmed again - this is what we need to avoid.

[AlecTrevelyan006]

why should someone wear a mask just to make someone else feel better?

the only reason for wearing should be evidence-based

[WhatsTheFrequencyKennneth]

Make changes where you can to make life more tolerable. I've changed the way I shop now because I'd rather not queue for a big supermarket and wear a mask for any length of time. I'm getting fruit & veg delivered. Bulk buying toiletries etc online and buying bread, milk etc from small local shops where I can be in and out in 5 mins, with a scarf covering.
I feel much better, the local business owners are so lovely and friendly.
I'm cutting right back on unnecessary crap that i used to buy too.

[MarshaBradyo]

I’m ok while there’s a hope of a vaccine.

[SeaOtterFluff]

I miss my old, spontaneous life. I hate the virtue signaling of mask wearing - it's not "protecting me" because you've breathed on it, touched it several times and then touched every surface around you. Wear one if it makes you feel better but don't expect me to be grateful. I may have had a long day in the office...

[TwentyViginti]

The only difference was that people could only go to the toilet one at a time.

But a lot of women's social life happens in the pub loos!

[AmelieTaylor]

@IAintentDead

They do make a difference when (almost) everyone wears them.

Do you need pictures?!

[userxx]

Today has been hard. I feel like my freedom has gone.

What's happened today? Have I missed something?

[ravenmum]

why should someone wear a mask just to make someone else feel better?
Well, it's not just for that, it also provides minimal protection by stopping the droplets travelling as far if you do cough or breathe heavily.
But otherwise, why not? People are doing it here; the tram comes, everyone sticks on some sort of mask, the people getting out take theirs off. No-one gives it a second thought any more.

[AmelieTaylor]

@AlecTrevelyan006

why should someone wear a mask just to make someone else feel better?

the only reason for wearing should be evidence-based

It is evidenced based. Clearly you need it in picture form too 🙄

[ravenmum]

Why the drama about putting on a mask?

[CokeEnStock]

I went to shop today wearing my mask, and most others were wearing theirs, and I thought, this is the new normal. But like the outbreak of WWII. New behaviours needed to survive, some will take the piss, some will be helpful, but it ended eventually. At least no one is dropping bombs on us, and you don't have to look SO far to see where that has been happening recently. Maybe we have become too complacent and think bad shit can't happen to us.

[Orangeblossom78]

We are going to the end of primary church service this week. in their bubbles but a huge church. No singing. I love that they are doing this at all but it will be a strange end to primary for them.

[Gizmo79]

Okay, I am sorry this is gonna be rude. Grow up the lot of you. Wear your masks when in built up areas. Don’t ear gloves- hand sanitiser works a LOT better.
This is our new normal so just swing with it.
Nothing is being asked of you that you can’t manage.

[QueenofmyPrinces]

I’m ok while there’s a hope of a vaccine.

I was watching an item on the news yesterday, an interview with a medical officer of some sort, and they were discussing vaccines. He basically said it was ridiculous to think there will be a vaccine this year (and the government were wrong to suggest there would be) and that if he was honest, the public should prepare for the fact we may never have one. He said we shouldn’t be putting all our eggs in one basket with the assumption a vaccine is going to be available one day, and that instead we should be accepting this is most likely something we are just going to have live with.

It was quite refreshing to hear his opinion actually because I’ve always felt we were being force fed the idea of a vaccine and a cure when it reality it’s just an dream that won’t come to fruition.

I hope I’m wrong, and I hope that the doctor was wrong, and that a vaccine that works can be created, but I won’t be holding my breath.

I just get on with life now and if there is a vaccine one day then great, but I’m certainly not basing my life and state of mind on the assumption there will be one.

I think treatments will greatly improve and outcomes will massively improve as we learn more about the virus, but I dont know how soon (or if) there will be a vaccine to stop us getting it in the first place though.

Fingers crossed there will be though!!!

[labyrinthloafer]

I agree it is weird and it is getting weirder. I heard someone call it the 'new reality' rather than new normal and I preferred that term as it doesn't feel normal at all.

I am not even very surprised, but still shocked? I work with someone from N Italy so heard a lot of early grim tales.

I am just rather lost without normal summer plans. But I don't feel like forcing myself to do the things that are now open.

[goose1964]

I've bought some with wild and wacky prints I don't mind wearing them, actually I have some that match my knickers. I've seen quite a few fellow mask wearers and about half aren't wearing them properly, not covering the nose is a common one, and you have the ones that barge through not respecting social distances. The latter being mainly
middle aged men.

[MarshaBradyo]

Queen I’ve read and heard really positive statements on a vaccine. They sound viable but I know it’s not a guarantee. Of course if there isn’t one I’ll have to adjust to it and likely will be able to manage with the disappointment.

[NellWilsonsWhiteHair]

@Gizmo79

Okay, I am sorry this is gonna be rude. Grow up the lot of you. Wear your masks when in built up areas. Don’t ear gloves- hand sanitiser works a LOT better.
This is our new normal so just swing with it.
Nothing is being asked of you that you can’t manage.

Knowing that was going to be rude, you decided to type it anyway, reflect for a moment, and hit post?

Why?

Why can’t people - who are fucking complying with social distancing requirements - talk about how they feel? Is your compassion so limited?

[wildcherries]

My birthday is this week, and I just want it over with. I agree, OP.

[cologne4711]

Is it just me? I still can't quite believe what has happened and is still going to happen for the foreseeable. I've stopped going out, not because I'm worried about getting Covid, but because the whole face mask, social distancing, queuing, booking ahead, craziness is just too upsetting

Not just you. The booking ahead for everything is really tedious (and I am a planner but not being able to do anything spontaneously, not even a walk-in takeaway in some cases is mega-annoying). And I don't like queues. I don't mind masks for a few minutes in a shop but can't say I am a big fan of wearing one for a longer time like visiting the hairdressers. However although I don't like masks I see the necessity of wearing them and I am not a virtue signaller. The reduction in transmission is proven to be huge - the haters really are like vaccine deniers!

[QueenofmyPrinces]

Queen I’ve read and heard really positive statements on a vaccine. They sound viable but I know it’s not a guarantee. Of course if there isn’t one I’ll have to adjust to it and likely will be able to manage with the disappointment

Sometimes I wish I could go to sleep wake up 6 months later so at least then I know what had or hadn’t been done and how things had panned out. It’s the period of uncertainty I don’t like.

Like I said, fingers crossed they do find a vaccine

[Medievalist]

I'd like to be able to shop without worrying about whether I'll be able to find a loo when I need one!