Second lockdown

Yes I agree it does seem worse this time. It was all a novelty in the Spring but we were under the impression that once it went away, that would be it. All back to normal. But I can’t see it going away. After lockdowns ease it will all come back again and with students going back and forth to their homes, it spreading the virus nationwide again. My GD is one of them. Although I’d love to see her , it would be foolhardy to say the least . Oh dear!

I can't believe how naive I was thinking the first lockdown would be the end of it! We're not threatened with it here (yet) in Cornwall, but I feel quite fed up with the way things keep changing, and I don't usually get fed up!!!

I’m coming out of a fortnight quarantine tomorrow but Lockdown starts this evening in Conwy County so no seeing folks indoors for us!

I’m glad I had ten weeks in Spain after the initial three month lockdown and will just accept this as a necessary evil if it keeps vulnerable folks safe.

It was inevitable but I’m sure things can and will get worse,

It feels different Katyj a sense of the unknown, trying to plane and prepare, but for what? Here in Hampshire we have relatively low cases, but climbing, life is not the same as a year ago, but much improved on lockdown. We still see children and grandchildren but far less than usual, one bbq, planning a garden takeaway in a couple of weeks. No hugs, we’ve had no physical contact with any of them. As for Christmas, which we always spend together, who knows, we are 6, but I suppose the adage ‘hope for the best, plan for the worst’ comes to mind.

I do not think Boris makes himself clear when he is talking , considering its broadcast from number 10 , observations seen are those other guest speakers so to speak .
The lack of face masks worn by them and Boris, who needs a microphone attached to him so his words can heard plus onscreen display as to what is spoken is shown many minutes after it is said .
I am ready for another Lockdown , even if I go out , I return home and sort of self isolate myself in my flat , the panic signals as to some items in supermarkets as yet the return of queing is yet to restart .
visits to other places like I do Bicester is well signposted as to 2 metre distancing , yet my home town as little trace .
One thing , they cannot clarify is people movement between hotspots and places that are not , there seems to be a general relaxation as to any form of discipline as to controlling things .
Mick

I find the second local lockdowns easier to handle as we are used to it. The first time it felt like the end of the world! But we knew there was no getting away, we have seen it in Europe even countries with strict rules. We can only pray it won’t escalate.

This is my local area breakdown of situ
The current coronavirus guidance for all Northamptonshire residents is as follows, as issued by Public Health Northamptonshire:

Limit contact with others outside of your household or bubble;
Work from home if you can;
Keep two metres from others at all times, use a face covering where you are less than two metres apart;
Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly for 20 seconds each time;
Do not share items with others outside of your household or bubble;
Avoid using public transport or car sharing, wear face coverings if you cannot avoid these;
You must wear a face covering by law in certain public places such as libraries and public transport;
Avoid meeting those outside of your household or bubble in an indoor space;
When meeting friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) you must not meet in a group of more than six, indoors or outdoors.
How bad is coronavirus where you live? Find out by adding your postcode.

Government guidance as of September 29, 2020

When meeting with people you don’t live with, you can socialise in groups of up to six, which is the current legal limit.
The six person limit applies both indoors and outdoors, and includes indoor sports. Outdoor sports can include more participants but only where the event is organised. Plans to allow fans to return to sporting events have been put on hold.
The Government states people should continue to maintain social distancing with anyone they do not live with.
The Government also advises against sharing a vehicle with those outside your household or social bubble, but there are no current restrictions on how far people can travel.
Customers in private hire vehicles and taxis, as well as staff working on public transport and taxi drivers, must wear face coverings.
Office workers who can work effectively from home are being advised to do so over the winter.
People who are already exempt from the existing face covering obligations, such as because of an underlying health condition, will continue to be exempt from these new obligations.
Pubs, bars and restaurants are no longer allowed to open beyond 10pm and are restricted to table service only, apart from takeaways. This also includes social clubs, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement arcades (and other indoor leisure centres or facilities), funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. This will include takeaways but delivery services can continue after 10pm.
Businesses must take customers' contact details so they can be traced if there is an outbreak. They can be fined up to £10,000 if they take reservations of more than six, do not enforce social distancing, or do not take customers' contact details.
Face masks are now mandatory for bar staff and non seated customers, shops workers and waiting staff. You can be fined £200 for not wearing a mask or complying with restrictions

Completely agree; last time there was the novelty of finding previously undiscovered ways of staying in touch with loved ones and occupying myself the with long ignored jobs in the house and garden. But 6 months on and I realise how naieve I was then. There isn't the same optimism that "this isn't forever"; in one form or another, I think it will be. I would find a lockdown much harder 2nd time around.

I feel its impossible trying to plan for next week,let alone Christmas! Things change so rapidly. I'm in Dorset and my eldest daughter and grandchildren are in Surrey. Normally they are down here at Christmas. This year,who knows? There could be local lockdown and travel restrictions or it may have miraculously improved.! For me I'm happy to tell myself to plan for worst case scenario and anything else is a bonus.
Dorset has lower cases than many areas but my part is showing a relentless rise.
I think it's much harder now as in March there was a sense of unity and hope that things would improve. Now we are fragmented. Specific to grandparenting some seem to be acting as normal,others only socially distanced contact. That uncertainty is a bigger problem than coping with the virus. It sometimes feels like we are on a runaway train.

I agree Chewbacca and it’s depressing.
I think a stoical outlook is the best thing, the virus will be around for a long time, better of course once there is a vaccine.Get as much enjoyment out of our lives as possible while abiding by laws and restrictions for the greater good.

For us, it isn't true lockdown as I was previously shielded. Now we can go out shopping and see family in the garden. We can’t go out of our county, but we haven’t been out since March. We took a decision not to visit restaurants etc whilst the virus figures in our area were fluctuating. I entirely agree we will probably feel differently if we have bad weather. I know we are ultra cautious, but with good reason, health wise. We keep in touch with family and friends and have found ways of keeping ourselves occupied. I do realise it is worse for others, particularly those who live alone. We are older grandparents, so probably our needs and expectations are different.

We're lucky so far here in Devon but I'm not looking forward to this winter at all. I'm trying to be stoical, and count my blessings as there are so many people in tragic circumstances.

I'm just used to it. It's become a way of life. I remember back in the spring hearing about the first lockdown and thinking, 'Three weeks?! Outrageous!'. Little did I know.

Feeling positive here (or trying, anyway).

This isn’t it, for ever, as some PP feel. There will be a vaccine, enormous strides have already been made. Even if it doesn’t eradicate the disease, it will greatly lessen the severity. New treatments will continue to be developed.
This time next year, this will all be an unpleasant memory.

I fear this gloom and doom is contributing to people breaking the necessary restrictions, when they feel there will be no end to this.

There will, if we’re all sensible and can be patient for just a few months more.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I have a house removal booked on 13th October. Not sure where I would stand if we have another total lockdown, or a local lockdown affecting where I'm moving to.

We did it last time, we can do it again. Let’s get through this together.

Jane10

I'm just used to it. It's become a way of life. I remember back in the spring hearing about the first lockdown and thinking, 'Three weeks?! Outrageous!'. Little did I know.

Yes, me too. I've adapted and now it seems stranger to go out than to stay in.

I went into my own personal lockdown 2 weeks earlier than the official because I was worried and because I have a lot of health problems including asthma. I made a plan then of people I could ring up, things to do, books to read, etc etc to stop myself feeling low.

Bizarrely the time since that first lockdown has flown. I am planning for bad weather and darker evenings. I know it won't be easy during the winter, but I'm making every effort to keep my spirits up. I have seen my daughter twice since last year during garden visits, and not seen my grandchildren at all, but there's no point in dwelling on that. Some people are much better off, and some are much worse off. I have been lucky to see my son more often in garden visits.

I have no idea how Christmas will be and every time I read about it or think about it, I deliberately distract myself, because who knows how it will be? I try to put it into a compartment for the moment.

I live alone and have been in solitary confinement for 7 months. Thank goodness for my lovely little cat for company. Perhaps I'm becoming a hermit, but what we are going through will pass. My parents had much harder lives.

I want to do the right thing, and also to keep myself and loved ones safe.

Where I live here in Blackburn we are under enhanced restrictions and have been for some weeks now (we've been under lockdown for a lot longer) and cannot meet friends even in the open like a park so we are really isolated. I live on my own in supported accommodation and it's getting very worrying as to where will it all end.
I previously booked a 2 week holiday to Spain for Christmas so I wouldn't be on my own or have to rely on sister and all her family to 'take me in' for the festivities! I'm just hoping that my break goes ahead and if it doesn't then I will be on my own but I'll manage. There isn't anything else I can do. I keep myself to myself in my flat, only going out when I have to.
We're only supposed to use public transport if travel is essential. I do have a car but with being disabled I can't get around the shops without my wheelchair which doesn't fit in the car. I'm lucky in that I live only about 5 minutes by my electric wheelchair from the town centre so I can do some shopping without having to use the car.
I think we've just got to do what we can, keep to the rules and restrictions and just get on with it.

Aepgirl

We did it last time, we can do it again. Let’s get through this together.

Yesssss!

At the beginning of our first lockdown I read a book about the pandemic of 1918. Their second wave was far worse than the first. I am not surprised at where we are heading

What I find utterly despicable is the fact the PMS OWN father is out andabout not wearing a mask, and says 'I was out of the country, I didn't know the rules!!'
THEY HAVE BEEN IN PLACE SINCE JULY! If only he had a member of the family who could have kept him up to date!
Seriously, this govt. has messed this up for us folk who just want to be with our loved ones. My daughter has a family of six and lives the other end of the Country, so I will pretty much be alone for the next few months as my husband will be working...
With my asthma and the fact I only have one lung I am being so very careful, and I do not mind this, I would stay careful for the sake ef everyone else even if it didn't apply to me, but I do wish those in charge had admonished properly those who flout their own rules, as then, ordinary everyday folks might actually take notice of them!
The longer its one rule for them and another for us, the longer this virus will go on for...

I am just confused by it all. my family tell me to keep away from "the news" but ... what else is there.. being alone for the first time ever in my life... well that is me! trying so hard to sort myself out, but I am told... time... time... live with the tears of grieving, ...

so I listen to you all, and wonder...me? well I have never been a travelling person, so it is easy for me to say,, borders should be closed,, illegal immigrants should be sent back across the channel, then I think... how would I feel if I were one of them? I wonder what is wrong with Europe that they think this is a wonderful place to put their lives at risk to cross the channel?

so many questions.. so few answers..

I had to check my diary to remind myself that we had been in lockup before, and we coped, well most of us did..

it is the lack of human contact that is the hardest part of all.

praying

Ps I'm not a doom and gloomer usually lol, even with my mardy husband I can normally find something to smile about (usually my dogs, and we WILL get through it, but not because of those in charge, but despite them! :-)