PM Press Conference. Anyone else feeling despair?

I appreciate that this may sound a little bit ‘conspiracy theory’ but does anyone feel that there’s something we’re not being told about Omicron ? I don’t remember this amount of caution centred around the emergence of Delta. With Omicron we’re being told to ‘wait and see’ when all the data is in, but in the meantime the booster campaign is being stepped up, masks have been reintroduced, travel restrictions imposed and self isolating mandatory on return to the UK, even if vaccinated. Now there’s reports of people cancelling plans based on a comment from a medic, about mixing not being sensible until things are clearer. I just get the feeling that something is different.

I have to say I was already low as I lost a friend to Covid at the weekend, whst confused me is that some media presenters are saying Covid has gone and yet I know of so many people who have it and are really poorly even with all the jabs , which makes me think how bad they would have it without them , it is much worse this year than last

Being 70 I feel like the funny of life has gone now when we retired we planned our next few years, going on holidays was the top of our list now there's little to look forward to other than booster jabs pcr tests and face masks

I feel exactly the same Annie61. Fed up with it all. Masks give me spots and itchy rash under chin. Have to wear it at work too. Thought we were almost out of the woods and could go overseas on holiday but doesnt look like it again. Just hope pubs and restaurants and other activities don't close again otherwise it's just work work and more work !

It's a very depressing thought but I fear this disease will be with us for years. But at least we can be with our loved ones this Christmas.

Still not playing the governments games here. I have no confidence in their abilities and even less in their agendas. I will wait until they have stopped using the British public as Guinee pigs and have a proven effective vaccine before I will even think about having one. I know personally two people who have died from heart problems brought on by the vaccine and have no intention of becoming number three. My husband as been fully vaccinated and we both had confirmed cases of covid. My husband was seriously ill in bed for two weeks, I did not have to spend anymore time in bed than normal.

well, yes, I am fed up with it all

however, I do tell myself that life has changed... now we have to accept that life has and is changing, and the sooner we accept that,, (huh!) and adapt, then , well... we move on...

It can be hard to find a light in the Covid veil of darkness. But it is possible. Be kind to yourself, do things that you enjoy, be it watching films or reading, having a fragrant bath. Watch some comedy. Listen to some music. Learn a new skill. For example I am learning German and British Sign Language. Not German sign language, just German! You can learn pretty much anything on YouTube these days. Try some mindfulness. Just be proactive- you will probably have to force yourself initially but it will be well worth it.

We are stuck with covid so have to accept and learn to live with it. I am thankful that I have been vaccinated and have all my family. I am counting my blessings. I am happy to wear a mask...I actually haven't stopped.

'*There are no limits to compassion*. I feel desperately saddened by the awful situation that ended with 27 people dead in the Channel, and the situation that ended with a little girl killed by other children, but that doesn’t mean I have a lack of compassion for Gransnetters (and others) whose lives have been turned upside down by Covid, or indeed by other circumstances. To be compassionate towards others is a natural human response and should never be rationed.'

Well said. I volunteer for charities helping the homeless and refugees, and support many more desperate causes, but it doesn't mean that I don't have compassion for everyone (and every creature!) suffering.

there are a few anti-viral medicines in development so we'll be able to stop covid before it takes a hold. Like an anti-biotic kills bacteria so an anti-viral is available to do the same, hopefully without the long term problems of the virus getting immune to it. Google monupiravir for details, it stops the virus reproducing in the body so it won't matter how many mutations there are, it can be stopped from doing harm. I'm sure its just the 1st of many

It might go on for a while and we might need boosters every year and masks may become 2nd nature and hand sanitising ( although why washing hands wasn’t a thing anyway, I don’t know)
But if that’s what it takes to keep more people alive then it’s not a very big ask really and having had no power or heat or hot food or drinks for a few days and no phone for longer , now all back on, it kind of put things in perspective, thousands of people in Scotland are still without power, heat and some no water, wearing a mask and washing hands is a very minor inconvenience

clair1966

Still not playing the governments games here. I have no confidence in their abilities and even less in their agendas. I will wait until they have stopped using the British public as Guinee pigs and have a proven effective vaccine before I will even think about having one. I know personally two people who have died from heart problems brought on by the vaccine and have no intention of becoming number three. My husband as been fully vaccinated and we both had confirmed cases of covid. My husband was seriously ill in bed for two weeks, I did not have to spend anymore time in bed than normal.

Really? How much proof do you actually want?

www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.47.2101021

It may or may not help but my daughter became very low with the misery in the news and decided she would not listen to news bulletins or read any. She said it made a big difference

clair1966

Still not playing the governments games here. I have no confidence in their abilities and even less in their agendas. I will wait until they have stopped using the British public as Guinee pigs and have a proven effective vaccine before I will even think about having one. I know personally two people who have died from heart problems brought on by the vaccine and have no intention of becoming number three. My husband as been fully vaccinated and we both had confirmed cases of covid. My husband was seriously ill in bed for two weeks, I did not have to spend anymore time in bed than normal.

My partner and myself have both had Covid twice. The first time we were both so ill we only narrowly escaped admission to hospital. The second time, both fully vaccinated, it was much milder. The vaccines aren’t meant to stop transmission - that’s never been the claim - but they DO keep people out of hospital because the infection is much milder than it may otherwise have been. Surely that’s the point - how much more provenly effective do you want ? Rather than taking the position that we’re being used as guinea pigs, I would rather be grateful that we’re in a country where the vaccine has been so easily accessible and that so many people have done the responsible thing.

I would find it helpful to learn from others of ways in which to help relieve anxiety and panic.

I am eternally grateful that I live in a country with such amazing scientists and the resources to action their wonderful results in the form of vaccines

If people are down you sympathise with them and hope that it can only get better for them. Telling them to cheer up is a no no, they would do that themselves if they could.
Sympathy to you annie1 I hope you feel better soon

pascal30

I am eternally grateful that I live in a country with such amazing scientists and the resources to action their wonderful results in the form of vaccines

Exactly. Makes one so cross that people like Clair come up with nonsense about guinea pigs and unproven vaccines

I think it's best to jump on this new strain from the start. The government will get blamed for dragging its feet again otherwise. We are in a much stronger position now too, so there's reason to hope. Yes, please wear your mask. So simple.

This thread matches my mood as I am down about several things over which I have no control and feel so sad. Yesterday, I finally managed to cry. As for the Covid situation, I am used to it and abide by the rules while keeping myself well informed. Hugs to anyone feeling sad. xx

Feel just the same it’s very depressing let’s hope this new variant nowhere near as bad as they think it may be. I’m low because Japan have closed borders to all foreigners. They were just easing a bit as well. Will be three years early this next year since I saw my DS n my grandchildren as he lives and works in Tokyo. Let’s really hope with boosters that things may not be as bad as we think. Wearing a mask isn’t a problem if it helps contain the virus.

I like to think I am a philosophical, positive, pragmatic person but even I am struggling at the moment. I am happy to wear a mask wherever I need to. I have had all of my vaccinations so feel very grateful to the NHS for their unwavering service.
I am just struggling with the same old, same old which is getting tedious despite us being able to visit places. I want to see my brother in Australia, he will be 70 next year ?‍♀️ My concern is my lack of confidence in flying again.
I am concerned that our infrastructure is creaking at the seams ; that hospitality venues will not survive; that people will return to their “I’m all right Jack” ways and we will have learned very little over the past two years. BUT I am not giving up.

annie , remember how glad we all were to hear the wonderful news about AstraZeneca. We have flu jabs every year, so an extra one won't be too onerous. Every generation has a black cloud of some sort, and from time to time it does get too much to bear or think about. Take heart - we are all in this together, and life has improved a great deal in the past twelve months for most of us.

I have no problem wearing a face mask as I have continued doing that anyway and I'm very pleased that it will become mandatory again.
But I also am feeling very down. This new variant is very worrying. I just hope it isn't as vaccine resistant as some scientists seem to fear it might be.