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Chaos when its all over?

(135 Posts)
ExD Tue 31-Mar-20 09:53:06

Its becoming hard to imagine, but one day all this will be over. And then, I for one and I imagine thousands of others, will want to visit distant family we've not seen for months.
Imagine the chaos on the roads when we all hit the motorways and travel up, down and sideways across the country - at the same time.
If I'm spared I'm determined to resist the temptation to do this, and I hope my family will understand.

Gaga1950 Wed 01-Apr-20 12:30:11

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.

rowanflower0 Wed 01-Apr-20 12:30:47

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.

Chestnut Wed 01-Apr-20 12:31:21

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.

luluaugust Wed 01-Apr-20 12:33:37

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.

Chestnut Wed 01-Apr-20 12:34:00

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.

Flakesdayout Wed 01-Apr-20 12:41:16

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

Camelotclub Wed 01-Apr-20 12:53:53

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

Pat123 Wed 01-Apr-20 12:55:24

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!!!

SaraC Wed 01-Apr-20 13:00:10

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

wot Wed 01-Apr-20 13:12:45

Gaga1950. Well said. I ? agree

Gill61 Wed 01-Apr-20 13:19:09

I have to look forward optimistically or I wouldn’t get through the day

Theoddbird Wed 01-Apr-20 13:28:01

Absolutely gaga1950. I opted out 3 years ago so other than no contact with children and grandchildren my life is no different now. I think people will look at their lives differently...their priorities will not be the same.

notanan2 Wed 01-Apr-20 13:28:51

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

I was re watching a comedy sketch that was filmed years ago, and all I could think was "HOW CAN YOU TOUCH YOUR FACE THAT MUCH?"

Even though in my head I know it was filled ages ago.

I think some of our CV19 habits wont break. I dont think we will easily go back to being squished together in crowded places.

notanan2 Wed 01-Apr-20 13:38:39

Today's news is that petrol stations are going out of business and shutting. So we wont all be able to hit the road anyway

janeainsworth Wed 01-Apr-20 13:41:49

Dot 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?

There are winners in every situation. But it will be interesting to see how things pan out in the long term.
I’ve not done much online grocery shopping in the past, but have been lucky enough to get slots with both Morrison’s and Asda since we started self isolating on March 16th. I could get used to it very easily.

On the other hand, I won’t be spending money in #%^#%Waitrose when social distancing ends.

Joesoap Wed 01-Apr-20 13:53:41

I feel sorry for people who have lost their livelyhood etc. I think the UKus Lucky to have lock down in this country we need lock down we have hardly any restrictions the ones we have about distancing isnt having a great effect given choice people do as they wish! I think everyone will be cautious when its over no mass journeys anywhere remember people easily adapt and are doing so every day. We shall all live a different ” normal” life .

EthelJ Wed 01-Apr-20 14:20:00

I'm worried I might become afraid to go out when this is all over. I have got so used to staying in the thought of going out worries me. Covid 19 won't just disappear when the lockdown finishes.
It's also going to be hard for young children who are starting school in September to suddenly be away from their parwnta after 6 months with them all the time.
I honestly can't see how it is going to play out

Guineagirl Wed 01-Apr-20 14:26:11

I do think the leisure industry will be last to be de lockdowned I .e. Pubs, coffees chains, cafes, anywhere where groups gather I for one will be so pleased to taste my extra hot cappuccino again with toast

jennyvg Wed 01-Apr-20 14:27:44

Sussexborn I couldn't agree more, we have to try to look forward in a positive way, not like some of the prophets of doom on this site, of course life will not be the same for some time to come perhaps never, but we surely need to try to look forward to the better times ahead.

Guineagirl Wed 01-Apr-20 14:28:01

It’s only rural petrol stations, this is papers scaremongering again we do not want panic buying of fuel next. We all,have enough to contend with.

notanan2 Wed 01-Apr-20 14:30:33

It’s only rural petrol stations

No its not its happening in my nearest big town too!

notanan2 Wed 01-Apr-20 14:32:44

Maybe they would welcome a bit of petrol panic buying? Although it wouldnt help with social distancing.

But if people are going anyway, getting a full tank and some essentials in the shop might actually be a good thing to help keep them afloat

Bluecat Wed 01-Apr-20 15:00:28

My DD says the scientists have predicted a pandemic caused by Disease X - a new virus that no-one is immune to - for years. They also predicted that it would begin in the wet markets in China. This is Disease X. Unfortunately, there will be others in the future.

As for the end of quarantine, I have been wondering what it will be like to be with other people after months of just DH and me. It will be strange. If anyone approaches us, we'll probably spring away like a pair of startled gazelles!

notanan2 Wed 01-Apr-20 15:07:44

Agree there will be other CVs etc.

I think this is it now (in varying degrees) we're not ever going back to pre CV life, so rather than pin our hopes on a time when things are as before, as I said upthread we should get used to and appreciate this! And what we still have!

Thats been called a negative POV but I dont think it is

Lilyflower Wed 01-Apr-20 16:51:51

I asked my family (DH, DS, SD & DSIL) at lunchtime today what they were missing most on lockdown and what they were looking forward to.

To my surprise they are all pretty content being together and came up with very ordinary things like a pub lunch and going shopping. It was quite humbling to think we must be doing things right(ish) as a family. No one is stir crazy yet.

However, we live in a quietish village and can get out to walk without being too near to others and they are all able to work from home in separate rooms while I do the housekeeping backup.

The DH and I said to the (grown up) children the other day, 'This is the Armageddon we have been planning for our whole life together.' They laughed but it is sort of true.