CEV Is it just me? I'm still petrified!

FreedomBringsPeace

I'm CEV, I feel like Boris has closed his eyes to Covid as he has to focus on Russia.

 I'm confused as all of a sudden there's no risk, no mask required etc.

I'm still anxious being around people. I know some of that is social. But my anxiety is made worse by my feeling that the Government not taking it seriously means others won't either? I'm aware of a few people who have had coughs and ignored it and given it to others.

What are other CEV'ers doing? Feeling? Thinking? 

MalMonroe

Boris and his government had finished with covid well before Russia invaded the Ukraine - they feel that we the public will either sink or swim. Which is true. How we all handle our health and safety is up to us now. 

I live with someone who is CEV and we are still wearing masks if we do need to go out (exciting places like the GP surgery or dentist) and isolating. We don't care what anyone else thinks of us, we want to be safe.

I guess the thinking is that when people have been mixing with others they can go home and easily and quickly test themselves if they're worried - and take action if they test positive. It seems to now be generally believed that covid is just like 'flu and people can catch it but they can also recover from it. In reality people still do die from 'flu and they're still dying from covid too but the government can spare a few of us. I can't help thinking of Kate Garroway's husband though. Covid hasn't killed him but it's ruined his and his family's lives.

So we're just hanging tight for the time being. 

We are certainly not anxious - we aren't mixing with others and our friends know why we prefer not to meet up with them right now. But we are in a position where we can continue to work from home and don't have to mix with others, except via Zoom and Skype. We thank goodness for the internet because it's been a lifeline for us and is keeping us sane. 

All you can do is look after yourself as best you can. Try not to worry too much because worrying too much can also cause illness. And there's not much we can do about the government's stance right now.

unforeseen

I was CEV (no such thing now). I am back at work as normal. Still wear a mask in shops but otherwise life has returned to normal for me.
I was back at work from the day that the shielding advice was rescinded. 

However my manager, who wasn't even in the vulnerable category, is still getting all her supplies by delivery and ventures out rarely, always wearing a mask the whole time when out of the house. 

For some people Covid seems to have had a profound mental effect. 

soolin

I think the campaign to terrify us all into compliance worked too well and that some people will remain anxious for ever. Covid isn’t going away, it probably never will and another month, year or decade of strict measures will make little difference  . Basically we need to live with this now and manage our own risks as best we can . I lost a couple of acquaintances to depression and the ultimate decision during lockdown and can see others who are coming out of this with severe mental issues. 

My CEV son chose to live as best and as normally as he could after the first lockdown rather than isolate, his choice (and that of his family I suspect) . My OH and myself are in the age range of at risk and are back to normal apart from continually washing our hands, a habit I suspect that will last for years. However we rarely ever wear a mask and travel freely on public transport and go to large events. We are currently overseas and wore a mask most of the time on the aircraft and quite a bit at airport. Here in the Canaries we wear a mask at one local supermarket. 

As the OP says the Ukraine problems have overshadowed Covid concerns and quite rightly so. 

Edit to add, I also think that we will continue to see mask wearing for many years yet and suspect that some people will remain masked while out for the foreseeable future. There is nothing at all wrong with that as we are all free to choose our own level of risk. 

ripplyuk

I still take every precaution against covid but I’m certainly not ‘petrified’ or even anxious. I’m not putting myself at risk so I have nothing to be anxious about. It would be very different if I was forced to work in a crowded office or something like that and I have great sympathy for those with no choice but to put themselves at risk. It shows how selfish society is that these people are ignored and in some cases, even ridiculed, for wanting to protect their health. 

I’m well-used to the ‘new normal’. I socialise outdoors only and get all groceries delivered, although I already got almost all shopping delivered long before covid existed. I see friends most days and both my physical and mental health has improved greatly since the pandemic began. Perhaps it’s all the extra walks in the park, outdoor activities etc. All my hobbies are outdoor anyway so they never changed. The one change I have noticed is that I have a bit more money, probably because there’s no impulse spending and I don’t go to the cinema anymore but I treated myself to a bigger tv instead 🙂. 

My main worry is that I have heart surgery coming up and my consultant is trying to balance the risk of me catching covid in hospital. He told me last week that he’s never seen it so bad on the wards and he believes the public think no restrictions means no virus. Obviously for hospital appointments I wear an FFP3 mask but I can’t do that whilst having surgery so it is concerning. 

MattMattMattUK

ripplyuk said:

Obviously for hospital appointments I wear an FFP3 mask but I can’t do that whilst having surgery so it is concerning. 

Any risk of catching Covid will not be in the operating theatre, it will possibly be on the recovery ward after, but the highest risk would be on the day ward before you are released to go home, by which point you will be fully compos mentis and so able to wear a mask again should you wish. 

ripplyuk

@MattMattMattUK Yes but I’ll have to take it off to eat. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep in a mask either. 

SingleSue

I returned to work 2 weeks before shielding guidelines were paused after the first lockdown and that was the only period where I properly shielded. For the next two lockdowns and shielding periods, I was dealing with dad in hospital and then looking after mum after he died, although I wasn't at work for the further lockdowns as our sector was one of those that had to shut.

We (me and youngest who is/was also CEV) returned to supermarkets for top up shopping after the first lockdown (main shop is delivered due to disabilities rather than Covid), albeit at quieter times and finally returned to a cautious venture out on shopping/city/big town visits late last year although we avoid shops that are busy. These were then paused at the beginning of December last year whilst numbers were high but we resumed again last Friday.

We've eaten out only a handful of times in the last two years but only in places which are quiet. We haven't yet returned to pubs or going to gigs or socialising at parties or round friend's houses.

I still wear a mask and socially distance, not just for Covid reasons though but also the normal run of the mill colds, I've found I have quite enjoyed not having my annual bout of pneumonia/chest infections/hospital stays, my pocket and bank balance certainly agree too!

We are still fairly cautious but don't have that feeling of fear and terror that we experienced in the early days as we tentatively resume our activities.

unforeseen

ripplyuk said:

@MattMattMattUK Yes but I’ll have to take it off to eat. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep in a mask either. 

I do it every night. I use a CPAP machine. 

pearl123

The situation regarding covid19 is still alarming. I'm still anxious about it. Cases are rising, since the removal of restrictions. I'm not working, but at some point I'll have to find work. 
I still wear my mask, keep a distance and for the most part avoid all shops. I have asthma. 
All you can do is try your best to stay safe. It's not easy. I certainly won't be sitting a a cafe or pub to eat! 

ripplyuk

unforeseen said:

ripplyuk said:

@MattMattMattUK Yes but I’ll have to take it off to eat. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep in a mask either. 

I do it every night. I use a CPAP machine. 

So does my partner which is why I can see it would be problematic. As soon as he lies with his cheek against the pillow, the mask gets pushed around and the seal is broken so air is just pumping out into the room. 

Obviously an FFP3 mask is not the same as CPAP but I think it would be even more difficult as they are not designed to be worn overnight whilst sleeping.