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How are you finding socialising post-lockdown?
Cher_Scope
Community Team Posts: 2,376 Disability Gamechanger
Now that restrictions are being eased on the covid-19 lockdown, more opportunities have become available to get out and about, see friends and visit our favourite places.
For some disabled people this has been a welcome relief, with the BBC website sharing stories about people with cancer dating over lockdown and the loneliness experienced by young carers.
For some disabled people this has been a welcome relief, with the BBC website sharing stories about people with cancer dating over lockdown and the loneliness experienced by young carers.
However, for others the prospect of returning to a ‘new normal’ has brought with it feelings of fear and a reluctance go near busy spaces. For instance, @SHannamSwain said on Twitter:
“I’ve been in a couple of shops and hated it. I’m not shielding as such but I’m certainly in no rush to go into shops for no major reason, or to see lots of people.”
This anxiety is shared by some who are choosing to remain shielded at home, still concerned about the virus and feeling let down by government support. For a great article on this read Nikki Fox’s "Coronavirus: Why many are still shielding... With no end in sight"
What are your thoughts about socialising post-lockdown? Have you been out or are you preferring to stay inside?
Let us know in the comments.
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Are you still booking to go to the meeting where you can? Yep, it's taking some adjusting to isn't it.
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I have noticed how quiet everywhere still is though, you go somewhere expecting it to be busy and it isnt
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I do wear a mask i dont like it but understand the need for it
Thank you for asking this question. I had to shield and only left my house once in four months to go to the hospital. I'm not used to this as I am very fortunate to be out and about usually. I have been to the pub and met up with friends in outside areas. I feel quite safe but I can appreciate how difficult it must be for people who are feeling anxious about go back out. I'm finding face masks a little difficult due to my speech and worrying that people may not be able to understand me. I am considering a face shield, however people who I have spoken to so far seem to be able to understand me. Thank you.
@WestHam06 It sounds like face masks are working well but the face visors (or shields) are a good alternative if you start having difficulties being understood. Are you meeting up with your friends soon again?
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@Jaanu38 It can feel really scary, especially when others don't seem to be taking precautions. Are you managing to get out much?
@chiarieds I can entirely understand those circumstances making you apprehensive about going out. Although it seems to be quietening down generally, the reality of people's loss is overwhelming
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Thanks for your support. I am only going out for essential visits such as the dentist. We are having supermarket shopping delivered and a kind neighbour helps out with getting us fresh deliveries. I hope my confidence will increase as local lockdown restrictions ease. xx
That's great. If you are ever bored and fancy a natter, feel free to have a nosey around our Coffee Lounge where we talk about anything and everything and play games.
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I'm now trying to go back to 'open' places before the weather becomes too inclement, but wherever I go I seem to eventually end up at a pinch point where there always seems to be another person, even if I haven't seen anyone else for the entire walk up to that point. People in general don't seem bothered by the guidelines either, I don't expect people to be wearing haz-mat suits and carrying a 2 metre ruler outside but at least keep to the other side of the path and don't cough at other people! Maybe it is a minority, but as I'm only going out once a week and it happens every time, it's certainly not just an exception.
There are a couple of outdoor events coming up near me very soon, in previous years it's the sort of thing I'd have attempted, but I just don't feel I can trust people to keep their distance even outside.
You aren't alone in feeling this way. There are such varying perceptions of social distancing about that it's very hit and miss going places. I'm sorry you feel unable to go to the outdoor events but I understand. It's important you feel comfortable and are able to enjoy them.
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I haven't been able to meet up with friends as I am having an operation next week so I have had to self isolate for two weeks. I look forward to meeting up with them again soon
I am in total agreement with what people say about people not following the guidelines, I think people think that it is all over now, that said I think, like with most things, its a minority. I know that during lockdown I saw many people not following the rules and as I said I didn't leave the house for 4 months. It comes down to thinking of others and everyone doing their bit and unfortunately some people struggle with this. I know they are saying that young people are driving the increase in cases and although I think they do this because they think they will be ok, I find it difficult as I am a young person but I understand that we all must do our bit and I think even if I weren't in the vulnerable group, I would still follow the guidelines. We must all accept though that we are all different. @chiarieds my condolences for the loses you speak of
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Thank you so much for the best wishes, it really means a lot. It is the first of two operations I require, each for different reasons. I feel very lucky and fortunate to be looked after by the wonderful NHS, they have been absolutely amazing this year, but that said they are amazing every day of every year. They are so committed to their job and so humble. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words, I greatly appreciate them. This first operation is hopefully only day surgery all being well but I may take you up on that for my second one
As an individual I stood alone.
As a member of a group I did things.
As part of a community I helped to create change!
I am in Scotland
I can totally understand you having anxiety and a lot of our members feel the same. The Cancer Research UK website has a brilliant webpage on Coronavirus Shielding Advice that provides advice on what to do in your position and I'd really recommend reading it.
Have you spoken to your hospital team about what they recommend? If not, I'd speak with them as they are best placed to let you know whats safe.
It's definitely important to start going back outside at your own pace and a time when you feel comfortable to do it, so try and be easy on yourself and take it a day at a time. I love how much you love Tiktok! Do you go on it much? I've never used it
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I like the fact that masks need to be worn in shops. I've been in 5 shops since mid August. I feel more at ease and safer. The shopping gets delivered anyway and they leave it on the doorstep. I put a note up on the door explaining that my mum is vulnerable. A few weeks ago the postman went to hand me a parcel whilst I was bringing the shopping in and I had to put my hand up and tell him not to come any closer please. I felt bossy,but I need to try to protect my mum,dad and myself.
I started seeing 2 of my friends in early August. I wear a mask there. If I need a drink,I use my own mug and I go further away to drink it,then put my mask back on. When nipping to the toilet I wear disposable gloves and wipe down the seat and lid,dispose of them,go to the toilet,then wipe the seat,lid and the flush button again. I then turn the tap on with kitchen paper,throw that away,wash my hands,dry them with kitchen paper,throw it away, then open the door with kitchen paper and throw that away. When going over,my bag consists of 3 disposable masks,3 pairs of disposable gloves,antibacterial wipes,hand sanitiser,kitchen roll,2 plastic bags and my own mug. When I get home I sanitise my hands,take the mask off,put it in a plastic bag,then into the general waste bin,then wipe my hands with hand wipes,open the door with my elbow,come in and wash my hands,then lock the door. My anxiety goes sky high,but I need to do this otherwise I don't feel safe. I'll be glad when a vaccine comes out. The whole think makes me very anxious.
Hope all is well with everyone. Just a quick message for those of you who kindly wished me luck for my operation. I'm now at home recovering, thank you so much for your best wishes, it's very kind of you and I greatly appreciate them. Thank you.
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Scope
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How are you? Thank you so much for your kind messages, I greatly appreciate them. My recovery continues to go ok, thank you for asking
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I'm pleased to hear that you are well. I have mostly been sleeping, but yes I have managed to keep myself occupied, thank you for asking. It's tough as I like to be doing things but sometimes it's better to be patient and allow time to heal and recover in order to be to get back to doing things you enjoy, though I find this hard. I join in at the local pub quiz and so the quiz master has been sending me quizzes to keep me busy which is extremely kind of him and I look forward to getting back to the pub
That's so nice of him! I had my first pub trip since before lockdown the other week and it was glorious. I do indeed like a quiz, especially a pub quiz. I'm not very good at them though, so I have to go with people who are there for the fun of it rather than to win
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@WestHam06, love a good quiz! Although, my field of knowledge isn't very broad.
Scope
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Thank you
Hi @chiarieds,
It sounds as though you have more knowledge than I do
Hi @Chloe_Scope,
I too don't have a broad range of knowledge, please may I ask, do you have a specific subject that you know more about? I am usually quite good at football related questions. I have asked @Tori_Scope this question but if I please could ask you as well, what are the virtual online escape rooms like? Thank you.
I think there are different kinds of virtual escape rooms that you can do. I've heard of some that are more similar to the non-virtual ones, in that there's a video or simulation of the escape room and you work through the physical clues as you usually would, just remotely. The ones I've done have been more puzzle-based, so basically a series of different puzzles with a story and animations to go along with it if that makes sense. They're good fun!
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Thank you for sharing this with me. The way you describe it makes complete sense and it sounds as though they are definitely worth checking out
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Scope
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How are you? I tried Sherlocked and can see why it says at the start that they recommend playing it with friends. I thought I would try on my own and didn't manage to work out one suspect
Oh no! To be fair, I think I spent most of the time sitting there in awe at the intelligence of some of my friends, and saying things like 'hmm yes, I agree' whilst internally thinking '!!! What?'
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I'm sure you played your part and made valuable contributions
My recovery continues to go ok thank you, I'm getting there. Thank you so much for asking it really means a lot and for all of the support.
Yeah PhD is correct. Wow! That is impressive. Definitely get them involved. I did find that we were overthinking some of the clues though, lots of them were simpler than we were making out.
No problem! That's a good trait to have, and it's always good to get some help from friends and family.
That's good to hear. No worries
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I see. Well I hope West Ham have some better luck in the future.
Yeah, it's a really fun idea! I managed to miss it somehow the first time around. I can't say I follow football particularly, but I don't mind watching it with other people. I grew up in High Wycombe, so have a soft spot for Wycombe Wanderers. I'm ready to see them get absolutely destroyed in the Championship league
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Thank you, West Ham are going to need all the luck they can get this season
Yes, hopefully we'll all get at least a few points. I'm not feeling too confident about my rather random guesses though
I like Gareth Ainsworth too. I used to play Fifa with my brother, and we'd always make sure he was in midfield. I think you're right, there'll be lots of difficult games up ahead. They're a bit out of their depth. I didn't know he was in a band! Very random.
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Good old FIFA, can't beat it, I still play now occasionally. I do remember Ainsworth on the game a few seasons ago and he definitely had to be in midfield.
I'm just going to update the table for the predictions, hopefully we all did well
I haven't played in ages because I don't have a console, but I do miss it. I'll have to look the band up!
Yeah me too
Ooh exciting!
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I see Wycombe are playing Swansea at the weekend and it is on TV, please may I ask, will you will be watching? I have also found Gareth Ainsworth's band name, they are called 'The Cold Blooded Hearts'. I have not listened to any songs though
Ooh, I'll try and find them and give them a listen this afternoon
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Wycombe were unlucky at the weekend, they have heart, passion and desire, they just lack that little bit of extra quality. I really hope they can stay up this season and it's early days so they may be able to turn it around. Thank you.
My views on this are rather mixed.
Yes we can go out and socialise but in a way that is still very restrictive. We can go to a cafe for a coffee and a snack with a friend but we need to stay socially distanced and give track and trace details. It takes the fun out of the event. We can go shopping but have to wear a mask where quite often the younger shoppers never bother. I know many people are exempt, as am I, but I wear one as long as it isn't causing me problems. We have resumed church services, again wearing a mask and socially distanced, no singing of hymns and the communion is odd as only the wafer can be offered. I am sure we have lost some family groups at church due to the fear of mixing. My family is already six in number including the 3 children so very difficult to have anyone over unless one or more of us are out.
The group I go to, Medway Men in Sheds, is restricted to six where there used to be about twenty. For a group designed to combat social isolation this is difficult to manage when men need to have a place they can go and chat about their worries with other men in the same position. The centre has a cafe which closed during lockdown and now may not reopen.
I saw this i news article today about seeking out positive news during the pandemic and limiting the amount of negativity we absorb from social media. I think this is especially important as the coronavirus fall out continues. Is anyone else trying to limit how much regular news they watch or listen to?
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These days I assume if something is important enough I will hear about it from somebody - indeed these days I get all my news from other people.
Though, I think the reason the news is full of negativity is that it gets more papers sold/gets more views than warm fuzzy stories, sadly!
Yes, I did find a few recordings on YouTube! They're better than I expected actually. Good old fashioned rock. This one is pretty catchy.
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Thank you for sharing 'The Wanderer' with me, I agree it is definitely a catchy tune and I think I will search more of their songs
Boring answer, but I like a bit of everything! I like rock, indie, jazz, hip hop, rap, and more. I'm quite into lofi hip hop at the moment. I find it good to both relax and work to. There are lots of great compilations of songs on YouTube, but this is one of my favourites at the moment in case you want to give it a listen
What kind of music do you enjoy?
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I'm an awful singer, but there's nothing quite like belting out your favourite song like no one's listening
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