I'm DONE with Covid, omicron and want to get on with my life - is anyone else with me?

[coatilove]

Honestly at this point I'm done with it, I'm surprised people are complying so much with mask wearing and everything else - I thought the vaccine was freedom. Turns out I was wrong.

I've had enough - I'm not wearing my mask indoors and hope if there's a lockdown every business keeps its doors open and boycotts the decision.

I'm really surprised people are being so compliant, even if they have natural immunity and have been jagged (I have now had Covid and both jabs)

I can't be selfless anymore and keep getting boosters to protect others and stopping life, constant anxiety, life I feel should be going on now. Enough sacrifices have been made.

Aware I'll get flamed, but at the end of my tether with all of this now.

There are plenty of diseases that kill people, we have to accept the death rate now enough is enough.

If you've been vaccinated then what else do you intend to do? If you haven't then more fool you.

OP, and everyone else that is 'done' with covid - what do you expect to happen because of that? What is the outcome you're looking for?
I get the frustration and anger, feeling like there's nothing else in the world, I think the vast majority feel like that, but what are you expecting to happen now you're 'done?'

Almost nothing has been done to actually assess that cost before making decisions
To be honest, considering that most countries actually already had a pandemic strategy in place, it is surprising that those strategies have been so little help. I guess it is partly as it's unprecedented, so really hard to assess (especially beforehand), and partly because we weren't willing to invest enough money in it before it actually happened. That's humans for you.

I haven't heard much from ROI but it sounds similar to Germany. Personally I like the sound of the UK's approach, though it doesn't sound like that's universally popular either. I'm guessing most of the people complaining on this thread are actually from the UK and still aren't happy with even that level of lockdown...

@TheKeatingFive

It's hard to do business or be educated when you are dead though.

People do die though. An unfortunate fact of life. We have never in the history of humankind taken such drastic measures to limit deaths. We've never done that for any other illness, though there are many measures we could take if we really wanted to.

Are you surprised that people aren't prepared to keep this up forever? Really?

There are different levels of vulnerability. Different levels of appetite for risk. The effects of lockdown and restrictions have impacted people in varying degrees. Of course not everyone has the same priorities as you.

I have no problem with getting boosters, I will not expose myself to people if I have symptoms, I will test if I have symptoms, I will wear a mask in public indoor spaces (I'm not convinced they make much difference, but I have no problem with it).

But that's where I'm at. I will never keep away from close family and friends for the 'greater good' again.

I wonder if we are creating a) a climate of fear for young people and b) an expectation that people can and should live to the longest age they can, even if quality of life is compromised?

To be honest, considering that most countries actually already had a pandemic strategy in place, it is surprising that those strategies have been so little help. I guess it is partly as it's unprecedented, so really hard to assess (especially beforehand), and partly because we weren't willing to invest enough money in it before it actually happened. That's humans for you.

I agree with all of that, but equally we've had 22 months to assess the cost.

Part of the issue for me is that I totally agree that lockdown was the right thing to do in the emergency situation of March 2020. As an emergency measure, no problem with it. But now we've lurched into it as a long term strategy and that is deeply flawed in my eyes.

What was acceptable as a once off, fairly short term thing, was never going to be suitable as a longer term solution. And I don't think anyone should be surprised at people not getting on board with it on these terms.

There's a difference though between people genuinely asking the above question and listening to and taking in the answer, and those who spout off these angry, rhetorical questions and then stick their fingers in their ears. Then post the same question the next time a thread like this comes up

You’re not wrong @VictoryLap and then come the accusations of being emotional/scared/unable to think for yourself etc.

It’s interesting really, in my kinder moments I think it’s a defence mechanism and as a society we’ve kind of done this to ourselves. Perhaps we have an overinflated sense of our own intellect and capacity to judge a situation we have no real knowledge of. It seems completely impossible for anyone to admit freely they’re wrong or that they simply don’t know or even that perhaps facts don’t match opinion and sometimes the only fact that exists is that we don’t know. I’m not sure.

I do know I’m evaluating what I teach my daughter and that critical thinking skills include the ability to take on board facts she doesn’t necessarily like. I’m also going to ensure that she understands the meaning behind the phrase ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ and that society simply doesn’t function if we ignore experience and expertise.

To me "living with covid" is living with some rules in place, and accepting that life may come with a few more uncertainties and anxieties than it used to. Its crap, not denying that. But life is unpredictable. But these don't stop you from living.

Others interpretation of "living with covid" is pretending it doesnt exist and burying their heads in the sand. Might make things temporary better for them, and make them feel like they showed covid who's boss, as if covid is a sentient being who can be taught a lesson. But, it will make things significantly crappier for those around them, and then for them too when the knock on effects take place (service disruptions from mass absences at once, refusing hospital treatments, increased deaths, long covid complications, complete travel restrictions - what country would let Brits visit if we had covid spreading like wildfire?).

Both are bad scenarios, but the latter is definitely the worse of two evils and anyone who fails to see that I really doubt your logical thinking ability.

To me "living with covid" is living with some rules in place, and accepting that life may come with a few more uncertainties and anxieties than it used to. Its crap, not denying that. But life is unpredictable. But these don't stop you from living

I think I'm at that stage in my thinking too. Not long ago someone started a thread that this topic was quieter but in the last few weeks it has got even more bonkers and actually quite dangerous with some if the agendas and 'facts' being posted.

I kind of agree, we just need to get on with it now. Testing all the time when we don't have symptoms etc etc. Just stay at home if you are ill. I'm done with the whole asymptomatic isolating. I don't mind masks, it's not hardship to pop a mask on to go to Tesco and similar interventions. But the constant anxiety that we might catch covid is really taking its toll, I'm not worried about being ill particularly, more about having to isolate with 2 preschool DC for 10days, especially if we are well, they would be bouncing off the walls! And it's awful to keep disappointing them when plans are cancelled all the time. I'm basically telling them the bare minimum of plans so they can just he excited on the day to stop the disappointment.

now we've lurched into it as a long term strategy and that is deeply flawed in my eyes
This is why I've been watching the UK with interest, as it seems to be trying to avoid lockdown more and with greater success.
Where I live there have been death threats against the regional head of government. Further long-term lockdowns could lead to rioting or the rise of extremist political parties, something Germany is obviously very aware of. But I could imagine short lockdowns or similar restrictions regularly being brought in over the winter: the government could potentially get away with it. And perhaps even that won't be necessary in the end.

OP, I agree with everything you have said. Life needs to go on. This time last year we all said next Christmas would be back to normal. Are we going to be thinking the same thing every year? It's ridiculous.

If you have/have had a needle phobia (or any other phobia) surely you must realise there's no easy way of getting over it

It's a simple phobia, and flooding (which would be achieved in this instance by going and getting a shot, preferably suitably accompanied) is one treatment for recovery from simple phobias, though not a pleasant one. Really, in this situation, and without having worked with a qualified phobia-aware cbt psych, there is no time for graded exposures. Make an appointment, freak out, over. Done.

Doesn't everyone have needle phobia to a certain extent? I mean it's an unnatural thing to do sticking sharp things into your arm. It's not nice for anyone. Sometimes I feel nothing, sometimes it is a sharp scratch as they like to say.
Where does proper needle phobia come from? Traumatic experiences in hospitals?
The Speakmans could make a mint here.

@milkyaqua

If you have/have had a needle phobia (or any other phobia) surely you must realise there's no easy way of getting over it

It's a simple phobia, and flooding (which would be achieved in this instance by going and getting a shot, preferably suitably accompanied) is one treatment for recovery from simple phobias, though not a pleasant one. Really, in this situation, and without having worked with a qualified phobia-aware cbt psych, there is no time for graded exposures. Make an appointment, freak out, over. Done.

I've had my Covid vaccines and booster. I was as traumatised after the last as I was the first.

I absolutely do have time for graded exposure with a proper therapist who actually knows what they are talking about as I don't actually have to have the vaccines, it's my choice.

This time last year we all said next Christmas would be back to normal. Are we going to be thinking the same thing every year?
I didn't think it last year tbh, but no, I'm definitely not thinking it this year. It's become clear that we won't get rid of this disease that easily.
Plenty of practice in managing our expectations, for us all. Guess it's a useful skill at least!

This argument that operations are not going ahead because of Covid. Why? Are surgeons and specialists all working in ICU? Surely that makes no sense at all. They have special skills particular to their own field. ICU can’t be full of every doctor and nurse and specialist who would normally be employed elsewhere

There are many operations which require ICU care post operatively, surgery does not proceed unless there is an ICU bed available. If ICU beds are full with covid patients then those operations are postponed.

And?

Posted too soon!

And? PinkSparklyPussyCat your point is?

@Sparklingbrook

Doesn't everyone have needle phobia to a certain extent? I mean it's an unnatural thing to do sticking sharp things into your arm. It's not nice for anyone. Sometimes I feel nothing, sometimes it is a sharp scratch as they like to say. Where does proper needle phobia come from? Traumatic experiences in hospitals? The Speakmans could make a mint here.

No, not everyone has a phobia. They may not like needles, who does, but a true phobia it completely irrational and out of control. I was hyperventilating when I was waiting for mine, that would be unlikely to happen to someone with a dislike.

I know when mine changed from a dislike to a full on phobia. I was in hospital and the doctor told me he needed to do a blood gases test. I can't talk about it very much as I can feel my stomach doing somersaults but it was hideous. When I told my GP she understood and said she hated doing them to patients.

@milkyaqua

Posted too soon!

And? PinkSparklyPussyCat your point is?

What are you talking about? I made my point, a phobia is NOT easy to get over. You said I don't have time for graded exposure and my point is I do as I can choose not to have any further vaccines at the moment.

My other point was going and getting a vaccine doesn't mean you'll be fine next time.

I think we need to look at the fact that the NHS is not coping has little to do with covid and everything to do with the enormous cut in funding and beds that has occurred over the last 20 years. If the nhs was receiving the same level of funding as back in early 2000’s it would not be crippled by covid. The real issue is the government playing the long game to privatise health care.

My friend gets very distressed when having injections and blood taken but I don't know whether hers is an actual phobia. She has fainted before now, she gets so anxious beforehand.

What are you talking about? I made my point, a phobia is NOT easy to get over. You said I don't have time for graded exposure and my point is I do as I can choose not to have any further vaccines at the moment.

No, I was talking treatment options. I wasn't saying you, personally, don't have time.

One doesn't - as a huge wave of Omicron builds - really have time to sort out a GP referral, or get an appointment after researching suitable practictioners, or get on a waitlist at St Luke's, or whatever, to start treatment.

My other point was going and getting a vaccine doesn't mean you'll be fine next time.

Well, yes. I do have a bit of experience in all this. But someone with a needle phobia can endure the hyperventilation/panic/horror/urge to run, or whatever, for that brief time period; it isn't like asking someone with travel phobia to face their phobia and also fly the plane.

I wonder if we are creating a) a climate of fear for young people and b) an expectation that people can and should live to the longest age they can, even if quality of life is compromised?

I certainly agree with "a" ... "b" too, come to that, except the tense is a bit skewed when we've spent decades with the inceasing belief that hardly any deaths are acceptable

Granted some deaths appear worse than others (children, those who weren't already ill, etc.) but we all know perfectly well that every single one is a sadness to loved ones

Doesn't mean it's not coming to us all though ...

Well, yes. I do have a bit of experience in all this. But someone with a needle phobia can endure the hyperventilation/panic/horror/urge to run, or whatever, for that brief time period; it isn't like asking someone with travel phobia to face their phobia and also fly the plane.

But how many times? If we needed boosters every 3 months then I can't do it, I'll be living from one vaccine to the next.

Considering you allegedly have 'a bit of experience' you don't have much empathy. Travel phobia = OK, needle phobia = not OK.

I agree that these threads are so frustrating because people shout and don’t listen.

Yesterday up came the old favourite of “lives before the economy” and “family Christmases are more important than the economy” into the bargain. Like “the economy” doesn’t have any impact on some people’s lives