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How are you coping with the news?
Cher_Scope
Community Team Posts: 2,401 Disability Gamechanger
I think we can all agree that there is a lot going on in the outside world at the minute.
The news on Saturday that Christmas restrictions were to be tightened because of the new variant of covid-19 came as a real blow for people suddenly plunged into tier 4. While constant updates about countries banning arrivals from the UK and the Brexit transition means we are experiencing a year like no other. (I won't say unprecedented).
This all got me wondering, how are you coping? Are you managing to stay relaxed? What impact, if any, is this having on you?
I think this is a time when our community members might need each other that little bit more so please let us know if you are struggling because we want to help
The news on Saturday that Christmas restrictions were to be tightened because of the new variant of covid-19 came as a real blow for people suddenly plunged into tier 4. While constant updates about countries banning arrivals from the UK and the Brexit transition means we are experiencing a year like no other. (I won't say unprecedented).
This all got me wondering, how are you coping? Are you managing to stay relaxed? What impact, if any, is this having on you?
I think this is a time when our community members might need each other that little bit more so please let us know if you are struggling because we want to help
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We had agreed to meet as a family just 3 households as allowed on xmas eve and then all spend xmas day just in our own separate households
We are still going to do this it may be wrong but we will only be together for 1 evening a few hours but just not on the day they say we can
For those who want a refresher of the updated Christmas rules, visit this government webpage.
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Even when there is something positive to report they have to find something negative about it and focus in on that.
I wonder how morale would have fared if we had the current news organisations we have now during WW2. They would constantly be reporting on things like the strength and innovation of the enemy and how well they were doing compared to us!
I cope with it all by not reading or watching the news unless there is something I am specifically looking for. I figure that if something is important enough, I will hear about it without looking for it. It works well and I just get the basic info I need rather than reading lots into something and worrying myself about it.
I'm a big advocate of going outside for walks (or wheels) just to clear our heads. Infact I spotted that was one of the tips in today's Guardian article about 'coping with the covid Christmas blues'.
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@Grinchy that’s a great attitude - there is always someone worse off than yourself. I like that and am trying to consider it over Christmas as I am really lucky in that my family all live together anyway so our plans aren’t disrupted but I’m aware scores of peoples’ are.
@66Mustang I'm with you there. A good drive singing along to some very loud music does wonders!
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Somebody ^ said that Johnsons a clown who needs to shut up, that's not very constructive is it? Personally I think the govt. are doing the best they can in terrible circumstances.
As for coping with the news i'm ok, we are doing everything we can to stay safe and to make sure those around us are staying safe, at a time like this we all need to pull together and look out for one another x
@Cher_Scope, no worries, we have each other, glad of that, cheers!
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As with others on here, I rarely watch the news any more. I hear the headlines on the radio and just watch the briefings when we're expecting something big.
How are you doing today? Do you feel you are getting enough support with your mental health at the moment? If this is something you'd prefer to discuss privately then please email us at [email protected] Otherwise, be sure to let us know if you ever need help. I hope you are having a better day.
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I am coping thank you. I hope everyone here on the community is ok and receiving the support they need. My heart goes out to all the people who now will be on their own at Christmas but hope that they have access to technology to help ensure they are able to stay connected to people. I also feel for our wonderful NHS staff who have already been through so much and are going to be facing a very difficult winter. My thoughts and condolences go out to all the thousands of families who have lost loved ones this year. It makes me sad that, though the majority of people are being respectful of the rules, there are a minority who are not. I just don't understand how some people can just carry on doing whatever they want whilst there is so much suffering happening. As @woodbine said, there is a vaccine on the way and there is light at the end of the tunnel, we just need to support one another and look out for each other in the week's and months that lay ahead. My Christmas wish is that those who have or are experiencing difficult times are able to receive the support they need. Thank you.
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Hope you all have a good Christmas no matter how you are managing to celebrate but for me I will be with me, myself and I
Wishing you all the best, and hoping that next year will be better for all of us.
Asked why people who are shielding are still being made to go into their workplaces in Tier 3 areas, the Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer’s vague and inadequate response is indicative of the government forgetting the needs of disabled people throughout this pandemic.
This response reinforces disabled people’s sense of being abandoned by government and that their lives are seen as expendable.
Furlough remains down to employer discretion, which means some disabled people at higher risk of the virus are having to choose between their life and livelihood.
Many disabled people are also worried about how they will access food and essentials over the Christmas period. Supermarket delivery slots are now scarce and disabled shoppers are facing the risk of visiting stores at a time when the R rate is rising rapidly.
There must be urgent action to address this. Disabled people have been among the hardest hit all year, with many spending months shielding away from loved ones.
As we face the emergence of this new strain, the government must put in place a clear plan for how it will protect and support disabled people, to prevent thousands more avoidable deaths.
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Yup, the Tories have innocent blood on their hands IMHO.
What gets me as well, is that 5 years ago they declared me unfit to work, even though I've spent the last 20 odd years doing College placements and voluntary jobs so is it not possible I could work in SOME capacity even though I refuse on principle to be placed in some 2 quid a day non job specifically for disabled clients?!
It's true that ATOS and their friends have made some poor decisions BUT they have also made far more good ones than bad.
@MrAllen1976 if you think you could work have you tried doing so?
I've applied for several jobs in between but as soon as I declare my disability, especially the Asperger's, I get rejected! I wouldn't mind but it's supposed to be illegal that!
On the 3rd day, the Manager presented me with a "pay packet" containing 6 quid, for 3 full 8 hour days of work, the equivalent of 25p an hour, and it took all my strength not to throw it back and not go on a long rant about the inequality of doing THAT for 2 quid a day for 3 days, I did resign though and told him I didn't wanna do it any more as I physically couldn't do it.
Apparently the only reason I got an interview was because the Co Op do a guaranteed interview for disabled applicants, this was my second Co Op interview as I had one last July at the one in Crookes for the new one on Oldfield Road, would've been great as Mum and Dad are always in there buying stuff as it's their local one, only reason I didn't get the job was because I'm on enhanced rate PIP so I can't work more than 16 hours, or so I thought, it was a 16 hour contract with scope for regular overtime, I lost the job because I had to declare that I couldn't do the overtime without severe benefit sanctions!
And the government wonders why there's guys out there working 50-60 hours a week and not declaring it? Jesus wept.