Are we getting a bit low?

We’re not nearly there - until a vaccine or drugs are available, probably next year sometime, we’re simply in the first wave.

Let’s give thanks to our wonderful NHS and care sectors and everyone who works so hard to keep the rest of us safe and well, whether that’s the supermarket workers, the food delivery drivers, the volunteers, or whoever. As a result of their professionalism, dedication, bravery and sacrifice the country has kept goi g through an incredibly difficult time and will keep going until the scientists and clinicians come up with a solution.

As SirChenjin has just said, there’s a way to go yet. I don’t want to hear constant harping on about exit strategies and lockdown ending until it’s safe to do so, otherwise all these last few weeks will have been a waste of time.

Exactly how are we nearly there ?

Yes I agree there is a way to go yet but I am perfectly happy in lockdown.

I’m sure there are lots of people who are very happy in lockdown, thanks to the bravery and sacrifice of others. We’re very fortunate to have these people doing so much for the country.

I am definitely fed up with lockdown. I am shielding so not allowed out.
Having existing problems, I have also acquired a problem eg my DD's poorly dog.
During lock down there is no way he can go home so I am having to arrange vet's treatment added to the worry he is causing.
I will be so pleased when they are able to come and pick him up.

We need to make China pay for all this

I'm not fed up with Lockdown as we are used to living in an isolated location but tomorrow DH has an appointment for his three monthly B12 injection at our GP surgery which is six miles away.

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the drive (I'll take the scenic route) even waiting for him outside, which would normally make me impatient to be getting on with things.

I think I'll take Peggy the JR and give her a trip out as well.

There will be no ‘back to normal’ there will be a ‘new normal’ which won’t involve rushing to see the ACs or GCs.
We are locked down to prevent the strain on the NHS not to cure us of the virus!
If we all start to go out there will be a second wave that would probably overwhelm the NHS, so all our efforts will have been for nothing.
They might let certain age groups out for work or school at sometime, then let other age groups out if they are fit and well, but I don’t think it will be anywhere near normal until the Vaccine is out and heaven knows how long it will take to get us all vaccinated.
We might be nearer to Normal this time next year.

I am ok with lockdown and can cope with it, but I know people who are climbing the curtains they are so stressed about it.
Is there any reason why they can't jump in the car and go for a drive? If they stay in their car and don't mix with anyone else, surely the only antisocial thing they are doing is risking a road accident and using an ambulance (like someone was accusing horse riders of doing)?
I think people deal with it so differently it's best to stay home if you can, but if your mental health is going to be damaged - well got out there as long as you keep your distance.

I am terrified that I might not see anyone at all for the rest of this year.

oh for goodness sake Jane10 where’s the sense in your post
Did we have to pay for Mad Cow disease didn’t it start in U.K.
this is not the first pandemic it’s one of many in the last 100 years
Who ‘paid’ for Ebola, Aids, Sars, etc etc
Don’t be so vindictive it could have started anywhere

We are nowhere 'nearly there' the amount of virus deaths are still rising and the numbers arent including care homes and those in the community so none of us know the correct numbers. Its impossible to think positive with whats happening all around us.

@dragonfly46. Your daughter can, and indeed should, relieve you of the responsibility of her dog.
Call her and tell her to make arrangements to collect it.
Your heath and peace of mind should be paramount.

No, I don't think that it could have started anywhere. It's the growing wet markets and all that involves. The risk of transmitting disease to humans is well known.
I think that people are a bit down, mainly because there's no end in sight and no obvious way out of this.

Er, it wasn't Jane10 it was someone called jane1956 who made that ridiculous post. Otherwise agree with everything you said BlueBelle

ExD - because every non essential journey raises the risk of an accident (as you rightly said) and of requiring breakdown assistance. The former puts pressure on a health service that really doesn’t need it at the moment and the latter puts someone else at risk and increases the potential for transmission. If everyone thought that it was OK to go for a drive for their ‘mental health’ then those possibilities increase exponentially.

So annoying when OP doesn’t come back to answer questions

It was another Jane, not Jane10, who isn't even on this thread

Perhaps an apology would be nice.

Actually I feel quite upbeat in lockdown, maybe because my mobility limits what I can do at the best of times. With the help of my Son and Dil I've been catching up on getting my garden under control after a couple of years neglect. We've made great progress so far and now I can see the fence again on the right hand side I can see it needs replacing. So as soon as the wood is delivered we'll get stuck into that. We've shredded masses of branches etc to turn into mulch which is bagged up and put out of the way as best as we can. Hopefully the wood will arrive this week at least that's what they say and the green bin was also emptied today so we can start filling that up again. By the end of lockdown the garden will be transformed just have to buy a few more plants to fill some of the spaces we've created. Having others lockedown with me has been great for me and the garden otherwise I would have felt guilty at asking for help with the garden taking up their free time, which is why it's become somewhat overgrown in the first place. The only fly in the ointment lately is the tumble dryer deciding to give up the ghost but the current weather has helped but no outside line has proved to be a mistake in the short term at least. I might have to buy a retractable one if the washing piles up too much.

I think we are a long way from normal and life is not going to be what it was before. Anyone expecting any different will be sorely disappointed. No medicine, no vaccine, economic difficulties for people. Many people also suffering the loss of loved ones. I don't see any normal. Where I do agree is we do need to have hope but much will depend on scientists.

I think restrictions will gradually ease and this will have varying impacts on people, depending in their circumstances. For many, the main thing they want to do is spend time with family and friends and unless they’re very local, I think that won’t be possible for many months to come sadly. I think they will try to limit long journeys and general travel privately. We won’t see our family for a long while I’m sure, including going to my sons wedding that should have been next month....is now in October...but I doubt it will happen. I could go on....So, yes, it’s a struggle to keep upbeat for some people whereas for others, the coming months even years, will have less adverse effect.

It was certainly odd at first, but now this odd state of affairs seems normal., and am definately not down in the mouth.
Luckily, l am well, and out and about, as per 6' guidelines, whilst limiting any supermarket forages.
All in all, l am very happy to be paid to stay at home, but am looking forward to starting work again hopefully in June.
Common sense should rule the day, so it's probably best to enjoy what you can while you can.

I agree with Oopsadaisy3 and SirChenjin.
We are a long way from ‘nearly back to normal’.
The new ‘normal’ is here to stay for a long time.
The scientists are expecting a second a third wave in the next few months.
By loosening lockdown in incremental stages they hope to flatten the curve and prevent a massive second wave.
I know this is very difficult for many people, but it has to be done.
This morning my heart goes out to all the parents home schooling their children, but because of the rain, cannot go out.