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Original poster

Is this now the new way of life?

233 replies

Wannaflyaway · 05/09/2020 00:42

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.

OP posts:
Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 07/09/2020 15:57

@bendmeoverbackwards

This. Social distancing needs to end. Now.

I disagree. I think it's too early. SD is one of the easiest measures to implement surely?

Yes it's not great for young people but I do think we need to think about population control. Current population growth is just not sustainable. I don't understand why this hasn't been talked about more in recent years along with climate change discussion. Maybe we need to introduce a one child policy like China did? For a defined period to control population growth?

The population growth is also down to people living longer in many nations but you can't talk about that inconvenient truth. Birth rates are falling in most developed nations. But hey, punish young people, who will be paying the bill for this lockdown long after the likes of us are dead, further by restricting their bodily autonomy to reproduce. See how that flies when they get older and they become the ones in power.
Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 07/09/2020 15:59

@bendmeoverbackwards

Maybe it'll take a year or two but look at history, everything from the Black Death to Spanish flu

But Spanish flu never really went away. It came back again in 1958.

Bubonic plague is still here, too. A man in Colorado died from it last month; he'd contracted it from a squirrel. It kills plenty in places like Madagascar, however.
bluecheesediva · 07/09/2020 15:59

Its really not fair on the vulnerable to just end all the measures and go back to normal. We should all be able to continue with small changes to our behaviour to allow the most vulnerable to be able to have some sort of life during the pandemic i.e. see their families. Its actually a very small thing to ask of us.

Bollss · 07/09/2020 17:05

hasn't the birth rate been on a steady decline for quite some time? As a pp said, its not the births that are the "issue" as such, its that people are living longer, because we as a society dont want anyone to die of anything ever. All deaths are sad, but for me, i'd rather go sooner and with dignity than being kept alive and having no quality of life because thats what society deems "best" - it's not best.

Bollss · 07/09/2020 17:06

@bluecheesediva

Its really not fair on the vulnerable to just end all the measures and go back to normal. We should all be able to continue with small changes to our behaviour to allow the most vulnerable to be able to have some sort of life during the pandemic i.e. see their families. Its actually a very small thing to ask of us.
i dont think not being able to meet anyone in my house or garden as we approach winter is a "small thing"
WouldBeGood · 07/09/2020 17:32

@bluecheesediva

Its really not fair on the vulnerable to just end all the measures and go back to normal. We should all be able to continue with small changes to our behaviour to allow the most vulnerable to be able to have some sort of life during the pandemic i.e. see their families. Its actually a very small thing to ask of us.
What is being asked of us and our children and the elderly is bloody massive.
bluecheesediva · 07/09/2020 17:39

I guess it depends where you are living and if you're currently in a local lockdown but if that is the case then cases in your area are higher and the aim is to cut transmission and hopefully things will be relaxed a bit sooner. Other than that I think that while its not great its also not massive to have to change your life, wear a mask, avoid big gatherings etc for what will hopefully be a short period of time in the grand scheme of things.

Pixel77 · 07/09/2020 18:11

I think the elderly should have a choice. It is horrible hearing of those locked up unable to see children, their mental health declining. Many would chose to risk this virus, indeed a brief illness is sometimes a kinder way to go than many things. I know, my granny died from pneumonia, from flu, with dementia. There are worse things, quality of life is important too.

Bollss · 07/09/2020 18:48

@bluecheesediva

I guess it depends where you are living and if you're currently in a local lockdown but if that is the case then cases in your area are higher and the aim is to cut transmission and hopefully things will be relaxed a bit sooner. Other than that I think that while its not great its also not massive to have to change your life, wear a mask, avoid big gatherings etc for what will hopefully be a short period of time in the grand scheme of things.
Yeah, postponed my wedding. Not a big deal. Cancelled my son's birthday party. Who cares right? Been in local lockdown for a month despite where I live having next to no cases.

I mean it's not a big thing at all is it. Hmm

bluecheesediva · 07/09/2020 19:32

@TrusttheGeneGenie, personally I don't think a wedding or a birthday party are a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Its not forever, but I understand that for some people those things would be a big deal.

WouldBeGood · 07/09/2020 19:35

[quote bluecheesediva]@TrusttheGeneGenie, personally I don't think a wedding or a birthday party are a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Its not forever, but I understand that for some people those things would be a big deal.[/quote]
For goodness sake! Have some empathy.

Bollss · 07/09/2020 19:36

[quote bluecheesediva]@TrusttheGeneGenie, personally I don't think a wedding or a birthday party are a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Its not forever, but I understand that for some people those things would be a big deal.[/quote]
Ok well good for you, but for most people they are. Giving up your freedom, your social life, your rights is a big thing.

Minimising it is weird. It's not normal and to be honest it doesn't feel like a sacrifice worth making anymore.

Bouncycastle12 · 07/09/2020 19:36

It seems to have gone from “flatten the curve” - fine - to endless pointless nonsense. I’m SO over it!!

Vinoonasunnyday · 07/09/2020 19:39

It’ll change come Xmas when half of us have lost jobs

Suddenly taking a chance with covid will seem more attractive

Job loses are going to be horrific as firms recoup loses, repay loans and get rid of the staff they can’t pay or don’t need

Social distancing means less cuatomers/work being done so less profit

itsgettingweird · 07/09/2020 19:42

I've wondered how long for too!

My life is back to pretty much normal for me.

Work FT. DS at college. DS swim training.

Eat out twice a month and drinks with friends.

Hospital and GP appointments.

Only thing that's different is ds swim comps won't run until at least 2021.

But it's all with SD and masks and I wonder how long that'll be the case.

LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus · 07/09/2020 19:43

I really don't think this will continue. I have never supported mask wearing and social distancing, and I was in the minority. However, I now know very few people who are sticking to it.

stayathomer · 07/09/2020 19:43

It seems to have gone from “flatten the curve” - fine - to endless pointless nonsense. I’m SO over it!!
That's because the second they opened everything up they lost control. How do you contact trace when people have gone into a cafe and then a shop, then met friends, and their kids are in school and playing sports?

derxa · 07/09/2020 19:58

As a member of the farming community who lived through foot and mouth and the lockdown of the farming community during that I have experienced these feelings before and the fear that things would never be the same again. We've missed all the shows this year and sales are weird. The lack of socialising is hard to take. Surely to god next year is better.

Scrowy · 07/09/2020 20:53

@derxa

As a member of the farming community who lived through foot and mouth and the lockdown of the farming community during that I have experienced these feelings before and the fear that things would never be the same again. We've missed all the shows this year and sales are weird. The lack of socialising is hard to take. Surely to god next year is better.
I know every auction is different, we deal with three, but it feels like it wasn't being taken very seriously at first (except for one auction which virtually shut as most of the staff were shielding).

Suddenly it's the breeding and back end sales and it's high stakes and the auctions are getting very nervous that they are going to be shut down for non compliance. Given most auctions are still struggling to get some people to comply with smoking laws that have been in place for 13 years I don't envy anyone with the job of getting a bunch of belligerent farmers to keep their masks on. Grin.

Yes we have missed the shows this year too. In hindsight I feel it would have been ok for some of the smaller ones to go ahead.

Pixel77 · 07/09/2020 21:03

You can have weddings. They are holding them here in the gardens - small ones though but intimate and lovely.

eaglejulesk · 08/09/2020 04:59

Stop fucking judging what is an entirely natural reaction to your life being turned upside down and your support network being forcibly removed simultaneously.

And yet in real life so many millions are coping - it seems that a huge amount of MNers are lacking in resilience.

eaglejulesk · 08/09/2020 05:01

You can have weddings. They are holding them here in the gardens - small ones though but intimate and lovely.

Sorry, you are wasting your time trying to offer hope. Some people would rather wallow in self-pity - this is MN after all!

SnuggyBuggy · 08/09/2020 06:31

Eaglejulesk that's great if you aren't bothered by this, bully for you. It doesn't make it less shit for other people in different situations.

MarshaBradyo · 08/09/2020 06:33

I have much sympathy for people finding it tough. Of course some will, for a variety of reasons.

It’s easier to not be bothered if your country is operating normally.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/09/2020 06:34

Not everyone wants a small wedding. Some people want all their family and friends there. Fed up of people on MN thinking everyone should be happy with "a slower pace of life." No. We're all different.

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