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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Apr 28, 2020 10:06:55 GMT
Mentally & emotionally, I mean?
I look back to how my grandparents lived their whole lives after living through the great depression, and i wonder how the COVID19 pandemic will have changed me, and even my kids.
I'm not even sure if I remember what "normal" would be anymore.
Do you think this is the event that collectively changes our generation?
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uksue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,531
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Jun 25, 2014 22:33:20 GMT
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Post by uksue on Apr 28, 2020 10:41:45 GMT
I’ve given this a lot of thought . I’ve always been careful with hand hygiene on public transport /in restaurants , and have always carried hand sanitizer and gloves. I basically supplied my whole family when this broke as they all knew I always have large bottles of the stuff . At work my boss only allows cheques or cash, and I wash my hands after every time I handle either .
The difference now is that these measures no longer make me feel safe . Viruses have the capability of mutating any time and there couid be any number of these infections in our future .
I almost feel as though nature is purging and fighting back and as we know, the force of nature is huge.
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Post by Lexica on Apr 28, 2020 11:08:08 GMT
I know it will change me from this point forward. I have always been careful about washing my hands and carrying hand sanitizer. I have animals so I have a large supply of those clear disposable gloves that I wear when cleaning cat boxes and picking up after the dog. I also keep a pack in the kitchen to use when doing anything that would either gross me out such as raw meat or messy such as buttering a pan. But from now on, I will make sure I have backups of backups of all the things that I personally consider essential.
I don’t know how I will ever comfortably shake hands again. And I get a squirmy feeling watching movies and shows where the people are in a normal distance from each other. I want to scoot them apart. I have grown comfortable with wearing a mask, even though I don’t go out often, it gives me a safer feeling. There are a lot of germs, viruses, and bacteria out there and this is going to be second nature for a long while.
———— I have been thinking about this since I posted my response. I think the thing that has changed in me forever is my assumption that the majority of humankind will do the right thing when necessary. Common courtesy toward each other just isn’t as prevalent as I assumed it was. And prior to Trump’s behavior during this pandemic, I really had no idea of the number of sheep that would blindly follow someone giving stupid advice, regardless of the facts being offered, 100% provable facts, to the degree that they would endanger their own life without doing any research among greater minds.
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 28, 2020 11:23:48 GMT
There is no going back for me. I've always tried to keep spare toiletries and household goods. I think I'll feel panic if I don't keep that up. I'll never take grocery shopping for granted again.
I might never shakes hands again.
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Post by pierkiss on Apr 28, 2020 11:43:27 GMT
Yes. We will be keeping a solid stock of toilet paper, paper towels, flour, yeast, and sugar from now on. I’ve always been pretty good about keeping us well stocked on TP, but I always felt comfortable waiting till we ran out of those other things before buying more. Same with clorox or Lysol wipes.
I’m not sure if the 6 of us will ever venture to the grocery store at the same time ever again. At least not while they are little and insist on touching (and sometimes licking) things repeatedly. (And no they are not licking food. More like the cart, or their hands after they’ve gone through the whole store and touched everything. 😫).
Restaurants now give me anxiety. I’ve read Bourdaine’s books and watched his show. I know that restaurants are germy and that employees don’t take off work when they are sick. But this is something that I don’t want to risk me or my family catching.
ETA: apparently I will now be panicking over every illness my kids get from here on out. 😕
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,137
Jul 1, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
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Post by rickmer on Apr 28, 2020 11:50:46 GMT
yes, i think many people will always have it in the back of the their heads. i do also think the morons that don't take it seriously will quickly forget about it.... so there is that and it makes me nervous too.
i think the big one for me will be large gatherings, concerts, shows.... even when those come back, i am thinking those will cause me anxiety.
i did not like the idea of cruises before this - i will *never* step foot on a cruise ship.
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Post by gar on Apr 28, 2020 12:00:14 GMT
I think it will but (assuming we get a good grip on it and it's largely under control) the thought won't be at the forefront of our minds in 5/10 years time. Of course those who lose loved ones will be more scarred by it than others sadly, so like wars etc it will leave more of a mark on some people than others and will affect our generation more than say my DDs in their 20s.
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Post by piebaker on Apr 28, 2020 12:04:10 GMT
I've always turned away if someone coughed or sneezed, but now I know I will wonder if they have something contagious instead of an allergy.
I have stayed home from family dinners/holidays if I suspected one of us was sick. With the use of FaceTime now, I won't feel guilty if we videoconference into a dinner to protect other family members.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Apr 28, 2020 12:23:50 GMT
You know how people like to claim they’re not germaphobes (or prudes, or whatever) when posting because they don’t want to sound extreme. Well, I used to be able to say, “I’m not a germaphobe by any stretch!” But now, I totally am.
I used to think people who didn’t want to shake hands with people or used their sleeves to open doors were going too far. But I never want to shake another person’s hand. If I’m out in public now I am so aware of all the surfaces and try to touch the absolute least amount of things. I can’t imagine I won’t relax about that eventually, but I feel like it will be a long time before that gets out of my system.
And now that people are being very vocal about not thinking this virus is as deadly or serious as it is, i can imagine they don’t feel the precautions or guidelines apply to them. The idea of sacrificing for the common good is dead and my faith in community has taken a big hit. I hope that heals over time.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 28, 2020 13:00:02 GMT
At this point, no. Not for most people. But if it goes on for a longer period of time or gets even worse it might. That might vary depending on where people live, though.
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Post by gillyp on Apr 28, 2020 13:03:50 GMT
I’m not bothered about touching things going forward, I don’t think. I’m not planning on shaking hands with anyone though.
Our First Minister today recommended wearing fabric masks on public transport and in shops so I’ll take that on board. I’ve been making plans for reopening my business and already warned the staff that we are all likely to be wearing masks because we work in close proximity to each other. I’ve also been sourcing Perspex barriers and I was wondering this morning how I would dispose of them when it suddenly occurred to me that I may never have to dispose of them. They may become a permanent fixture.
I think for some people this is going to be a time they will never recover from, emotionally, and I thank my lucky stars that I’ve mainly been a bystander rather than involved too much.
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Post by peasapie on Apr 28, 2020 13:16:08 GMT
I hope it does. We’ve (people all over) been too cavalier about not realizing something can happen to us. Not saving for a rainy day. Not thinking about where our countries get supplies and whether we can manufacture them locally if needed.
I live in NyC area and 9/11 changed us permanently in ways like requiring ID and a metal detector to enter large public buildings and seeing soldiers with machine guns on guard in Port Authority. I think some changes will be permanent in our society.
And personally, I’ll be buying some essential supplies and storing them — just in case.
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Post by mayceesgranny on Apr 28, 2020 13:21:26 GMT
I think the lessons we learn in this pandemic and also from 9/11 will factor into our decisions for a long, long time to come. In a way both are war time experiences ...
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Post by annaintx on Apr 28, 2020 13:27:25 GMT
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Post by gar on Apr 28, 2020 13:35:51 GMT
I used to think people who didn’t want to shake hands with people or used their sleeves to open doors were going too far. But I never want to shake another person’s hand. If I’m out in public now I am so aware of all the surfaces and try to touch the absolute least amount of things. I can’t imagine I won’t relax about that eventually, but I feel like it will be a long time before that gets out of my system. I think as time goes on and we (they, the scientists etc) learn more about the virus we will be able to hone down the possibilities and realities of how this is spread. Although now they say the virus can live for up to 72 hours on a surface, I read that that came from actively putting a strong sample on a surface for that specific test whereas in reality the amount and strength of the virus is likely to be much weaker and less 'dense' (if that's the right word) and we may hopefully find that the chances of catching it from a door handle for example is negligible. I'm like you and have, in the past, felt that my immune system is pretty robust and I didn't fuss about a few germs or dirt so I've had to fight that during these times. I think with more knowledge we'll be able (hopefully!!) to relax in some areas and get back to some sort of normal at least.
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Post by pjaye on Apr 28, 2020 13:37:51 GMT
In terms of my personal behaviour - that won't change too much, I was already quite careful about handwashing, not touching my face etc. It's also not going to change my buying/food storage, as even though there was panic buying at the start, it was solved within a couple of weeks and I was never in any danger of starving! I probably won't wait until I'm half way through the last roll of toilet paper before buying more though.
In terms of the virus though, that has changed 'us' (the human population) because this is with us forever now (or at least in the foreseeable future) it won't be pandemic level, but people are going to get this and die from it for may years to come. Just like people die from the flu every year - covid will now be there with it's own death toll every year as well. I was listening to the news last night and an Australian vaccine expert was on talking about the race to find a vaccine. Interesting that he said that they have been unable to develop a vaccine for other corona viruses in the past, if they get this one, it will be a first. I wasn't aware that attempts at a corona virus vaccine had always been unsuccessful in the past.
He also said that to get to where they are now with the vaccine usually takes a couple of years and they have done it in a few months...which is good, but he still said and actual vaccine (if they can even make one) would be at the end of the year at the earliest and more than likely the start of next year - so still about 12 months away. So this isn't close to being over yet.
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Post by shevy on Apr 28, 2020 13:43:00 GMT
Yes. We will never go back to what the world was before this. It took over 10 years for scientists to figure out influenza and how to isolate it and decades before there was a targeted vaccine. I know that we have more understanding of science, but I still think it will be years before we have something to fight this. And in the mean time, we will have periods of distancing to prevent outbreaks in more populated areas. So people will learn habits from our experiences now to be more aware, stocked up, do things remotely...
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Post by FLA SummerBaby on Apr 28, 2020 13:49:01 GMT
I think this will have a permanent imprint on all of us in one way or another. I have always been an admitted germaphobe. I work in a large office and have never been comfortable with shaking hands with random customers who come through and avoid it. I am known in my office to be the resource for Purell and Lysol and Clorox wipes and always was in habit of wiping down phone, keyboard etc. daily (sometimes more than once). Now that all this pandemic lifestyle has transformed everyone in some way, I know I will not take for granted the simple things I loved and did with relative ease but now feel so much more complex-- like grocery shopping. I have only ventured out twice since March 14. I do feel more comfortable being at home and knowing that I am doing my best to control my environment -- though there are still "outsiders" to deal with -- handling groceries when my DH brings them home, getting the mail, opening packages, etc. It has taken my already keen awareness of germs from others to a new level.
My biggest concerns in the future will remain -- my 85 year old mom and my ability to protect her. I know that we can handle getting whatever items, meds, groceries she needs for her. But I am terrified for the day that I have to take her to a medical appt. that cannot be postponed or done via TeleMed.
Things I miss the most? Going to concerts-- already had tickets (for months) to something in May and something in June. Sad that I won't do those, but realistically can't imagine when I will feel safe to enjoy such a big group of people again. I also miss going to the beach. I know that will be more manageable but will still be different since we are over an hour away so I have to think about where can we go to restrooms if the public parks and facilities are closed.
I think I feel the saddest for the seniors and kids who don't get to "finish" things as they had imagined. Definitely will impact them long term.
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Post by jloubier on Apr 28, 2020 13:49:35 GMT
I have a very bleak view of the future, which makes me very sad. I think the governments and the people at large are waiting for a vaccine that will be the cure all that will bring the world back to "normal". I fear we will be forced to take the vaccine if we want our privileges restored. It will become a world of us against them. Accept to be vaccinated and you can go on about your business. Refuse to be vaccinated and prepare to be monitored, denied entry to events, to schools, to different countries, and on, and on.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,307
Jun 26, 2014 19:30:06 GMT
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Post by scrappinghappy on Apr 28, 2020 13:52:26 GMT
———— I have been thinking about this since I posted my response. I think the thing that has changed in me forever is my assumption that the majority of humankind will do the right thing when necessary. Common courtesy toward each other just isn’t as prevalent as I assumed it was. And prior to Trump’s behavior during this pandemic, I really had no idea of the number of sheep that would blindly follow someone giving stupid advice, regardless of the facts being offered, 100% provable facts, to the degree that they would endanger their own life without doing any research among greater minds. this, 100 times this.
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Post by Monica* on Apr 28, 2020 13:54:31 GMT
I see a little of my views in each of the posts so far. I guess I feel a little adrift and just waiting to see where everything lands. I am careful to a point (wear a mask, wash hands, be careful of surfaces, social distances), but I am not wiping down groceries, etc. In the beginning, I was very afraid, especially for my vulnerable family members who live across the country from me. But as time marches on, I have become more calm and philosophical about it. I lost my dad last year, and that was the worst experience I have ever gone through. I feel like if I could live through that, I could live through anything. He always told me "Little girl, you can not live your life in fear". I try to remember those words. I also try to remember what I can control and what I can not control. And I do a lot of praying. But in the end, I am working really hard on living a life of calm.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Apr 28, 2020 13:56:59 GMT
I'm 54 (for another week at least!) and the depression had an impact on me even though I was born over 30 years after it ended. Even after the prosperity of the of the 50's and 60's those frugality lessons were still practiced among the older generation. I remember growing up with grandparent/parents who reused EVERYTHING. We were just a rung or so above poverty so there were a lot of lessons about wasting things that were purchased. A lot of of homemade food and clothes. Even today, when DH and I are very comfortable financially, I fight against those impulses to deny myself because it's "wasteful" or "I don't NEED it." In some ways it's good, I don't buy just to buy (usually). But I also deny myself things that I can very well afford and I want.
All that to say, yes I think this will have an impact on us as we go forward, especially if this lasts 6 months or longer.
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Apr 28, 2020 14:23:43 GMT
We are going to keep more gloves, face masks on hand from now on. I'm also sure we will keep more flour, yeast, paper towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and soap on hand from this point on. My husband is already a bit of a mini prepper and I think this will step up his game some.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,381
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Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 28, 2020 14:26:06 GMT
I volunteer in a school almost daily. If I'm not allowed in the building, first it's going to make volunteering an impossible challenge in the future, but without events to plan, I will have a lot more time. There is a little part of me that is not sad that our big spring event was canceled and I didn't have to plan for it this year... It makes me question if I actually like volunteering and why do I do it. I was actually very early stages looking to apply for a job in February, that probably won't happen with a tanked economy.
On more long term note, I don't think grocery shopping will ever be the same and I will never become a minimalist because my craft supply hoard and books are what is keeping me sane right now.
My faith in humanity being intelligent and doing the right thing was already iffy, it has gone down about 100 notches.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 28, 2020 14:42:04 GMT
———— I have been thinking about this since I posted my response. I think the thing that has changed in me forever is my assumption that the majority of humankind will do the right thing when necessary. Common courtesy toward each other just isn’t as prevalent as I assumed it was. And prior to Trump’s behavior during this pandemic, I really had no idea of the number of sheep that would blindly follow someone giving stupid advice, regardless of the facts being offered, 100% provable facts, to the degree that they would endanger their own life without doing any research among greater minds. I agree with this. I had lost faith in people in the last few years but this has solidified that. I do think that Trump and his us against them mentality has a big part in that. But I don't know if thing will improve after he is gone.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 28, 2020 14:55:35 GMT
I'm 54 (for another week at least!) and the depression had an impact on me even though I was born over 30 years after it ended. Even after the prosperity of the of the 50's and 60's those frugality lessons were still practiced among the older generation. I remember growing up with grandparent/parents who reused EVERYTHING. We were just a rung or so above poverty so there were a lot of lessons about wasting things that were purchased. A lot of of homemade food and clothes. Even today, when DH and I are very comfortable financially, I fight against those impulses to deny myself because it's "wasteful" or "I don't NEED it." In some ways it's good, I don't buy just to buy (usually). But I also deny myself things that I can very well afford and I want. All that to say, yes I think this will have an impact on us as we go forward, especially if this lasts 6 months or longer. This is me too. I had depression era parents who were children during those years, so all of those lessons they lived day in and out were just ingrained as ‘this is what we do.’ I can totally relate to what you said about denying myself things I want and can afford simply because I don’t really NEED the thing, and then would get a little frustrated when my DH does the exact opposite. It has taken me a long time to reconcile the fact that this is MY issue and I shouldn’t get annoyed because he doesn’t share that same issue. It would be different if we were in a difficult financial situation. ETA: I also think it has solidified for me the fact that there are a lot of selfish, ignorant people who don’t give a rip about anyone other than themselves, and that there are a lot more of them than I ever could have imagined.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Apr 28, 2020 14:59:40 GMT
I have a very bleak view of the future, which makes me very sad. I think the governments and the people at large are waiting for a vaccine that will be the cure all that will bring the world back to "normal". I fear we will be forced to take the vaccine if we want our privileges restored. It will become a world of us against them. Accept to be vaccinated and you can go on about your business. Refuse to be vaccinated and prepare to be monitored, denied entry to events, to schools, to different countries, and on, and on. Is there a reason you would not want to be vaccinated against COVID19?
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
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Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
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Post by scrapngranny on Apr 28, 2020 15:15:11 GMT
I think it will effect those over 40 harder than those who are younger. The young are much more resilient and will slowly absorb this as a blip in their lives. The older we are the more impact it will have our lives forever.
My parents and grandparents were products of the depression. My parents very young, and while they remembered the conditions, it didn’t scar them. My grandfather never really never got past it. He died in 1989, and was still hoarding food and staples at the time of his death. The depression so imprinted on his brain, it was part of his everyday life, and he didn’t even realize it.
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Why
Drama Llama
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Jun 26, 2014 4:03:09 GMT
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Post by Why on Apr 28, 2020 15:21:37 GMT
At my age and with healthy concerns that is a big YES!! I will never leave my home again unless it is absolutely necessary. I know I would not survive the virus and that is not how I want to die. It sounds awful Actually I do not want to die at all but that part is seems to be nonnegotiable ETA - if they really do find a vaccine while I am still here that may change some things. I will never forget how stupid and selfish many have been shown to be. I agree with what Lexia had to say about this.
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Apr 28, 2020 15:27:38 GMT
I had already lost my faith in humanity when trump was elected. So that won't change. I am a hugger by nature so that will have to change. Going to miss that. I will probably find myself stocking up on some hand sanitizer and wipes (if I ever find them).
I wear cloth masks because I have to right now. I really hope to not have to continue that forever. Find it so hard to breathe in them!
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