Is this now the new way of life?

[Wannaflyaway]

Hi, I just wanted to ask those, who are a lot more knowledgeable than me, if, the way life is now, i.e. face masks in enclosed places, social distancing, the constant threat of local/national lockdowns, travel restrictions, quarantining, no theatres, no concerts, no mass gatherings etc. is really the new normal, not just temporarily, but for the long-term?. I think that it actually really is. I also feel that I'm now starting to come to terms with this new normal, which is what I thought I never would, but it isn't a nice feeling. It's a low-level depression and the feeling that I'm just existing, but not living, and that I have fuck-all to either plan for or to look forward to in the future.

@Wannaflyaway

Hi, I just wanted to ask those, who are a lot more knowledgeable than me, if, the way life is now, i.e. face masks in enclosed places, social distancing, the constant threat of local/national lockdowns, travel restrictions, quarantining, no theatres, no concerts, no mass gatherings etc. is really the new normal, not just temporarily, but for the long-term?. I think that it actually really is. I also feel that I'm now starting to come to terms with this new normal, which is what I thought I never would, but it isn't a nice feeling. It's a low-level depression and the feeling that I'm just existing, but not living, and that I have fuck-all to either plan for or to look forward to in the future.

No. This isn't it. It can't be.

I share the same concerns OP, but I hope we’re wrong. The thing is the longer it goes on for, the more ingrained it is and the further away “normal normal” seems.

The real fear is people seem to be embracing the "new normal".

@Teal99

The real fear is people seem to be embracing the "new normal".

This. People are just sheep, quite frankly.

Thank you, I hope you're right. I forgot to mention other things in this new normal, like most people working from home, virtual dating, virtual playdates, the permant end of soft play centres for children, libraries only allowing tiny 15 minutes browsing slots per person, as with my local library, which I can only imagine will lead to the permanent end of all public libraries. The list goes on.

I’m afraid it is at least for the foreseeable future. We got told off the other day at a restaurant for not following their unclear 1 way system, we went to see a film but the only cinemas near where we live stipulate that mask wearing is compulsory and they even come and did ‘inspections’ during the film to ensure that everyone was wearing masks. Many of our family and friends are still too nervous about meeting up/still shielding etc. so yeah, the enjoyment has been sucked out of everything. I hate it.

The thing is the longer it goes on for, the more ingrained it is and the further away “normal normal” seems.

You've summed it up perfectly. This is exactly what I fear and that within a relatively short-space of time, all of this utter shit will become our proper normal.

I genuinely think it's been exacerbated by social media. It's been awful, it's still awful, but it's been seven months. In the grand scheme of our lives, it's not that long - and other pandemics and crises have happened historically and the world has returned to relatively normal, with some changes and new technology etc each time.

We're individually terrified, but as a species I think fairly resilient? So no, I think this is a temporary normal not *the" new normal.

But yanbu on the basis that I miss theatres and hugging my friends and proper library time too.

If this goes on much longer I'll have no reason to be here to be honest.

It’s how things will be for a number of years. I don’t like masks because they make me feel sick, so I won’t be going to the cinema or theatre possibly for years. All of my shopping is done online. I don’t eat out or go for drinks any more, but I have kids so probably couldn’t do that anyway. The rest is just normal for me - I’ve never had the money to travel or friends to go out with.

One of my colleagues, who is normally a really positive person, went away on holiday to Scotland lately. When he came back, he was totally deflated. He said the holiday wasn't enjoyable at all, due to the restrictions in place thanks to Covid.

I thought I could handle it all for 12-18 months, which was the timeline that was given, at least at the start. Now there doesn't seem to be any mention of this timeline. Now it's looking increasingly like this is it from now on.

@Wannaflyaway

I thought I could handle it all for 12-18 months, which was the timeline that was given, at least at the start. Now there doesn't seem to be any mention of this timeline. Now it's looking increasingly like this is it from now on.

No no, please no, this isn't it this can't be

It'll pass, like all other pandemics. Maybe it'll take a year or two but look at history, everything from the Black Death to Spanish flu.

It just seems endless at the moment

I think things will improve when (if?) we get a robust test and track system. There was even talk of the entire population being tested on a weekly basis. This will achieve several things which will allow us more freedom:

It will detect and isolate flare ups, preventing further spread - stamping out the embers before they can turn into wildfires.

It will give people more confidence to feel safer mixing. If my friends and I are all tested on a weekly basis we can feel fairly sure we haven't got it and can relax in each other's company. Of course that doesn't mean we can't or won't catch it - but it massively reduces the risk.

The phrase "new normal" needs to be canned, permanently, along with the view that doing activities virtually is any kind of long-term substitute for face-to-face human interaction.

Hi OP. I agree with you and unfortunately, I think this is the new normal for the long term. After a lot of thought, I feel this new situation is a result of sinister and nefarious reasons and not due to the lethality of the virus. I am trying to deal with the depression, it’s hard. I am mourning our loss of freedom, which sadly, I think will be less and less in the future. They will keep moving the goal posts until we don’t even remember what the old way of life and freedom looked like.

No it's only temporary. This temporary may be another two years or so (apparently). However if we all try our utmost to put up with the current inconvenience and discomfort we can hopefully eradicate this killer disease earlier. We need to all step up our combined Covid risk mitigation game. No superficial excuses and really be super vigilant and careful so we can all win this ongoing medical pandemic war! Life is currently still surreal as if a real life fictional movie but we will beat this if we stay focused and disciplined. Stay strong and stay safe and remember it's hands, face, space and trace!

@Wannaflyaway

I thought I could handle it all for 12-18 months, which was the timeline that was given, at least at the start. Now there doesn't seem to be any mention of this timeline. Now it's looking increasingly like this is it from now on.

The who mentioned not long ago that they think the pandemic will last 2 years... So after winter 2022... However let's nor forget there are hugely positive signs that a vaccine is coming either this side of Christmas or soon after. Once that has been approved and people start to get vaccinated we will feel much better. Let's not forget there will be 30million doses ready to go as soon as /if its approved in this country alone. Yes it will take time for most to get vaccinated however once the elderly and vulnerable have been vaccinated restrictions will not be needed anymore.

I know its hard OP but please don't get sucked into the whole social/mainstream media thing that this is the new normal. It is a temporary new normal. As other have said it can't be the new normal as people will not allow it. And as soon as a big proportion decided to go against guidelines it will fall apart and the government know that. Hell even Boris said at the beggining he had to do lockdown at the right time as people will only put up with it for certain amount of time. All governments know this and will have a time line they think people will still stick to restrictions.

My guess is if there is no positive vaccine approved by spring then people will just go back to normal regardless! I don't blame them either!

This is likely only the first of many pandemics as climate change, our ghastly treatment of animals & wildlife and other ecological shift's become irreversible, along with human overpopulation.

Get used to it. The halcyon days are over. I'm glad I got my innings in before this.

No. Like others have said there have been many many other pandemics and we didn’t do that for any of them.

It maybe FEELS sometimes like life has changed forever, but that’s just how our brains have reacted to how much things changed so quickly. There is no reason to think that would actually happen.

Nope, it’ll end, I think by next year things will return. People won’t put up with continuous restrictions and we need the economy back for starters.

Of course it will come to an end, you just need a bit of patience. Not every country in the world has restrictions as tight as in the UK, and I daresay yours too will ease in time. It's only been a few months after all.

I just wanted to ask those, who are a lot more knowledgeable than me
People on here dont know any more than you do. Many of them like to state their opinion as fact and say that this is the way the world will be forever. The WHO estimate that the pandemic will be over after 2 years so there would be no need for social distancing etc after that.

I do agree with PP that, in my opinion, social media has fuelled the fire and made people more scared of the virus and more scared to break the rules for fears of what the neighbours would think. Also politicians kow-towing to the most vocal social media opinions on subjects such as mask wearing.

The current level of restrictions doesn't seem so different to me. Schools are open, the kids weekend activities are on again, cinema and pubs are open, restaurants are open, the dentists are open and generally you can still get where you need to be. There still seems to be a shortage of materials or longer lead times but other than that it's ok. The only real impact I'm feeling is my children not being able to see their grand parents, that's tough as I know they really miss each other. Similarly I worry about job security and really feel sorry for anyone who has already lost their job to COVID.