Anyone else scared

had the government - of whatever it’s political colour had had ventilators, ICU beds, medical staff all mothballed waiting for an event that might never occur imagine the accusations of waste and incompetence that would have been circulated.

Instead of mothballing, it could have had a system of supply ready to go, if needed.

Or, failing that, it could have accepted the offers of supplies that were made to it by medical manufacturers, instead of commissioning Dyson to start from scratch.

Or it could even have joined with EU countries to order supplies, putting aside petty notions of brexit in the face of the crisis.

I forgot to congratulate you, Artdecogran

Congratulations Artdeco. This ghastly time will pass and you can be with your family, God willing.

I don't go out to shops but I feel heartened by how the supermarkets have risen to the practical and moral challenge.

What frightens me is death not my own death.

Gaga1950 that is exactly what happened when there was a fear of an epidemic of Swine Flu. The government stocked up with millions of doses of Tamiflu. When the Swine flu was contained and didn't become an epidemic and a few years later all these doses of Tamiflu had to be destroyed the health authorities were criticised for getting it wrong, and wasting money by ordering all these drugs that were not needed.

Damned if you do and damned if you dont, government, of any persuasion, doesn't get a chance.

Artdecogran, you have real cause to be worried about your daughter and family, and I truly hope everything goes well for you all,

But I tend to agree with the saying. 'You have nothing to fear by fear itself'. Fear so often freezes people mentally and physically and stops them tinking or dealing rationally with the problems that threaten them.

First of all Artdecogran congratulations on your new grandson! ?
When I look at my grandchildren, indeed any little ones, I find myself more scared for their future than I am for myself so your fears are entirely understandable. Also normal but I also think that the enforced inactivity we are being obliged to undergo doesn't help. Most of us are happiest “doing something” it’s what Mums do - so perhaps once they are home (depending on where they live) you can offer practical help - cooking, baking, ironing if near enough, but also Zoom or FaceTime contact with the boys, if they are little, reading them a bedtime story or hearing their reading.
Most of all, you will not want to add to any worries by getting sick yourself - so stay well - they need their Gran and when this is over you can enjoy that relationship with the new little one.

merlotgran what an excellent comment. I think you are very correct. I live on my own so it is very difficult to stop the perpetual circle of thoughts, though I do try. I do tell my cats about how things are but I don’t often get a sensible answer. ?

An attempt to leaven the condemnatory tone on here

The inclusion of a simple or ? would of course have indicated that irony was intended - unfortunately all you achieved was to sound threatening and condemnatory yourself

That's a real fear, Artdecogran and you are bound to be worried stiff.

I think we need to separate perceived fears and anxieties from genuine situations.

I'm sure most of us are lying awake worrying about 'what ifs' but come the morning we need to focus on what is happening and not what might or might not happen.

Don’t you find being scared is an ever changing emotion and what we are scared about changes too. My DDiL had a baby boy by caesarean yesterday and has been warned that the ward might have corona virus. Her husband wasn’t allowed to be with her either. I’m now petrified that she and the baby will have the virus and bring it into the family home with his 2 brothers. I can only worry.

An attempt to leaven the condemnatory tone on here.

And ditto again

MawB ditto

Lucca, agree WW2 spirit. Absolute irrelevant nonsense. History shows us things were not quite as they seemed.

You had better check, Onelifeletsliveit, because she will report you if you don't

What on earth does that mean? Who is reporting and to which organisation?

How is that helping eazybee ?

This thread is turning uncomfortable. For those who are scared, haranguing them is not going to work but nor is stirring.
Can we not just calm down, follow the advice for our age group and try to be mutually supportive?

Well I admit sometimes I’m scared.theres a nightingale hospital going up in my town. That scared me. I’m not slagging off the government but I definitely think they’ve made errors of judgement, eg letting the Cheltenham race meeting go ahead. However I’m doing my best to keep occupied and healthy.
Sorry but I think the WW2 spirit thing is nonsense.

Oh dear - another line of communication to be avoided - how nasty and aggressive this thread has become. Just before I sign off from it though I would drop one last pebble into the pond: had the government - of whatever it’s political colour had had ventilators, ICU beds, medical staff all mothballed waiting for an event that might never occur imagine the accusations of waste and incompetence that would have been circulated. BJ doesn’t have the answers, but the scientists and medics are working around the clock to understand the virus and it’s underlying structure, they are then advising the government and yes it a changing picture and efforts are being made to keep up. I would hate to be in any of their shoes just now.

You had better check, Onelifeletsliveit, because she will report you if you don't.

I think there in many aspects of life there is a curve and it is accentuated by social media. There are people at either end of the curve and a massive number in the middle, muddling along, helping out, doing their best.

At risk of being shot down in flames, (I'll be brave) I'm still very concerned that so many people seem to be ignoring the government advice and guidelines.

I'm worried about Onelifeletsliveit, who said:

'I have complex PTSD, asthma and two compromised lungs through blood clots, yet I’m doing voluntary work.'

The government definition of very vulnerable includes:

3 People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.

It seems to me that compromised lungs is a severe respiratory condition.

Onelifeletsliveit, did you receive a letter or communication from your GP? People may have been missed. I'd expect you to be in the shielded category. Perhaps you should check?

I agree. Having to go to Sainsbury’s this morning and have been dreading it. The queues, the worry of getting what you need and yes the fear of being around other people. Life has been ruined by this damn virus! Still I guess you have to count your blessings things could be so much worse, at least we’re not being bombed or shot at like people in Syria for example.

I ought to have said ‘from a few of those posting’ *Greymar.
Apologies.
?

Call me old fashioned but I was always taught
discretion is the better part of valour
Far too much virtue signalling around on social media.

Blimey, not going well is it?