DPs still live in semi lockdown

[SilverGlitterBaubles]

Anyone's DPs still struggling to emerge to normality and still living in fear of Covid and any other virus they might hear about? Both are fit and in good health.

Yes. We didn't see them atall for about 18 months. They still talk about Covid now and are fearful. They were hypochondriacs before the pandemic though. Both are in good health but their lives revolve around GP appointments. It is depressing.

It's just so sad to see, they are missing out on life. They won't go anywhere now because they want to stay away from busy places in case they catch something. They don't want to see DGCs because they're 'full of bugs' from school and nursery. Now going in about Covid numbers going up and they do not want to see anyone over Christmas. It's just soul destroying to see them like this.

I am.53 and feel the same. It is hard for sime of us to get back to 'normal' because it isn't as if Covid had gone. It not easy to reconcile the tight restrictions to then move to nothing. I go to work-,still try to socially distance and if I meet any friends we do a rest. My mates do one because they know it bothers me. Could you perhaps do this??

Were they worried about illness pre covid or is this a development with the pandemic?
I'm sad to say I've almost given up trying to reason with mine, they've lost 2 years of my children's lives and it's heartbreaking but there is only so much I can do

@Teamladybirdladybird No they were absolutely fine pre Covid, the pandemic and lockdown has totally changed them.

We have this, its DM 84 and looking back I think she has always had a touch of anxiety about things.

It would be fine if they both wanted to stay in but DF 89 is desperate to just go out for lunch, he's got mild dementia too I think, so limited time.

Funnily enough DM manages to do the things she wants to do - like get a key cut for another elderly neighbour. She never really enjoyed eating out anyway so I think she doesn't care if they never do it again.

As you can tell I feel quite annoyed with her. I thought I had persuaded them to come to ours for christmas day - I was going to pick them up in the morning and DH leave them back late afternoon- it's an hour each way, but I just thought it would be nice for them to see our house as they haven't been since pre covid. But then DM started complaining of a mysterious sore back, and worrying about the weather, so I just said we'd bring the food and go to theirs.

I don't even know it's about Covid any more as she refuses to discuss it properly.

What’s do a rest?

I have friends like this. It’s really said. Covid hasn’t killed them, but it’s taken their lives. I don’t think they’ll ever go back to the way they were. And no, they had no worries about other viruses before covid, and they’re not even that vulnerable.

Why though ? For the majority of people it's nothing worse than a cold. Are you vaccinated?

@BCBird but the scenario is very different now - vaccinations have massively reduced severity and there’s a much better understanding of how to treat Covid. There is absolutely no need to be taking precautions unless you’re exceptionally immuno compromised, and even then there’s no guarantee you’ll be particularly ill with it.

There's a couple of people in my friendship routs like this and they are being left behind as people's patience and understanding wears thin. One wants to sit outside in the freezing cold for no reason and no one else wants to do that.

It's sad to see but there's no reasoning with them and anxiety has really taken a grip. Ultimately it's their choice not to participate in meets ups, theatre trips etc. but it's still sad.

Yes! I thought I was the only one whose parents are still really afraid of covid. They're only late 60s and really fit and healthy! They still won't come in the house to see their grandkids or mix indoors. After all this time I've got used to it so I just find us fun outdoor things to do weather permitting! My mum has always had anxiety though esp about illness, so I try to understand, but it is frustrating especially when they're in better nick than I am! 😂

Are you in reasonably good health & fully vaccinated? If so, you really have nothing to worry about. If not, why not?
I’m asthmatic and I was very worried about covid before I was vaccinated, but there comes a point where you have to understand that you have to get on with living your life. If you are really too anxious to do this despite being fully vaccinated you need to get help with your anxiety.

Those of you saying there’s nothing to worry about are wrong though. I know 3 people with long covid whose lives have been ruined. I completely understand why people are afraid.

Yes, thank god I am not the only one suffering with parents like this. They won’t go anywhere, thank god they have a huge garden or we would be so worried. Our Christmas will be spent with my DP being the only ones wearing masks the whole time. Both my brothers and I have no idea how to cope with this.

Were they previously in good health & caught covid after they were fully vaccinated?

But @FrownedUpon we've always had nasty viruses with ongoing post viral issues but we didn't stop living due to them so why now? Why has people's ability to risk assess been so badly affected?

I think I'm my parents case it's just tipped them over the edge but they were always predisposed to it.
We live quite a distance away so I can't even pop round, everything has to be prearranged and it's quite stressful. We are due to go to them for Christmas and I'm so worried they're going to cancel us at the last minute due to covid concerns, they cancelled coming to us last year

And that was at a week's notice although I was half expecting it

They were supposed to move up our way (where they're originally from) 10 years ago and still talk about it but have taken zero action, I'm very worried about how I will help them when they start to struggle

My mums even had Covid now quite recently and was fine with it but kept asking me about the rules and what she should do, I had to keep explaining that's all been done away with some time ago

@Aposterhasnoname

A test, probably?

Covid has taken so much from so many, it's sad to hear of perfectly healthy people living like that.

I think some people like it. It gives them a survival focus and a purpose .

I know people whose lives are being ruined by long covid. That's enough for me to continue to take it seriously

This definitely resonates

It is sad..I had to shield throughout and I was very very frightened I won't lie but finally realised life had to go on otherwise I'd just be another covid victim. I've had 7 jabs and a week after the last one I caught covid and apart from a few hours of vomiting and a morning and afternoon asleep in bed I felt more or less ok. I'm still wary of huge crowds to be honest and still get my shopping delivered but feel more confident than I did.