May the new normal have some benefits

[sealiphone]

4 July, Independence Day, at that briefing it looked like Boris was inviting us to the end of the century party.

I'm looking forward to being able to socialise in a pub but I won't be there on the 4th, a Saturday, busiest day of the week, utter madness.

However, according to guidelines, there should be no intrusive music, limited numbers and more space between people add table service and apart from the risk it sound pretty good to me.

I've been shopping in Aldi with limited number of people in there and it's wonderfully relaxing, although going through the maze of our Sainsbury local is frustrating.

With this weather I've seen more of the great countryside around here and now it's calmed down with the hoards bored it's back to peace and very friendly people.

You can see I'm putting a brave face to this situation, am I being too optimistic?

[cat3]

I wish I could believe you're not Seali, but seeing the antics of so many nutters with their anti-lockdown parties, raves and crowding on beaches I can't help but anticipate a second wave as in Germany, middle east, China etc.

The relaxing of measures here seems to have given the green light for dismissing the months of cautiousness and common sense to jump headlong into careless activities for many people. Such a waste.

It's been an eye-opener though seeing empty motorways and hearing so much more birdsong !

........hope time will prove me wrong. 🥴

[sealiphone in reply to cat3]

I know what you mean and it obviously depends on who you talk to but many around here are saying still 2 meters if possible, they're all saying they think it's too soon.

But like you say then the buffoons stand out and make good headlines.

You may be right though yesterday I went 'up top' and pretty quiet as opposed to the Bank Holiday and the same today but when I came down people knocking back beer at a local 'cafe', it did look like Benidorm.

At least I know which of my local pubs is very likely to be civilised.

We should have road blocks to keep 'em out.

[sealiphone]

Well have too much faith in the public, major incident declared on Southern coast, God help us.

Saturday night, the 4th is going to be chaos, I'm in my bunker, or my drinking bubble inside my house.

[cat3 in reply to sealiphone]

I've self-isolated since the outset and into a firm routine of staying home apart from late night shopping once weekly.

I like to see people enjoying themselves but not when it puts others at potential risk. And yes, the Bournemouth crowds should've been sent packing.......... by water cannons or the army if necessary.

Hunker down on Sat Seali with alcohol of your choice. I wish I could still drink ; quite miss that laid back state and the occasional silliness ! 🤗

[Fificakes2]

I think it got benefits of people being kinder and more thoughtful. Normally society is very self centred and it’s made people stop and ask how are others and can we help them.

They don’t much seem to notice much people without viruses

[sealiphone in reply to Fificakes2]

It looks like we're going to go back to destroying the planet again and have a big end of the world party, as we do it.

My post looks a bit stupid now, too much hope.

[sospan]

The problem is at the moment, the majority of the furloughed people believe (and act) like this is one giant summer holiday.

There are a few people at my allotment whom think this is the best thing -good weather, 80% of their pay but without the costs of commuting buying lunch & coffee etc. plus they can do their allotment, sunbathe, BBQ.

If they open the pubs(and allow unlimited party's whilst the furlough scheme is running, it is going to be chaos. People with money and not having to get up in the morning is just going to lead to a return to the scenes of a few years ago.

Whilst it may sound selfish, I actually thought there was a lot of benefits with the lockdown - traffic plummeted, crime dropped, shopping is now easier, kids off the streets, homeless people rehomed, A&E queues minimal, fuel prices low,, people appreciating their families more, Police arresting more and more drug dealers etc.

[sealiphone in reply to sospan]

It was great around here without the cars, all the cyclists had a smile on their face and I wasn't going to get mowed down on the roads without paths.

Last Bank Holiday more fire engines than you'd believe around here, they were expecting the moors to go up in flames.

Unbelievable I was walking up and car stopped asking how you got up there, his sat nav had taken him to the start of the path, he was bafled that he couldn't drive to the top.

[sospan in reply to sealiphone]

A lot of the people whom go out to the countryside don't really appreciate it, For most it is a "trophy" to put on facebook / instagram etc.

A farmer friend was asked by one lockdown walker "what do you do with your time, without all the tourist and walkers ! " the response wasn't that polite !

My daughter lives in a village that was the inspiration for the "Englishman whom went up a hill and came down a mountain" One walker parked parked in a spot one of the residents had a polite notice saying she was disabled and needed the spot - a walker parked in the spot, stating that she had a "blue badge" and was entitled to park there whilst she walked the mountain - 1,000 ft high and a 5 mile circuit!

[sealiphone]

I've come across people trying to get up Helvellyn in high heels and sun tops, they don't get very far.

The other good one people trapped for over 2 hours on top of Scaffell Pike, in a rain cloud with no waterproofs.

No compass and visibility was around 1 meter, they could have died if we hadn't led them off the top.

[iforget]

It will be interesting to see how people respond to the relaxing of the rules...frankly I don;t hold out much hope on the basis of what has occurred this week.

I am in the most vulnerable group and have been shielding since mid March. I am gobsmacked that they think its okay to relax shielding measures just two days after they relax the majority of rules for the general population and I am not intending to go anywhere until I see what happens with infection rates once people are mixing more freely...evidence form other countries does not look promising....

Whatever you each decide to do when rules officially relax, stay safe out there.

[Elenor3 in reply to iforget]

I think you’re right. Someone I know who’s been shielding said exactly the same. She said she’s not ready to volunteer for the herd immunity club just yet. I haven’t seen anyone since March, we walk very early each morning to avoid meeting people. It’s a bit like when I came home from hospital and couldn’t go out anywhere and couldn’t see anyone, which is a bit of a sad Reminder. Hopefully things will improve x

[Broken_Doll in reply to iforget]

I am with you iforget.

I too am in the most vulnerable group and have also been shielding since the beginning of March. I do not trust what the government are advising and as a result I am content for now, to observe what happens in terms of infection rate/second wave (from a safe distance).

It’s not easy.. but like the rest of us here.. it isn’t our first rodeo! Brain injury, particularly the aftermath has given us tools to deal with isolation, restriction etc. It is hard not being able to see friends, go for walks around the countryside etc but I value my health more than anything. So I think you are being sensible!

Stay safe 💗

[Elenor3]

Hi,

I have also seen a huge reduction in fatigue and anxiety. Since I’ve been unable to go out alone, I’ve been 24/7 at home with my partner. He’s not allowed to work so i have 24 hour support. No dramas In the house, no arguments on the train, no misunderstandings with people, no opportunity for anything to go wrong. Apart from the usual things - putting the hose on to fill a water can and forget about it : burn myself trying to bake - really life is very Much less challenging. Also no arguments about not being ready to go to things. Life has been a lot simpler. Only trouble is not sleeping at all but I think it’s because of not because of not being exhausted all the time. It will be very stress to go back to the chaos again if they find a vaccine. I’d avoid the pub for a couple of weeks Sospan - just to see if people learn how to behave sensibly. Good luck x