Does anyone else feel like they are just watching things implode?

[StealthPolarBear]

Things are just getting worse and worse and January is going to be hell

There is no evidence that the vaccine stops transmission. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't (or any of them). It just means there's no evidence yet. It is too early to tell.

Otherwise scientists would say it doesn't

I never swear but I've just had a cry in the bathroom because it hit me like a truck that my 14 year old hasn't seen any friends out of school for months. He just gets 10 minutes break and 20 minutes lunch.
I feel guilty. This isn't right for a teenager.
I will carry this guilt forever

👍 @MarshaBradyo

Ah please don't feel guilty @SomelikeitHoth . Parents blame themselves so much!

I am just horrified today. A very close family member killed themselves last week at university. My brother lives in London and his whole family are in a different area. He was coming down for the 23rd to 26th and now this. If he doesnt come I will worry myself sick that he and everyone else on their own might kill themselves with this crushing blow. The funeral is early jan, can he travel for that?!

I dont know anyone who has had more than a cold with coronavirus, I know 4 people who have killed themselves this year, including my close family member. What pandemic is really the problem here!

@SomelikeitHoth but why would you feel guilty. It's not like it's your fault we are in this mess.

January will be awful. Covid + Brexit.

I am more positive for some things. I have huge faith that the vaccine will start to shift things. The more people who are immune, the fewer people can catch it.

I am hopeful that next election will be different. Who wants to vote for the party that cancelled Christmas?

I am optimistic that climate change is being taken increasingly seriously.

Hardbackwriter your baby will bring you huge joy and you will be a wonderful mother. Have a virtual hug and sending you best wishes. Hope you have the support in RL you want and need.

Too many people not following the rules which is why we are where we are. Yet I've just read another thread where people are complaining. Lifes are at stake. Hard now so we are all alive to have Christmas 2021 with family.

I feel much more overwhelmed than back in March. I feel like the impact on society, especially children and teenagers, is not yet fully appreciated - and it makes me fearful of the future. And I can't stop thinking of all those trapped in vulnerable positions or abusive situations. It feels a bit hopeless.

I'm in tier 4 but feel sad for people in Cornwall and other low case areas

@IndiaMay

That’s heartbreaking. I’m so sorry you have lost people dear to you. So very sad.

Yeah, the country is going down the shitter. I don't see much hope.

Definitely worse than March. At least March had a sort of grim novelty value and a vague spirit of optimism. I’m completely pessimistic about the future to be honest.

And I can't agree anymore with the 'let's just follow the rules' brigade. I don't mean that as in I want to flout them, but I just don't think it's working. Unless you literally imprison people then viruses will always spread, it's what they do; they were around before humanity and they'll be around after us too.

I don't mean that as in I want to flout them, but I just don't think it's working

I know it's not a popular opinion but I agree with you. I think the govt really thought the November lockdown would bring down cases enough that we would have some semblance of freedom come Christmas. Clearly they got it wrong.

Is this not the time to resurrect the idea of shielding all vulnerable people for a couple of months until they can be vaccinated?

@SomelikeitHoth I had a similar moment a few days ago. This time last year, my now 14 year old had started venturing in to the ‘big’ town, going to the cinema with friends and shopping, catching the bus to wherever she wanted to go. This year, nothing. In the summer we were letting her meet one friend for a walk in the town, but since autumn/winter has come round, nothing. I’m so sad for her.

I just can’t see the way out of this. Is it really the vaccine? If so can we deliver it on a mass scale or will we naff that up too?

I haven't cried throughout all this. I've Lost close , elderly, relatives to this virus and still carried on.
Today I can't stop the tears. I live with men who don't ' get it' but I feel so low.
The news was awful today. It started to rain. It feels like the end of the world which is ridiculous as it's not but that's how I felt.
Christmas will be quiet for us anyway but many might not get through it.
Mental health problems will spiral
It feels so bleak today but we have to carry on I know that.
So sad for others who can't see their families over the holidays.

@StealthPolarBear

What's going to peak? The virus? Or the shittiness?

Both I expect.

@Somethingvague

And I can't agree anymore with the 'let's just follow the rules' brigade. I don't mean that as in I want to flout them, but I just don't think it's working. Unless you literally imprison people then viruses will always spread, it's what they do; they were around before humanity and they'll be around after us too.

I think this too, and I think it's really sad and worrying to see how many people are convinced that the only reason this has happened is because 'other people' have done something wrong and 'selfish' - it's turned people against each other so horribly.

Thanks for the messages of support @StealthPolarBear and @tilder. I'm sure I'll be ok and so will be the baby, I'm just struggling so much and I feel like I'm failing my toddler daily, I'm so worried about having a second one in this horrible world. It wasn't exactly planned but nor did we prevent it and I feel now like it was such a stupid, selfish thing to do.

I'm Scottish and watched Nicola Sturgeon's press conference too. She seemed so much more empathetic than Boris with essentially the same message. Also adding that the end of the pandemic is coming with the vaccines, it'll just take time for them to roll out but we will get there.

I think we are all running on empty now...

Genuinely wondering with the new strain if this is going to be the end of humanity. Like in the films.

@IndiaMay I"m so sorry for you

No doubt we will still be in lockdown by Christmas 2021 and people will still be saying “only a few more weeks until you can see family again.”