Do you ever feel this will never be over?

I too am terrified and want to do a Russian roulette and just sort of get it over with

When the world’s scientists come up with a vaccine, it will improve things, just as long as the whole world works together to ensure everyone is covered. Unfortunately with some of the current world leaders, I fear this will take longer rather than sooner.
Try to keep positive.

Can I just say how sorry I am for those of you that have lost loved ones; I can only give a virtual hug but if anyone does feel isolated and lonely I'm quite happy to pm my phone number; I'm a night owl and am happy to chat at any time of day/night. I too suffer from social anxiety but, for some reason have always been happy to speak to people on the telephone. I know I bang on about it but I still would recommend that people listen to Dr Campbells blog; I had a 'down' day yesterday but watched his daily blog late last night and it lifted my spirits enormously. There is evidence that many people have developed antibodies; there may be a vaccine sooner than we think. Test kits will be available; it's just unfortunate that this country has bought a duff batch of them.

The one certainty in life, is change. Interesting how we are pre disposed to think the painful will never end, but rarely can we convince ourselves the good times last forever. Or maybe it does it’s just called youth.
If we can relish one small thing be it the fragrance of your bath bubbles, a flower or the way light falls, that too can cascade if you practise. Times are tough, us ‘mature’ ones have survived life’s challenges before, I have no doubt we will find our ways to get through this. Allow ourselves bleak thoughts then treasure any glimmers that come our way. Resist worrying about tomorrow , enjoy today if you can .

Hi Greymar
We’re living in strange and scarey times eh? Someone wrote on here you shouldn’t look in the future. I think this is all we can do right now. Really hard to do I know but trying to just look to the end of the day, talk to friends, FaceTime grandchildren, do the garden if you have one, find good films to watch, good books to read, and I personally couldn’t live without Radio 4. I live alone, me and my dog, so in a way this Easter isn’t so bad for me. I would normally be thinking everybody but me is having a lovely time but I know that we’re all in the same boat this time and all trying to make the best of it. We’re all having bad days but I just hope for me and you all that the better, more positive ones outweigh them. Hang on in there! ??

@Starblaze I too had sore throat and sickness last night. Worried me because husband unwell ( other things), and he was not coping well with me. Kept thinking what will happen if I go? Nobody allowed to help him. Anyway, thankfully, I am fine this morning. But it has given me food for thought. Should make a plan.

I am so please this thread is here for folk to let it all hang out!

I think it every day when will my 12 week isolation ends because nobody knows when theirs will not even boris Johnson nows

We need to have access to the antigen testing kits as soon as possible. There could be many people who are immune and are not a risk to anyone.

This crisis will end; that is for sure. Thinking otherwise reminds me of WW2 when we were all hoping but it never seemed to end untilit did.

Because they live at opposie ends of the country and I am in the middle, I do not se my two sons and their families that often - maybe 2 or 3 times a year, likewise my older sister who has some health problems and cannot take long journeys. To avoid the cold, wet winters, and as I travel by train rather than drive in a clapped out car, I don’t go in the winter. This lockdown started just as I was preparing for the first of many trips to see sister, to be followed by others to see sons. . Now I am wondering if I will see any of them ever again (at least in this world). I can pass the time - no problem ( I have read three books this week) and started tackling my small garden, but it all seems pointless somehow.
The trouble is, that even when Lockdown begins to lift, I know that my sister and one son will hesitate to see me ( or anyone) until they can be 100% sure it is safe to do so, because they are or have a spouse, who is very vulnerable.
Now that I have depressed myself I will have to stop feeling sorry for myself, wipe my eyes, go and hit the chocolate cream eggs and open my book! Adieu

Nona4ever - So sorry to hear of your loss and in such terrible circumstances. You are still grieving but there are friends here who are thinking of you and praying for you. It is Easter Sunday tomorrow and there are many virtual services that you can join. The resurrected Christ has overcome death and you will find comfort and hope in Him.

At some point the lockdown will have to be relaxed, but what the new normal will be I have no idea. The country will have huge debts to pay and at the moment it's not clear how this will be done. But we have to be thankful that we still have food, water, electricity and our rubbish is collected. In many ways we are fortunate

Nona4ever you have my sympathy, do be kind to yourself and take care

How depressing reading some of the posts on here. Yes it will come to and end but we don't know when so have to remain as positive as we can given the circumstances. Take each day at a time and try to live for the moment. Things appear to be improving in Italy as the death rate seems to be stabilising and some shops are set to open so that's good news. As for the Nightingale hospital being built in the North East its in case it's needed, so better that we are prepared. Anyway good news about Boris. Remember try to look for the positives in life

I got this on Facebook a few days ago and find it really helpful. It was apparently written by Jennifer Yaeger, a trauma therapist in the US, and gives some useful points about living through this pandemic:

• Parts of our brain may shut down in order for us to survive
* As a result we are may not able to fully process a lot of what is going on around us
* Feeling somewhat numb and out of touch with our emotions is to be expected, especially for those who have lived through trauma before
* Some people could feel hypervigilant or anxious, while others may become hypoactive or depressed.
* Neither means anything other than indicating the way your brain is dealing with extreme stress.
• In-depth processing of trauma happens later, when we feel emotionally safe to deal with it.
ª. When in the midst of trauma, just getting by emotionally and functionally is okay.
•. Lowering expectations and being kind to yourself and others is vital.

I've started doing the Jo Wicks exercise for older people on Youtube. There's a beginners' one and then a fuller workout - each 10mins long and encouraged to adapt to your ability level. Makes me feel physically better and I must say he is very easy on the eye which makes the exercising easier . Certainly releases the happy endorphins. I believe he also does a seated routine if needed.

I was an out everyday sort of person but after a difficult first week have settled into this new norm. Every time I see a key worker begging us to stay at home I remind myself that at least I have the luxury of being able to stay at home and not put my family and myself at risk.

It will pass Greymarr, because all things do.

I’m a self confessed introvert and sharing my tiny place with two others all day at the moment apart from the one exercise a day I’m finding very hard, I need my space to recover and privacy but aren’t getting it. I need me time to recharge my head.

The same as you Greymar. I watched Simon Reeves walking railways last night and it was a strange thing to watch as it looks so odd him having the freedom to walk the railway lines.

I too understand why you feel this way but I always think to myself if good things can come to an end then so can bad things.

I too get good days and bad days. I am a bit of an introvert so quite content with my own company most of the time and do finds things to occupy myself. However, the news is so depressing and the situation does not appear to be getting better anywhere, and all the politicians are now starting to criticise each other. I am so proud of those wonderful ordinary people out there trying to do their best to help the less able and support the NHS, in so many different ways.
One thing I do find is that when walking the dog or doing my necessary shopping neighbours are so much more friendly and people do actually smile and say hello for a change. That can only be good and hopefully when it is all over it will continue. Well, that is my bit of grumble done and out of the way. Keep safe.

This will never go away but things will improve when a vaccine becomes available. I am not finding it too hard - I have a houseful of boxes (my possessions from my husband's house, we split up last year, he dumped them all in my cottage when I was on holiday in February). As nothing is open, I am sorting things into boxes for charity, recycling and Ebay; at least I can post things.Ttrying to get enough space to be able to get to a sofa.
I have also met a man on a dating site, not the best time of times for having a meeting (he is offshore at the moment and lives 450 miles away when he is home). I won't actually meet him until after restrictions are lifted, but we are talking every day, emailing and exchanging photos. Wish me luck, he is genuine, sincere and looks gorgeous.

I do think it will change us all
Even watching Rick Stein and wishing we were in provence. Well it won't be this year and that's for sure.
And do you really want to get on a crowded airplane
Car and ferry for us I think but not this year..

Daffydilly hats off to you for doing your bit (and then some!)
But
but I've just had a letter telling me I should be shielding, due to a health condition. I don't know what to do
Do as you are told.
To ignore it might mean you end up needing an ICU bed and what will happen to the people who depend on you then?
Keep safe!

Something similar to this happens time and time again throughout history.
I think that to some extent. that we have got so used to so many illnesses and diseases being virtually wiped out, that we have assumed that it will apply to all illnesses.
This will go on for longer than many people think and even longer if all the plebs that seem to think they are immune and immortal don't do as told and stay at home!