Is anyone still fearful?

[justgeton]

Not that long ago people were panic buying, watching the news as many many people died, clapping the nhs.

We're clearly heading in the same direction.. but so many people are now ignoring it.

Why?

Yes lockdown is horrible. But the alternative isn't?

I can see all pov. I'm not trying to start another debate on whether we should lockdown or not; more why the massive swing? Is it that people don't think it's scary anymore?

@SoUtterlyGroundDown

The most frustrating thing is that the initial (economically devastating) lockdown was sold to everyone as being to protect the NHS and buy it some time so that it can prepare adequately. 7 months later we’re being told that the NHS still needs protecting, still needs time to prepare, is still at risk of being overwhelmed. Why? Why wasn’t that 7 months used effectively? So yes I’m scared. Scared of the extreme government incompetence that has resulted in the NHS (and those funding it through their taxes) being completely failed.

It takes longer than a few months to recruit and train expert staff.

We may have nightingale beds and more vents. Not much use without staff trained to use them, especially when a lot will be off sick themselves a

Was fearful for myself, and I am no longer so. That's because I've assessed the risks for myself, based on my age and my health conditions and although it could be better (I need to lose weight) it's still pretty small. I am however, permanently worried, anxious, twitchy and also increasingly bored - as so many of the things that gave my life value are now off the table. And, yes, before you ask, I'm sticking to all the rules, and being very respectful of people who are more anxious or frightened than I am (eg, having a coffee outside a cafe rather than inside if my friend isn't comfortable being inside).
There quite clearly has to be a way of ensuring that people stick to the rules without frightening the socks off them. But it would also be a lot better if the government were sticking to their side of the bargain. If they had a functioning and quick test and trace system, and some targetted funding for those whose income is affected by this, then people might be more willing to play their part.

I think the genie is out of the bottle now. We had the one shot at a full lockdown and the government deliberately stoked fear and was very successful in doing so.

But we know more now. No I'm not in fear of the virus. I'm very fearful of a second lockdown, particularly school closures again. And the devasting impact on the economy and people's livelihoods.

It isn't "I'm alright Jack" at all in most cases.

People have now seen lockdown from both sides. The economic and social aspects have become very real rather than theoretical and abstract.

I was made redundant (though the reasons weren't Covid related) and look unlikely to work again in the near future because of my age and because the job market is like groundhog day right now.

I also have elderly parents who are very vulnerable and both with severe health issues. Both were hospitalised during lockdown for different reasons (again, not Covid related) which could have killed them off without me ever having been able to see them again to say goodbye. That alone worried me greatly and I won't be taking that risk in any future lockdowns.

Once they were out of hospital there was then the issue of how to get care organised for them in their own house while restrictions still applied because until then they didn't have a care package. In the end we had no choice but to go to their house and sort it

My parents were badly affected by the government's scaremongering back in March so had tried not to call for help when they badly needed it. It nearly killed them.

I'm afraid it colours how I look at the rules, many of which are arbitrary and senseless, and how far I am prepared to go with them. I'm much more concerned now about the effects of lockdown now than anything else.

Nope, not fearful, never was. The hysteria on MN at the start of all this was something else.

@userxx

Nope, not fearful, never was. The hysteria on MN at the start of all this was something else.

The hysteria all over social media and the press was astonishing. Remember all the photos on online papers of people buying potted plants and other non essentials! Christ, it was like they’d murdered people themselves.

If you admitted on here that you’d nipped to the shop for a can of pop you were ripped to pieces and accused of murdering grannies.

But also don’t forget many of us weren’t petrified at the start either. I didn’t panic buy or bash saucepans on my front door step on a Thursday night.
I followed the rules back then as a law abiding person. I still am following the rules. But I wasn’t scared then and I’m not now.

@Delatron

I’m more fearful of ongoing lockdowns on all the ensuing damage that will do.

Yep. My business in on its knees. My mental health is really suffering. My parents are on the verge of a breakdown. I’m also fearful of the government’s handling of this and also what will happen with brexit.

Being careful etc but not actually fearful of getting the virus.

Like previous posters, I’m being very cautious for the sake of other people but, no, I’m not particularly frightened on my own behalf. Sure, even if you’re young with no pre-existing conditions there’s a chance you could be the one who gets very unlucky, but that goes for life in general. My friend’s young, sporty DH was very ill and out of work for a long time last year because he randomly got pneumonia. I’ve known a couple of people who nearly died of complications from bloody ear infections. Or sepsis. And don’t even get me started on childbirth - for quite a few women I know, it’s the nearest they’ve come to death. We all live with the risk of death every day.

Again, I follow the rules and I’m generally being extremely careful. As long as I’m doing that, it’s nobody else’s concern whether I’m sticking to the rules because I’m terrified for my own safety or just because I’m a rule-abiding person. My feelings are my business - other people only need to concern themselves with my actions.

I’m sorry to hear that @Frazzled2207

It’s just so devastating and it’s peoples’ livelihoods we are destroying with these lockdowns and restrictions.

So many sectors affected and they may never recover.

@MummyPop00

No not fearful, but it’s also fair to say I have had Covid.

I’m nudging 50 with an underlying health condition, had ‘Long Covid’ symptoms for 4 months, but that’s pretty much resolved now as well.

If I can get through it, the vast majority will & of course that is borne out in the numbers.

I’m more concerned about the economic legacy we will be leaving our children tbh

To be fair, it is easy enough to say you aren't worried if you are nearly out of the other side . If someone were to say you had to do it's again, I imagine you'd be slightly apprehensive if not scared

I am not terrified but I am cautious and would prefer not to get an illness that could make me ill for several months

I'm not afraid but am sticking to the rules and understand why others might be fearful.

In all this I do wonder where we would be if the first cases had emerged somewhere other than China. China's response was a harsh lockdown, which successfully reduced numbers (if reports are to be believed) and many other countries then followed suit. What if it had first emerged in Sweden? Would we now all be following that more benign model?

Would we now all be following that more benign model?

It’s an interesting thought.

I also think the photos from Italian hospitals and the Would we now all be following that more benign model?
Imperial model strongly drove the ‘hit it hard’ response.

Not sure what happened there.

This is what I meant to type

I also think the photos from Italian hospitals and the Imperial model strongly drove the ‘hit it hard’ response.

@bumblingbovine49

Yes indeed, which is why I pointed out I’ve had it in the interests of balance. Obviously because of the fact I’ve got an underlying health condition, you would be correct to say I was ‘mildly apprehensive’ beforehand, though certainly not petrified.

Also important though that people like me give their experiences to give a rounded picture.

When I say I had Long Covid, that is correct. What it doesn’t mean is that I was sat in an armchair for 4 months. I had good & bad days. On the good days, I was out walking & doing moderate exercise. Now, 6 months on, I’m out biking 3 times a week.

I suppose the first wave has desensitized us to a certain extent. I don't think we'll be as shocked again by the 2nd wave. I know that is an awful thing to say. It isn't normal to sustain the same level of shock and worry for a long period.

I am following the rules to the letter. I do not want to get Covid any more than I want to get any illness, even a cold. But I'm less scared of it than I was at the start when you could not escape from the media's Project Fear.

It’s going to be interesting when people who have lost their homes due to the economic damage from this are made to self-isolate. Can’t self-isolate without a home. Awful.