Thoughts about the next few months

[Mayneffy]

Following on from my previous post last week about what are people thinking about the relaxation of restrictions, I think what is worrying me is all this opening up when the majority of us still have no prospect of a vaccine. I can't help feeling that we are the collateral damage for the economy opening up. How are people feeling? Anyone got their vaccine yet? Does it help how you have been feeling?

[Bevvy]

Yes I have had 1st jab and will have second mid April. So that in itself IS a comfort to me.However I do feel government has to start relaxing of rules. We will be paying for years to get economy back to a reasonable level. Just been listening to radio how people have lost homes and unable to pay bills. Situation for many people is dire.

Relaxation of rules is being done extremely gradually and this gives more time for people to be inoculated. Also speed of inoculations is much quicker than expected. New decisions mean all adults will receive inoculation now.

Statistically has been shown asthmatics are in no greater danger than others if contracting Covid so I don’t believe people are “collateral damage”. Remember the news only reports bad cases. Most people who contract Covid do recover and that is rarely talked about so of course people (apart from odd selfish people who ignore the rules) are very worried.

Like I say I am grateful for vaccination but I won’t be dashing outside after shielding for so long throwing caution to the wind. Even with vaccines I can still catch Covid and I have a history of things becoming very serious even with the common cold.

Again please remember as an adult you will be vaccinated.

[Nutzs47]

I haven’t yet had my vaccine and haven’t a clue when I’ll get it but I’m glad the plan is to slowly reopen everything esp for families who haven’t been able to be together for a year. I am worried that we’ll be back in lockdown later on in the year as people are already booking hols abroad etc so god help us when the beer gardens reopen too but it is what it is like Bevvy said we can’t keep on going like we are and people do need to start taking responsibility for their own health and safety.Personally I won’t be rushing to the pub or primark but it will be nice to be able to meet up with my friends for a coffee and chat again as I haven’t seen my best friend since before the first lockdown

[Bevvy in reply to Nutzs47]

For holidays abroad I think people will have to either produce inoculation proof or Covid negative test proof. Hopefully both ways!Personally I think people have jumped too soon to book holidays. I also think goes to show selfish nature of some people who are “desperate “ to go on holiday. Thousands have died. Thousands are financially ruined. Thousands have long Covid..... but yes let’s book a holiday!! 🤷‍♀️

[Nutzs47 in reply to Bevvy]

Yep me too . I had planned to visit friends in aus this year and have booked 4 weeks off work sept/Oct but I will no longer be going as the thought of getting on a plane whilst still in the grip of this global pandemic fills me with dread and I think this is what people are forgetting until it’s controlled globally it isn’t safe to travel.We’ve been in lockdown and yet we are still seeing thousands of new cases a month which are coming from somewhere which is a worry too.I really hope that people will have to prove they’ve had the vaccine before they fly but until boris actually makes it official no one knows .....I will be getting the tent out and staying in the UK this year

[twinkly29]

It's hard for many and there will be what ifs for all. Likewise there will be things, different for everyone, that we all choose to do differently. I didn't like busy peopley places anyway and certainly won't be choosing them now, for example.

However, life has to go on, it has to evolve. Where anxieties outweigh actual functioning and rational thoughts and perspectives then that is where the help is needed. I say that as if it's easy to acknowledge, accept and access but, from experience in the past, of course it's not that simple. But the reality is that life has to go on.

For some people (in life generally I mean, not specifically here) that might have to involve refocusing thoughts and so on in order to be able to rationalise and cope with things. Again not saying it's easy! But seeing people including friends fixate on things beyond their control makes it more of a thing.

It's never easy to turn off anxieties and things - I'm there right now in some ways. But if there is no way out then it becomes all-consuming, taking over the actual issues in the first place.

Those still waiting for the vaccine, it will happen, but rates are lower now than last autumn when there where wasn't a lockdown. Things don't change for several weeks yet either. Also though, they're not magic. So yes of course reassuring to have had it - but underlying issues of anxiety are not going to away by having it because anxiety is much more complicated.

No idea if that rambling helps though!

[Nutzs47 in reply to twinkly29]

I agree as someone who lives with anxiety and depression and who is having therapy at the mo because everything suddenly became to much and I crashed resulting in more meds and time off work (I’m an essential worker who’s worked throughout ) it’s not good to over think and worry about things we can’t control x

[twinkly29 in reply to Nutzs47]

Yet it can be so hard to deal with. But hopefully better weather will mean people can go out more and find ways that help them personally.

[Poobah]

I have had my first dose of the vaccine and looking forward to the second in about 8 weeks. However, I realise that I can still contract the virus and pass it on and therefore I'm thinking that I will not be going back to my old social life in full just yet and will take baby steps for months to come. I know we'll still have to practise social distancing, masks and hand sanitising until the scientists believe we've hit national herd immunity.

I watched BBC's Horizon "Coronavirus Virus, What We Know Now" last night and it was very good, not at all sensational and all the science was clearly explained. I recommend it, especially the explanation of how science calculate at what point herd immunity will be achieved. They also explained that if someone gets mild covid to still take it easy for several weeks as they believe that even those people who get mild covid can still develop long covid if they try and work through it without slowing down.

I'm hoping that I will be able to travel to family for Christmas and I've no plans for going beyond my locale till then. Our tentative approach to getting back to normal society is wise, knowing what we know now about how this virus spreads and mutates.

[Mayneffy in reply to Poobah]

Thanks for the reply. I spoke the a nurse at my GPs yesterday, discussed my asthma and the vaccine situation but despite other health issues etc she didn't seem to know when I will get mine. So I think I will get on with life and try not worry about it anymore.

[Pnelancs in reply to Mayneffy]

That’s essentially my view. I’m still appalled at the way Asthma UK seems to have passively accepted what is flawed science that has been applied in a way the researchers didn’t intend and the way the government has handled it - but there’s nothing any individual can do about it.

Anyway, back into a full classroom in 10 days. What could possibly go wrong?

[Mayneffy in reply to Pnelancs]

Yup, I'm sure I will be called back to work soon (key worker but not front line) my problem isn't actually work but more the public transport. So I guess it's just suck it up and see. I can't fall back now on the clinically vulnerable bit now either.

[Poobah in reply to Mayneffy]

See my previous posts to you in respect of seeking support from Access to Work if you're still worried about the risks posed by covid because of your asthma and hypertension. They can look at your workplace and your need for public transport and assess the risk and recommend adjustments in the workplace, where you work and how you get to work.

[skippy11]

I think the slow pace out of lockdown is very much needed. I turned down vaccine as trying for a baby and yes, I realise I am in danger if I contract covid but I don’t have flu vaccine due to allergies and I’m just as in danger if I contract that health wise. I am currently shielding and working from home. I personally will be wearing a mask on public transport etc when I am asked to go back to work in the office and will be continuing to follow current social distancing etc as should we all until covid is fully under control.

[mjrminor]

I'm getting my first vaccination on Sunday, but because of my rheumatoid arthritis as my asthma didn't qualify. As for the relaxing of restrictions, I do think this time the government seems to be doing it in stages unlike last summer which was a free for all - although I have to say sending everyone back to school at the same time seems risky to me.

It does seem that if vaccinations continue at the rate they are, most adults will at least have had their first dose by the time they relax the rules completely at the end of June. They're hoping to get everyone 50 and up done by the end of April. My partner, who is healthy with no underlying conditions, is 47 so should be getting his in May.

I haven't seen my parents, sisters or nephews since last July, so I'm looking forward to the day when I can. In the meantime we have to continue to be cautious and mindful of others, and be proactive in staying safe. It's been a really traumatic time for everyone, and we don't yet know the lasting effects of that. But for the first time since the pandemic began I'm feeling hopeful