Have you learned anything from lockdown?

And what did Jonathan van Tam say about Europe? The vaccines are no good in fridges they need to be in arms.

I hope we as a society have learnt something from lockdown, the impact of commuting on people and the environment, the constant need to always be consuming (shopping) the benefits of nature and exercise. The importance of valuing those who work in care, in retail, etc. I think lockdown may have released my inner hippy.

I have had it confirmed that the "Blitz spirit" is an illusion in today's world. It was actually a bit of an illusion 75 years ago, but it's become part of folklore.

Galaxy

I hope we as a society have learnt something from lockdown, the impact of commuting on people and the environment, the constant need to always be consuming (shopping) the benefits of nature and exercise. The importance of valuing those who work in care, in retail, etc. I think lockdown may have released my inner hippy.

I wouldn't hold my breath Galaxy.

Urmstongran

I’m a bit scared too MaggieTulliver. The young people’s jobs, mental health issues for many, a three year (conservative estimate) backlog of NHS cases, the economy. I think I’ll cry if I think about it too much.

Rather than crying, think about how the government could come up with practical solutions. Crying is a waste of time.

growstuff if you still think that this Government or any MP in parliament will actually listen to any suggestions from GN I think you might be in for a very long wait.

I always thought I was a self sufficient person who liked my own company. Well, I have found I can have too much of it even though I can find plenty of things to do. That’s why I joined GN to read and sometimes respond to the thoughts of my fellow humans. And I’ve enjoyed your company...thank you.

Listening to the presser tonight - it could not exactly be described as optimistic could it?

GrannyGravy13

growstuff if you still think that this Government or any MP in parliament will actually listen to any suggestions from GN I think you might be in for a very long wait.

No, I don't think the government or anybody with any real influence will listen. That's exactly why I'm not holding my breath.

I don't know why people are surprised. I remembering reading an interview with Kate Bingham, the vaccines "tsar", a few months ago. In the interview, she said that even with most people vaccinated she didn't see the summer of 2021 as a time to book foreign holidays. She was more hopeful about 2022.

Case rates are rising almost everywhere in the UK:

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1APtcBmI4JeTR0Ysufjavgg2gy4MBiHz0Hf9eKIp5BSo/preview#gid=1865138965

The government knows it needs to slow down and is softening us up. Testing (especially in schools), the Test and Trace system and quarantine are still not working well enough, but Johnson will try to blame "others".

Whitewavemark2

Listening to the presser tonight - it could not exactly be described as optimistic could it?

Definitely NOT WW.
Sadly.

EkwaNimitee

I always thought I was a self sufficient person who liked my own company. Well, I have found I can have too much of it even though I can find plenty of things to do. That’s why I joined GN to read and sometimes respond to the thoughts of my fellow humans. And I’ve enjoyed your company...thank you.

And we enjoy yours Ekwa. I’d give you a hug but it’s not allowed. Still.

Speaking for Wales, Growstuff, only 5 out of 22 counties are on the up but I don’t doubt that our FM will use them as an excuse to keep us in lockdown for as long as possible.

My worry is that those who refuse the jab will be held as the reason for not letting the vaccinated out!

BlueBelle

There is absolutely nothing about lockdown that I ve enjoyed... there’s nothing that I couldn’t have done without my freedom being taken away, I hate that I can’t do my voluntary work and that my grandkids can’t lead normal lives and my children are working under stress
I can have serenity and down time and relax, any day of the year without having to be forced to stay away from family and friends and work and even what bit of limited fun that you have in your 70 s / 80 s
Oh yes restaurants, coffee house, cinema, theatre, a day out, a meet up with a friend a hug no I will miss NOTHING of this enforced solitary life

Hear hear !having to cancel DS visit from Australia last July, no coffee and crossword in the cafe no cinema theatre friends for a meal, no tennis. Grandchildren missing out on school ....what’s to like !!

Pantglas2

Speaking for Wales, Growstuff, only 5 out of 22 counties are on the up but I don’t doubt that our FM will use them as an excuse to keep us in lockdown for as long as possible.

My worry is that those who refuse the jab will be held as the reason for not letting the vaccinated out!

Indeed! However, I'm sure you know as well as I do how quickly the situation can change. Look at Anglesey for an example. Most of Wales still has rates which are too high to drop your guard much.

I don’t think that’s the issue in Wales Pantglas2, I think it’s more a case of this.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56494428

People just don’t learn unfortunately.

What Ekwa said. I've enjoyed reading the threads on Gransnet and occasionally posting and getting to know, albeit in virtual reality, some of the different personalities who contribute. Plus, weirdly, I've become much more tolerant of DH's little idiosyncrasies and much more tolerant and kinder to him as a result. We've become much closer and appreciate each other more. Who knew?!!!!

I have learned how horribly easy it is for a despotic government to deprive a population of its freedoms and civil liberties by scaring them into acquiescence.

I’ve learned to cope with lockdown, but I can’t say I’ve enjoyed it, except for the fact that walking has become more than a weekend activity.
In the first lockdown, in a way it was quite fun to have a challenge to get up to date with tasks that usually took longer because of work. Other challenges were to support GC with home learning and a challenge to work from home. I learned to do so much more with technology, but it’s not the same.
Coping with family illnesses, their mental health problems, cancer treatment and hospitalisation, thankfully not from Covid, has been a nightmare.
Still, I’m on here with other GN’s, able to celebrate and rejoice, complain and criticise, share thoughts and worries, share meal ideas and play games, despite Covid.

We retired from our small business about eighteen months ago. I worked a couple of days with DH who worked full time. I struggled at first being home together if I wasn’t helping with our granddaughters. I found I was snapping at him he was being helpful but doesn’t do jobs the same pace as me. However since lockdown we have learnt to be more tolerant. Our friends have said the same as they retired when we did.
We have got the balance right now which is great but we all need an end to this incarceration.

I have learned how to cope with not going shopping at TK Maxx and spending a fortune every weekend.

I would not have been able to cope had I not had my DD and DGS in a bubble. Her DH works offshore and it is only this last year I have realised just how lonely my girl gets, I have learned to make more time for her.
I honestly don’t know how GP have coped if the have not had physical contact with their GC , I feel sorry for you.

I have learned that online shopping for food is a lottery of just what you will get in the substitutions?

Urmstongran I feel as you do.

I haven’t really enjoyed anything about lockdown, but I’ve tried to make the best of it. I can’t wait for it to be over in the dim and distant future. The thing I enjoyed most was escaping to Kefalonia late last September, and meeting up with my son and daughter in law who were there at the same time.

Thank you for that, Urmston

Well I dont know if I'm being depressing or realistic..but I think this is status quo for the next couple of years at least...the whole world needs to have both jabs...then we have to probably begin annual vaccinations....want to be more optimistic but finding that too hard...have children and grandchildren living overseas...no idea when I shall see them....