Is Covid over? To what extent have you gone back to 'normal'?

[lazythursday]

I'm finding it really hard to navigate this period of the pandemic, and how much to trust the vaccine and return to some sort of normality. I'm socialising outdoors (including a couple of parties with little social distancing) and doing some limited indoor socialising - generally at friends' houses - but still feel really phobic about sitting indoors in pubs or going back to the gym. Is this sensible? Is it a total over-reaction? Is this level of covid cases the new normal and ultimately we have to accept catching a mild dose and move on from restricting our lives? Or should we carry on being very wary for the time being, especially because of issues like long covid? I'd like to get a feel for how the U75 community is behaving right now.

 

[quimcunx]

I had breakfast indoors sans mask when staying at a hotel one night a couple of weeks ago. I've been on more trains tubes and buses the last couple of weeks. Other than that just going in shops with mask as per usual. I am off ill today with what I hope is not covid.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Where’s the “not doing any socialising but I didn’t really do any pre covid either” option?

 

[salem]

ultimately we have to accept catching a mild dose and move on from restricting our lives

This is where I am personally (from the privileged position of being relatively healthy) - most people dying now are unvaccinated and I suspect in most cases that's a matter of choice for them. Most cases amongst vaccinated people seem to be quite mild from anecdotal data. On balance I'm willing to take a bit of risk to not miss out on another year of a lived life.

That being said, it's a gradual case of getting back to normal for me and I'm still a bit uncomfortable on the tube as I don't have to use it very often now, but the more I do use it the more normal it all becomes. Same with going to pubs, seeing friends etc. I'd say my social life is about 30% what it was 2 years ago. I'm not sure it'll ever recover fully as I'm at an age where me and my friends are settling down and the lockdowns have cemented that. I've got to say I'm a bit worried that I might have had my last big festival without realising it .

Your fears are sensible so don't feel guilty for having them, take things at your own pace where you can. I went out of my way to use thameslink trains rather than the tube for a long time as I found it just felt a bit safer for me - not totally rational but it made the idea of going into the city far more palatable than getting on the Northern Line.

 

[spanglechick]

Because of ongoing health stuff, I do very little other than go to work. I do all my shopping online, and maybe see someone socially perhaps an average of once a month (though heavily concentrated in the school holidays).

Of course I work in a bustling secondary school where there has never really been effective anti-COVID measures. So that side of things is both “high risk” and prematurely, but pragmatically “back to normal”. And on balance I’m ok with that, though I understand why some are not.
But the rest of my life hasn’t changed much at all, except that I can go and see my mum or sisters or have the occasional dinner with a friend.

 

[Elpenor]

I’m restricted to the occasional restaurant meal out or socialising round people's houses due to mobility issues. I only do this approx once a month though.

While I could manage a pub, i’ve not been as need to guarantee seating.

 

[LDC]

I'm double vaccinated, no underlying health conditions, and no other high risk categories (apart from male).

I've been careful the last 18 months, but have crept back to a much more normal level of activity the last 2-3 months. Have eaten inside a few times, been into a few houses for coffee, met up indoors with a bunch of people (also been to 2 parties inside with 40ish people), and been to the pub a few times. Also started back at the gym 2 weeks ago, but the bit I use is right next to a big door I prop open and it's still quiet there. I still wear masks in shops and public transport, but even then have been into the odd shop without as forgot a mask couple of times.

To balance that out the teenager that lived here has left now, so a major likely infection route has gone! I'm also pretty sure winter will be grim again, so happy to try and make the most of those months before that happens. Also given the overall plan of the government I'm slightly more resigned to getting it at some point than I have been before (not had it yet), which inevitably means I've slackened off a bit.

 

[Poot]

Because of ongoing health stuff, I do very little other than go to work. I do all my shopping online, and maybe see someone socially perhaps an average of once a month (though heavily concentrated in the school holidays).

Of course I work in a bustling secondary school where there has never really been effective anti-COVID measures. So that side of things is both “high risk” and prematurely, but pragmatically “back to normal”. And on balance I’m ok with that, though I understand why some are not.
But the rest of my life hasn’t changed much at all, except that I can go and see my mum or sisters or have the occasional dinner with a friend.

Yes, the kids are the biggest vectors, whether you work in a school or live with the little sods. They have no spacial awareness and like to get waaay too close to each other for all sorts of mad reasons. So while i am doing my best to be sensible, it is always in the back of your mind that they have entirely forgotten not to lick each other's faces.

I am making everyone do lateral flows every couple of days and wearing a mask. Still scared of busy places. But yeah, the sooner we can get the little sods vaccinated the better.

 

[JimW]

Still checks going into lots of venues here and mandatory masks on public transport, but conversely not been anything as full-on as a UK lockdown for some time.

 

[2hats]

ultimately we have to accept catching a mild dose

No one (outside of a challenge study) gets to choose the dosage level.

(Answers to your questions are: 'no' and 'there is no normal').

 

[Thora]

Honestly, back to normal.
Partially that is due to having children so we are back to school runs, sports clubs, swimming lessons, birthday parties.
I’ve gone back to exercise classes and pubs/restaurants with no masks.
Do use a mask on the odd occasion I’m on public transport or in a shop though.

 

[souljacker]

Back to normal here. Went to a gig last week where there was no distancing at all and was quite ok with that (mdma helped). I have spent the last week wondering if I've caught it again though but I'm almost in the clear now i think.

Still wearing masks when moving around pubs and on public transport but I'm in a very small minority.

 

[elbows]

If the latest SAGE predictions are even vaguely close to the mark, then authorities will be relying on a fair chunk of the population very much not returning to normal, if there is to be any chance of avoiding further formal restrictions this autumn and winter.

I have in no way returned to normal at this time, because there rates of viral prevalence are way too high. I did briefly meet my dad for the first time in 18 months last week, and my brother and nephew the week before that, but these arent set to become regular occurrences for me at this stage of the pandemic.

Its not surprising that many peoples have moved much further than me on this, but some of that will likely have to be rolled back in the coming months.

 

[krtek a houby]

Semi state of emergency still ongoing. Most pubs closed or not serving alcohol. Still wearing masks when at work or out and about.

 

[platinumsage]

If the latest SAGE predictions are even vaguely close to the mark

I've not looked at them yet, but if they're anything like this then we should be fine.

 

[marty21]

I'm going into work more (don't have to ) so using public transport more (but masked) . Going to local pubs but not further afield. Haven't done any long train journeys , I used to get a train down to Bath a few times a year, have driven down there instead .

 

[BigMoaner]

Semi state of emergency still ongoing. Most pubs closed or not serving alcohol. Still wearing masks when at work or out and about.

Where's that mind me asking

 

[elbows]

I've not looked at them yet, but if they're anything like this then we should be fine.

Thats a pre-Delta analysis and I see they managed to get the year wrong at the top of the document.

 

[Numbers]

Last cpl of months I've been to several football games, with absolutely no social distancing.
We've been for a few meals, a play and a pub twice + I've stayed in a hotel.
Always wear a mask on the tube or buses (rarely use a bus) and in the supermarket and shops.
Have seen family a few times and stayed over each time + have met up with pals.
We're all double jabbed and I have 2 LFT's weekly.
I remain cautious in public but not so much in private with family or friends.

 

[ruffneck23]

I'm going to the pub but sitting outside mostly
Wear masks on public transport ( on the 2 train journeys I have been on for the first time in 18 months)
Masks in shops

 

[andysays]

I've been using buses to get to work more frequently, whereas over the past few months I've been walking. With the change in the weather and darker mornings this is likely to become the norm rather than an occasional thing.

It's more concerning given the number of maskless school kids I end up sharing my journey with.

Apart from that, I'm mostly able to avoid potential infection hot-spots.

 

[platinumsage]

Thats a pre-Delta analysis and I see they managed to get the year wrong at the top of the document.

Yes it's from earlier this year when they predicted that alpha would have lead to a ~1500/day death rate now.

 

[elbows]

Yes it's from earlier this year when they predicted that alpha would have lead to a ~1500/day death rate now.

Given it includes sections on key uncertainties that can have a big impact on their modelling, including vaccine efficacy and the behaviour of the public during different stages of unlocking, I am not interested in playing this stupid game with you.

 

[platinumsage]

Given it includes sections on key uncertainties that can have a big impact on their modelling, including vaccine efficacy and the behaviour of the public during different stages of unlocking, I am not interested in playing this stupid game with you.

No, my point is that even taking into account all their uncertainties, the projections are still grossly pessimistic.

 

[sojourner]

Almost back to normal, but with a constant inner anxiety simmering away, waiting for trouble.

Been to 3 festies, one which I spent a lot of time raving inside a packed sweaty tent, much hugging and close conversations, one which I was grabbed and kissed quite a lot by drunk friends I'd not seen for 2 years.

Had a mate round in the house for a few hours at a time, a couple of times.

Shopping with no mask on. I abandoned the mask on the way back from the first festie, as there were only about 5% of people in the rammed service stations who were masked, and it felt absolutely fucking pointless for me to continue. Shops round here same % pretty much.

I have LFT'd like a bastard before and after all the festies, doing it as correctly as I can - no positives and feel just fine.

It all feels like very risky behaviour to me tbh, but it also feels like pushing the boundaries of what I can and can't do right now. Maybe in the winter I'll have to rein it in again, and I will, but this little bit of freedom tastes very sweet indeed.

My fella's been working as a carer (and using public transport) since the very start of the pandemic, so we've been exposed to it all the way through.

Did an outside gig, with a shared mic, and spoke up close to people afterwards. I've got an inside gig booked too for next month - not a huge venue, but will be testing before and after.

 

[elbows]

No, my point is that even taking into account all their uncertainties, the projections are still grossly pessimistic.

Well at least we consistently disagree about that, and it sounds like neither of our stances have changed since we last butted heads over this months ago.

As far as Im concerned there is still a rather broad spectrum of plausible possibilities for this autumn and winter. And pessimism is not a dirty word in this pandemic, optimism is. Because it leads to reckless stances and invites disaster. My stance on that cannot change until we have gotten through winter. I will be delighted if we get nowhere close to any worst-case scenerios, but worst-case planning is still vitally important.

 

[fizzerbird]

If it ain't outside I'm not going...unless it's a necessity, then I mask up.
Double jabbed but still wanting to be cautious.

 

[sojourner]

I feel absolutely gobsmacked that I haven't caught it, btw, after doing all of the above. Was fully expecting to be infected at at least one of those events.

 

[bimble]

i sat in a crowded noisy restaurant last night and it didn't feel great tbh, haven't been doing that much and it reminded me that i'm not ready yet really.

I talk to people in far away countries a fair bit, to do with work, and its a very strange thing to speak to someone in a country that's just severely locked down again/still and then pootle around here where everything looks pretty much hunky dory like covid's a thing of the past.

 

[PursuedByBears]

Honestly, back to normal.
Partially that is due to having children so we are back to school runs, sports clubs, swimming lessons, birthday parties.
I’ve gone back to exercise classes and pubs/restaurants with no masks.
Do use a mask on the odd occasion I’m on public transport or in a shop though.

Same here for the same reason. I'm back in the office two days a week but haven't been to any gigs yet, but have been to the theatre twice and quite a few pubs & restaurants, all unmasked. Not been to anyone's house other than family but I didn't do this pre-pandemic either.