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Pandemic personal consequences

I got a blocked nose a week or so ago and then a cough which I sort of put down to hay fever and asthma. Sent off the test yesterday though and just heard that I've not got coronavirus.

Impressive really, phoned through to them day before yesterday, got the test and sent it off yesterday and got the result today.

Which is sort of nice but if I had got it (symptoms pretty mild) I'd have actually felt more confident about going out.

At least I can take the bloody dog for a walk now :)
 
I think I've lost all sense of my personal acceptable risk levels. I've had both jabs, Pfizer, but hear contradictory things about how effective it is if you're a lardarse like me and against delta. I've been doing all sorts of socialising this week including indoors in public places but then couldn't cope with being on a bus with unmasked people.

Some of that is down to the cost benefit analysis we all do constantly now ie the socialising is worth it for quality of life but unmasked people on the bus aren't.

As ever, you get used to one set of circumstances and then it all changes.
 
I'm now back from not going out of the garden to just walking up/down the road taking dog for a walk. I'm not going to be in close proximity to anyone for the foreseeable.

A bit confused though because I definitely have caught something and I thought coronavirus was the only thing going round at the moment.
 
I went into the small Tesco last night with no mask on. First time I've been in a shop or the like unmasked since March 2020. I couldn't find a mask as I'm between homes and really needed some food before it closed. It wasn't busy but I felt bad when the cashier seemed to make a point of sanitising after serving me (there was a screen up and no contact).
 
I'm now back from not going out of the garden to just walking up/down the road taking dog for a walk. I'm not going to be in close proximity to anyone for the foreseeable.

A bit confused though because I definitely have caught something and I thought coronavirus was the only thing going round at the moment.
nah, the other respiratory things have made a come back.
And norovirus.
 
Interesting, ta. Still don't know how I picked it up though - I've been keeping good distance even with delivery people. They must have breathed through the doorway :eek:
 
I went into the small Tesco last night with no mask on. First time I've been in a shop or the like unmasked since March 2020. I couldn't find a mask as I'm between homes and really needed some food before it closed. It wasn't busy but I felt bad when the cashier seemed to make a point of sanitising after serving me (there was a screen up and no contact).
I got on a bus last week in the same situation- couldn’t believe I didn’t have a mask with me. Driver wasn’t wearing one but everyone else was. I was really embarrassed.
 
I'm now back from not going out of the garden to just walking up/down the road taking dog for a walk. I'm not going to be in close proximity to anyone for the foreseeable.

A bit confused though because I definitely have caught something and I thought coronavirus was the only thing going round at the moment.
Sadly not, I've had a bug thing,a friend from work has had one of those horrid viruses that wipe you out for ages and neither were covid
 
Sadly not, I've had a bug thing,a friend from work has had one of those horrid viruses that wipe you out for ages and neither were covid
:) but :(

I don't know where I got it - I've kept good distances at all times and don't really see a lot of people anyway.
 
I think I've lost all sense of my personal acceptable risk levels. I've had both jabs, Pfizer, but hear contradictory things about how effective it is if you're a lardarse like me and against delta. I've been doing all sorts of socialising this week including indoors in public places but then couldn't cope with being on a bus with unmasked people.

Some of that is down to the cost benefit analysis we all do constantly now ie the socialising is worth it for quality of life but unmasked people on the bus aren't.

As ever, you get used to one set of circumstances and then it all changes.
Agree on the cost benefit.

My friend has recently taken over a craft shop. She hasn't been wearing a mask in there even when she was supposed to and neither do most of the crafters who hang around the shop. So I've given up too. So now I'm wearing a mask in supermarkets where I am unlikely to catch Covid, but not wearing one when sitting around and chit chatting in the craft shop. The thing is I desperately need that social interaction and so the risk seems worth it.
 
I went back to work last Monday after being off for four weeks due to "covid-related stress" - a nervous breakdown, let's use some proper vocabulary.

For the time I was off, I was just sitting in the flat on my own with various different degrees of anxiety and hopelessness. I had no support as my psychotherapist got covid (IRONICALLY) and the GP, while surprisingly decent, really isn't able to do that. The action plan had been to increase social contact and novel experiences, to counteract the pummelling psychic effects of seeing nothing different all day and talking to more people in your dreams than real life. Taking time off work cut off excess stress, and I actually just couldn't work properly as once you get to a certain point you can't concentrate on anything, let alone deal with stress. But avoiding that didn't change the underlying situation, and the action plan didn't get addressed because how could it be?

So I wish I'd not approached work like this, as now they think I'm "mostly ok might need a few adjustments" and yet I find that there's little or no difference between me just before I had a breakdown and me now. It was a punt as I wasn't getting better just not working, try to get some focus, try not to get too out of touch, but now I feel worse.
 
I went back to work last Monday after being off for four weeks due to "covid-related stress" - a nervous breakdown, let's use some proper vocabulary.

For the time I was off, I was just sitting in the flat on my own with various different degrees of anxiety and hopelessness. I had no support as my psychotherapist got covid (IRONICALLY) and the GP while surprisingly decent really isn't able to do that. The action plan had been to increase social contact and novel experiences, to counteract the pummelling psychic effects of seeing nothing different all day and talking to more people in your dreams than real life. Taking time off work cut off excess stress, and I actually just couldn't work properly as once you get to a certain point you can't concentrate on anything, let alone deal with stress. But avoiding that didn't change the underlying situation, and the action plan didn't get addressed because how could it be?

So I wish I'd not approached work like this, as now they think I'm "mostly ok might need a few adjustments" and yet I find that there's little or no difference between me just before I had a breakdown and me now. It was a punt as I wasn't getting better just not working, try to get some focus, try not to get too out of touch, but now I feel worse.
Take care mate. Xx
 
That sounds exhausting, fridge. An absolute shitshow to deal with. Is there something to hold onto as something to look forward to or something good that happens?
 
That sounds exhausting, fridge. An absolute shitshow to deal with. Is there something to hold onto as something to look forward to or something good that happens?
honestly, no

What I can hold onto at the moment is that I'm very sure that I'm not unique here, and that a lot of other people will have experienced similar, and if I can talk about it they might not feel like I used to (and still do sometimes), like they were just skivers and just needed to knuckle down and get on with things and they were bad for not being able to.
 
honestly, no

What I can hold onto at the moment is that I'm very sure that I'm not unique here, and that a lot of other people will have experienced similar, and if I can talk about it they might not feel like I used to (and still do sometimes), like they were just skivers and just needed to knuckle down and get on with things and they were bad for not being able to.
You’re right, this is definitely something that lots of people have been through and are going through. And the problem isn’t in you, either. It’s in the alienation of the circumstances that you have been given. You’re just trying to deal with those circumstances as best you can. The good news is that it isn’t always as bad as this, and there is an end to this tunnel’s depth. At some point, it will feel better. In the meantime, why shouldn’t you feel sad? It’s normal. The world merits it.
 
I'm very sure that I'm not unique here, and that a lot of other people will have experienced similar, and if I can talk about it they might not feel like I used to (and still do sometimes), like they were just skivers and just needed to knuckle down and get on with things and they were bad for not being able to.

Thanks for posting this Fridge, I'm sorry to hear about it, but it mirrors my own experience pretty well. You're definitely not alone and, now I know more about it, I think the problem is even more widespread that most people are aware of. It sort of crept up on me almost without me realising it, and admitting it was a problem in itself.

I'm lucky that I managed to avoid the full-on breakdown route I think, but like yourself I'd managed to literally worry myself sick and work was completely impossible (doctor's diagnosis of "stress" took about three seconds and was, much to my surprise, completely accurate; I didn't feel stressed). I felt completely useless in my job (complete inability to concentrate) and was about to resign purely out of shame. Time off from work didn't help me much at all because the world was still a shitshow and I was still depressed within the same four walls.

Luckily I was able to pull myself out of that particular dive with a lot of help from friends and therapy (although it's not something I've been able to talk to my partner about constructively sadly). Looking back on it now (six months ago feels like a different world with a different me living in it) it's pretty staggering how bad of a state I was in.

I dunno if it's an option for you but stopping working from home was a big help for me. Two weeks after I got my second jab I started going back in to the office; even though there weren't many people to talk to to begin with, just having the routine and a change of scenery did wonders for my concentration, and work started becoming something I enjoyed again rather than something I was trying to run away from. Increased socialisation was one of the points on my action plan (I've been having pretty intense nostalgia pangs over the last year and have been missing a lot of old friends, including many from this site) and as much as it doesn't come terribly naturally to me I've forced myself to get in touch with some of them - even just exchanging a few texts saying hello has been a surprisingly rewarding experience.

From the sounds of things you've already made all of the hardest steps out of this rut. Temporarily losing access to your therapist must be a major drag, but I think you're probably beating yourself up about work. I was convinced when I told my boss I was going to need therapy that I'd be derided for it, but they were surprisingly accommodating - two of his other direct reports have also had "wobbles" similar to mine. I don't think there's any mileage in trying to hide it from them, because ultimately you're hiding the problem from yourself that way too, at least partially. If work value you at all, they'll not look down on you for needing help.

As kabbes says, this is wholly down to us all being handed a huge plate of shite and not some personal failing. Some people have dealt with it better than others sure, and I'm a little bit jealous of them to be honest, but the world is still a shitshow. The thing to hold on to here is your self. Take it slowly and take care :)
 
I dunno if it's an option for you but stopping working from home was a big help for me. Two weeks after I got my second jab I started going back in to the office; even though there weren't many people to talk to to begin with, just having the routine and a change of scenery did wonders for my concentration, and work started becoming something I enjoyed again rather than something I was trying to run away from. Increased socialisation was one of the points on my action plan (I've been having pretty intense nostalgia pangs over the last year and have been missing a lot of old friends, including many from this site) and as much as it doesn't come terribly naturally to me I've forced myself to get in touch with some of them - even just exchanging a few texts saying hello has been a surprisingly rewarding experience.
Actually when I talked my bosses, one did say that if I want to go to a co-working space to get out of the house that would be fine and I could just expense it, which I'm definitely going to give a go. Ta for reminding me.
 
Actually when I talked my bosses, one did say that if I want to go to a co-working space to get out of the house that would be fine and I could just expense it, which I'm definitely going to give a go. Ta for reminding me.

That's good to hear, hopefully it works for you and it suggests they're being supportive rather than dismissive. My work did similar, allowing me to expense getting a taxi in and out but I've been braving the trains and tube since I got my jabs done (I honestly prefer it cos I can't do the crossword in a taxi).

Incidentally, I find the tube mildly horrific; I'm claustrophobic and wearing a mask is uncomfortable for me at the best of times, wearing one on the tube I'm breaking out in a cold sweat in seconds. But it's still infinitely preferable to the mess my head was in at the start of the year.
 
I'm ok on the tube but there isn't actually an office any more, and I don't know whether there will be any time soon, either. I specifically picked this job because I hate working from home even not during pandemics, and if that doesn't change I may have to consider my options. But that's not the main focus right now. Even sitting in a different room to work is an improvement.
 
I'm ok on the tube but there isn't actually an office any more, and I don't know whether there will be any time soon, either. I specifically picked this job because I hate working from home even not during pandemics, and if that doesn't change I may have to consider my options. But that's not the main focus right now. Even sitting in a different room to work is an improvement.
I've worked from home for over a decade, and have sometimes really struggled with it and gone into a depression spiral, and I did find using a co working space really helpful. Especially if it has lots of regulars you can get to know.

I've coped without since covid started, but would love to go back, but just don't feel comfortable with it yet. Cases here are really high.
 
I'm ok on the tube but there isn't actually an office any more, and I don't know whether there will be any time soon, either. I specifically picked this job because I hate working from home even not during pandemics, and if that doesn't change I may have to consider my options. But that's not the main focus right now. Even sitting in a different room to work is an improvement.

One of the reasons I picked my current job was the "no remote working apart from emergencies" angles as well, as I've never got on with working from home either. Happily I'll be getting a permanent desk back next week, no more hot-desk hell, but yeah - lots of companies being very gung-ho about closing down offices is certainly something that has me worried. For the (minority?) of us that don't get on with it I think it's a worrying development and I hope one that might be walked back on. Keep us posted on how you get on.

Not that I'm looking, but I'd certainly not take a job that mandated working from home if I could avoid it. A friend of a friend sent a headhunter in my direction who proudly announced they had a 100% work from home policy and didn't understand why I turned him down on the spot.

From what I remember you also work in IT? One of the ironies of my situation being that mine is the team that looks after the remote working system amongst other things, and a month after I joined the company pandemic happened and we had to scale up the capacity of the remote working system by three orders of magnitude...
 
WRT co-working spaces, ideally you need to find one where they have coffee mornings and whatnot, otherwise you're just going to look at people which isn't necessarily a big improvement. Actually a cafe or pub is fine if you get to have conversations. I got on well with Impact Brixton which is generally full of well meaning people, there's a cultural fit thing.

Although I worked from home pre pandemic, in fact I was out a lot. Even a couple of afternoons a week makes a big difference.

I'm not doing this at all yet as it still feels like an added risk, but I would if my state of mind was much worse (general gloom but not absolutely desperate currently).

My work have reinstated a weekly Teams coffee morning thankfully. that was a lifesaver during lockdown one and then it disappeared.
 
I see WeWork are doing a cheapish intro offer for using drop-in spaces at the moment - there are a couple near me so will take a look at that. £120 for a month to begin with.
I rented WeWork (Tower Bridge) and have to say it was excellent. The company is financially hanging by a thread (before Covid and worse since) but while they are still trading I would recommend.

We had a Barrista giving out free coffee. Free bar (lager and cider) after 4pm. Every morning there was a buffet of pastries on offer. Each week they had 'guest caterers' doing all sorts of foods.

Also if you rent space then you can book visitors in. I let loads of mates and such in as my business visitors :D then they could sit in the 'breakout lounge' using WiFi, charging their kit and enjoying free coffee all day :D

Not sure if in these unprecedented times :rolleyes: they are still as generous but definitely check it out. There are lots of shared office options but WeWork are at least very professional and offer a modern, clean work space without much noise at all.
 
Advice please.
Teen tested negative but other people she was with over the weekend are positive. Now she has a temperature so is having another PCR tomorrow this time at the centre not a home test. I’m working on the assumption she is positive.

With this timeline, I’m thinking I’m unlikely to have caught it but please tell me if I’m wrong.

Friday or Saturday- probably when teen caught it.
I saw friend Sunday.
Teen symptoms started Tuesday and temp today.

Isn’t it fairly unlikely that her mum would have caught Covid and be able to pass it on between Friday and Sunday?
I’m not bothered about having to isolate if I need to but I have to decide whether we see my MIL as she needs us tomorrow to help her.
Soz I've only just seen this.
I would have avoided MIL....until I had more information. I don't think any assumptions can be made as people seem to have such varied responses to covid exposure. Imo this is why I would need a test or symptoms and without those really try to avoid anyone in a more vulnerable group. However no judgement where you are concerned.

What did you do in the end? Did your friend test positive? How are you feeling?
 
Soz I've only just seen this.
I would have avoided MIL....until I had more information. I don't think any assumptions can be made as people seem to have such varied responses to covid exposure. Imo this is why I would need a test or symptoms and without those really try to avoid anyone in a more vulnerable group. However no judgement where you are concerned.

What did you do in the end? Did your friend test positive? How are you feeling?
She’s just had the result as I was writing this, negative. 👍

I decided to go as I felt the risk was minimal and she did need us. We were careful. Sat outside, masks and windows open in the car etc
Still really relieved though. It’s been worrying me.
 
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