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March 28, 2024, 10:05:07 AM

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Are we really on the home stretch?

Started by Chedney Honks, February 21, 2021, 01:03:17 PM

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Chedney Honks

I don't mean will Covid disappear by summer or anything daft, nor do I underestimate that it will definitely require massive R&D and logistics to try to keep it under control, etc. I just mean that for the first time in a long long time, I feel like I can see an end of sorts in sight. Is it a mirage? And what's beyond that?

I'm pretty resilient and adaptable and comfortable in my own company, all that. I've been working full-time throughout so had the benefits of routine and pay. I'm knackered and very ready to move on ASAP but it could have been worse. I've been quite badly hit by it in terms of family and friends and colleagues getting ill and dying but most people are in that boat now. My point basically is that I've been quite fortunate compared to a lot of people, but I really have had enough of it now.

It's not even the restrictions and so on. I'm worn down by this country and the very ugly and very blatant lack of empathy. I'm exhausted by people who have been in denial, or worse, now being triumphalist about the vaccine and stuff or shushing any criticism of the government. I lost my shit this week with some cunt who said that SAGE said 250k deaths at first so we've actually done much better than expected. Where do you start with that? There are so so many starting points but they're all dependent on the other person giving a fuck about human life, so there's literally no point bothering. I just went ballistic instead. I know that he's also struggling to cope with reality and holding onto whatever comforting perspective he can but I can't look at him in the same way any more.

That's possibly the hardest part for me, dealing with these people once we're through the other side. Dealing with people who think that the scientists are cunts who stopped them going the pub and going on holiday and all that. Dealing with people who can write off 120k deaths like it's nothing. I can empathise that they're struggling to cope but I genuinely wish they were dead instead of my family and friends. This is the most divisive event of my lifetime, I think, even more than Brexit. I have lost all respect for a number of people I used to get on with great. I don't think that's a good thing either for me or for that mindset to be prevalent in society. I try to keep it in check but I really feel it.

I remember during the first lockdown, there was some good discussion on here about the real challenge not being lockdown but coming out of lockdown. I feel like that's very relevant again. I'm very much looking forward to being vaccinated and being much more free and to see family and friends and so on but I don't know how I will be able to draw a line and carry on as before. Quite simply, I won't.

BlodwynPig


Cuellar

Best just to assume that we'll be in this exact position this time next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, and the year after that.

Fambo Number Mive

I just don't know what to think any more.

In the very short term it is concerning that the fall in cases is levelling out.

And I don't trust Johnson, Sunak and Hancock with anything.

Shoulders?-Stomach!

I think the answer depends on the capability of the virus to mutate in ways we haven't foreseen and planned for in the vaccine development, while also building on our understanding of viral transmission in social spaces and drumming new behaviour into people.

I expect, given the government, that they will pin everything on the former going well, while failing to build new behaviours into the post-Covid society (such as mask wearing in certain scenarios even in good weather, or breaking up 'attendance culture', ie. actually staying away from the office when you're ill).

I do actually believe we are on the home stretch in the sense that I think it is within our grasp to suppress and control it and vaccinate the world population, but I believe there is an uncomfortably high chance that if we fuck up the timing of easing restrictions that it will only take one mutation to slip the net before this whole thing drags on into next autumn and winter.

Also, when we say 'we' we are just talking about the nations in the British Isles, presumably, as half the world won't be getting a sniff of a vaccine until 2021 onwards, with severe implications not only for them but the world economy. So they aren't in the home stretch.


Zetetic

Bored of the virus now, tbh.

Got some substantial fallout from the piss-poor management of the pandemic and the side-effects of our response to it to look forward to for the next decade or three though, which will be a bit more interesting.

flotemysost

Quote from: Chedney Honks on February 21, 2021, 01:03:17 PM
That's possibly the hardest part for me, dealing with these people once we're through the other side. Dealing with people who think that the scientists are cunts who stopped them going the pub and going on holiday and all that. Dealing with people who can write off 120k deaths like it's nothing. I can empathise that they're struggling to cope but I genuinely wish they were dead instead of my family and friends. This is the most divisive event of my lifetime, I think, even more than Brexit. I have lost all respect for a number of people I used to get on with great. I don't think that's a good thing either for me or for that mindset to be prevalent in society. I try to keep it in check but I really feel it.

It's a really tough aspect of this whole thing. I've definitely had arguments with (sane, level-headed, liberal, non-covid-denying) friends about what consitutes a risky activity and what is and isn't OK, and I've got a couple of friends I've clashed with over views on vaccines too. I don't want to cut anyone out of my life because I feel like that would ultimately be worse than the anguish caused by not being on the same page as them, but it's an inescapable quandary.

In normal life there are inevitably those things that come up where you disagree with those close to you, but this is hardly something that crops up during a heated discussion at the pub every now and then - it's just completely omniscient and there's really no way of regularly interacting with anyone without communicating some sort of stance on things, even if it's through actions rather than words. For instance, on the flip side, I worried during the summer that my manager was perhaps judging me for choosing to go into the office (to do my job which can, in theory, be done from home).

One of my friends (who I mentioned in another thread) lives with an absolute bellend flatmate who frequently says things like "everyone who's died of it was probably going to die anyway". My friend was actually quite ill with covid last year (though better now), possibly even thanks to twat flatmate (who tested negative and was not ill). My gut reaction was why would you not just boot the cunt the absolute fuck out but I realise it's just not that simple. People still have to coexist and interact and maintain relationships with their colleagues, families, friends, flatmates etc. because really that's what is keeping a lot of us going (not so much that particular example, as I don't think there would be much love lost there, but I certainly don't think I could cope with losing any friends or having a serious falling-out with anyone close to me at the moment).

Most people don't have the luxury of existing in a bubble where everyone's views are aligned with our own, and in normal times that can even be a part of what keeps our relationships with those around us rich and varied. Just fucking sucks that at the moment it's such a source of stress and internal hand-wringing, so I'm sorry to hear that you're having to make those tough decisions, it can't be easy.

Cuellar

I'm probably just never going to socialise again to be honest. I think this is it for me. Got too used to never having to do anything, and it's brilliant.

Bazooka

Home 'stretcher' more like, am I right lads?

Quote from: Cuellar on February 21, 2021, 01:41:22 PM
I'm probably just never going to socialise again 

Andrew Ridgely notes lyrics for Careless Whisper rewrite.

jamiefairlie

Quote from: Cuellar on February 21, 2021, 01:41:22 PM
I'm probably just never going to socialise again to be honest. I think this is it for me. Got too used to never having to do anything, and it's brilliant.

I'm the same, this kind of life suits me just fine. It's good for the extroverts to be forced to fit into our preference for once instead of the other way round.

Fambo Number Mive

Aren't a lot of introverts getting sick of lockdown as well? I'd describe myself as an introverted person but there are loads of things that I love doing by myself (e.g. browsing in charity shops) I can't do. I barely have any friends but I still had a busy life and now I'm feeling so cut off.

I'm also really missing my family.


Pranet

It is getting to me a bit. Yesterday morning I was "great, it's the weekend.... now what?"

Seems to go in phases for me, sometimes I don't care, sometimes like right now I do.

It helps when the weather is better.

Chedney Honks

Today I was waiting for the Heisei Gamera steelbook on Blu-ray and Amazon cancelled my delivery and I suddenly lost all hope. I bounce back tomorrow (after they deliver it lol)

flotemysost

Quote from: jamiefairlie on February 21, 2021, 05:04:17 PM
I'm the same, this kind of life suits me just fine. It's good for the extroverts to be forced to fit into our preference for once instead of the other way round.

I don't think it's that clear cut necessarily. I'm pretty good at doing my own thing, and quite a lot of my interests can be described as solo/introvert-y type stuff (drawing, writing, reading, going for long walks listening to music etc.) and yet I'm utterly fucking miserable at the moment. I really, really miss the energy and fizz of possibility that you get from being around people, and having even just the option for any sort of social interaction, connection and spontaneity completely snuffed out is one of the things I'm finding the hardest about this, as up until now I'd sort of built my life around having access to that option.

I've heard quite a lot of talk along the lines of "haha, time for these loudmouths to stand down, they've had their moment" but you get quieter, shy extroverts with rubbish self-esteem as well (as much as I hate the ubiquity of the Myers-Briggs lettering all over people's social media profiles and dating apps, the test has me down as ENFP and the description is pretty much bang on for me).

And do I think personal circumstances dictate it somewhat as well - I'm single and I really fucking miss being able to flirt with randoms or walk into a bar or party with the delicious possibility of something interesting happening, and by the time it's safe to do so again I'll probably be a toothless octogenarian hag - but maybe if I was happily coupled up it wouldn't be such a source of sorrow.

We're social creatures at heart, I think, and while everyone differs in what sort of interaction they find fulfilling and energising, for most people this is a pretty unnatural set of circumstances to have been in for so long.

Ferris

I've started to be hopeful that this will be largely done[nb]"done" = far lower case rates, some ability to travel internationally, a timeline for reopening stuff like pubs and that[/nb] by summer, so there's my timeline for disappointment.

Not asking for the world, but missing the chance to visit family and friends in the UK (and vice versa) is the main thing I'm finding tough. I am fully aware of how privileged that makes me comparatively because it is tougher for other people for all sorts of other reasons.

I am obsessively checking vaccination rates in the UK (encouraging), my province of NS (woeful), and the major incubator of the US (also encouraging) which is what is driving my hopefulness. Will doubtless be let down but there we go.

I agree with Shoulders, there are a few things that should remain. Masks during the 'flu season', hand sanitizer stations and the work culture changing as far as illnesses go.

I'm feeling wary of the psychological consequences of the pandemic, which I think will play out for a good couple of years after this all subsides. You've got the big problem of societal readjustment. Thing's won't just neatly fall back into place. Loved ones have died, community hubs have closed, jobs have been lost, those pubs and restaurants we used to frequent gone out of business etc. etc.

Pinball

We're on a home exponential curve that will take a long time, although if lockdown is reversed too soon or there are mutations, return to Go and do not collect £200. And die of Covid.

olliebean

Yes, we are on the home stretch. But I suspect the government will soon be steering us off it.

BlodwynPig

Quote from: confettiinmyhair on February 21, 2021, 06:28:55 PM
I agree with Shoulders, there are a few things that should remain. Masks during the 'flu season', hand sanitizer stations and the work culture changing as far as illnesses go.

I'm feeling wary of the psychological consequences of the pandemic, which I think will play out for a good couple of years after this all subsides. You've got the big problem of societal readjustment. Thing's won't just neatly fall back into place. Loved ones have died, community hubs have closed, jobs have been lost, those pubs and restaurants we used to frequent gone out of business etc. etc.

Mental health and illicit drug use will dramatically increase in the 'post'-covid years. Couple that to Failed State syndrome and its a recipe for some horrific mid-decade woes.

Zetetic

Lockdown vastly restricts access to income for worst off drug addicts which is interesting.

Alcohol in low-middle is going to be bad.

Shoulders?-Stomach!

QuoteYou've got the big problem of societal readjustment. Thing's won't just neatly fall back into place. Loved ones have died, community hubs have closed, jobs have been lost, those pubs and restaurants we used to frequent gone out of business etc. etc.

It has fallen unevenly so I expect the problems of inequality that have been biting away at the edges in the last 20 years will start becoming almost impossible for most to ignore.

The Brexit Dawn was a fantasy, but now the double whammy of that plus an economy trying to conceal the damage inflicted by a year of mismanaged pandemic and misuse of public funds is going to fall hardest on already shattered rotting towns.

Best purchase some really durable washable union jack flags because that's all that's going to be left for many up in those shitholes.


chveik

it's the hope that kills you... the economic recession will be followed by multiple environmental catastrophes, other viruses will come along etc.

canadagoose

I'm really hoping so. I'm finding myself doubly pissed-off at not being able to leave the city, and also at other people for not adhering to the regulations. I just want to be able to go on a meaningless bus trip somewhere, go for a drink with a pal, or just anything, really. Can't be long now.

At least I've finally managed to stop my glasses steaming up. They still get misty when it rains, though. At least I'm on the east coast, so it's dry-ish.

jobotic

All schools back March 8th, although absolutely nothing has been put in place to make it safer.

So no, we're probably not.

Chedney Honks

Quote from: chveik on February 21, 2021, 10:25:54 PM
it's the hope that kills you... the economic recession will be followed by multiple environmental catastrophes, other viruses will come along etc.

Maybe for you EU boys but we're going full BLIGHTY from 2022 onwards and putting the rest of the world in its place.

Bernice

I think we probably are on the home stretch, the how long that stretch will be and what the post-lockdowns world looks like is another question.

With regards to being furious at cretins, I would advise maybe some generosity. My sister went a bit nuts when this latest lockdown was announced, spamming the family WhatsApp with familiar bullshit - it only kills old people anyway, lockdown isn't worth the hit to mental health, the economy will be ruined etc etc. She shut up after a bit of pushback but it genuinely infuriated me for a while.

But then, I know she's followed the rules, and I know she's found it all very difficult - she's a teacher, pregnant, one kid at home already in a small house. I've coped better than most with this, which surprises me as I don't think of myself as particularly hardy. Ultimately, if I accept that people have, for a variety of reasons, found a very difficult time to be even harder than I have, then I'm inclined to forgive a degree of selfishness and callousness. I suppose I don't find it hard to imagine being pushed there myself.

George Oscar Bluth II

Quote from: Cuellar on February 21, 2021, 01:16:50 PM
Best just to assume that we'll be in this exact position this time next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, and the year after that.

I mean it really isn't because if we assume that what is the point of even living? This is one of the problems with a lot of the messaging around the vaccines, particularly in the US, there's this fatalistic "get your vaccine but nothing will change" message going out there. People have got to have hope.

Cuellar

Quote from: George Oscar Bluth II on February 22, 2021, 08:38:41 AM
I mean it really isn't because if we assume that what is the point of even living?

I don't know. But that seems like a question that was just as applicable before lockdown.

flotemysost

Quote from: Bernice on February 22, 2021, 08:35:33 AM
With regards to being furious at cretins, I would advise maybe some generosity. My sister went a bit nuts when this latest lockdown was announced, spamming the family WhatsApp with familiar bullshit - it only kills old people anyway, lockdown isn't worth the hit to mental health, the economy will be ruined etc etc. She shut up after a bit of pushback but it genuinely infuriated me for a while.

I agree, as frustrating as it is. One of my friends (who works for the NHS, had covid pretty early on and is still suffering the effects, and has generally been one of the most staunchly pro-lockdown advocates I know) had a bit of a "fuck this, I'm so fucking miserable, let's all just meet up" moment the other day - it wasn't acted on as they know full well it would not be worth it, but I don't think it's worth giving people who are already having a shitty time mentally something else to feel terrible about.

Re: different personality types and how they cope with lockdown, I think it's worth remembering too that there are probably loads of introverts who wish they could have time and space alone at the moment, but don't have that option. I think ultimately whatever living situation you're in currently, it's been warped to an extreme with few other alternatives, and that can be very shit for people of all dispositions.