It's not going to get better for a long time, is it?

[MagicSummer]

After such uplifting news about the Oxford vaccine last week and the proposed 2 Million per week vaccinations, I was feeling a bit optimistic last week. I am in Group 5 so according to the calculator can expect to get the jab in late February. However, today's news is so bad, I feel extremely despondent today. I feel there is absolutely no way we will be back to a more 'normal' life this side of late summer. It makes you want to cry!

@TheSunIsStillShining

to everyone who says this is just existing...

What is stopping you from

• picking up the phone to your friends instead of seeing them?
• what is stopping you from seeing a theater show? There are so many good/bad ones online

What are the practical things that make you miserable?
And why is it so unheard of to adapt?
No gym - try things in the park or at home
no pub - do a skype/whatsapp/zoom/whatever virtual pissing session
no shopping - please , you can get everything online

What is limited to the extent that it is not living any more?

Do you really think people haven't thought of these things until you suggested them? Nobody thought of doing a Skype call since March? It's like advising someone to 'go for a walk' when that's pretty much all some people have been able to do for 9 months.

Online theatre or concerts etc is no substitute for the real thing. Zoom meetings are depressing. Exercise in the park isn't such fun with temperatures barely hovering above zero.

If you genuinely don't see why life is pretty miserable for millions these days, either you have a very limited life yourself and/or you have little empathy. I'm not saying that restrictions should be abandoned, but your attitude is entirely unhelpful.

It’s beyond shit but then I never thought we’d go back to normal by spring with this useless government in charge. This is the new normal - a pattern of lockdowns for the rest of the year at least. There is no joy in life at all now.

It may all turn out great and soon.

Personally, I think it may all be over - virus disappear, after another say two years. The spanish flu - 1920, lasted 3 years, and seemed to have roughly the same pattern as covid. Here's hoping.

OP I think it will be okay by April/May I really do. Maybe not 100 percent back to normal but better. Things will be open again, a much larger number vaccinated. Warmer weather. Better mood. winter does not help as it's cold, dark and dreary.

It won't go on like this forever. It can't because what would be the point? Who would honestly carry on like this forever? or even years? It's illogical because most people would probably just end up taking their chances with the virus wouldn't they?

We always knew winter was going to be rough - this isn't a total shock surely.

Use common sense though - pandemics always end.

@TheSunIsStillShining

to everyone who says this is just existing...

What is stopping you from

• picking up the phone to your friends instead of seeing them?
• what is stopping you from seeing a theater show? There are so many good/bad ones online

What are the practical things that make you miserable?
And why is it so unheard of to adapt?
No gym - try things in the park or at home
no pub - do a skype/whatsapp/zoom/whatever virtual pissing session
no shopping - please , you can get everything online

What is limited to the extent that it is not living any more?

Seeing people virtually, watching things online etc are NOT the same as being around other people. If you're an asocial creature who doesn't need the company of others then fine but most people are not. Human nature requires face to face connection with other people - more than the 2/3 we live with or in our 'bubbles' This life we are living is a half life. It's obscenely patronising to post what you have done above. Especially when people are developing serious mental health conditions as a result of isolation.

@IcedPurple
Neither of your assumptions about me are correct.
What is though is that I can comprehend that we are in a worldwide public health crisis, where expecting things to be normal is just wishing for unicorns.

And I genuinely see no difference in having a friend on a zoom call chatting whilst I cook than having him/her in my kitchen -- given that there is a pandemic. I adapt because I need to. Easy as that.

Yeah, online theater is nowhere as good as real one. But in a pandemic where the option is nothing or online theater - hey, I'll take the online one.

I'm not saying it's not crap sometimes. What I don't get is this over exaggeration that this is not living.
Not living is being on the curb every day in rain/snow/sub-zero temperatures in a light coat and begging for money. That is not living.
Having options to keep in touch, entertain, nota bene! study online does not equal to just existing.
People would need to get a grip.

@strawberrypip

OP I think it will be okay by April/May I really do. Maybe not 100 percent back to normal but better. Things will be open again, a much larger number vaccinated. Warmer weather. Better mood. winter does not help as it's cold, dark and dreary.

It won't go on like this forever. It can't because what would be the point? Who would honestly carry on like this forever? or even years? It's illogical because most people would probably just end up taking their chances with the virus wouldn't they?

We always knew winter was going to be rough - this isn't a total shock surely.

Use common sense though - pandemics always end.

Well said I needed to hear this

Smudgebutt:

www.omnicalculator.com/health/vaccine-queue-uk

I haven't looked into who is behined this site, but it links to govt info and maybe tells you which group you are in.

[quote TheSunIsStillShining]@IcedPurple
Neither of your assumptions about me are correct.
What is though is that I can comprehend that we are in a worldwide public health crisis, where expecting things to be normal is just wishing for unicorns.

And I genuinely see no difference in having a friend on a zoom call chatting whilst I cook than having him/her in my kitchen -- given that there is a pandemic. I adapt because I need to. Easy as that.

Yeah, online theater is nowhere as good as real one. But in a pandemic where the option is nothing or online theater - hey, I'll take the online one.

I'm not saying it's not crap sometimes. What I don't get is this over exaggeration that this is not living.
Not living is being on the curb every day in rain/snow/sub-zero temperatures in a light coat and begging for money. That is not living.
Having options to keep in touch, entertain, nota bene! study online does not equal to just existing.
People would need to get a grip.[/quote]
You sound quite smug and lacking in empathy. Happily, nobody needs your permission to feel the way they feel.

people are developing serious mental health conditions as a result of isolation.

I think many are doing so because they cannot accept the fact that things need to change. Resilience and entitlement to a particular way of life and not wanting to change is more the root of the problem than actually not seeing f2f others.

Also, we had months were we could go and see other in nice weather outside. It's not like we have been locked into our apartments since March. Another point: isolation is no contact with anyone. What we had in 2020 is not isolation.

And if someone would really need f2f interactions there was the option to meet outside, in masks with SD-ing.

But instead people thought that this is not enough for them individually, because they don't like masks, whatever, need more interaction, blabla and now are complaining that we are in this shit.
What were people expecting?

@TheSunIsStillShining

people are developing serious mental health conditions as a result of isolation.

I think many are doing so because they cannot accept the fact that things need to change. Resilience and entitlement to a particular way of life and not wanting to change is more the root of the problem than actually not seeing f2f others.

Also, we had months were we could go and see other in nice weather outside. It's not like we have been locked into our apartments since March. Another point: isolation is no contact with anyone. What we had in 2020 is not isolation.

And if someone would really need f2f interactions there was the option to meet outside, in masks with SD-ing.

But instead people thought that this is not enough for them individually, because they don't like masks, whatever, need more interaction, blabla and now are complaining that we are in this shit.
What were people expecting?

I think it has become clear why you don't mind not being able to interact with others. You seem to have complete disdain for your fellow human beings.

@TheSunIsStillShining

people are developing serious mental health conditions as a result of isolation.

I think many are doing so because they cannot accept the fact that things need to change. Resilience and entitlement to a particular way of life and not wanting to change is more the root of the problem than actually not seeing f2f others.

Also, we had months were we could go and see other in nice weather outside. It's not like we have been locked into our apartments since March. Another point: isolation is no contact with anyone. What we had in 2020 is not isolation.

And if someone would really need f2f interactions there was the option to meet outside, in masks with SD-ing.

But instead people thought that this is not enough for them individually, because they don't like masks, whatever, need more interaction, blabla and now are complaining that we are in this shit.
What were people expecting?

I'm very resilient and have good mental health. I'm fine, generally, but I hate this life of not seeing people in person. Zoom is not the same as having someone in your house I honestly don't see why anyone would post such smuggery as you have posted. Why the empathy bypass? Why the need to be so insufferable?

I'm very resilient and have good mental health. I'm fine, generally, but I hate this life of not seeing people in person. Zoom is not the same as having someone in your house hmm
I honestly don't see why anyone would post such smuggery as you have posted. Why the empathy bypass? Why the need to be so insufferable?

I'm also someone who loves spending time alone but am finding this situation depressing and soul-destroying.

It's clear that the poster is one of those (and there are many) who is enjoying this situation and relishing the opportunity to lecture others on 'resilience' and the 'need to adapt'. They'll deny it, but it's obviously the case.

"Why will we be thrown under a bus? I’m in this group and will be very happy when restrictions are relaxed, even if I’ve not yet had the vaccine yet. Under 50s with no vulnerable health conditions are not at much risk from the virus. I’m prepared to take my chances for a normal life!"

I would think most under 50s can't wait for restrictions to be lifted. If you're under 50 you're statistically much more likely to suffer more from the restrictions than Covid.

"Also, we had months were we could go and see other in nice weather outside"

There was a limit on numbers the whole time. It has been impossible to make new friends by meeting friends of friends.

"And I genuinely see no difference in having a friend on a zoom call chatting whilst I cook than having him/her in my kitchen -- given that there is a pandemic. I adapt because I need to. Easy as that."

It is different though. You can't make eye contact properly on Zoom for one thing. It's better than nothing, but it's not proper human contact.

"The spanish flu - 1920, lasted 3 years, and seemed to have roughly the same pattern as covid."

WW1 apart, there was a lot less travelling then. At the moment if one country gets Covid under control it just re-enters from another one. I hope it really does disappear or the vaccine works, but I'm not sure we're in exactly the same situation as 1918.
And also 3 years is far too much to be living like this!

"I'm 45. I had it mild. I spent nearly 4 months in bed, then another 3 learning to go a snails pace while my heart spent most of the day at 140+. Even walking to the toilet left me exhausted."

I really sympathise. I'm about your age and I'm also a bit afraid of long Covid. But then I'm also a bit afraid of falling down the stairs and banging my head, being hit by a car, etc. There are risks everywhere in life, but we have to evaluate them properly otherwise we can't live.

@Gwenhwyfar

"The spanish flu - 1920, lasted 3 years, and seemed to have roughly the same pattern as covid."

WW1 apart, there was a lot less travelling then. At the moment if one country gets Covid under control it just re-enters from another one. I hope it really does disappear or the vaccine works, but I'm not sure we're in exactly the same situation as 1918.
And also 3 years is far too much to be living like this!

The Spanish flu was 100 years ago. They didn't even know it was a virus for some time. Microscopes which could properly inspect viruses weren't invented until the 1940s. Now, we got the virus genome sequenced almost immediately and within a year, had a highly efficient vaccine ready to roll. Science has improved stratospherically since the time of the Spanish flu.

Lol get a new hobby declutter decorate. How about work a FT job homeschool an 8yr old and look after a 4yr old all at the same time that will keep you busy. Add in elderly parents who need taking for essential appointments including the vaccine but you cant take the kids with you too high risk.

[quote TheSunIsStillShining]@user1471588124
over and over again on multiple threads this has been explained to you why it is a ridiculously stupid idea. I'm not going down that rabbit hole. In your opinion u50, vulnerable people can die, get longterm effects. Fine. I despise you for that opinion, but that is a subjective take on it.[/quote]
When everyone over 50 is vaccinated and adults under 50 who are clinically vunerable then suggesting we stay in lockdown is just as selfish as those wanting to release measures now. The NHS will not be overwhelmed in those circumstances and society will be able to function, therefore asking millions of low risk people to keep losing their jobs, homes and mental health when the vast majority of at risk are protected is despicable in my view.

I am lucky enough not to see my current lifestyle as “just existing” but this post alone shows me how far away you are from understanding my life, let alone anyone else’s

Goodness @TheSunIsStillShining , .... really?!

@TheSunIsStillShining

to everyone who says this is just existing...

What is stopping you from

• picking up the phone to your friends instead of seeing them?
• what is stopping you from seeing a theater show? There are so many good/bad ones online

What are the practical things that make you miserable?
And why is it so unheard of to adapt?
No gym - try things in the park or at home
no pub - do a skype/whatsapp/zoom/whatever virtual pissing session
no shopping - please , you can get everything online

What is limited to the extent that it is not living any more?

TheSunIsStillShining “to everyone who says this is just existing...

What is stopping you from

• picking up the phone to your friends instead of seeing them?
• what is stopping you from seeing a theater show? There are so many good/bad ones online

What are the practical things that make you miserable?
And why is it so unheard of to adapt?
No gym - try things in the park or at home
no pub - do a skype/whatsapp/zoom/whatever virtual pissing session
no shopping - please , you can get everything online

What is limited to the extent that it is not living any more?“

I am lucky enough not to see my current lifestyle as “just existing” but this post alone shows me how far away you are from understanding my life, let alone anyone else’s

I honestly cannot see the situation improving before about July/August or possibly even later.

The trouble is so many people were saying at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020 that it would all be over in a couple of months. Not sure why they thought that unless they were just being optimistic.

I always thought it obvious that things would get worse when the weather got colder.