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Original poster

For people who are still trying to avoid most things

38 replies

BabyLlamaZen · 17/07/2020 14:45

Are you trying to get routine appointments like dentist, smear tests, even a haircut (possibly) in the next few weeks before autumn?

I honestly can't decide but feel like it might be now or next year :(

OP posts:
TicketToTheWrongFilm · 17/07/2020 14:50

I am. My feeling is that I can’t lock myself away (and I really don’t want to anyway) but
I’m going to do things that are important even if they carry a certain degree of risk. I mean, even crossing the road is a risk!

I went to the dentist during lockdown (non-UK, they were open here for emergencies and I’d lost a filling), I’ve got an appointment for a haircut and I have a diagnostic medical procedure scheduled for next week.
I’m still maintaining social distancing, avoiding the shops and all that.

Summer41 · 17/07/2020 14:54

I was due a dental check up next week but my dentist called and cancelled, they aren't doing check ups at the moment. I am due a smear test and will go as soon as I can get an appointment as it's a year overdue already because I had a baby. My hairdresser is fully booked for weeks but I hope to get an appointment in September if the virus continues to stay away and infection rates stay down. DH says he's not getting a haircut until next year!

Kaiserin · 17/07/2020 15:02

I'm due a smear test. I'll prioritise that because it's well worth it in term if risk assessment. Only reason it hasn't happened yet is I'm overworked. Not sure I can be bothered with dentist (my teeth are generally pretty good), and I've generally avoided hairdressers for the last decade or so...

Main reason I'm not out and about is work + childcare + general exhaustion. My social distancing is just a side effect.

Orangeblossom78 · 17/07/2020 16:16

Our dentist is still emergencies only and not routine until Autumn. DH cut hair, but mainly to save money! Going to henna hair but do that at home anyway.

Have been to cafe but found T&T off-putting. Been shopping fine but won't do that as much now due to masks which i find unpleasant. More online for me.

chocaholic73 · 17/07/2020 16:21

Have hairdressers booked for next week but thinking of cancelling. It's not essential after all. Then I think that things might get worse and I might then regret it. I know it's supposed to be safe enough with them wearing mask/visor and me wearing mask but not 100% convinced. She will have had a constant stream of people since she reopened. Wish I could decide ...

IndiaMay · 17/07/2020 16:22

FFS do not miss a smear test because theres a 0.01% chance that you'll die IF you even get covid, which is incredibly unlikely.

Friend of a friend is the nurse in the newspaper this week now whose smear was cancelled in march. They just had it done and there a tumour the size of a golfball down there. She is facing a serious battle that could have been caught 5 months earlier.

More young women die of cervical cancer than coronavirus!!!

LilyPond2 · 17/07/2020 16:23

No. But I live in an area where infection rates are relatively high and have risen recently (and neighbouring area is even worse). Maybe I would feel differently if I lived in an area with lower infection rates.

Mmmmycorona · 17/07/2020 16:25

Yes absolutely. I’m pregnant so I’ve had to go for my appointments. I’m now back at work in a job where I can’t social distance, so feel I have no choice but to get on with it.

londongirl12 · 17/07/2020 16:49

@chocaholic73

Have hairdressers booked for next week but thinking of cancelling. It's not essential after all. Then I think that things might get worse and I might then regret it. I know it's supposed to be safe enough with them wearing mask/visor and me wearing mask but not 100% convinced. She will have had a constant stream of people since she reopened. Wish I could decide ...
I went to the hairdresser this week. Yes she sees a lot of people, but she changes her ppe, sanitises all the combs etc. Everyone wears a masks even clients. The chairs are cleaned after every person. I don't know where you'd catch it from.
londongirl12 · 17/07/2020 16:50

And yes, never ever miss a smear!! I'd be dead now if I had done previously

canyon2000 · 17/07/2020 17:07

I have been trying to get an appointment for a smear test this week but no luck so I will have to try again next month. To book an appointment I have to phone the surgery at 8.30 and then wait in the queue to speak to a receptionist. You can only book on the day. There have been no free appointments at all when I have phoned.

yeOldeTrout · 17/07/2020 17:22

I'm not afraid of the virus, btw, I just don't want to get stuck on house arrest.

I need a filling. I can't motivate myself to ring dentist because presumably I still can't get any actual treatment. I'm not yet braced for being told "No" again.

Haircut: I have had DH do it before. Cheaper & I like about as much as a pro anyway. DH shaved a bit off, few weeks ago. I could wear rags, I can have bad hair. It's not like I need to look professional.

Smears: I gave up on yrs ago for reasons I am content with.

I probably need new glasses soon. Are opticians seeing people?

FloggingMoll · 17/07/2020 17:33

About to book my smear test; have an appointment for hair in the next two weeks and a dental check-up next week. Need to take DD for her first one, too.

I'm not particularly avoiding things but I live in a tourist hotspot, and don't really want to be out and about when the crowds increase over the summer. I'd definitely never miss a smear - I had an abnormal result many years ago and subsequent treatment, so would never miss one.

PuzzledObserver · 17/07/2020 17:52

Not yet.

I had a dental checkup booked for this week, the dentist phoned a couple of weeks ago and said they were open but checking whether patients wanted to go in or not, and I decided to wait.

My hairdresser is open, but as far as I can see the staff are not wearing face masks (unlike DH’s barber), so I’ve decided to wait for that as well. Just did my 3rd lockdown haircut a couple of days ago with DH’s help, and while it won’t win any prizes, it’s perfectly acceptable.

We have done friends and family visits this week - all out doors and socially distanced. I would rather ‘spend’ the small amount of risk I’m willing to take on things which matter more to me.

cologne4711 · 17/07/2020 18:12

I'm not particularly avoiding things but I live in a tourist hotspot, and don't really want to be out and about when the crowds increase over the summer

Totally get this - my mum lives in a tourist hotspot and I visited her last weekend and it was definitely too busy for me. And given the A303 was clear in both directions - no queuing anywhere, it wasn't even that busy yet.

I will definitely go for my smear and I do need the dentist at some point for a check-up and hygienist visit, but am prioritising a sports massage and hair highlights!

lljkk · 17/07/2020 19:31

I have a chronic hamstring problem so could quite appreciate a sports massage. Hmmm...

WonderTweek · 17/07/2020 20:43

I'm avoiding pretty much everything that isn't my allotment, but I'm braving it to my smear test next week. I didn't think they'd offer the test at the moment but I got a letter about it and got an appointment, so I'm going to wear my mask and get it done.

FloggingMoll · 17/07/2020 21:36

@cologne4711

I'm not particularly avoiding things but I live in a tourist hotspot, and don't really want to be out and about when the crowds increase over the summer

Totally get this - my mum lives in a tourist hotspot and I visited her last weekend and it was definitely too busy for me. And given the A303 was clear in both directions - no queuing anywhere, it wasn't even that busy yet.

I will definitely go for my smear and I do need the dentist at some point for a check-up and hygienist visit, but am prioritising a sports massage and hair highlights!

Last weekend here was horrendous. No social distancing to speak of amongst the tourists; the locals have generally been pretty good, and the area has one of the lowest rates in the UK. So it won't be like that for much longer, unless the virus disappears.
TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 17/07/2020 21:44

I'm planning to get eye tests for all of us as they are all due. Might get the DCs hair but but that's all.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 17/07/2020 23:51

I’m not up for pubs or restaurants, but next week I am going to the dentist, the hairdresser, and to get my eyebrows done. My personal feeling is I need to weigh up my own risk - v - my own reward.

I met friends today for coffee in the park, and tomorrow another friend is coming for a glass of wine in the garden. I had a message last night inviting me to meet people tonight in a beer garden, but I am not there yet.

MrsFezziwig · 18/07/2020 02:07

I had my hair cut and coloured on 4th July.

I have an appointment to donate blood in a couple of weeks which I will likely keep.

As far as I know my dentist is still only dealing with emergencies but if offered a checkup I will go as I think I’ve managed to chip two of my teeth.

blibblibs · 18/07/2020 02:20

I've been nowhere but work and the supermarket weekly since March but I'm going to try and get DH & DS an appointment at the barbers and going to get some DIY things to get a few things in the house sorted as we're surrounded by areas with increasing infection rates and it will make things slightly easier if we're locked down again. Have dentist appointments for check ups booked for early September which I'm hoping won't be cancelled but otherwise we're going to be staying at home for a bit longer.

RadFemsUnite · 18/07/2020 07:28

I am starting to go to a few shops and contemplating a very short train ride (on a local line where lots of stops, so doors open regularly, hopefully helping air circulate) to have a short walk in a remote spot I love. I was being very very strict but think I may try to do some things now that won't be possible in winter. No hairdresser, which I miss, but I've got long hair and wear it up a lot anyway. A few socially distanced coffees with friends in their gardens and planning more of those in the next weeks. Had to go to the doc and that was my first outing other than walks/cycle rides. I had thought that I should not do anything because I've no intention of going back to work face to face (wfh atm) - at a further ed college with hopeless health and safety, so I believe I and the students would be safer online. But this meant I felt 'wrong' to do anything I enjoyed! Spoke to therapist a few days ago who said best thing is to weigh up risk and impact on wellbeing of each activity and not feel guilty; that everything takes a lot of energy atm and best to stick with what you feel you can do, as far as possible. This is working for me, and did help me realise that it's very tiring to have to think closely and carefully about stuff we took for granted back in Feb.

labyrinthloafer · 18/07/2020 07:41

Yes we are, especially kids dentist etc. because I think if nothing else the chance we'll be isolating just when we have an appointment is higher in autumn!

I'm concerned about dentist for me as I can't get an appointment yet. I think it'll get harder in autumn/winter as dentists will be self-isolati g if they have any symptoms.

I would go to a smear for sure. The HCP will be careful.

mum2jakie · 18/07/2020 07:52

I need to book a smear. All of our dental check ups were cancelled and we still haven't been offered any new appointments. Not got round to booking a hair cut yet. The thought of it doesn't really appeal!!

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