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Original poster

Does anyone else just hate not knowing what might happen next

63 replies

TheCloudsHavePassed · 17/12/2021 20:31

I know there's no point predicting really. I could get COVID tomorrow. I have two very young children under 5yo. But its watching the number every day wondering if there's going to be a lockdown, should I take the kids to this event, do we need to test....on loop.

Everyone in my family keeps telling me they think we will lock down on the 27nd but purely based on as much info as we have. But all the comments from Boris suggest we won't (with a pinch of salt) and the majority of people suggest they won't comply...so what the bloody hell will happen??

I don't know where I am going with this but it just all feels so uncertain Confused

OP posts:
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 21:21

@TheCloudsHavePassed

Ah it's so crap. I know others have it so much worse than me so I probably sound precious.
No, you don't. You just sound like a human being who has lived through a really shit period of history. Brew

Of course other people have it worse, but that doesn't mean you can;t be a bit glum for a bit. I'm sure you will rally again in a bit.

Dippydinosaurus · 17/12/2021 21:22

It's very uncertain because hospitalisations and deaths are MUCH lower than last year. Probably because it's early days as Omicron has only just started. But now we have vaccines too. I googled and found the number of hospitalisations per 100,000 was less now than it was during flu in 2007/2008 winter. Good news so far but just need to hope it stays that way. No one will know what's going to happen with hospitalisations for another few weeks - impossible to guess at this time. The media are full of doom and gloom because the government wants everyone to have their boosters

ifonly4 · 17/12/2021 21:25

The uncertainty is definitely the worst. Not knowing how it's going to affect you or your loved ones. Also, life in general - not knowing if you'll be able to do something you've looked forward to for ages, will schools go back, work changes and work insecurity, how essential services and their employees will cope, can people see their loved ones abroad, even something simple like manufacturing lines being impacted and not being able to supply something that essential to a household.

INeedNewShoes · 17/12/2021 21:27

I feel the same OP. And, yes, I also know there are people worse off, but that doesn't mean we're not allowed to get it off our chest!

I find the constant decision making about how to handle various things wrt Covid paralysing. It is time consuming and draining. I know some people cope better with this aspect of it but decision-making has never been my forte.

Exhausteddog · 17/12/2021 21:28

I feel like a sense of deja vue, almost like last Christmas. Both DH and I work in London and can't wfh and I'm planning to go to a funeral next week too, so we're not really avoiding people but have elderly relatives we're supposed to be seeing at Xmas.

nordica · 17/12/2021 21:28

I'm more worried about the impact on all the essential services we rely on. Already in London the fire service has such a large number of staff off sick that their capacity is really affected. Generally I like to think if I needed them, a fire crew would be here within minutes but what can they do if a large percentage are suddenly ill?

This reminds me of the worry at the start of the first lockdown when it was impossible to get supermarket delivery slots and shops were running out of bread and pasta. Suddenly those things I had never worried about seemed so uncertain.

teachermummyme · 17/12/2021 21:28

I feel the same. I wish I was one of the people who aren't worried, or can switch off their worries, but I'm really not. I feel a constant low-level anxiety about what's happening and what might happen. It's exhausting.

beentoldcomputersaysno · 17/12/2021 21:42

I find the uncertainty and mum guilt hard too OP (also lockdown baby). It feels a bit March 2020 now - bit better because of vaccines, worse as kids have no protection and covid has been linked to some nasty stuff. Govt track record of lying and dicking around doesn't help. I want to make most of things now as likely to be a shitty winter, but don't want to risk not seeing vulnerable family/any of us feeling like shit over Christmas. Will err on side of caution. Also don't know what to commit to work wise (freelance) if homeschooling again - work is v deadline orientated, can involve v long hours to get it over the line and will be huge reputational risk if can't deliver. I find the limbo the worst and wonder what decisions govt would have made if we were in this situation in mid January instead of now. Typing on phone, so apologies for no paras.

breadwidow · 17/12/2021 21:44

I feel the same. Meant to go to my sisters for Xmas, travelling there Xmas eve. I have been convinced I have it all week, as had contact with positive case a week ago & cases going insane. I've tested negative (LFT daily & one PCR) since but now my nose is runny, agh! The threat of lockdown and uncertainty re Xmas plans etc is really exhausting. I think my brain is on covid 80% of the time, very hard to switch off and think of other things

BillyAndTheSillies · 17/12/2021 21:52

I'm nervous. Worried that IL's will get stuck abroad and not get home for Christmas. Worried that my five year old's behaviour would decline massively again if home schooling is reintroduced.
I have surgery booked for January 6th and my surgeon has warned me that it may not go ahead and I'd be devastated - but also understand the reasons.
For the first time in ages I looked back at pictures and videos from 2017/2018 and got really emotional - everything felt so easy then. Carefree.

AchillesLastStand · 17/12/2021 21:55

I’m with you OP. I know posters say there’s no point in worrying things you can’t change, but I have an anxiety disorder and worrying is what I do full time in normal times. I hate uncertainty. The big one for me is schools. My DS is a wonderful and happy 7/ nearly 8 year old but he has SEN which hasn’t been helped by the lockdowns. He has a new support plan in place for January and not knowing whether he’ll get that help he desperately needs is really stressing me out. A big part of having anxiety is living with guilt. I feel like a failure as a mum if I can’t give him the help he needs. It going to be a long Christmas break with all this uncertainty hanging over us.

rocky1914 · 17/12/2021 21:56

Could've written this post myself, OP. I'm totally with you. DC under 3 whose preschool has been closed since September, nothing to do with COVID, mind you, something to do with new management and Ofsted completing their checks and approving the reopening. So have been essentially homeschooling since September. Which I don't mind, but I'm fed up at this point. DC needs interaction with children her own age (she's an only child). I just want this whole pandemic to hurry up and end but have a horrible feeling that we're in for at least another year, possibly 2, of this rubbish. Sad

ArthurTudor · 17/12/2021 21:56

I feel frustrated as I think the gov have a plan, but they are waiting for Christmas to be over first. I would rather know what's going on.

Although maybe I'm putting too much faith in Boris to think he's thought about what to do beyond the next day

Slabadabbadooby · 17/12/2021 21:56

I really hope schools don't close because I cannot do my job from home and I'm not sure what I'll do.

WoodenReindeer · 17/12/2021 21:57

Im fearful schools will close and they know if but aren't telling us.

And fearful her club will close - it would be her first proper competition coming up too.

I hate all this.

Treaclepie19 · 17/12/2021 21:57

@ArthurTudor

I feel frustrated as I think the gov have a plan, but they are waiting for Christmas to be over first. I would rather know what's going on.

Although maybe I'm putting too much faith in Boris to think he's thought about what to do beyond the next day

This. Why the fuck can't he just be competent.
godmum56 · 17/12/2021 22:04

I was looking for the research but can't find it.....I remember reading that its a known thing that feeling that you have no control over your life is one of the biggest stressors there is.

breadwidow · 17/12/2021 22:09

@ArthurTudor

I feel frustrated as I think the gov have a plan, but they are waiting for Christmas to be over first. I would rather know what's going on.

Although maybe I'm putting too much faith in Boris to think he's thought about what to do beyond the next day

Yes completely.

If they have a plan tell us

ArthurTudor · 17/12/2021 22:13

I don't think we will go from plan b into a lockdown. He seems to like to build up to these things?

Original poster
TheCloudsHavePassed · 17/12/2021 22:18

100% agree with the above posts. I wish they'd stand up and say 'look. It's xxx and it we get to xx we will need to consider new action' blah blah blah. But they don't. They string is along. Last year hitting us on the 21st... I feel like we're teetering on the edge. Were either going to go 'oh, it's very mild, happy new year' or 'oh shit, people are dying and it's now spreading too fast to contain'

Obviously I'd love Boris to actually say oh shit btw

OP posts:
Busybee5000 · 17/12/2021 22:27

Absolutely, my head is messed up with deciding whether to cancel certain plans or not but actually lots of things have been decided for us as cancelled due to- you’ve guessed it- covid. Unless something drastically changes I don’t think they can instigate lockdown by the 27, they haven’t even shut theatres or pubs yet. Plus everyone will be away etc and nobody is going to be interested in rushing home just because Boris says. Most will take their chances with a fine after the years we’ve all had.

PlinkPlankPlunk · 17/12/2021 22:39

I understand OP. I’m a planner in all aspects of my life and whilst normally I can make myself chill a bit and be more flexible, I am finding it really hard now.

I’m not bothered really on my own account - I work from home, have everything I need, am triple jabbed and can live with a lockdown if that is what’s coming. But I’m anxious for my DD if we go back to remote schooling and if she can’t see everyone over Christmas and planned visits in January. I can help her deal with it but I need to know!

IWannaWishYouANutNutsChristmas · 17/12/2021 22:57

Plan "Wait and See" IS very stressful.

The government has to wait to act until events have fairly conclusively gone to shit because loads of Conservative MPs, particularly ones on the "Covid Recovery Group" haven't learned from our earlier experiences in the pandemic, and don't know how to think a few steps ahead.

If the government act before the shit has already obviously and incontrovertibly hit the fan at least 55 Conservative MPs are likely to send letters of no confidence to the 1922 Committee, and the PM is toast.

So, in order to hold onto his position, the Prime Minister has to wait while omicron spreads, and hospital admissions begin to rise.

On the bright side, Omicron is so fast, it can't be long before it's obvious to even the slow on the uptake in the Parliamentary Conservative Party that something must be done.

About a week I reckon.

Unless they insist on waiting for "the bodies to pile up" in which case it might be another fortnight.

SpeedRunParent · 18/12/2021 07:07

I do think I know how you feel but we never do really know what's going to happen I life. If you've had a fairly steady. Predictable time of it up until this point then just be grateful for that. No point worrying about what might happen. Deal with what is happening. Prepare for the most likely occurrences and crack on with it.

frizzyandfrazzled · 18/12/2021 07:13

Completely agree OP. Most people want to do what's best... But what is that? It's confusing and stressful especially when such young children depend on you. News off over the weekend. Get lots of fresh air and see where the days take you. Imo we don't say no to people that matter. Go meet them and hug them Smile

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