'PTSD' from the past 2 years?

[PolkaDot456]

PTSD may be an exaggerated description of what I am identifying but reading how angry people are regarding the No.10 drinks party, I feel we're collectively having a moment of reflection.

We're now all thinking about what we were doing in May 2020 and the passage of time since, we have actually come really far but this whole situation I think had made a lot of us begin processing the last two years would you agree?

I do feel as though I've been through something quite traumatic, and I had lockdown super-easy but struggled with anxiety triggered by the pandemic so I followed the rules and then some.

On reflection I feel I've done well - WE'VE done well as a society - to have come this far and kept moving forward in our lives in difficult circumstances.

But I get a heavy feeling when I think back, it's almost overwhelming and I can't seem to go there, its like a mental block. I'm in a good place aside from the pandemic so I'm not sure why I'm struggling to process it!

Reading back on some of the rules, before they came in, I'd never have believed they'd happen(parks locked up away from the kids for one ), at the time we realised it all seemed far fetched and now thinking back, I can't believe we were manipulated into the extreme behaviour and had so much taken away from us!

I realise this may be a bit of a self indulgence post! But I am interested to hear if other people are feeling similar during this collective reflection!?

I think this is part of the trauma of these past 20 months. So many of us have had such vastly different experiences that there's little shared ground. As a result many of us feel misunderstood and our feelings dismissed as if they are not valid.

The psychological effects of lockdown were horrendous for some, and that is part of the narrative that we need to preserve in history. It's not just about lives saved, we need to recognise the many unseen and undervalued sacrifices that so many of us have had to make, not to save ourselves but to save the lives of people we don't even know. So please don't minimise that.

I've had an easy lockdown btw all things considered but work with young people and have seen the fall out on them.

Anyone clinging to the idea that preventing children in a certain age bracket from seeing a friend outside was somehow necessary and beneficial, because magically they become disease vectors on their 5th birthday then it stops when they turn 11, would do well to reflect on the reality that this simply forced some socialising for that group inside instead. Which actually was more dangerous.

@VikingOnTheFridge

Anyone clinging to the idea that preventing children in a certain age bracket from seeing a friend outside was somehow necessary and beneficial, because magically they become disease vectors on their 5th birthday then it stops when they turn 11, would do well to reflect on the reality that this simply forced some socialising for that group inside instead. Which actually was more dangerous.

Yup. I allowed my son to see his friend still, but it had to be indoors so that they weren't spotted. We would have been much happier for them to be outdoors, for both the sake of covid and for the sake of their health and wellbeing. But it wasn't allowed.

I gave birth July 2020, and lockdown in January 2021 was horrific - stuck indoors with a baby, I lost so much hair from stress.
I will never forget being told an hour after my c section in recovery that my husband, who had gone to collect my bags from the delivery room, wouldn't be allowed back in with me. Dumped in post natal ward, sweating and unable to move to hold my baby. Husband was in shock and walked the two hour walk home as he didnt know what to do with himself.

These are all traumatic experiences. But surely the biggest trauma is a person unnecessarily losing their life? So if restrictions prevented 10000’s more people losing their life, then I would say they were necessary. But now with the benefit hindsight, we look for much better ways to handle a pandemic in the future….
Restrictions were being imposed across Europe, this was happening to children across Europe. I can’t think that every country in Europe was getting it incredibly wrong, nor can I see a shining example of country worldwide where restrictions weren’t enforced, where there was no lockdown - and where the whole country came through the pandemic unscathed.

@BigMoan

These are all traumatic experiences. But surely the biggest trauma is a person unnecessarily losing their life? So if restrictions prevented 10000’s more people losing their life, then I would say they were necessary. But now with the benefit hindsight, we look for much better ways to handle a pandemic in the future…. Restrictions were being imposed across Europe, this was happening to children across Europe. I can’t think that every country in Europe was getting it incredibly wrong, nor can I see a shining example of country worldwide where restrictions weren’t enforced, where there was no lockdown - and where the whole country came through the pandemic unscathed.

Totally agree - I followed the rules because i KNOW they were helping prevent deaths. Its a very dangerous path for us to start acting like the whole thing was an overreaction when it reality it saved countless lives.

@BigMoan

These are all traumatic experiences. But surely the biggest trauma is a person unnecessarily losing their life? So if restrictions prevented 10000’s more people losing their life, then I would say they were necessary. But now with the benefit hindsight, we look for much better ways to handle a pandemic in the future…. Restrictions were being imposed across Europe, this was happening to children across Europe. I can’t think that every country in Europe was getting it incredibly wrong, nor can I see a shining example of country worldwide where restrictions weren’t enforced, where there was no lockdown - and where the whole country came through the pandemic unscathed.

Yes, but the trauma of lives lost is on the family and loved ones left behind who were often unable to have a proper goodbye. People were left to die on their own, and families couldn't do anything about it. That was unnecessary, cruel and inhumane.

[quote BigMoan]@CornishYarg

I had a very close family member in a life or death situation over the first lockdown, and I think this has probably shaped my thinking - and I’m sorry for being dismissive.
I’m just extremely grateful that she - by some miracle - but definitely by the skill and dedication of the NHS- is alive.
I think that was so high on my list of priorities, that as a family - I kind of thought - so long as we can eat, have a roof over our heads, and have our very basic needs met - I can do without other things until this passes.

We’ve all had very difficult experiences - which has led to strong viewpoints. I think I’ve got to be more understanding of others and stop flying off the handle somewhat.[/quote]
Thank you, I appreciate your apology

@BigMoan

These are all traumatic experiences. But surely the biggest trauma is a person unnecessarily losing their life? So if restrictions prevented 10000’s more people losing their life, then I would say they were necessary. But now with the benefit hindsight, we look for much better ways to handle a pandemic in the future…. Restrictions were being imposed across Europe, this was happening to children across Europe. I can’t think that every country in Europe was getting it incredibly wrong, nor can I see a shining example of country worldwide where restrictions weren’t enforced, where there was no lockdown - and where the whole country came through the pandemic unscathed.

Out of interest, when we imposed regulations on some DC we knew we didn't need because of the low risk of outdoor transmission, how does the fact that multiple countries did similar mean it couldn't be wrong? Spain, for example, has declared their spring 2020 restrictions on children unconstitutional. What about the countries that didn't do it in the first place?

Your whole premise seems to be that these restrictions saved loss of life. For plenty of them, even if we accept that the principle is legitimate, in practice that clearly isn't going to be the case.

@BigMoan

These are all traumatic experiences. But surely the biggest trauma is a person unnecessarily losing their life? So if restrictions prevented 10000’s more people losing their life, then I would say they were necessary. But now with the benefit hindsight, we look for much better ways to handle a pandemic in the future…. Restrictions were being imposed across Europe, this was happening to children across Europe. I can’t think that every country in Europe was getting it incredibly wrong, nor can I see a shining example of country worldwide where restrictions weren’t enforced, where there was no lockdown - and where the whole country came through the pandemic unscathed.

It's nothing to do with hindsight. Some of the rules and guidelines were ridiculous to some of us at the time - leaving home once a day and the rule of six, to name just two examples. I didn't bother with much of them because some of what they advised and made legal were a load of baloney. And the government were, effectively, laughing at us.

How does the fact that multiple countries did similar mean it couldn't be wrong? Spain, for example, has declared their spring 2020 restrictions on children unconstitutional. What about the countries that didn't do it in the first place?

The approaches taken by European countries varied a lot. As you say, Spain was particularly tough in the 1st lockdown and others like Italy and France weren't far behind. But they were less draconian in winter 21 and iirc, we were one of the strictest European countries at that time.

For example, I have a friend in Belgium and during their winter 21 lockdown, her children were allowed to have one friend visit their house for socialisation purposes. (And their schools were still open but that's a different matter.)

@hamstersarse

I've actually been amazed at how resilient and adaptable to change human beings are. Around me I see so many people who have stepped back into normal life now as if it never happened

To give some hope to that, multiple strands of research have shown that approx. 90% of people recover very quickly to 'potentially traumatic events' so even things like a violent attack, surviving a natural disaster. We are more resilient than you think, the majority will pick themselves up - I think we just need to be given the bloody opportunity to!

I agree with this tbh. There have definitely been very difficult moments for lots of people throughout and I know I've hit a few slumps along the way but ultimately I'm amazed how people have kept on keeping on and rolled with the punches. It's a bit like living through a war really. People are changed and we have lost people but for those still standing there is life on the other side if we let ourselves grab it in both hands.

TheChip
What I found hard was recognising manipulation, voicing that, and then being told I was stupid and some conspiracy theorist for questioning what seemed to be pure stupidity. It was like being back in my emotionally abusive relationship. Only this time when asking for reassurance that I wasn't in fact going insane, I was basically told I was.
I dont mean questioning the pandemic either, just some of the absolutely stupid rules.

Now those same family members who would brush me off are ranting about those very things.

I feel EXACTLY like this. My disbelief at some of the rules and people just blindly going along with it was like a form of gaslighting. Now we are just expected to put it all behind us.

I feel a bit beleaguered by it all.

Managed to find this, I knew I'd posted about it at the time. In late February 21, the UK was deemed, using a specific tracker, to have the strictest lockdown in the developed world.

mobile.twitter.com/EdConwaySky/status/1363791672887435265

@CornishYarg

How does the fact that multiple countries did similar mean it couldn't be wrong? Spain, for example, has declared their spring 2020 restrictions on children unconstitutional. What about the countries that didn't do it in the first place?

The approaches taken by European countries varied a lot. As you say, Spain was particularly tough in the 1st lockdown and others like Italy and France weren't far behind. But they were less draconian in winter 21 and iirc, we were one of the strictest European countries at that time.

For example, I have a friend in Belgium and during their winter 21 lockdown, her children were allowed to have one friend visit their house for socialisation purposes. (And their schools were still open but that's a different matter.)

Exactly. And I'm not aware of any other country in winter 2020-1 who had the same batshit policy we did about kids seeing friends outside depending on age, though I'd be interested to hear if there was.

Our lockdown severity is ranked here. We are not the best/not the worst. Red indicates countries with most severe lockdowns.

@BigMoan

Our lockdown severity is ranked here. We are not the best/not the worst. Red indicates countries with most severe lockdowns.

What period does that cover? Sorry if I'm missing something obvious I can't see on my phone.

@Bluebluemoon39

TheChip What I found hard was recognising manipulation, voicing that, and then being told I was stupid and some conspiracy theorist for questioning what seemed to be pure stupidity. It was like being back in my emotionally abusive relationship. Only this time when asking for reassurance that I wasn't in fact going insane, I was basically told I was. I dont mean questioning the pandemic either, just some of the absolutely stupid rules.

Now those same family members who would brush me off are ranting about those very things.

I feel EXACTLY like this. My disbelief at some of the rules and people just blindly going along with it was like a form of gaslighting. Now we are just expected to put it all behind us.

I feel a bit beleaguered by it all.

It's still happening now particuarly around vaccine passports.

Anyone, if they allow themselves to be released from whatever fears are engulfing them, cannot rationally argue they are reasonable.

@VikingOnTheFridge

Here is the article : www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-resilience-ranking/#data-reference

I believe data is from Nov 2020 onwards.

I’d just like to know the country that got it spot on? The country where everyone was free, no restrictions, no one lost their lives unnecessarily, noone suffered stress. Where was this magic utopia? Or - were we pretty much in line with the rest of Europe? I’m NOT a fan of the Tories btw.

@BigMoan

Our lockdown severity is ranked here. We are not the best/not the worst. Red indicates countries with most severe lockdowns.

Does it say what period that measure is looking at because countries were in lockdown at different times, for different lengths of time and had different rules for different lockdowns? We certainly weren't the most severe in the 1st lockdown I agree and we've had a lot fewer restrictions since the summer than a lot of countries. So if it's looking over the whole period, our position makes sense.

The link I posted above was looking purely at the rules in force in Feb 21. So it's now consigned to history, but I just thought it was interesting when looking at the rules we had in winter 21. Because while other countries had reflected on what we'd learned about transmission and stripped back a few of their earlier restrictions that were too harsh or not particularly effective, we didn't seem to do the same.

[quote BigMoan]@VikingOnTheFridge

Here is the article : www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-resilience-ranking/#data-reference

I believe data is from Nov 2020 onwards.

I’d just like to know the country that got it spot on? The country where everyone was free, no restrictions, no one lost their lives unnecessarily, noone suffered stress. Where was this magic utopia? Or - were we pretty much in line with the rest of Europe? I’m NOT a fan of the Tories btw.[/quote]
Right, I think the strictness point was made in respect of a narrower time period. Most of the UK have had several months since then with minimal restrictions.

And the bit about countries getting it spot on is a strawman. Why is actual perfection elsewhere the barometer for criticism of idiotic and unnecessary policies here? Some of the things the UK did are and were clearly wrong at the time even if you're broadly supportive of the case for restrictions, and some of them were follies specific to us.

@VikingOnTheFridge I did try and clarify, it seems to indicate data is from Nov 2020 - I just don’t think it would have been possible to have drawn the graphs with less data - or data only from Nov 2021.
Still think on a global level - we’ve been pretty much the norm.

And I don’t like our government, yes they’ve lied and been atrocious. But are we deeply in the red across Europe for getting it completely wrong? No - I think we are pretty much in line.

My husband is CEV and had a stem cell transplant in September 2020. My son is also vulnerable.

I recently realised how utterly stressed and anxious I have been about them getting covid. I had to test my son and was literally shaking doing the test.

I'm not really surprised about the antics of those in Westminster. Let by donkeys, taken for fools.

How does knowing that other countries were doing similar things make my own experience less traumatic. I am having therapy for the experiences I had giving birth during the first lockdown - the experiences are related to the restrictions themselves rather than covid. You can argue the restrictions were necessary, and that the alternative would have been worse generally, if not for me, but that doesn’t take the trauma away. I am acceptable collateral damage.

@PolkaDot456

PTSD may be an exaggerated description of what I am identifying but reading how angry people are regarding the No.10 drinks party, I feel we're collectively having a moment of reflection.

We're now all thinking about what we were doing in May 2020 and the passage of time since, we have actually come really far but this whole situation I think had made a lot of us begin processing the last two years would you agree?

I do feel as though I've been through something quite traumatic, and I had lockdown super-easy but struggled with anxiety triggered by the pandemic so I followed the rules and then some.

On reflection I feel I've done well - WE'VE done well as a society - to have come this far and kept moving forward in our lives in difficult circumstances.

But I get a heavy feeling when I think back, it's almost overwhelming and I can't seem to go there, its like a mental block. I'm in a good place aside from the pandemic so I'm not sure why I'm struggling to process it!

Reading back on some of the rules, before they came in, I'd never have believed they'd happen(parks locked up away from the kids for one ), at the time we realised it all seemed far fetched and now thinking back, I can't believe we were manipulated into the extreme behaviour and had so much taken away from us!

I realise this may be a bit of a self indulgence post! But I am interested to hear if other people are feeling similar during this collective reflection!?

The public health measures were needed because our government left lockdown too late, they let international travel carry on and they didn’t have a decent test and trace system in place.

I hope that they’ve learnt their lesson. Use local government who are closest to residents, ask experienced countries how to handle a pandemic and decouple politics from public health.

I think some measures were absolutely and utterly absurd such as the restriction on outdoor meet ups ffs. Closing schools and wfh probably had the biggest impact on numbers, not people avoiding the park.

The other bit for me is the absolutely woeful lack of public information. People thinking that they needed to quarantine their shopping and that it wasn’t airborne?! That must have been apparently quickly.