Covid anxiety is here to stay, for many ...

We are taking it very carefully. Nowhere busy, all outdoors. Haven’t eaten in a pub/restaurant garden yet.

Just booked a self catering few days away in May. Not happy about hotel yet.

I fill in an occasional survey for Virus Watch and I realised doing the latest one how little interaction I am having. I’m very much staying in a very small comfort zone peopled by those I trust. I really cannot imagine going into a supermarket for example.

I am feeling more hesitant coming out of this lockdown than previous one.

It’s weird. I’m not a nervous person but we went to a big city today. I don’t know what I expected but the volume of people quite overwhelmed me. I felt a bit anxious and it took a while to settle into it. I can well imagine a lot of people will feel uncomfortable for a while.

And sometimes it can go the other way I was quite scared at the beginning but after all this time and with the vaccine I am ready to start living again. Covid isn't going anywhere so we have to live with it.
For one I shall be so glad when we can if we wish stop wearing a mask they probably do a bit of good but I absolutely hate the things and will stop as soon as possible

Want one?

Ha ha I know what you mean peas blossom. There is a t shirt going around that says when all this is over I still want some of you to stay away from me.
I have toned the message down a little

Or maybe we just found out there were only a few people that we actually wanted to mix with?

Are you Mimi op?

Possibly just as well. The virus hasn't gone away, and even if like me you have had both vaccinations, there is no guarantee a variant won't turn up and require more and different vaccines.
I don't intend to go daft now, just because someone says we can.

Yes, of course. Fear is normal- but for some, including those with OCD and germ/ anxiety, it has gone beyond that- and will be difficult to get over

''The anxiety syndrome is characterised by compulsively checking for symptoms of Covid, avoidance of public places, and obsessive cleaning, a pattern of “maladaptive behaviours” adopted when the pandemic started. Now researchers have raised the alarm that the obsessive worrying and threat avoidance, including being unwilling to take public transport or bleaching your home for hours, will not subside easily, even as Covid is controlled.

“Fear is normal. You and I are supposed to fear the virus because it’s dangerous. The difference, however, in terms of developing a psychopathological response is whether you end up behaving in … overly safe ways that lock you into the fear,” said Spada. “My expectation is we’re going to have … chunks of the population that are avoiding re-engagement and constantly worrying about the virus for months to come, whether they are vaccinated or not.”

After more than a year of dodging the virus there is bound to be some anxiety around. It will take time for some people to feel comfortable mixing with others.

No shit, Sherlock