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Original poster

Anyone else noticed a difference between...

123 replies

Onceuponatime1818 · 16/05/2021 11:00

Those who continued going out to work throughout this pandemic and those who worked from home?

My friends are pretty split 50/50 and those that still used public transport to work and had to go into work seem to be enjoying the news freedoms way more than those who stayed home. Their kids are back at groups like gymnastics and swimming. Those who worked from home seem to still be staying home and their kids just go to school and back.

Anyone else noticed this?

The government have scared so many people shitless how’ are they going to support those people to get back to normality?

OP posts:
Suranjeep · 16/05/2021 11:07

Yes, I work for public transport and my work colleagues and work friends have a different view of it to anyone I know who has been work from home.

In particular my friend who’s civil service is the worst, he seems to believe that lockdowns should be forever more and says he won’t consider anything other than this nonsense until there are 0 cases a day continually . Must be the job for life status that these people have where the realities of the real world don’t affect them quite so much.

Mablefly · 16/05/2021 11:33

We're a mix of both in our household. DH, who has worked with the general public face to face throughout, is definitely more relaxed about getting out and about than I am having spent most of the time working from home.

That said, I am 100% not preventing our teen from doing any clubs / activities etc. This is her childhood. We have found a balance we are all happy with.

WeWantAMackerelNotASprat · 16/05/2021 11:55

Yes definitely!

Both my husband and I have worked the whole way through. I've friends who still hardly leave the house

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 16/05/2021 11:56

Yes I'd agree with that!

LucilleTheVampireBat · 16/05/2021 11:57

Yes of course.

If you've carried on going to work every day, on the bus, as I have then you don't really have this irrational level of fear that the stay the fuck at home lot have got.

Babymeanswashing · 16/05/2021 11:58

I went back to work in September and October and started maternity leave November 1. Honestly, I am just delighted that things are getting back to normal!

TakeYourFinalPosition · 16/05/2021 11:59

Not really in my lot, but it makes sense - after a year, it’ll feel strange to get back into things; even without the fear. People who have been out and about doing things will be ready for the next step, people who have been more conservative will find it more daunting...

I know a few people who withdrew their children from school and “locked down” last January who were the first people I knew to be booking holidays, going to restaurants etc, so I guess it won’t apply across the bird.

LindainLockdown · 16/05/2021 12:00

Total over-generalisation again. Me and DH have wfh whole time and still are with sadly no end in sight, but will happily take any opportunity to go out anywhere!

IrmaFayLear · 16/05/2021 12:00

I am cautiously coming out of my bunker. As pp said, teens deserve a life and I am supportive of my dcs going out.

Bil and sil who are very comfortably off, with no health conditions, issue dire warnings about leaving the house and say they will continue to isolate for as many years as necessary. (What would happen if all their delivery people, utilities, food producers etc etc did that, I don’t suppose they bother to consider.)

EvilOnion · 16/05/2021 12:02

I'm the opposite, DH and I have both worked the whole way through but I've developed massive anxiety (diagnosed) which I never had before.

I can't bring myself to go to a shop unless it's late in the evening - I needed trainers and had a panic attack before going because the shop is only open daytime - and haven't met up with anyone outside of my extended household even outdoors.

I want to but end up with an attack or migraine with the build up.

I haven't stopped my kids doing anything though.

Stuffin · 16/05/2021 12:04

In general I agree with you but I think it's more than being at home.

I can't go into the office but I would do if I could. I can't wait to get back to normality and have restaurants booked for next week.

But then I understand that life is risky, that people die all the time and that covid is only another 'risk' on top of many life throws at you.

I therefore think it's about people who have been able to stay at home, have been comfortable financially while others suffer for the 'greater good' and at the same time have never had to face up to their own mortality.

ForThePurposeOfTheTape · 16/05/2021 12:07

I agree that it's generally true.
My ex is WFH and hasn't even had the kids overnight from March last year until about a month ago. He was Shock that I was going to supermarkets last March and that I took them to opticians or whatever they needed.
Kids have been to school and worked through the pandemic so we think fuck it. I allow guests in the house for the last 2 months (they've only requested one each which is fine) They will be the ones paying for this through tax and their lives must go on. It was ok for them to work out of the home regardless of whether or not they caught it

TheKeatingFive · 16/05/2021 12:08

Yes definitely. I guess it's to be expected. But I can't even imagine what it would be like to have wfh this whole time, I'd be climbing the walls.

Fizbosshoes · 16/05/2021 12:09

My DH has worked outside the home most of the time in sector that has never closed (although was exceptionally quiet during lockdown 1)
I have been back working (commuting) since March.
Our DC are at their activities but we havent been out to eat/drink etc because a) the weather is mainly shit b) we dont go out much anyway and c) we havent saved loads of ££ like those now wfh!!

KFleming · 16/05/2021 12:13

Might be true generally but it’s not something I recognise. DH and I have wfh the entire time, but have no desire for lockdown to continue, certainly not until zero covid. A friend who wfh and lives in London in a flat with a friend has seen different people almost every night since Christmas, either at home or at their house since pubs/restaurants have been closed they’ve all just hung out at home.
Whereas the friend who works in a supermarket is concerned about lockdown ending because she feels it adds more risk to her job coming in to contact with people are mixing lots.

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 16/05/2021 12:16

Perhaps people who have stayed at home realise it’s possible to function without all that unnecessary consumption / participation in paid-for experiences ? They have weaned themselves off those requirements and discovered there are other ways to live.

CornishYarg · 16/05/2021 12:17

@TheKeatingFive

Yes definitely. I guess it's to be expected. But I can't even imagine what it would be like to have wfh this whole time, I'd be climbing the walls.
Climbing the walls is exactly right; we're so fed up of spending 5 days a week in front of laptops at our dining room table! It's been good to finally get back to the gym and for DS to return to activities like swimming and Cubs.
tappitytaptap · 16/05/2021 12:19

@Stuffin

In general I agree with you but I think it's more than being at home.

I can't go into the office but I would do if I could. I can't wait to get back to normality and have restaurants booked for next week.

But then I understand that life is risky, that people die all the time and that covid is only another 'risk' on top of many life throws at you.

I therefore think it's about people who have been able to stay at home, have been comfortable financially while others suffer for the 'greater good' and at the same time have never had to face up to their own mortality.

I agree - life is risky. I have mostly worked from home (not through choice!). I am constantly astounded by how people seem to think they are not at risk from anything else - in particular obesity related illness -whilst they panic about going to Tesco.
SpnBaby1967 · 16/05/2021 12:21

I have wfh and will continue wfh but I've never been worried about covid and will happily get out and about. The only reason I'm not chomping at the bit for monday is that I flippin hate masks and all the social distancing rules. Until they go I'm content at home.

bookworm1632 · 16/05/2021 12:26

Personally, the saddest thing I've seen is the enormous queues for the local McDonalds that formed the instant they were allowed to open....

But as far as the OP goes - sorry but it's totally invented nonsense.

Original poster
Onceuponatime1818 · 16/05/2021 12:29

I do hope there’s lots of support from the government to try and get people less scared of going out again. I read something on here which called it psychological warfare and I really agree. I don’t even listen to the radio in the car any more as it’s not stop stay home save lives.
You can still go out and about and enjoy yourself and save lives.

OP posts:
RedcurrantPuff · 16/05/2021 12:31

I wfh, can’t wait to get back to normal though. I’ve never approved of the restrictions though.

Nootkah · 16/05/2021 12:33

I think theres a whole other dimension to this that isnt about anxiety. People who have been forced to stop have had an experience if a different, simpler, less hurried life. Many have really evaluated what is important. Being in the treadmill of after achool clubs and matches and so forth isnt compulsory, and many have found they actually enjoy morw time together rather than constantly running around; so for some at least, it is a positive choice to embrace a slower pace of life, rather than all about feae.

RedcurrantPuff · 16/05/2021 12:33

If other people want to stay in their home washing shopping and cowering about variants it’s down to them, it’s their lives they are wasting. Make places less busy for the rest of us too.

Badyboo · 16/05/2021 12:33

The two people I know who are most panicky about things opening up have both been out working the whole time, one of them specifically said to me that "its alright for you going to the beer garden, you've been at home".

From my perspective, the big split is between people with gardens and those without. Of course I want to go to the pub/park/forest because thats the places I can see other people!