Gransnet forums

Coronavirus

Not had Covid? - Does that mean I have no friends?

(89 Posts)
Jaylou Sun 27-Mar-22 18:40:10

A Korean doctor claimed that people who haven't had COVID yet probably don't have friends.

Ma Sang-hyuk wrote on Facebook last week that "adults who have not yet been infected with COVID-19 are those who have interpersonal problems".

Do you think this is in anyway true? I haven't had Covid, but I put it down to being careful, and wearing my mask and following the guidelines. I didn't go to any illegal parties, and had to continue working in a school.

Any truth in his statement, or just the ramblings of a (slightly) mad man?

Iam64 Sun 03-Apr-22 17:32:41

PECS is correct in regarding your post as rather smug effalump. It’s reminiscent of the suggestion that those diagnosed with cancer are somehow responsible for the disease finding them, the next step being “the battle” the patient has with the disease. As if it’s up to the patient to “win”

PECS Sun 03-Apr-22 15:48:18

effalump you sound a little smug. I know someone who died from Covid. They had lived a very positive lifestyle, exercised, ate a nutritious & healthy diet but despite this could not survive the virus.
You post may be hurtful to relatives and friends of those who have died from Covid.. suggesting if they had been more positive they would have lived. ? I hope that is not what you were suggesting.

effalump Sun 03-Apr-22 11:20:05

Not had Covid. I don't socialise much (can't afford to) but I go to supermarkets where there are hundreds of people and I still haven't had it. Could be because I do try to boost my immuity with certain foods but it could also be that after a lifetime of being in contact with corona and other viruses, especially during the years of catching public transport to work, I think my immune system is pretty robust. I also try not to succumb to the attitude that "I'm gonna catch a virus and die", it's the worst thing ever for damaging your immune system and lowering your vibrational energy. Go about your life with the attitude of "my body is a power plant, it does not allow viruses to invade. My immune system is my armour".

Treetops05 Tue 29-Mar-22 18:40:23

Twaddle! My sister who has been/is very social only got Covid in December, despite travelling and holidays. I only got it a few weeks ago, despite volunteering all Covid...so unimpressed by the comment - but a good excuse for the Dr to argue

glammagran Tue 29-Mar-22 14:43:20

In hindsight, I feel fairly sure myself, DH, DD, her partner and DGD had covid in February 2020. DD was commuting into Bath on the GWR (12 minute journey so 1 stop) and we were looking after DGD twice a week. All of us were ill for weeks with temperatures and dry coughs. Covid was only just being recognised at the time as a new illness. We figured lots of skiers having come back from Italy were doing the commute too. DH and myself had it again last month but pretty mildly and neither of us had coughs.

philoheart Tue 29-Mar-22 10:59:44

It just means you are sensible in protecting yourself. Seem to me it's him who has interpersonal problems.

JenniferEccles Tue 29-Mar-22 10:01:21

Maybe the comment was said tongue-in-cheek?!

LtEve Tue 29-Mar-22 09:49:22

Don't forget that a lot of people are asymptomatic, when we had antibody testing at work in July 2020 there were lots of staff members who were positive for antibodies who had no idea they'd had it.
Obviously with no LFT's testing then PCR testing only happened if you had symptoms. I only got tested in May 2020 because I work for the NHS.

Saggi Tue 29-Mar-22 09:23:19

I’m in fourth week of my 2nd infection with Covid…first was from hugging friend ( with masks)…she text me later to say she’d tested positive and I was 4 days later! This infection I know for certain was from travelling in crowded buses four days in a row as I was going to my daughters to decorate her bathroom …took 4 days as I’m slow but thorough…. she was away from home so I took opportunity! This time around it horrendous( first time wasn’t)…. I am still coughing and throwing up after 3 weeks and I can’t see any end to it! Upside is I’ve lost 5 lb in weight! It truly is awful virus and I’m back to walking miles and leaving buses in the bus station!

jocork Tue 29-Mar-22 09:13:56

My daughter and I have not had it but feel as if we are on borrowed time with it being so prevalent at the moment. She has been ultra careful for the last two years though I've been more laid back. We both have plenty friends, though she has avoided seeing them much of the time and generally only sees people outdoors.

Interestingly Jacob Rees-Mogg once said something to the effect that you couldn't catch covid from people you know when trying to justify Conservative MPs not wearing masks! Not that I take anything he says seriously!!

Magrithea Tue 29-Mar-22 09:00:37

What a lot of rot! I have lots of friends, have been volunteering in my usual places, going to the theatre (with friends!) and haven't had it. fully jabbed so maybe a mixture of luck and being careful as ginny says

LtEve Tue 29-Mar-22 08:10:56

He is right to a certain extent, the more people you see, regardless of how many masks you wear etc, the more likely you are to catch it. The interpersonal problems 'quote' is more likely to stem form a language barrier and cultural differences.
There is some research to say that fabric masks and to a large extend the surgical masks do not work against omicron as it is just too infectious. The only real way to avoid it is not to have any contact with anyone, a bit like contraception, the only sure way of avoiding pregnancy is abstinence! Take whatever precautions you feel comfortable with but don't blame other people who get it.

I caught it before vaccinations and whilst wearing every piece of PPE available, I was in close contact with a lot of people who had it so it was more likely I would get it. Since vaccinations I have socialised as normal with a wide variety of people, worked throughout with only mandatory precautions, test frequently and have not had it again as far as I am aware.

jenpax Tue 29-Mar-22 06:49:27

I am staying with youngest DD (who is a nurse) and her 3 children. she has been working on a ward with covid cases but so far has escaped it. Two of the children are at school, one secondary, and youngest is in nursery 3/4 days a week and we have all been lucky!
I have attended the theatre a couple of times been out in restaurants etc and obviously to shops I haven't seen any of my friends (I have a few!) as two are clinically extremely vulnerable and a couple of others are caring for vulnerable husbands so its been to protect them rather than me.
My two other daughters have both had covid, one (who is a social services manager) has had it twice! All the other grand children have had it.
I guess its only a matter of time before it strikes one of us in this household!
I too dread long covid. I have been battling with the after effects of Sepsis contracted 3 years ago, so I know only too well how debilitating a lingering condition can be, and thats more of a worry than Covid itself.

Grandma2213 Tue 29-Mar-22 03:46:19

I don't have many friends but don't see it as a problem interpersonal or otherwise. I enjoy my own company. I've not had covid yet but then I've never had flu and rarely had a cold. Crossing my fingers now in case I've spoken too soon! smile

Mamma66 Tue 29-Mar-22 00:32:29

All I can say is if you haven’t had it be truly thankful. I am currently on my third bout of COVID (twice this year). It’s horrible, but the post vaccine bouts were much milder than the pre vaccine bout which hospitalised me and left me with heart failure. I do think it is just down to luck though as to whether you get it.

Keffie12 Tue 29-Mar-22 00:13:15

Reasonable socialising here with me though still very careful. I still use facemasks and take a Covid19 test every week the day before I Nana sit. Had all vaccinations.

I think some people are resistant to it. My eldest, his wife, our 2 grandchildren my DiL family, my second son or I have had it.

I along with 1 other in a fellowship group of 16 minimum are the only 2 who haven't had it yet.

Another friend in the group of us has had it but was asymptomatic. She only found out cos she had taken a test the day before going to see someone who has cancer.

She wouldn't have known otherwise hence she is defo asymptomatic

Forestflame Mon 28-Mar-22 23:24:26

I have plenty of friends, and I haven't had it yet! Mind you, we are all being careful.

Shizam Mon 28-Mar-22 20:57:01

I live cheek by jowl with a triple jabbed young person who got it. Quite ill. Me, much older, also 3 jabs didn’t catch it. Why?
Virus is random. They still don’t understand it. That man talks fluent tripe and should pipe down.

AJKW Mon 28-Mar-22 20:35:09

I’ve only had COVID in the last 8 weeks.
I’ve worked throughout the pandemic, and been in contact with many people.
I just consider myself as having a healthy immune system.

Ginpin Mon 28-Mar-22 19:07:49

Husband and I have not had it YET,
Eldest daughter and family of 5 all had it last year in Somerset as foster daughter (6) picked it up from school.

Middle daughter and Son in law not had it yet.
Their 10 yr old son has had it twice. Badly the first time.
Their 11 year old daughter keeps avoiding it every time, from home or school. We don't know how she manages it !

Youngest daughter and husband still clear but their just 2 yr old got it last autumn and we suspect the 4 week old did at the time too. ( No idea how the 2 yr old got it but her positive result came up so quickly and she was very poorly)

In our family of 15, 7 and possibly the baby have had it. So about 50% of us.
All of us adults are very careful though.

Husband has just gone out to a meeting with 30 yr olds. I reminded him to wear his mask ( they will definitely not be doing so) and he can blame me if he wishes !

Zoejory Mon 28-Mar-22 18:00:18

Not had it. However we were rather ill in February, 2020, dry cough and fever, so who knows. Could have been covid, could have been a cold.

But I've managed to avoid it ever since. It appears that everyone in my family has had it now. Only in the last few weeks. All mild symptoms. They were all vaccinated. Which is probably why they weren't particularly unwell. Our 10 year old grandson tested positive and was as right as rain.

Maybe some people are just immune for some reason or other.

Alioop Mon 28-Mar-22 17:56:45

I've stayed Covid free so far, maybe vaccines and staying clear of people I know who don't care has helped. I just hope it stays that way.

Rosalyn69 Mon 28-Mar-22 17:20:11

As OnwardandUpward said I too have that mystery virus in 2019.

HazelEyes Mon 28-Mar-22 16:55:05

Absolute rubbish, I socialise a lot. With small groups of friends, large groups, go to restaurants, pubs, go on the train, go to London, the theatre, volunteer, shopping, on a plane on holiday etc etc. I haven't had it, yet. So no, maybe some people are naturally immune ? I'm hoping!

Vanessa59 Mon 28-Mar-22 16:48:07

I have a good social life and have never had covid.