Some nice beneficial things about lockdowns & distancing
Discussion
With so much negativity around, I want to list some of the side benefits (to me anyway) of this unfortunate situation, apart from the obvious transmission reduction thing:-
(1) There has been a welcome reduction in people asking me "Are you alright there?". At last they understand that I'm not stopping and waiting somewhere due to being not "alright there", but I'm actually thinking about where I'm going, and waiting until I can go there without getting too close to someone else. Always done that, but always been asked if I'm "alright there". I hate being asked if I'm alright.
(2) When out walking, one of the problems came from people in cars asking me if I wanted a lift. [Look, (i think to myself), if I wanted to go in a car then I would have made the journey in one of mine!]
The question doesn't arise now. Yippee. No one wants someone else in their car.
(3) I have long been concerned I was picking up bugs from other people's breath, either in the air or from surfaces, or in food/drinks delivered by someone else. At last those other people are now wearing face coverings. I love it!
(4) At work there are several people who have no idea of personal space, and were often invading mine. I have been telling them, but on more than one occasion I was the one made to look wrong! What! Coupled with that is the 21st century disease of grabbing my computer's keyboard or mouse and doing something on it whilst I was trying to use it! How rude! .... it doesn't happen now. Fantastic.
I wonder if anyone else feels the same, or have their own side benefits of this unfortunate virus situation?
(1) There has been a welcome reduction in people asking me "Are you alright there?". At last they understand that I'm not stopping and waiting somewhere due to being not "alright there", but I'm actually thinking about where I'm going, and waiting until I can go there without getting too close to someone else. Always done that, but always been asked if I'm "alright there". I hate being asked if I'm alright.
(2) When out walking, one of the problems came from people in cars asking me if I wanted a lift. [Look, (i think to myself), if I wanted to go in a car then I would have made the journey in one of mine!]
The question doesn't arise now. Yippee. No one wants someone else in their car.
(3) I have long been concerned I was picking up bugs from other people's breath, either in the air or from surfaces, or in food/drinks delivered by someone else. At last those other people are now wearing face coverings. I love it!
(4) At work there are several people who have no idea of personal space, and were often invading mine. I have been telling them, but on more than one occasion I was the one made to look wrong! What!
Coupled with that is the 21st century disease of grabbing my computer's keyboard or mouse and doing something on it whilst I was trying to use it! How rude! .... it doesn't happen now. Fantastic.I wonder if anyone else feels the same, or have their own side benefits of this unfortunate virus situation?
I'm not having to spend my weekends running around taking the kids to clubs/swimming or a million other things so we are all spending more time with each other going out for walks or playing games, riding bikes and generally being together.
Its lovely, we are not as stressed about planning weekends around each child having to be somewhere while the other has to be somewhere else.
We are saving money, no eating out or shopping or lots of other unnecessary expenditure and we are hardly using the car.
I have been in my garage more just tinkering with the hobby cars, often helped by one or other of the children.
We are eating better, no fast food or takeout, much more local grown veg and fresh meat and fish.
The "buzz" has died down, its slowed down a bit and I'm glad.
Its lovely, we are not as stressed about planning weekends around each child having to be somewhere while the other has to be somewhere else.
We are saving money, no eating out or shopping or lots of other unnecessary expenditure and we are hardly using the car.
I have been in my garage more just tinkering with the hobby cars, often helped by one or other of the children.
We are eating better, no fast food or takeout, much more local grown veg and fresh meat and fish.
The "buzz" has died down, its slowed down a bit and I'm glad.
M4cruiser said:
(3) I have long been concerned I was picking up bugs from other people's breath, either in the air or from surfaces, or in food/drinks delivered by someone else. At last those other people are now wearing face coverings. I love it!
Warm festering 5 day old masks over peoples mouths, coupled with constant adjusting/fidgeting, probably means that your food/drinks are far more contaminated than they ever were.In any case, if you try to live a 'sterile' life avoiding other peoples germs, your immune system would likely be absolutely pathetic.
As I'm in France the no more kissing everyone hello is just fantastic. It's a bloody nuisance!
I don't go out much where there are people,but when I have to now it's bliss.
Unlike the last lockdown I'm going to work so still using diesel but the last lockdown me and the mrs saved about €600 on fuel!
I don't go out much where there are people,but when I have to now it's bliss.
Unlike the last lockdown I'm going to work so still using diesel but the last lockdown me and the mrs saved about €600 on fuel!
No real change for me TBH. Im in a bubble with my regular friend I visit so thats not changed. I've had to curtail eating out and the cinema but thats no big shakes really. Would eat out once a week and maybe go cinema every few weeks depending whats on.
rest of my life is pretty much the same.
I do miss car shows and such but that isn't really part of your day to day life but occasional weekend stuff so you don't miss it quite the same as its not part of my routine.
rest of my life is pretty much the same.
I do miss car shows and such but that isn't really part of your day to day life but occasional weekend stuff so you don't miss it quite the same as its not part of my routine.
The ordering systems at bars and restaurants were quite nice as it saves queuing 5 deep at a bar when you want to grab a drink.
Overall I find the most beneficial thing is appreciating what you have such as a job and the luxuries you take for granted, especially when you hear about people being laid off all the time.
Overall I find the most beneficial thing is appreciating what you have such as a job and the luxuries you take for granted, especially when you hear about people being laid off all the time.
It's been great, i'm happy with my own company anyway so being forced to stay indoors has not been a hardship.
Managed to get lots of reading done, watched the weird things going on including an RAF Globemaster C17 using Luton airport for circuits and bumps.
Not hearing the local muppets effing and jeffing every 10 seconds has been a welcome treat.
Managed to get lots of reading done, watched the weird things going on including an RAF Globemaster C17 using Luton airport for circuits and bumps.
Not hearing the local muppets effing and jeffing every 10 seconds has been a welcome treat.
I actually like my wife and kids and enjoy spending time with them. So lockdown in my household has and is quite enjoyable.
I'm sure it's just bravado, but the number of acquaintances both, personal and professional, who seems to be desperate to get away from their families is unexpected.
I'm sure it's just bravado, but the number of acquaintances both, personal and professional, who seems to be desperate to get away from their families is unexpected.
Not having to go to some grossly overpriced restaurant selling dodgy food average wine and endure poor service and creepy sommeliers etc.
Great staying in sampling top home cooked food (cooked by my delightful g/f btw) drinking quality £10 a bottle wine having a firepit and quality time spent together.
Can't wait for lockdown Xmas lol without having to endure tedious relativesscresming oiky kids and all the usual festive tat.
Its a win win.
Great staying in sampling top home cooked food (cooked by my delightful g/f btw) drinking quality £10 a bottle wine having a firepit and quality time spent together.
Can't wait for lockdown Xmas lol without having to endure tedious relativesscresming oiky kids and all the usual festive tat.
Its a win win.
I've seen more wildlife in my garden than ever before and been on many walks in lovely areas, including a number of local spots I didn't know before. The busy road behind our house has also been much quieter in general.
I've also spent far more time with my son, and my partner, than I expected to in his first year of life and that's been awesome. I'm super happy being a dad and never thought there was a boring stage where 'he didn't do anything' or whatever so I've enjoyed the whole thing so far.
1st birthday today and he enjoyed himself even though our trip to the zoo didn't happen:
I've also spent far more time with my son, and my partner, than I expected to in his first year of life and that's been awesome. I'm super happy being a dad and never thought there was a boring stage where 'he didn't do anything' or whatever so I've enjoyed the whole thing so far.
1st birthday today and he enjoyed himself even though our trip to the zoo didn't happen:
Work is the same, just from home 5 days instead of 2 a week. It’s a global role so is interesting to see how the other regions are dealing with it. Had a call with a colleague in HK last week who was wearing a mask at his desk.
I see my 1yr old son for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and when I pop down for a coffee)
A lot more family time in general
The mother in law is legally prohibited from visiting
ETA: to balance the first point, the additional family time does mean 2-3 late nights a month (after they’re in bed) to prep for this and that.
I see my 1yr old son for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and when I pop down for a coffee)
A lot more family time in general
The mother in law is legally prohibited from visiting
ETA: to balance the first point, the additional family time does mean 2-3 late nights a month (after they’re in bed) to prep for this and that.
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