Chaos when its all over?

This came through from a friend in New Zealand. A wonderful piece.
l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.odt.co.nz%2Fopinion%2Fwartime-footing-requires-people-sticking-together&h=AT0A-G-oGh6Vtf6usYnCAerbkt4QE135wJbRes6ginYq6ZAmjWgs_pkyTZDxkUiCZC2gClfHKBTjjRGq5rmQKMcsjBSjGEwHd_OBveIlGJ7ly7eG54WNaRiiDu39_Bo&s=1

The virus will not suddenly just 'go'. It's at different stages all over the world. The only way forward is for us to adapt to a new way of life, less travel, governments to invest in their health systems and staff, exposure to lesser strains of virus so we get immunity, more research ino pandemics and systems put in place now for future pandemics. Oh, and we need to tackle the taboo subject of overpopulation!!!

God, what a bl....y depressing thread!

I was awake during the night and turned on the news. It appears that the Chinese are blaming USA and/or Italy for the virus even though it has been proven that it came from a Bat or Pangolin in the wet markets of Wuhan. What is shocking is that these markets are now up and running again. What is wrong with these people? If things do not change we will see these type of virus's spread again with the effects they are having now or even worse. So when this is all over lets hope people will appreciate all the hard work and effort that has taken place to keep us safe. And hopefully we will be better prepared should anything like this happen again. I for one, if I keep well, will never take things for granted again. I will cherish my freedom, my family and friends, my ability to go where I want and when. Life will never quite be the same but I'm looking forward to what it will bring. Sorry if that was a little intense xx

Also, we don't know how the provision of food and services (gas, electricity, water etc.) will pan out over the coming months with everyone locked down and supply chains and services disrupted. Locking down can bring about all sorts of problems we haven't encountered yet.

I just wonder how quickly people will be rushing off here and there, we seem to be getting used to swerving away from people in the street, talking to but not meeting friends and some of my friends now completely on their own at home are getting very upset, after all solitary confinement is usually considered a punishment. I am sure that when we step out again to go to that favourite shop we have been missing we will find its not there. DD2 now at school looking after carers children and good friends daughter back on the wards, praying form them all.

We are caught between a rock and a hard place with lives v economy. I'm not sure what would cause the greatest hardship and sorrow in the long run, allowing the pandemic to run riot or bringing the economy down to the point where countless businesses and lives are ruined, resulting in suicides, depression, loneliness and just imagine all the abuse going on in these locked down households. I'm beginning to wonder if 'herd immunity' isn't the better way to go when you consider the alternative level of suffering.

I think we will have to adjust to a new 'normal' when it subsides - it won't end abruptly.
This was brought about by large countries; world leaders. politicians and industrialists feeling infallible, IMO. - perhaps that will change.

I’m sure many of you will have seen this, but I do think it relevant in today’s world:
In the rush to get back to normal - use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.

So far we still have food, water, electricity, gas, petrol - things are nowhere as bad as they were for people during the War and many people are managing very well. Sadly there are the idiots who have panic bought and stripped shelves of products at the supermarkets and are now throwing these out of date and uneaten food items away. Supermarkets have to take the blame for most of that - they could have rationed items from the start but, pardon me for being cynical - all are reporting record profits - hmmmh - not in their interests to deter excess shopping really, is it? My grandchildren haven't complained about missing anything - they are in touch with their friends on a daily basis by phone and internet, they speak to their other Grandparents by phone (they don't do Skype) and I have just ordered birthday cards and flowers for them for their other Grandma using my online account. Grandson has got used to shop pizza rather than eating out at the well known chain of pizza restuarants! We can still order takeaway too. What I am missing is speaking to people face to face and our weekly volunteer meeting on a Wednesday, so looking forward to that again once it is safe to meet up. People are realising how unappreciated our NHS workers and truck drivers/store staff/delivery services/taxi drivers/carers have been, and how greedy big business bosses like Branson and the like are. I hope they remember that when things get back to normal.

I wonder what Toby Young's view will be when he is over 70.

Years ago, at a meeting, a young man about 25 was shouting about rights for the young. He said in 10 years there will be even more of us.
Someone called out from the audience 'but not you chum ' !!!!

eazybee I appreciated your post.

I’m trying to just take each day as it comes and not worry too far ahead. Going over and over in your mind, especially about worst case scenarios, is just weakening your mental health and dragging you down. It won’t be helpful when the future needs to be rebuilt and working together will be vital.

Marjgran sending best wishes to your D and hoping she soon fully recovers.

JaneA Toby Young frankly is the worst of us. He believes in eugenics and his comments on this problem (essentially that the economy matters more than the odd 100,000 lives) are totally in character. There are growing calls, particularly from the US to put the economy first.
I wish he could be ignored but unfortunately his views are listened to by people in power. He was head of the New Schools Network until public pressure forced him to resign.
Steve Hilton (Cameron's ex adviser who was one of the prime movers of austerity) is now advising Trump and he came up with the phrase 'the cure is worse than the problem' to persuade Trump to announce that the lock down could end in 2 weeks. After the backlash Trump said that it was only a hope. Steve Hilton and Toby Young seem to have a number of connections and both have the same obnoxious views. The last think the world needs is Steve Hilton's mouth to Trump's ear.

My DS and 2 grandsons Skyped me last night, it was so lovely seeing their little faces, and as DS has actually just recovered from the virus it made it even more special. I felt quite tearful afterwards, it really makes you realise how lucky we are just to be able to jump in a car and visit loved ones. This virus certainly grounds us all.

It will be a different world, Shops will have disappeared, different attitudes will prevail. Some friends will be no longer - it will be all change.

I admit to saying and still hold the view that it's just a virus. Most of us will get a milder version that may or may not put us in bed for a few days. Some will have it and not notice. The more unfortunate will get it badly and need medical intervention and sadly, as with all viruses, some will die.

I'm not playing down the fact that some will die. It's a terrible situation and we must do all that we can to keep that to a minimum by protecting those most at risk. Hence we need lockdown to continue as long as it needs to.

This is a totally new virus and so very few people, if any, will be immune to it. That's the reason it is spreading like wildfire. A couple of weeks ago I said it's not the Black Death and I stand by that.

Just because the NHS is the largest employer in Europe, the fact remains that it does not account for more than 50% of the Uk working population and many of its staff, doctors administrators etc are well paid.

notanan you are doing what all the virus deniers were doing a fortnight ago. Thankfully I never denied or dismissed the virus, but I happily admit, while going into purdah several days before the official start day, I did wait until my car had had a safety repair it was booked in for and I used that time to stock up - not with food but with garden supplies and DIY materials.

I do find many people on GN are real Job's comforters, only happy when they are predicting doom and disaster.

We now have so many people on earth that we are damaging the eco system yet in the past humankind has faced numerous catastrophes that make our current one look like a chimps teaparty. yet they survived and thrived. I see no reason why we should not do so now.

It's the mad surge to parks, seaside, cafes, clothing stores I consider. There won't be a parking space anywhere!

I, for one, intend to party like it's 1999 again. And if I kill myself crashing to the floor after drunkenly doing the cancan on a pub table - well, what a way to go!

me to marpau

perhaps we shouldn`t speculate? after all that is what we are doing

define Normal!

my silly sense of humour!

Gosh this post almost had me heading to put my head in the gas oven! There are positives out there.
Some workers on furlough may learn to do jobs around the house instead of using tradesmen or cook meals rather than rely on takeaways.
Others are learning to be creative with less items being available in shops.
Making entertainment in the home.
Those working from home are not buying overpriced snacks and coffee
If they carry on they may find spending to excess is not all its cracked up to be which should help in the future.
I for one am glad to see families spending more time together

Reflecting on the original poster's comment about chaos I think, in the same way if one has been off sick for a time, the Government or whoever the powers that be at that time, should implement a phased return to some sort of normality. If not, surely it's all going to happen again albeit that some will have built up an immunity against the dreaded coronavirus.

No point in thinking ahead as we are in unknown territory. I'm simply putting one foot in front of the other to get through one day at a time. As mom used to say, "What doesn't break you makes you stronger." My response was usually, "I honestly think I'm strong enough now mom!"