This is it for the foreseeable future

[MagicSummer]

It just struck me today that this is how life is going to be for the foreseeable future - masks everywhere so shopping is no fun, no theatres, no holidays, no parties, no proper get-togethers. It is utterly depressing. Like everyone else, I so yearn for my old life back and I bitterly regret taking it all for granted in the past. It's quite true that 'you never know what you've got till it's gone'.

Yes for the foreseeable but I think by next Spring we will start to see change. I guess it’s about trying to find coping mechanisms in the meantime, which I appreciate is not easy for everyone and the different circumstances we all find ourselves in.

@MagicSummer

It just struck me today that this is how life is going to be for the foreseeable future - masks everywhere so shopping is no fun, no theatres, no holidays, no parties, no proper get-togethers. It is utterly depressing. Like everyone else, I so yearn for my old life back and I bitterly regret taking it all for granted in the past. It's quite true that 'you never know what you've got till it's gone'.

No. Stop it!

I don't think it will. Compliance is already on the wane. People won't do this for the foreseeable.

No it isn’t! Far more likely that the restrictions will gradually diminish over the next year and things will be pretty much normal by 2022.

Van Tam is talking about the vaccine being rolled out just after Christmas and he’s hardly known for his mindless optimism and rash promises

No holidays ?

I was looking at self catering places for a few days in the lakes over half term , all booked up, people are going on holiday !

I try and just think about today, we do follow what’s going on, but try not to watch too much news. Yes, it is depressing and I’ve spent a few nights worrying about my family and friends, but try and stay optimistic for the future. I lost my FIL in February, we then had lockdown and then my husband had a heart attack in April and had to have a triple heart bypass early May. So all in all a crap year, but looking forward to going to the theatre, cinema and out to pubs and restaurants when we can, as we have to shield for my husband.

@bigchris

No holidays ?

I was looking at self catering places for a few days in the lakes over half term , all booked up, people are going on holiday !

We're on holiday at the moment :)

It sounds like there will be a vaccine in the next couple of months. Lots of important people in the know are saying life will hopefully be back to normal by next spring/summer. We just need to get through this winter.

@CeibaTree aw hope you're having an amazing time, where abouts are you ?

[quote bigchris]@CeibaTree aw hope you're having an amazing time, where abouts are you ? [/quote]
Thank you! We are just down in Dorset in the middle of nowhere - so peaceful :)

I think for me the only way I've managed so far is by thinking short term. Our life as a family has become more simplistic. We only have holidays in this country anyway and still did albeit different. I have the attitude of lets get through winter and things will pick up and I believe they will. Shopping online isn't the same, but with a glass of wine it's fun! Winter walks, old TV Christmas specials, baking and lots of zoom (quizzes, bingo, wine) are whats going to keep me going. Oh and wine, not sure if I mentioned it!!

Yes, it’s completely shit. Fingers crossed it will be much brighter by next summer though x

@Waxonwaxoff0

I don't think it will. Compliance is already on the wane. People won't do this for the foreseeable.

This is what worries me. The government won't just let people decide they don't want to comply. It would make them look weak. So I think they will just keep tightening things, enforcing fines, maybe prison for repeat offenders .. I don't know, but honestly, how people are behaving at the moment scares me about what might have to be done next.

They have had to release prisoners early due to Covid and SI have they not so I doubt it would make sense to put more people in

@MagicSummer

It just struck me today that this is how life is going to be for the foreseeable future - masks everywhere so shopping is no fun, no theatres, no holidays, no parties, no proper get-togethers. It is utterly depressing. Like everyone else, I so yearn for my old life back and I bitterly regret taking it all for granted in the past. It's quite true that 'you never know what you've got till it's gone'.

I'm really hoping things will at least start to improve from early next year. I know what you mean about taking our old life for granted though. I think back to all the times I felt dissatisfied and dreamed of a 'better life', and now it is that old life that, at least currently, is the unattainable dream.

Social distancing and restricted movements I can cope with but I am so fed up of the masks. I miss looking at people and seeing their faces, I’m fed up of faces being covered with material - it’s just not normal.

The thought of having to be a part of a faceless society for the next year is what I find depressing.

@Waxonwaxoff0

I don't think it will. Compliance is already on the wane. People won't do this for the foreseeable.

I always find it odd when people say this - most of what OP is saying isn't in people's control to just ignore it.....you can't go to theatres, travel anywhere you like, sack masks off, shop/eat out when they are closed up etc. No one can just do their old life at the moment, most of it isn't in our control.

About a year more of it probably. It's tedious but it's forever.

NOT forever

@jimmyhill

About a year more of it probably. It's tedious but it's forever.

Umm no. I can't do this for a year more, my mental health won't cope. Everyone needs to stop scaremongering.

No, I don’t think it’s for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately I’m more of a take a day at a time person. I hope the regulations will work though I know in my heart they won’t. As the situation changes constantly who can honestly say what we will and won’t be allowed to do tomorrow, next week, next month etc. I booked a holiday within the uk this time last year fortunately I booked it for August so we ended up going and having a great time but if you asked during lockdown I didn’t think we could go even if lockdown did end would it be safe etc. Like I said we did have a great time. Life with the pandemic is horrid, find myself not able to plan for anything but you don’t know the restrictions and rules will change to next......

Unless you’re already clinically depressed, your mental health isn’t going to suffer just because you’re wearing some fabric on your face. How do you think doctors and nurses manage? Are all the women in Iran clinically depressed?

Wear a fucking mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, get on with your life, stop posting whacko threads on the internet.

I know @BlueBlancmange. When I think of how I moaned about my commute and childcare once I didn’t have them any more I realised how much I’d have given to have them back again.

First they said 6 months which was March, then message changed to end of April and last date thrown about was July. Goalposts keeping moving!

They did say welcome to the new normal so here we are.