Shelflife, I certainly am not being lulled into a false sense of security. But I think that I have dealt with the whole pandemic thing in a very different way to many contributors on here. After the very first week of feeling terrified of dying alone, my wife had became stuck in Spain, I realised that this was not the way to deal with it and that the anxiety and fear were more debilitating and damaging than the virus. I did the things that I was required to by law, masks in shops and public transport. But that was it. I hugged my family, refused to cut myself off and concentrated on maintaining my physical and mental health. I walked 10 miles a day, saw my friends and generally got on with life.
Additionally I organised an entire house renovation with walls being knocked down, new kitchen installed, total decorating and all of the rest of what was needed. I probably had at least 30 tradesmen all working for the best part of a year. There was the designers, project manager, plasterers, builders, plumbers, joiners, electricians, Tiler’s and decorators. Then came curtain makers, carpet cleaners and furniture deliveries. I always insisted that they did not need to wear masks unless they wanted to in the house as it was hot and heavy work they were doing and on many occasions I worked alongside them and was around for the full process. I loved every minute of it. Not once did I feel “unsafe”. I was doubly lucky as I got the best of the local tradesmen who had had work cancelled as customers were to frightened to have workmen in the house.
I continually find it concerning the levels of sanitisation and people avoidance that is going on. The amount of stress that people are putting themselves through. There were many who observed guidelines as if they were the law (it was never illegal to hug anyone) who still caught COVID and those of us who carried in as normal and haven’t as much as sneezed for 15 months. The levels of mental health problems that will manifest from this is terrifying.
I have been very lucky in the fact that I have never had a serious days illness in my life. The last time I was confined to my bed was when I was 13 with German measles. But I have always looked after myself. I exercise daily, walk 10 miles and regularly do weight training. I could not imagine ever eating any junk food and I maintain a very healthy BMI.
So I am not being lulled into a false sense of security because I believe that life has to go on. I know that having been doubly vaccinated I am highly unlikely to be seriously ill.
As an aside, I used to work with the homeless in a residential hostel about 20 years ago. Many of the male residents were actively infected with TB. Did I spend my life worrying whether I was going to be become ill from it…. No I didn’t because like most others I was vaccinated.
