Is this the beginning of the end?

[Dandylioness1]

I almost feel some excitement today at the thought of life going back to normal.

I just daren’t get too excited but could this really be the beginning of the end?
Is normal life within reaching distance?

How is everyone else feeling?

Yes, the end is in sight. I’m very optimistic, just have to hang in for another few months. I hope that people are reasonable at Christmas but based on threads on here I think that’s a forlorn hope.

I feel really optimistic.
As soon as ECV and NHS staff are vaccinated we really should be lifting restrictions.
However, Boris and Matt will have a beady eye on the enquiries and try to do things they should have done in Feb/March. Trying to switch focus.
But by the time the vaccine is being rolled out more generally, the public will vote with their feet.

I’m also feeling very optimistic as I can see there is a way out of this mess now. Well done to the scientists! Hopefully this government will realise how important experts are now....

The vaccines don’t seem to last that long though? Not wanting to sound negative but it doesn’t sound like it’s even a year. Will need massive vaccine-delivery infrastructure into the future.

@Figmentofmyimagination

The vaccines don’t seem to last that long though? Not wanting to sound negative but it doesn’t sound like it’s even a year. Will need massive vaccine-delivery infrastructure into the future.

This vaccination will be rolled up with the flu vaccination programme in future apparently. That’s delivered pretty efficiently every year.

Felt a bit more positive, until I looked at all the threads on here where people are saying they won't have the vaccine. I'd love to know how we're supposed to get out of this mess if people aren't prepared to have a vaccination which could get us back to normal by the middle of the year. I just wish those not having the vaccine would read the science/methods behind it rather than take info off some random on facebook. (and I don't mean those who can't have the vaccine, and heaven knows they need everyone else to have it to protect them.)

I'm having the vaccine and I can't wait. I'm asthmatic, although haven't taken any other precautions than are required by normal social distancing.

I can't wait for our holiday to Cornwall next year where we can go to the pub with friends, the beach and queue for cornish pasties without glares passing between people not keeping their distance.

However PP is correct, enough people need to take up the vaccine.. And so far my parents (69,75) and husband are no longer both saying no. I am going to keep working on them.

And yes OP I think this is the final chapter.

Hopefully we will get a cabinet reshuffle soon too and GW will get the elbow. I think MH has really grown into this very tricky job and deserves to keep it if he wants it.

@Dandylioness1

I almost feel some excitement today at the thought of life going back to normal.

I just daren’t get too excited but could this really be the beginning of the end?
Is normal life within reaching distance?

How is everyone else feeling?

Positive thinking is on the rise here.

Provided extensive vaccine roll-out starts.........
And the kids get a bit of their sporting activities.

If it's just this year one chilled Christmas can be done.
We don't do much in January anyway, too cold, too dark, too skint. So that's covered.
February is a short month. Still cold and skint but a short month.
March will hopefully be last month of restrictions.
Long live April and beyond!

Might be a fool's optimism but it's all we have!

@CoronaIsWatching

I just want to go to Greece or Spain on holiday in June

We have a holiday to Italy booked for June! It was a holiday we had to rebook from last September and were allowed to rebook flights anywhere for the same value as those we cancelled, so chose Italy as their cases were very low at the time ...... they've risen ever since .... but still hoping it will be OK ......

The vaccines don’t seem to last that long though? Not wanting to sound negative but it doesn’t sound like it’s even a year. Will need massive vaccine-delivery infrastructure into the future.

The vaccine will become part of our annual flu vaccine schedule with time. Covid will eventually become less of a pandemic and we may see further outbreaks at times, but not to the same extent as we have experienced this past year.
Like all viruses, they will have less hosts to infect. And may even burn out ( mostly)
Add to that, better treatments, more knowledge, rapid testing, vaccines and a general greater awareness of infectious diseases by the public. Of course the future is brighter.

Yes OP I feel positive too! I’m sorry it’s been a crap time to have a baby especially your first- I’m back at work after my second and it’s been really hard. Things will get better and I feel sad that my family and friends have missed most of DCs babyhood but it is what it is. A lifetime of cuddles awaits!

I'm really hopeful too, it feels like we can see the first signs of dawn breaking across the horizon. I'm ECV and it feels like a miracle for me, a release from a possible death sentence - I know that's over emotive language and there are issues with longevity and how much of the population will take it up, but it still feels like hope where there was little. I'm so thankful to the incredible team of scientists tirelessly working on this.

Yes, I'm worried about Brexit, but I'm not going to let that take away the spark of joy I'm feeling about this. I spent much of this year shielding and not being able to touch anyone, even dh or my dc. It's been so hard for everyone and the thought that this could be the beginning of the end is just such a relief. I can't wait to hug my Mum.

Yanbu OP.

@Juststopswimming

"Until the next virus comes along" - honestly 🙄

Why be so negative?? Why can't we just feel some joy/happiness that the - frankly heroic - scientists have developed these vaccines for the virus we are facing RIGHT NOW, in record time, and theyre astonishingly effective. Meaning we have a good shot at getting back to normality.

Yes maybe there will be more viruses/environmental diasaters/wars etc etc etc to disrupt our way of life in the future - but thats not right now. This IS right now.

Ummmm the poster who said this was being ironic ...... aimed at those other posters who delight in misery !!

I read in the news (Guardian?) that vaccinations may be available as early as December/January...

I'm hoping that other viruses may be less prevalent as we adopt more hygienic measures in general life. Perhaps hand sanitiser as we enter a shop, masks in crowded areas, washing hands more frequently and staying at home if we have nasty bugs will become widespread.

If you really think that other people delight in misery, you're welcome to your opinion but I think you're being very unfair. Lots of people feel disenfranchised by the political and economic direction this country has taken and, whether you want to see it or not, this period is just the beginning of something in that respect that will ruin so many lives. Don't mistake people who are signalling through the flames for 'doom mongers'. How could you think that someone like me isn't also very much looking forward to social closeness and a relaxing of these alienating measures we've been living under? I'm just saying it's not going to be the panacea so many imagine, and in fact it wasn't before last March.

But I love a good delusion as much as the next person, so I get it. I'm just saying, be careful. What's around the corner isn't the answer to a lot of people's prayers. Pandemics are social alarm calls, designed to shift things, historically, and we're not waking up. Your government won't point that out to you, it serves their interests not to. The suggestion upthread that people will vote with their feet next year - really?! 😄 Like I said, not awake. And Hancock has "really grown into his role"?

Is that you, Matt?

@oneglassandpuzzled

I'm hoping that other viruses may be less prevalent as we adopt more hygienic measures in general life. Perhaps hand sanitiser as we enter a shop, masks in crowded areas, washing hands more frequently and staying at home if we have nasty bugs will become widespread.

I hope so. It's nice not to be ill all winter for once working in a germ filled office and piling on to germ filled packed trains all week.

I figure even if the vaccine doesn’t last a year, it will get the amount of the virus in the community much much lower which will limit its spread and impact going forward. Also cev are 6th on the list if under 65, a bit of a punch in the stomach after being in our houses for months and months but again, if the vaccine is rolling out in the older community and nhs and care staff less virus to be spread.

I’m a little scared to be too happy, but it is looking much brighter 😊

Perhaps hand sanitiser as we enter a shop, masks in crowded areas, washing hands more frequently and staying at home if we have nasty bugs will become widespread.

Masks in crowded areas? No thank you, I will be ditching the masks as soon as possible!

OP, yes I am feeling optimistic. I have 2 UK holidays booked for next year, one in May and the other in September. I'm planning on some restrictions being in place in May but hoping for a normal holiday in September and then back to the US in 2022!