Page 2 | How long will people agree to make these sacrifices for?

DappledOliveGroves · 2021-01-21T11:08:17+00:00

Inspired by another thread here. Let's assume the vaccines don't do what they should - either because the virus mutates so rapidly or because our government can't manage to adhere to Pfizer's protocol and a lone dose does nothing to protect people. Then what? For all those champing at the bit for curfews, harsher lockdowns, further restrictions on civil liberties - I'm genuinely curious - how long are you willing to maintain this status quo? Would you be happy to still be in this lockdown in a year? Two years? Five years? Even if the lockdowns are eased and clamped down again, would you be willing to accept rolling lockdowns as a fact of life with no end in sight? At what point would those wanting tougher restrictions decide they can't live like this anymore?

RichardMarxisinnocent · 21/01/2021 11:40

@Xerochrysum

But what can you do, is my question to those who want to rebel. Only thing I can do at the moment is follow the rules and hope for the best. What is the alternative?

I'm OK following the rules for the moment, but if lockdowns continue for 5 years I imagine there's a chance I might get to a point where life is so shit that suicide seems an option. I imagine some people may rebel by mixing with other households or protesting, but others may just give up on life altogether.

StealthPolarBear · 21/01/2021 11:41

I don't know if it was you who said you thought this was all about coffee shops and soft play.
It isn't its about seeing family. I get thay this is the answer right ow but it is NOT a minor inconvenience and I am tired of the efforts I see everywhere to downplay it

MarshaBradyo · 21/01/2021 11:41

It’s not just family. Mine is o/s in Covid free state. I lament at how long that will take.

But about in school education for dc missing out again. What can you do though?

rosie1959 · 21/01/2021 11:41

Oh goody a massive riot that will really help

lunar1 · 21/01/2021 11:42

They need to do a hard lockdown of our borders with nothing in or out other than freight.

How long do people think the humans who work in the NHS can go on like this. Many staff are experiencing PTSD at this point. 4 of DH's staff were redeployed to Covid wards, two of them have quit their job.

If the endless cycle continues the NHS won't have any staff to treat people.

If we close the border there is more chance of preventing new strains getting in and a semblance of life returning to normal once things are under control.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 21/01/2021 11:42

We cancelled all our Christmas plans at the last minute and holed up in the flat instead of seeing my family who I miss and haven’t seen for a good six months, none of them live close to me so no walks or standing in gardens. I did that because it felt like the right thing to do at the time. We lost money on travel plans (no train refund as had booked too far in advance) deposit, wine already ordered etc.

I am sorry to say I will not be very willing make that sacrifice again.

Timeontimeoff · 21/01/2021 11:42

@NataliaOsipova

Until the young people start to rebel in large numbers....

what will that achieve....it won't stop people dying....it won't free up the hospitals.... the virus won't suddenly say '''' oh look they are rebelling, let's quit now then'''' I mean seriously it will just make things worse at present. The vaccine appears the only answer to less dying/less hospital admittances etc

IsurviveonCoffeeandWinein2021 · 21/01/2021 11:43

I hope not much longer. My personal view is that the government had their chance last March to supress the virus instead they pissed about and kept us locked up whilst doing sod all.

I would have supported hard lockdown, border closures, test and trace all of it but under no circumstances a year later should that burden be put on us. The devastation I'm seeing around my age group with redundancies, suicides etc is way more of a threat than the virus.

The government don't give a shit if the NHS is overwhelmed they just don't want the publicity. They will still get medical care regardless. I say this as someone who lost someone to COVID yesterday, picked up in hospital so I do understand the seriousness but everyone I know who has had COVID caught it in a hospital or they work in care.

We took the hit and they didn't hold up their end. I know on here lots of people support but do not know anyone in real life anymore. Everyone just itching to get on with planning weddings, parties etc

bookworm14 · 21/01/2021 11:43

@StealthPolarBear

No it's NOT about coffee shops and soft plays (although actually I think they're important). It's about seeing family and friends. Why on earth don't people get that? This makes me so furious.

This. I don’t give a shit about coffee; I can have that at home. I want to see my family. My sister and niece are in Ireland - I haven’t seen them for over a year. My niece doesn’t know who I am. My granny is in a care home and I can’t visit. My five year old daughter is showing signs of mental distress because she is off school and unable to mix with a single other child. I will not put up with this indefinitely for the greater good.

Timeontimeoff · 21/01/2021 11:44

I find people that just stand their feet and say not doing it anymore a bit laughable really.... so what's the alternative then... leave people to die at home/care homes etc not bother to treat covid so you can go out to the pub/fly on holiday etc etc ///// seriously

LucilleTheVampireBat · 21/01/2021 11:44

Nobody including the government want this lockdown to last any longer than necessary why would they

If we are to believe that they are speaking honestly then yes, plenty of people want it to last. Many of them post on here. There are posters who openly admit that they want this to continue until covid is eradicated. Not under control, but completely gone. Which is obviously never going to happen.

Timeontimeoff · 21/01/2021 11:45

@rosie1959

Oh goody a massive riot that will really help

I know - some people really need to engage the brains.... how will that help.... poor police having to sort that mass of idiots out... meanwhile prolonging the agony further for the rest of us

OrangesAndLemons2 · 21/01/2021 11:45

I think they should allow people to mix with one or two other households, even if not a single person household and not for childcare necessarily either. If they were to continue with this long term I mean...I believe that would make people more compliant overall. If they were to keep everything else shut I mean.

rosie1959 · 21/01/2021 11:46

@LucilleTheVampireBat

Nobody including the government want this lockdown to last any longer than necessary why would they

If we are to believe that they are speaking honestly then yes, plenty of people want it to last. Many of them post on here. There are posters who openly admit that they want this to continue until covid is eradicated. Not under control, but completely gone. Which is obviously never going to happen.

Fortunately it’s not up to them

Reallybadidea · 21/01/2021 11:46

I don't think many people are actually happy to do lockdown, but I work in a hospital and we are almost completely unable to deal with anything other than real emergencies and covid. We are developing a huge backlog of sick patients who need treatment and we can't provide it because we are overwhelmed with covid. We have to reduce the pressure on the NHS before we can even begin to deal with it. I'm absolutely livid with the government for making a prolonged lockdown inevitable, but the answer isn't to just say 'fuck it' and allow the virus to spread. The vaccines will work, but we need to give them time to be rolled out and for people to develop immunity.

MarshaBradyo · 21/01/2021 11:46

@LucilleTheVampireBat

Nobody including the government want this lockdown to last any longer than necessary why would they

If we are to believe that they are speaking honestly then yes, plenty of people want it to last. Many of them post on here. There are posters who openly admit that they want this to continue until covid is eradicated. Not under control, but completely gone. Which is obviously never going to happen.

Agree the government don’t but a fair few on here do

Xerochrysum · 21/01/2021 11:47

@RichardMarxisinnocent, maybe I am optimistic, but I don't think that the lockdown would go on for 5 years. If we tolerate few more months or maybe a year at worst, I believe thing will improve. I trust science and all the people working to fight this virus.

rosie1959 · 21/01/2021 11:48

Timeontimeoff agree that’s what my toddler grandchildren do if they can’t get their own way

Timeontimeoff · 21/01/2021 11:48

@Reallybadidea

I don't think many people are actually happy to do lockdown, but I work in a hospital and we are almost completely unable to deal with anything other than real emergencies and covid. We are developing a huge backlog of sick patients who need treatment and we can't provide it because we are overwhelmed with covid. We have to reduce the pressure on the NHS before we can even begin to deal with it. I'm absolutely livid with the government for making a prolonged lockdown inevitable, but the answer isn't to just say 'fuck it' and allow the virus to spread. The vaccines will work, but we need to give them time to be rolled out and for people to develop immunity.

Thank you to you and your colleagues for what you do. I hope it gets better but the tantrum brigade with 'nope not doing this' attitude of a toddler don't help at all. Rioting - I mean seriously how the heck do functioning adults think a riot will help things!

User133847 · 21/01/2021 11:50

I see Easter time as a tipping point for many.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 21/01/2021 11:51

And it was NOT about money lost because I am aware I chose to take the risk to go ahead and plan, but family- my dad is ill, my nephew has no clue who I am, my brother’s mental health is on the floor due to job loss and feeling isolated. I am extremely concerned about all the health related problems people have that have been shoved on the back burner because of covid, suicide rates, loss of income- no, it can’t go on.

CremeEggThief · 21/01/2021 11:52

As long as it takes, and in my opinion, I have it a lot harder than a lot of other people. So I don't appreciate a lot of the moaning I hear, both on here and other places.

It's nearly 2 years since I've seen my family in Ireland.

It's over a year since I've seen family in Bristol. The last time I saw any family apart from DS.

No personal contact with any friends since September, and I'm too tired and drained to speak to them on the phone, so it's mainly text, WhatsApp and Messenger contact.

I'm a single parent with no support, no car, and a diagnosis of CFS/ME, but as I am well enough at present to work, I spend up to 3 hours a day on public transport. I'm classed as a keyworker, although it's a minimum wage agency clerical role.

My DS (6th form) has his own mental health and anxiety issues and is really struggling at home with no contact with anyone. In fact, the school actually rang him and said he can do remote learning in school, if he wants. We've said no thank you for now, but if he starts talking about suicide again, then we will reassess.

It's rubbish, but what can we do except keep plodding on?

Original poster

DappledOliveGroves · 21/01/2021 11:53

All I can say is that there are clearly a lot of people with far greater altruism than me. I cannot accept this level of sacrifice 'for the greater good' - an amorphous pool of people I don't know.

I don't care that the NHS is shot to shit - it's been bloody awful for decades. I watched my father die an agonising and painful death in their 'care' over twenty years ago when it was blindingly obvious that the healthcare system was crippled every winter.

I'm sick of people talking about those working for the NHS as 'heroes'. No-one held a gun to their head and forced them into this career.

I'm sick of the hypocrisy - no-one bats an eyelid when millions of children in developing countries die of TB or malaria.

I am so, so angry.

OP posts:

Didyousaynutella · 21/01/2021 11:55

My youngest sons grandparents have basically missed his most fun age, from age 1 and a half to two and a half. As soon as they get the vaccines that’s it. We are done with it all.
I will start letting all out kids -and their friends socializing in our home together come Easter. That’s my absolute cut off

MarshaBradyo · 21/01/2021 11:58

Op it’s not really altruism here

If I meet people then restrictions that government can control will go in longer

I care most about dc having a normal school life so I keep going along with it so the return date doesn’t keep getting moved back

I feel like screaming somewhat at it all but what can I do to get schools open? Pretty much comply