Something just occurred to me

Lifeisnteasy · 2021-12-23T21:49:20+00:00

For so many people, this will be their last Christmas without them realising [sad] car crashes, sudden illness, accidents, violence. Yet we’re being told by so many people that it’s ‘just one day’ and that covid takes priority as usual. I know there aren’t any restrictions as such, but I’m getting so fed up of this competitive Puritanism where people make out special events and socialising are indulgent luxuries that we should happily forgo for the sake of ‘the public’ or ‘the NHS’. Feeling down today.

PizzasPlease · 23/12/2021 21:50

And on a happy note....

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 23/12/2021 21:52

Go and do what you want.

When the infra structure seizes up through absenteeism then you can contemplate Puritanism again.

Original poster

Lifeisnteasy · 23/12/2021 21:52

I was considering putting SOMBRE in the title, but didn’t.

OP posts:

Wannabangbang · 23/12/2021 21:53

I agree what about all the cancer patients left to die or suspected cancer being missed as Gps still aren't seeing people face to face. It's a very scary prospect for many people and if the Tories hadn't ill equipped and mainly privatised the NHS we would never need to forsake anyone due to covid.

AColdDuncanGoodhew · 23/12/2021 21:54

Well...every day is like that isn't it.

For many people in the world they won't even see this Christmas nevermind next Christmas. Others won't even see the rest of the day today, can't really live thinking that way.

SantaClawsServiette · 23/12/2021 21:55

Yes, it is sad.

One of the main things missing from our approach to covid has been a real, concrete awareness that we all, 100% of the time, are on a terminal trajectory. That knowledge is what allows us to put risks of other kinds in perspective so we can make good choices about them.

MrsSkylerWhite · 23/12/2021 21:56

Oh lordy. Was feeling quite chipper until now.

HighlandCowbag · 23/12/2021 21:56

My beloved, darling aunt shielded for most of 2020 as CEV. Died early summer 2021, her biggest regret was missing that 9 months of life. While I agree with some restrictions I would never shield from loved ones especially now we have lfts and readily available pcrs.

Original poster

Lifeisnteasy · 23/12/2021 21:57

@MrsSkylerWhite

Oh lordy. Was feeling quite chipper until now.

Sorry Mrs S 😬 perhaps MN could kindly add a trigger warning?!

OP posts:

Original poster

Lifeisnteasy · 23/12/2021 21:58

@SantaClawsServiette

Yes, it is sad.

One of the main things missing from our approach to covid has been a real, concrete awareness that we all, 100% of the time, are on a terminal trajectory. That knowledge is what allows us to put risks of other kinds in perspective so we can make good choices about them.

I think so too.

We’re very much going for quantity over quality at the moment.

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LadyCleathStuart · 23/12/2021 22:13

I agree OP.

But you will get the doomsday lot on saying how they would rather never see their relatives again than risk the tiny chance that they should die of Covid. Forgetting the hundreds of other things that kill people every day. As long as you are 'safe' from that one virus then that is all that matters.

It is especially sad for the elderly people in care homes, who might pass away from a number of other issues but lets have them sit alone with no visitors because potentially dying of Covid would be so much worsr than anything else.

nordica · 23/12/2021 22:18

It is just one day though but then I guess a lot depends on your circumstances. It's not that special for a lot of people, and a low-key Christmas can be a much happier experience than a stressful build up to what might end up in disappointment. Lots of threads on here every Xmas Day with a variety of examples...

SantaClawsServiette · 23/12/2021 23:01

The attitude to care homes has been very unrealistic. Of course it is not great when viruses rip through these places, which they do regularly.

For example, in the very large publicly owned facility near me (actually they have something like three 20 floor buildings so quite large), they typically have about 40 deaths a year from flu. They had twice that from covid in the first year, so not very good.

But to put that in perspective, the average time a resident spends in that place is 18 months. They don't leave to go somewhere else, either. They die. Everybody there dies, they all have DNR orders, etc. Some do live longer, but it's still not that long, apart from the rare young person that goes there you have something like 5 years being typical for those who live longer.

If you put someone in there and don't allow visitors or leaving the building for 6 months, you really might as well just put them in prison. We have assisted death as a legal option here and there has been more than one case where the decision was motivated by care home lockdowns. It's horrible.

Just10moreminutesplease · 23/12/2021 23:04

Bloody hell OP, that’s not a cheery thought!

Hope you’re ok and not feeling generally down .

Siameasy · 24/12/2021 01:00

They aren’t over indulgent, these things are the joyful things in life. We work all year and we get to have this little break. It’s well deserved. I went to 4 Xmas parties, I loved every second. I can’t wait to see my family tomorrow; none of us are doing tests because we are not obsessed.

Willyoujustbequiet · 24/12/2021 01:23

Its exactly because I'm acutely aware of the fragility of life that I am risk adverse. Christmas is just another day and the bigger picture of the safety net of the NHS is my priority as it could actually save the lives of my loved ones. No competition imo.

giggly · 24/12/2021 01:29

All the GP in my NHS trust area are seeing patients f2f just that they are triaged first.
Can’t stand the constant GP not seeing anyone , in your area maybe but certainly not all.

Lessofallthisunpleasantness · 24/12/2021 01:39

Trigger warning.... Stop press. Humans die. This is a fact.

Death and taxes the only things that can be said to be certain!

Lockdownbear · 24/12/2021 01:41

Op I hear you.
And sorry to be the real doom monger there will be families out there who'll loose someone suddenly tomorrow, its fine everyone saying last Christmas was "One Christmas" but this isn't much better, some families for various reasons only manage to really celebrate every other Christmas, due to work, children alternating between parents, military life.

I'm tired of life being "on hold" we need to start living again, being able to make plans with reasonable certainty that they'll happen. In normal times it would be considered cruel and nasty to tell children you'll take them somewhere or do something only to cancel at the last minute. But cause covid its perfectly fine.
We seem to forget death is the only certainty in life.

Original poster

Lifeisnteasy · 24/12/2021 08:08

I agree @Lockdownbear

I really feel for the odd person for whom the spread of covid is a disaster (like the lady who posted about her husband waiting for chemo). I really do.

But… it’s been 2 years.

I feel we have gone above & beyond for the small section of society for whom covid is a genuine threat. My one wish for 2022 is no more restrictions; an annual booster and no more; and for people to start living again.

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itspartytime · 24/12/2021 08:19

Without being too morbid, I have set aside a death duties savings pot ( with help of our accountant ) to help the kids out when the time comes . But hopefully it's a while off yet . Just keep dishing out the allotted amounts each year !

Happy Christmas everyone !

MrsDeaconClaybourne · 24/12/2021 08:24

@SantaClawsServiette

Yes, it is sad.

One of the main things missing from our approach to covid has been a real, concrete awareness that we all, 100% of the time, are on a terminal trajectory. That knowledge is what allows us to put risks of other kinds in perspective so we can make good choices about them.

Couldn't agree more with this.

badlydrawnbear · 24/12/2021 08:37

Well, yes. Last Christmas was DH's last Christmas, and we would never have predicted that (he was 41 and fit and healthy and went out one day in September and collapsed). He spent it sitting in our house, doing nothing in particular. His parents and siblings didn't get a last Christmas with him. Realistically, this could be my Grandma's last Christmas because she is 89 and won't live forever. We probably won't see her and didn't see her last Christmas. It's hard to live with knowing now that this could unexpectedly be anyone's last Christmas and reconcile that with not seeing people (in my Grandma's case, to protect them), but I am still getting on with it wearily.

userxx · 24/12/2021 08:39

@Lifeisnteasy

I agree *@Lockdownbear*

I really feel for the odd person for whom the spread of covid is a disaster (like the lady who posted about her husband waiting for chemo). I really do.

But… it’s been 2 years.

I feel we have gone above & beyond for the small section of society for whom covid is a genuine threat. My one wish for 2022 is no more restrictions; an annual booster and no more; and for people to start living again.

I agree.

PAFMO · 24/12/2021 08:40

@badlydrawnbear

Well, yes. Last Christmas was DH's last Christmas, and we would never have predicted that (he was 41 and fit and healthy and went out one day in September and collapsed). He spent it sitting in our house, doing nothing in particular. His parents and siblings didn't get a last Christmas with him. Realistically, this could be my Grandma's last Christmas because she is 89 and won't live forever. We probably won't see her and didn't see her last Christmas. It's hard to live with knowing now that this could unexpectedly be anyone's last Christmas and reconcile that with not seeing people (in my Grandma's case, to protect them), but I am still getting on with it wearily.

Wishing you a peaceful one, as much as possible.