Is two metres still OK with new virulent strain?

[WanderingFruitWonderer]

I can't sleep due to anxiety about this.
The new strain of Covid is said to be 70% more contagious. But I didn't know that till last night.
I've been extremely careful about distancing etc. But have two big worries - a friend I've been bubbled with wanted to see me yesterday to give me a Christmas gift. As I've been bubbled with her, we could legally meet indoors. But infection rates have skyrocketed here recently, and she has slight lung vulnerabilities, so I initially asked if we could cancel and wait till infection rates are down. She insisted on a compromise that we meet outdoors. I didn't want to offend her, so agreed, as we've been told many times that outdoors and distanced is safe. We did both. But shortly after I got home, I heard we'd be put in tier 4, and that the virus is 70% more contagious, which really freaked me out. Was our distanced outdoor meeting safe?

Also, I heard a few days ago that the lady in the flat downstairs is isolating due to contact with a positive Covid case. I initially didn't worry unduly, as we're never in the same room together, and I just pass through a communal hallway a few seconds a day. With old Covid, that would have been OK I think, but with new Covid, I now don't know?

I've been very careful throughout. But unless we stay hidden 24/7 it's impossible to be 100% risk-free. So, I'm worrying about ordinary masked interaction in shops I've had in recent days.

Fortunately, I already cancelled Christmas plans last Thursday. With the situation here it was just too risky. I'm grateful that I did, as turns out we were a few days ahead of the government.

But, does anyone know more about the new strain of contagion? I'm so worried about this, for the above two reasons, and generally. Hence having just woken up at this hour! Thank you

Its more transmisible (contagious), not more virulent.

Are you due to get the vaccine?

Thank you @pinbinpin. No, not due for the vaccine any time soon, as I'm low risk. It's not myself I'm worried about re Covid. It's distanced interactions I've had with other people, especially those who are more vulnerable. I'm hiding away completely today. It's been such an emotionally turbulent week that I don't want any more worry...

Just woke up and insomniac now.

Looks like this will never end now sadly. We will have to try live with it, whilst keeping ourselves and loved ones ok. Horrible year and next year not looking great either.

I know. just batten down the hatches, stay in (weather horrible anyway) get through the next few days and then you'll know it was fine. I think outside would have more than likely have been fine, either way. Remember it's normal for viruses to mutate and they normally get more transmisible but less nasty as a pandemic progresses, it's all pretty normal/expected. I'm actually quite looking forward to just staying in for awhile now and relaxing.

it will end, the vaccine will damp it down, as will spring/summer, herd immunity will happen, it will get less dangerous and it will just be like flu, get the vaccine every year if you're vulnerable. We just need to get through another few months.

Thank you. I just have to hope yesterday's meeting was OK. I didn't know about the 70% then, and did my best with the circumstances I had before me. We can only do our best.
I'm paranoid, as I feel like I'm getting a sore throat. But none of the classic three symptoms. I think I'll be paranoid about every little thing from now on, and just have to live with the paranoia.

You have my empathy @veeeeh. I reckon there are quite a few of us newfound insomniacs. Awful isn't it

Sore throat gone! Think it was just dehydration! I woke up convinced I was in the early stages. This will probably happen a lot from now on, with every little twinge...

There's a useful thread on the coronavirus board called "new strain stuff " Have a read

Ah, @tobee thank you. I somehow missed that one. I'll take a look

The level of anxiety you have is irrational. It’s doing you more harm than the virus would, being low risk and under 60. Stress damages the body as well as your mental health. Are you seeking help for this?

@Shastabeast yes, I think you're right. Earlier on, I wasn't nearly as worried. As my area had such a low infection rate till very recently. It's gone bonkers in the last week or so. We're not used to that here, and have gone from tier 1 to tier 4 in an alarmingly short time; and so I'm somewhat in shock. I'm sure I will get used to it eventually, and will maybe then calm down a bit...
Not getting help. Just hiding today, and I think that'll make me less anxious hopefully

Not looking great today is it?

The EU has turned re Brexit, for acceptable reasons I think, in this awful time.

Wishing you all well and hoping for better times ahead.

@veeeeh and @kittensarecute I hope you're both OK? Funnily enough, I'm actually not feeling quite as anxious today. I slept for several hours, for the first night in ages. Which is weird considering the worsening situation. So I thought I'd share a few things with you...
I really want to thank @pinbinpin for explaining to me that later viral mutations are often less deadly. It didn't know that, and it's really reassured me. I did loads of research, and indeed it is so. The stats for my local area back that up - our infection rates have risen dramatically, but the death rates don't seem to have gone up much, if at all. They're very low. Which is a huge relief. As soon as I learnt that, a weight was lifted.

Also, I realised yesterday that I was at risk of losing the plot! I was going bananas. Going around sniffing things to make sure I still have a sense of smell! (I do!) and worrying that every little twinge was the onset of Covid etc. I knew I had to do something. So I went back to basics - mindfully enjoying the simple pleasures, such as my morning cuppa, the sound of the rain outside etc. I tried not to listen to the news too much, as it was increasing my anxiety. These self-care measures seemed to help. I'm expecting something of an anxiety roller coaster in the coming weeks. So I'm putting strategies in place for the really anxious days. I also find poetry helps (both reading & writing it) but that's a personal thing, and different strategies will work for different people.

So, take care, and know, that this too shall pass...

It's crap. To be clear though, it was never that likely that you'd pass on covid from an outdoor meeting in any case - 70% more, on an unlikely case, when you are also quite unlikely to have had it yourself... The odds are REALLY low.

Of course it's important we are all careful and you're clearly working hard to help others, which is great. Are you getting help yourself? Have you received any treatment for anxiety?

Thank you @OverTheRubicon for your reassuring words. Very kind of you. I'm guilt-prone, so it's good to hear your perspective.
Re anxiety. No, I'm not getting outside help for it. But started putting strategies in place yesterday, to keep anxiety levels lower. It seems to be working. I'll play it by ear though

Also, I would suggest not watching the news AT ALL. It really serves no purpose. I look up guidelines when needed and can research anything I choose to - I wouldn’t use media and news sites to do research anyways because they are never neutral. I haven’t watched any news for 3 months and feel much better for it, and better informed because I don’t think the news is the best source of information at all! Spend your time reading books instead and focusing on yourself. After all what is the news going to help you achieve or do differently? All it does is makes us anxious, upset, or angry.

Thank you @Wishing14 I think you're right. Wise words, which I'll take heed of

Wow op you've done fantastic to talk yourself down and get some perspective ! Think we all have ups and downs like that and I'm going to take on board the strategies you used

Aww, thank you @Twistered, for your kind words I hope those strategies, and others you come up with, work well for you

@veeeeh

Just woke up and insomniac now.

Looks like this will never end now sadly. We will have to try live with it, whilst keeping ourselves and loved ones ok. Horrible year and next year not looking great either.

Comments like this are so unhelpful

OP, surely regarding the friend you are bubbled with, it is fine to carry on seeing her. The bubble means act as if you both live together, doesn't it?. As long as neither of you are mixing with anyone else. She could basically move in and you would be fine. I understand how you feel but if you are both water tight with everything else then it's not risky.
I too was sniffing things yesterday to see if I could still smell them
Have a better day

Ah, a fellow sniffer @MajesticWhine! I wonder how many of us there are out there? Thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one... I hope you have a good day too

@pinbinpin

it will end, the vaccine will damp it down, as will spring/summer, herd immunity will happen, it will get less dangerous and it will just be like flu, get the vaccine every year if you're vulnerable. We just need to get through another few months.

I couldn't agree more with this! I am optimistic and hopeful that things will improve noticeably from January onwards (just ignoring brexit and the omnishambles government we have for my sanity!). Remember Ebola? Polio has almost been eradicated worldwide, treatments for HIV are unbelievable now compared to previous times. We will move forward and life will continue.