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Pandemic personal consequences

Sue said:
You don't talk about it? All my friends mention it and want to compare notes on when they got it done, side effects or the lack of them etc etc. (Everyone I've spoken to has got it as soon as possible which I'm not at all surprised about.)
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I do, but it’s the ones who haven’t mentioned it I am a bit cautious of. One who said “I’m not in a hurry to get it” and another who was unhappy after being under the weather after jab 1 and declared she wouldn’t get jab 2 - A bit heat of the moment I think.
 
Flavour said:
I think I am a bit depressed by the amount of people I know in Italy who say they won't get the vaccine. I cannot respect these people or view them the same way as before. It's very sad. The one chance for people to actually do something to contribute to improving the world (by getting vaccinated) and so many want to refuse this because... well, never for very good reasons. The knowledge that my respect for a large proportion of everyone I know has been permanently and seriously damaged is hard to take.

Makes me want to sort of re-direct my social life towards people who have been or want to be vaccinated but I don't know how to do that given that socializing is still not the same as it was 18 months ago. I can't just start texting people saying "hey you're one of the people I know who isn't a selfish cunt I would like to spend more time with you outdoors" though, in some fashion, I am going to have to do that in order to ensure a happy social life when we are fully post-pandemic.
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I started redirecting my social life months before the pandemic hit in a similar vein (a more general I don't want unsafe people around me any more) and it's a very long and deliberate process I'm still going through now. Sometimes it was obvious who I needed rid of but as time went on and my tolerance towards shitheads lowered I was really disappointed and surprised about some of the other people in my life I had to distance myself from. The pandemic played a big part in this as it's really shown up some people. It may seem like a bad time to do something like this but I think it's the best time because we're all having to be so deliberate about who we spend time with anyway, it gives us chance to think and really feel how our mood and thoughts change after we spend time with someone. It's not easy but it's so worth it. There are enough good people in the world that you don't have to spent time with the bad ones.
 
muscovyduck said:
I started redirecting my social life months before the pandemic hit in a similar vein (a more general I don't want unsafe people around me any more) and it's a very long and deliberate process I'm still going through now. Sometimes it was obvious who I needed rid of but as time went on and my tolerance towards shitheads lowered I was really disappointed and surprised about some of the other people in my life I had to distance myself from. The pandemic played a big part in this as it's really shown up some people. It may seem like a bad time to do something like this but I think it's the best time because we're all having to be so deliberate about who we spend time with anyway, it gives us chance to think and really feel how our mood and thoughts change after we spend time with someone. It's not easy but it's so worth it. There are enough good people in the world that you don't have to spent time with the bad ones.
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This. 100%.
 
My anti-vaxxer lodger is moving on, thank goodness. She's a gentle soul really and were it not for Covid I would have been able to live quite happily alongside her beliefs about microwaves, mobile phones and wifi.

So now I'm looking for a new lodger. Yesterday someone came to see the place who would have been OK, but he didn't offer to wear a mask, constantly invaded my 2 metre perimeter and said that he wasn't getting the vaccine. So that's a no then. I'm quite unhappy about making this decision, but that's how it has to be.
 
Hm. I was about to see if any of my team at work fancied a picnic seeing as how I've never met any of them but possibly now isn't a good time to drag people together via public transport from all over London 🤔
What do we think? I've had both jabs but I'm ancient, they're all a lot younger.
 
muscovyduck said:
I started redirecting my social life months before the pandemic hit in a similar vein (a more general I don't want unsafe people around me any more) and it's a very long and deliberate process I'm still going through now. Sometimes it was obvious who I needed rid of but as time went on and my tolerance towards shitheads lowered I was really disappointed and surprised about some of the other people in my life I had to distance myself from. The pandemic played a big part in this as it's really shown up some people. It may seem like a bad time to do something like this but I think it's the best time because we're all having to be so deliberate about who we spend time with anyway, it gives us chance to think and really feel how our mood and thoughts change after we spend time with someone. It's not easy but it's so worth it. There are enough good people in the world that you don't have to spent time with the bad ones.
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But how do you find the good ones?
 
I am also a bit paranoid that my single dose J&J vaccine, being demonstrably the least effective vaccine, will not protect me from the Delta variant if I am exposed to a significant viral load (increasingly likely to happen at some point). I don't want to be one of those horror stories of people who get sick despite having had the vaccine which the media (in Italy) will pore over, encouraging more and more people not to get vaccinated cos "what's the point if it doesn't even work?"
 
muscovyduck said:
I started redirecting my social life months before the pandemic hit in a similar vein (a more general I don't want unsafe people around me any more) and it's a very long and deliberate process I'm still going through now. Sometimes it was obvious who I needed rid of but as time went on and my tolerance towards shitheads lowered I was really disappointed and surprised about some of the other people in my life I had to distance myself from. The pandemic played a big part in this as it's really shown up some people. It may seem like a bad time to do something like this but I think it's the best time because we're all having to be so deliberate about who we spend time with anyway, it gives us chance to think and really feel how our mood and thoughts change after we spend time with someone. It's not easy but it's so worth it. There are enough good people in the world that you don't have to spent time with the bad ones.
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I'm not sure I agree with this. I see your point, but I think one has friends for different reasons. Agreeing with them about science, public health policy and attitudes to personal and collective risk aren't necessarily the most compelling ones in normal times. They might be fun at parties, or tell great jokes, or be a terrific listener, or have a deep abiding love of your mutual stamp-collecting hobby.
 
RubyToogood said:
I'm not sure I agree with this. I see your point, but I think one has friends for different reasons. Agreeing with them about science, public health policy and attitudes to personal and collective risk aren't necessarily the most compelling ones in normal times. They might be fun at parties, or tell great jokes, or be a terrific listener, or have a deep abiding love of your mutual stamp-collecting hobby.
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Indeed, having differing opinions on public health policy was mostly fine in normal times (unless they were in favor of dismantling the NHS or something) ... but these aren't normal times and I think there's something true in the old adage of true character being revealed under pressure. We're in a crisis and there's something people can do to try and solve it (get vaccinated), and people who refuse have lost a lot of respect in my eyes.
 
RubyToogood said:
Hm. I was about to see if any of my team at work fancied a picnic seeing as how I've never met any of them but possibly now isn't a good time to drag people together via public transport from all over London 🤔
What do we think? I've had both jabs but I'm ancient, they're all a lot younger.
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It's a picnic, so the outside part will be safe, and public transport hasn't shown up as a big risk, surprisingly, plus some might be able to cycle in. Vaccines in some London areas are open to 25 and up, too.

I'd say your only issue might be that they already have other picnics or social events planned. I'm an old fucker and went to three picnics this weekend.
 
scifisam said:
It's a picnic, so the outside part will be safe, and public transport hasn't shown up as a big risk, surprisingly, plus some might be able to cycle in. Vaccines in some London areas are open to 25 and up, too.

I'd say your only issue might be that they already have other picnics or social events planned. I'm an old fucker and went to three picnics this weekend.
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I'm a bit put off by reports on the London thread of low mask compliance on public transport.
 
RubyToogood said:
Hm. I was about to see if any of my team at work fancied a picnic seeing as how I've never met any of them but possibly now isn't a good time to drag people together via public transport from all over London 🤔
What do we think? I've had both jabs but I'm ancient, they're all a lot younger.
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I'd couch it in exactly the same way as you have here. You'd love to meet them but would quite understand if they didn't want to make the journey.
 
Flavour said:
Indeed, having differing opinions on public health policy was mostly fine in normal times (unless they were in favor of dismantling the NHS or something) ... but these aren't normal times and I think there's something true in the old adage of true character being revealed under pressure. We're in a crisis and there's something people can do to try and solve it (get vaccinated), and people who refuse have lost a lot of respect in my eyes.
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Well, I found the isolation of lockdown pretty unbearable and I've been very tempted to have a purge of friends who didn't make an effort to keep in touch but I'd only be harming myself. We've all been through it. To an extent I think this is depression talking.

The judgementalism and finger pointing has been one of the worst things about this pandemic. Everyone I know has broken lockdown (although it doesn't stop them complaining about other people doing it). Are you going to defriend them also? Where do you draw the line?

Mind you, I only know two people who are refusing the vaccine. One has a good reason (had a serious relapse of a chronic illness after her last flu jab) and the other is just :rolleyes: But I'd be losing a lot if I cut him out of my life.
 
RubyToogood said:
Well, I found the isolation of lockdown pretty unbearable and I've been very tempted to have a purge of friends who didn't make an effort to keep in touch but I'd only be harming myself. We've all been through it. To an extent I think this is depression talking.

The judgementalism and finger pointing has been one of the worst things about this pandemic. Everyone I know has broken lockdown (although it doesn't stop them complaining about other people doing it). Are you going to defriend them also? Where do you draw the line?

Mind you, I only know two people who are refusing the vaccine. One has a good reason (had a serious relapse of a chronic illness after her last flu jab) and the other is just :rolleyes: But I'd be losing a lot if I cut him out of my life.
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I get that the judgementalism has been a nightmare, but you are aware that's how you came across with your original quote of my post? I poured my heart out to try and help another poster and you read something into it I didn't say and responded to that. No one's said cut everyone or even most people out.
 
Winot said:
This strikes me too. The GP model in theory could cover this, but is clearly broken due to insufficient GPs.

And yet every year talented and keen young people are rejected for medical degrees.
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I always have a slight suspicion that Doctors want to have a degree of scarcity. It would reduce their market value if there were too many of them.
 
muscovyduck said:
I get that the judgementalism has been a nightmare, but you are aware that's how you came across with your original quote of my post? I poured my heart out to try and help another poster and you read something into it I didn't say and responded to that. No one's said cut everyone or even most people out.
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I'm not judging you at all, I totally understand it. I just think it may be unwise for us in the long term to make those calls in these circumstances.

I also don't know your friends so it's entirely possible you're right to rid yourself of some dead weight.

I guess what I'm saying is it's been enormously challenging for our social relationships and we need to be careful to try and let them stretch out and bounce back. It's like, don't make big life decisions immediately after a bereavement sort of thing.

I also wasn't judging people for being judgey because I've been judgey too, it's impossible not to.
 
RubyToogood said:
I'm not judging you at all, I totally understand it. I just think it may be unwise for us in the long term to make those calls in these circumstances.

I also don't know your friends so it's entirely possible you're right to rid yourself of some dead weight.

I guess what I'm saying is it's been enormously challenging for our social relationships and we need to be careful to try and let them stretch out and bounce back. It's like, don't make big life decisions immediately after a bereavement sort of thing.

I also wasn't judging people for being judgey because I've been judgey too, it's impossible not to.
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I know quite a few people who have gone down the it's-all-a-big-lie conspiracy route, but thankfully these are all acquaintances rather than friends. I just don't think I can ever socialise with these people again, I've been too disturbed at how easily they've been taken in by illogical nonsense and lapped up far right websites. On the other hand, a friend who has been very anti-lockdown but doesn't think Covid is made up I feel at least I can have a reasoned debate with and I don't mind seeing (though try to avoid the subject). To be honest I feel that with how some people have behaved in the pandemic, they fucking deserve to be judged. That doesn't mean I don't think you should also cut people plenty of slack for what they did in a stressful period - I guess I'll re-evaluate how I feel about the covid-deniers some time in the future.
 
The Covid denying anti-vax people that I know (as I probably keep going on about) are my brother and particularly his girlfriend. I find it quite difficult to be honest, it's not only that they're both into all this mad stuff but they're very confrontational about it. You can't just agree to let it lie because they'll keep bringing it up. It's not that it's entirely new or anything but it's more significant than when it was 5G stuff. I'm reluctant to see them which is quite upsetting for close family.
 
My son tested positive last night after a test yesterday lunchtime.

He was due to move home from his student house next Tuesday and we were due to go and visit friends in Brighton the following day but will have to postpone. I've taken the week off work but can swap to the following week.

Can anyone tell me what the rules are regarding isolating etc?
 
Was it this thread someone mentioned coach travel?

I was thinking about a trip up north early August (subject to whatever the situation is then) & considering Flixbus as I'd read the buses are half-empty, well-spaced etc. & there don't seem to be many affordable options on the train.

But the latest reviews are saying that even if you've paid to have an empty seat next to you (it's a £4-ish supplement) you can turn up & find someone's booked onto the seat anyway.

Wondering if National Express is any better?
 
I travelled with National Express recently. The coach was completely full, lots of people without masks/not wearing properly, and no windows that open. Coach driver checked passengers temperatures before getting on (I am highly sceptical of such measures.)

A few months ago I used Flix bus to go to and from London. Very few passengers. On the first journey there were only about 5 of us, all spread out, and the driver said we could remove our masks while seated if we wanted to.
 
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I went on an Aventi West Coast Train to London last week, three and a bit hours. I was a bit nervous when I got on, because it was the first time I had been inside any form of motorised transport since the start of the pandemic. I had a mask and hand sanitiser and braced myself for being horrified and panic stricken, but it was all fine.

Not many people on the train, everyone sitting quite a long way from each other and everyone had a mask on. Even the really loud and fairly annoying ninny who wittered on his phone for about half an hour. He made a big song and dance about telling three different people EXACTLY the same loud and sweary story story about nearly missing this train because the taxi driver was a fucking wanker. Noisy arse. Thankfully, he got off after one stop. But even he - as annoying as he was - had his mask on the whole time.

Once I got to London, there were not a lot of people on the underground and mostly everyone was masked up. Apart from two young women with exemption lanyards who were scoffing some KFC. That made me feel a bit peculiar, but I wasn't the one licking their fingers, so I got over myself. Though I did get my hand sanitiser out for a quick squirt.

I let home at about ten and got to Euston just after one and was in and out of the underground to where I was going by about two. I travelled on a Thursday, so I presume that doing any of that travelling at peak times on a Friday would have been a different story. Going home tomorrow, so I hope it will be as easy as that.

So that's my personal pandemic tale for today - that I am pleased to have broken my public transport duck.
 
i'm getting an Avanti West Coast train to London on sat. when i booked you couldn't get seats sitting next to each other, even though we're going together! hoping for a similar dull no panic experience. we're deliberately not getting the tube though as it will be a weekend so we're staying right next to where we're going and getting a taxi from the station (which is thankfully not the other side of the city!).
 
I took an Avanti west coast from Warrington up to Penrith and back a month or so ago. You were strictly not allowed to sit in aisle seats, and it was pretty quiet. Very different to my local trains and buses which are getting really packed again, particularly at the weekend, with at least 20% not wearing a mask. I've just decided though that it is a risk worth taking, especially as I've had 2nd jab, because the lack of mobility was one of the main things that was really making me depressed, and I also really worry what will happen to public transport if we don't all just bite the bullet and get back on it soon.
 
I was in London 3 times last week. Reading to Paddington trains were empty then the Circle line to Aldgate was busier but everyone was still spread out. A bunch of city wankers got on at Kings X not wearing masks and being really loud but everyone else was being good. It was actually a perfectly relaxed and nice experience.
 
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