Lifting all Covid resrictions- how do you feel about it?

Marydoll

This use of the word paranoid, is actually quite offensive.

I agree. It's used to describe rational behaviour by people who seem to have their own problems.

So we don't get to call people wearing masks names (quite rightly) but those without masks have "uncovered muzzles".

People in glass houses.

Marydoll

This use of the word paranoid, is actually quite offensive.

Paranoia is, I believe, fear of something that can’t possibly happen which, when it comes to a novel virus is totally the wrong term to use. And yes, it is offensive.

Franbern

MOnica Excellent post. People are so paranoid about Covid. Not sure how long they think they are going to continue in this manner, this year, next year, for the rest of their lives???

Were they this paranoid in past years about the spreading of influenza (yes that does kill people)?

No, I don't think very many people are paranoid. This is a classic example of gaslighting.

Everybody I know (including me) is happy to continue wearing a mask in an indoor space and when in contact with vulnerable people. They would like to continue testing, if they can afford it.

That's not paranoia. It's just a basic respect for other people and a very natural desire to mitigate risk for oneself.

When I went to hospital for a heart investigation last week there were four patients in the waiting room with uncovered muzzles. I wore a mask plus a visor, and will continue to do so when out in crowded public spaces. I don't want to get covid which remains as infective as ever.

I agree Marydoll and as it is often keyworkers who are saying they will still wear masks quite ironic really. Were those people 'scared and paranoid' when they were on the frontline pre vaccination.

This use of the word paranoid, is actually quite offensive.

I am part of a panel of sheilders, who take part in research for NHS Scotland. Yesterday, I received a questionaire related to the Distance Aware campaign.
One of the questions asked if I had availed myself or intended to avail myself of the lanyards and badges available for those, who needed to be extra careful.

My answer was No and my reason was that there was so much negativity towards people like me, (including on GN) that I had no intention of wearing one. I do not want to be perceived being as a victim or of being discriminated against, because I am wearing one.
Most people wouldn't take notice anyway, going by some of the posts on GN.

Monica, before the pandemic, I was able to go about my business in a relatively normal way and tried to stay as safe as I could. Covid, for patients like me, despite all the vaccinations and prompt access to anti virals, is a totally different ball game.
I will continue to wear a mask if necessary, because I want my life back.

Just before the pandemic, I was very ill, having caught a severe chest infection from a man sitting beside me on a plane, coughing, spluttering and sneezing all over me and wiping his nose with his hand, into the bargain. Unfortunately, the plane was full, so there was nowhwere to go.
A mask may not have fully protected me, but it would have certainly have lessened the severity of the infection.

Monica, you have no idea of how those of us, who are immunosuppressed have to live. We may be in the minority, but we still have the same rights as you or anyone posting on here.
I was pleased to hear your husband was very fortunate to have treatment in hospital and even more fortunate to have survived. However, the fact that he caught an infection, is concerning.
A year ago, I had a second heart attack, but within twenty four hours, I was discharged, because it was too risky to keep me in the high dependency unit, a place where, in normal circumstances I would have received treatment and should have felt safe. It was a case of weighing up the risks. As a consequence, my health has deteriorated.

I do enjoy reading your posts, as you come across as very informed, clear and concise in your views.
However, I sometimes wish those posts were tempered with a little more compassion and at least an attempt to see the whole picture for those of us, who are CEV and are hoping for some quality of life, as we come out of the pandemic.

To be classed as CEV was a shock, as I never perceived myself like that, but to add immunosuppression into the mix was a total game changer!

I am off to the supermarket, where I shall wear a mask, sanitise my hands and trolley, use a hand held scanner and keep my distance. It is my responsibilty to keep myself safe, no-one else. However, I would appreciate it, if others did the same. Unfortunately that may not happen. .

I dont think the use of scared or paranoid is useful at all. Wearing a mask does not equal being scared. I worked through nearly all of the pandemic in close contact with young children who sat on my knee, tried to wipe their nose on me etc.. For most of that time I didnt wear a mask at work because of the needs of the children. I wore and still wear a mask in the shops etc this doesnt mean I am scared.

MOnica Excellent post. People are so paranoid about Covid. Not sure how long they think they are going to continue in this manner, this year, next year, for the rest of their lives???

Were they this paranoid in past years about the spreading of influenza (yes that does kill people)?

M0nica I agree with your post.

I am CV , it’s my responsibility to protect me, not the younger generation or anyone else.

Sooner or later COVID is going to be an ordinary endemic disease that we all have to live with.

As a result of vaccination the probability of anyone getting it is small, cases are still relatively high, but falling fast, and if you get it, the chances of needing hospital treatment is falling even faster. There is now a panolpy of drugs that you can be given to ameliorate the disease and aid recovery if you do get it.

Yes, of course a sudden virulent variant could appear, but that applies to any infectious disease. Last year DH nearly died from a normally harmless infection, that, in the hospital he was in, was antibiotic resistant and ran riot in his body..

The same applies if infected people do not isolate. properly vaccinated your chance of hospital admission has been reduced by 88%. It is a mild disease for most and can be quickly treated.

While I understand people's reservations, especially if they have vulnerable family members. But at what stage will they feel it is safe not to wear masks and what were they doing before COVID to protect vulnerable family members from the risk of all the other infections that assail us that can be disregarded by most of us, but could be a serious threat to the health and, possibly, life of a vulnerable person.

COVID is never ever going to go away. 100% safety can never be guaranteed. We have got to find ways of returning to normal life and living with it.

I’m worried that the infected won’t bother to isolate, or that some staff will be expected to come into work even with a positive test. Then when there are no tests, who will know?

It doesn’t worry me. So many people around here haven’t bothered wearing masks for ages anyway.

Two days ago we took Gdcs on the London Eye - there were hordes of people queueing, all close together, and very few wore masks.
All adults in the family are triple jabbed and we all had the omicron variant right after Christmas - nobody was really ill.

Though having said that, later today dh and I will be visiting friends, one of whom is extremely vulnerable. So we’ve both done tests this morning, and wouldn’t have dreamt of going without having done so first.

Iam64

I was the art class poster dickens. You’ve reminded me how unpleasant that was.

I’m more concerned that people with covid no longer are expected to isolate.

... yes, I tho1ught it was an art class. I can imagine that made you shudder... makes me wary of ever shaking hands with people - ugh!

I'm also worried that the virus-infected are no longer required to isolate. Some certainly will not bother - others may not be able to afford to stay off work of course.

I was the art class poster dickens. You’ve reminded me how unpleasant that was.

I’m more concerned that people with covid no longer are expected to isolate.

Mollygo

And that for me is also a problem. I sympathise with those who for whatever reason can’t wear a mask, but a lanyard offers no protection either to the wearer or others around them. Watching the assistant on the delicatessen wiping her dripping nose on the back of her hand whilst wearing a lanyard put me off buying.

I remember someone posting on here who attended a meeting / or maybe it was an art class or club of some sort, I can't recall but, anyway, most were maskless sitting quite close together and one individual sneezed into his hands and then wiped them on his clothes...

... I have no trust in "personal responsibility" having also witnessed similar behaviour. It's a get-out clause in Johnson's move lifting all restrictions - it absolves him of any liability.

I'm sure there are also a number of people who will act civilly and responsibly but genuinely believe they are outweighed by those that won't.

I think your lady on the deli counter was probably a victim of the air temperature around that area which tends to be cooler than the rest of the shop so it's quite likely she wasn't infected with anything - cold, dry air triggers your system to produce mor liquid in your nose... still off-putting though!

Sorry, that sounded very sanctimonious, it wasn't meant to.

No-one was wearing a lanyard. There was no-one in the shop when I went in, I thought it would be safe, fool that I am.

Occasionally I have to go into this shop, the staff all wear masks, but the majority of customers don't. Staff are too afraid to challenge them.

I am exempt, but I still wear one, difficult as it is, sometimes I feel as if I am suffocating. However, I prefer to minimise my risks.

And that for me is also a problem. I sympathise with those who for whatever reason can’t wear a mask, but a lanyard offers no protection either to the wearer or others around them. Watching the assistant on the delicatessen wiping her dripping nose on the back of her hand whilst wearing a lanyard put me off buying.

I second that.

Today, I was in a post office / small supermarket and despite signs everywhere, asking customers to wear a mask and keep a safe distance, I was horrified to discover, that there were five, maskless people in their twenties and thirties, behind me in the queue, refusing to socially distance either. They were practically breathing down my neck.
They are the people, who don't give a stuff about others.

I live in Scotland, where masks must still be worn in indoor public places, unless medically exempt.

varian

Wearing a mask in shops and public transport does not harm the economy

Refusing to do that signals that you are someone who does not care about anyone else.

Quite!

effalump

Whether the figure was 7000 or 17000 it means all the rest who died had complicating factors. So does that mean we can just wash our hands of them and say they don’t matter? Those people had complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, asthma, or cancer, or any one or more of other conditions, but they weren’t going to die immediately in most cases. They got Covid and Covid killed them. Many of them would still be alive if Covid had never happened.

Not only is the COVID info in effalump's post proven untrue but 'trashed aconomy'? When part of the reason for current inflation is strong demand in the economy, employment is holding up and in January for the first time the Treasury had more money coming in than going out. www.theguardian.com/business/2021/dec/14/uk-unemployment-rate-falls-despite-end-of-job-furlough-scheme

Growstuff how can I possibly put people in danger if I test before I go shopping you can't give someone something you don't have. I have found lateral flow tests to be very accurate if used just before an event.
I am adult and I am quite capable of making my own choices.