I think all legal covid restrictions have finished today. The virus hasn't gone and will probably re-emerge again in different guises for many years, especially during the winter. We will learn to live with the virus as we live with 'flu and be careful as necessary. Common sense reigns.
But some people are still scared and not mixing or visiting others - when will they decide they have to be braver or will their fear never go away?
I don't think I could live in fear for the rest of my life - it wouldn't be worth living.
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The second tin I needed for Christmas Hamper cakes was found in a charity shop in Diss when I went for breakfast and to warm up in Morrisons, when the electric was off on Saturday............... Of course I did a tour of the charity shops first!
A few years ago I wouldn't even have thought of going out for breakfast, because back then I had an LPG hob and a wood-burner.
Things always change for better or worse. We just have to do our best to live our lives.
(This will definitely be the last post that has Strange Times as a label!)
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Never say never - strange times come in many guises. They add texture to our individual lives and indeed sometimes to all of humanity.
ReplyDeleteOh Tigger you are cheerful this morning!
DeleteSo you could charge your phone in Morrisons? I didn't know that. We went to our friends to warm up and charge up my phone - thank goodness for friends who live nearby.
ReplyDeleteNo I charged it in the car on the way there and back!
DeleteWhen I was at the party people I hadn't seen me for ages kept asking me what I did during lockdowns. I found I couldn't remember. I seem to have forgotten about Covid already!
ReplyDeleteA very good plan to forget about it. I still know two couples not venturing anywhere.
DeleteI have a friend who is the same, even to not letting family into her house yet. We felt we were as protected as we could be, and so were our family, (and they tested before coming here) and had to grasp the nettle. Life is too short.
DeleteI don't think I was ever actually fearful, just concerned and more careful as a result. I think I've learned a lot about taking more care and that, I hope, won't go away, not too far anyway.
ReplyDeletexx
Sensible and careful is the way to be. Can you imagine still not seeing family or going anywhere where there are people?
DeleteI guess we don't have to imagine after the first Lockdown before the whole bubble thing - but never again would be dreadful, wouldn't it?
DeleteIt blighted the last years of my lovely Dad's life quite badly.
xx
We made the choice last year when Lockdowns ceased, to carry on as normal, just being careful - here in Wales masks are still mandatory in shops, hospitals, GP's surgeries etc. I am hoping I may get the filling I need when I next see the Dentist as I believe they would only do them privately (in full rig out!) Same for dental hygenist. NHS rules I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI presume that most people commenting are not in the clinically vulnerable group. It is still a worrying time for us. I have pulmonary fibrosis and am on the lung transplant list. A bout of covid would see me off the list for three months. I agree life has to return to normal but all restrictions are being lifted too quickly. A phased approach would be much better.
ReplyDeleteI am in the clinically vulnerable group Unknown, as is my husband. We live in a very rural area so day to day only pop down to the small town nearby for necessities. During Lockdowns we had our groceries delivered, and also when Omicron levels were high. At our ages (nearly 70 and 81), we weren't prepared to shut ourselves away forever - bad for the soul - people need to socialise, see friends. We had been double jabbed and boostered and so had as much protection as we could have, and we went to big Fleamarkets and Antique Fairs, wearing our masks, using gel and distancing where possible. I agree that restrictions have been lifted too quickly in England, but think most people will be sensible and continue to use masks when they feel they need to.
DeleteThe only time we isolated was during the first lockdown when everyone was doing the same, although my husband was doing the shopping. I had home visits from my GP and telephone consultations with everyone else. Obviously we couldn't see our daughter and her family, but we Facetimed which was the next best thing. It hasn't affected me the way it seems to have affected others, but then I'm used to being housebound. Yes, I shall still wear a mask and sanitize my hands before venturing out as it's still the sensible thing to do to protect yourself. Boris is a clown.
ReplyDeleteI think you're wonderful. But . . . common sense and taking care of ourselves and others who are vulnerable does not equal living in fear. Don't stay home, but keep wearing your mask in public. It doesn't hurt anybody and it clearly helps. They're not restrictions, they're protections.
ReplyDeleteHere in New Hampshire our governor lifted all the restrictions that were left there are still federal restrictions left. We are seeing family and getting out some. We will wear a mask in the stores and large public gatherings inside, but it will not stop us from doing things we want to do.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Those of us who are vulnerable are being overlooked. My fear of Covid will never go away. I have suffered with respiratory issues since I was 6 weeks old, and even a simple common cold knocks me sideways. A virus I contracted in mid 2019 nearly finished me. So, no, I won't be putting away my mask and sanitiser, or mixing socially any time soon. For some of us there will now always be fear and my choice is self preservation until, if by some miracle, Covid disappears.
ReplyDeleteI've just got back from Morrisons, they have removed the cleaning stations for the trolleys and the hand sanitiser that could be found throughout the store.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked that to remain fir a bit longer.
Hazel
Two weeks after my second jab I began to feel more confident about venturing out but I’m still careful and wear a mask. Here in Florida we have had few restrictions (sort of like Sweden) and have had a lot of deaths but no one seems to care. (Our Governor who has a constant smirk on his face wants to be President.)
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I’ll go to the first church rummage sale held in two years. When I saw the announcement I was VERY excited.
Restrictions are loosening and many are free of masks. All Covid numbers are down. It is great to restore normality and live our lives.
ReplyDeletePeople have to decide what is best for them. You don't know what illnesses they may have or what losses they may have suffered due to Covid. You shouldn't condemn people that have to be careful as you don't know their story. Don't judge; be kind.
ReplyDeleteI personally think if we have to learn to live with Covid we should also be mindful that some people will be learning to live with it in a different way to us and that might be a fearful way and we may not understand it - but that is their choice and may be one born out of necessity. I think of it as similar to how we have had to learn to live with Boris and some of us live in fear or what he might think up next!!
ReplyDeleteI went in a shop for the first time the other day without a mask, but it was only because I was having trouble catching my breath and just couldn't bear it on.
ReplyDeleteWe are both being very careful but unfortunately after working at base last week Alan got pinged by the NHS App and had to take a test and send it off. They work very quickly now and he had the results within 24 hours and he was negative which was a huge relief. But it shows there are still lots of active cases of people NOT being careful.
I am not fearful at all but we wanted to make sure Alan was safe because we wouldn't put my Mum in any risk of catching it, as even a bad cold would be dangerous for her.
Lovely tin! x
ReplyDeleteI think we are at a point to live our lives and let common sense rule without allowing a dark cloud to hang over us all the time. I love the cake tin!
ReplyDeleteBeing in the vulnerable group, I would say that it is a worry that the restrictions have been lifted so quickly. It means that, for example, if one of my husband's Carers tested positive she would not legally have to report it or isolate. She could come to work and spread Covid throughout a run of already vulnerable clients. That is frightening..
ReplyDeleteTo my mind, we have to learn to live with covid (like any other disease) and use common sense and self responsibility in how we act. Healthy people can carry on with normal lives the same way as they used to, while vulnerable people and those close to them will remain careful about not contracting any infections, just like they always have had to do.
ReplyDeleteIn this country, and probably most of the world, only two varieties of flu are left. Who says masks don't work!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to go to the charity shops. I miss them.
ReplyDeleteThere haven't been many restrictions here for a while. I do what makes me feel comfortable. I have had all three vaccinations. I still wear my mask in shops. Being social isn't really my thing so not much has changed in that respect.
I agree we've got to learn to live with it, just like flu. The one thing that does worry me though is the lifting of restrictions for people who test positive, meaning they can go out and do anything they like. So we shall continue wearing masks because people like my husband, who has heart failure and scarred lungs, have no way of knowing just who around us has covid and might be breathing their germs all over us. Yes I know the Delta strain has almost fizzled out, and the Omicron strain is much less serious, but if vulnerable people like my husband catch it, it may not be less serious for them.
ReplyDeleteRustic Pumpkin said it well. Those of us who are vulnerable are being overlooked. When you have told by more than one doctor that you have a very marginal chance of making it through if you get Covid, it is a bit of a different story. I will wear my mask indefinitely in public places (especially indoors, maybe less so as numbers ease) and will be very careful about whom I hang out with and where. Limiting restrictions for those testing positive seems like an accident waiting to happen. I can't say I live in fear but I live in caution and take care of myself and others. Maybe people are more polite or considerate in the UK than in the US but the honor system has never worked well here. I will now go into stores and carefully see people but it is up to me to protect myself. I've had too many close to me die or be terribly ill to take this with a "let's get on with it" attitude.
ReplyDeleteThat is a cute tin. I'm still wearing a mask.
ReplyDeleteI hope the electric gets back soon!
ReplyDelete