So We Are Coming Out The Other Side! Of this Pandemic!

We are coming out the other side! 

So it's coming to the end of 2021 and the world has been in the most horrific since the end of 2019 when the world first heard of COVID-19 and the global pandemic first started. I have spoken about this in various posts such as Is this going to be another groundhog year?

But is the new year ahead of going to be the same as the last 2? 

There was a comment made about previous pandemics that I realised was a good observation and that the average time a pandemic lasts is 3 years. The most notable one is the Spanish flu which I mentioned in keeping your distance to stay safe. And that was from December 1918 to the middle of 1921 towards the end of the year.

Right now

Since beginning to write this post there is another variation of COVID-19 that was discovered in South Africa very recently so things have become more difficult again.

But changes are happening all the time so it can be a real struggle to know what to do for the best.

 What can everyone do for now?

The simplest thing people can do is follow the simple rules below.

• Wear a mask on public transport

• Wear a mask in shops and restaurants unless eating and drinking.

• In enclosed places that you don’t usually go wear a mask.

• Keep your interactions as minimal as possible. But do keep an eye on the elderly and those who are vulnerable.

• Staying at home as much as you can.

• Have the injections and boosters

• Carry hand sanitiser and use it 

Some people won’t follow these but they are putting everyone at risk. So unless there is a valid reason like some kind of medical or physical reason then masks should be worn.

Moving forward!

I mentioned before that in some places people are wearing masks for other reasons such as pollution. This is evident, particularly in Japan and China. Where the pollution is more noticeable. So following the simple rules will make it easier and quicker for things to go back to a similar way as before.

Hope for the future?

There is always hope for the future but this depends on everyone who can take action. It also depends on what actions everyone takes.

What does this mean for the exempt?

The following is what is meant for us who are exempt. 

• Stay home as much as possible.

• Have the injections that help everyone.

• Limit your interactions with others.

I get it that limiting your interactions can make you feel lonely but try to make a routine of seeing someone in your network every day. Even if you don’t touch the people you see it's important to be in touch with them. So that could be through:

• Texts

• Phone calls,

• Zoom or face calls.

• Meet up at an open space or garden. 

• Meet at a spacious place. This might be a cafe or coffee place with lots of space.

What ??

So we are all going to be doing indoors? those of us who are indoors more than others may not find as much difference but those who are could follow some of the ideas that I suggest in How are you coping in these strange times

But that is up to you and those around you. But remember that it's not just your life that is being affected by your decisions. It is everyone on the planet.

Final thoughts!

My final thoughts on this are that it is up to everyone to make an informed decision. I will be doing everything I can to ensure that everyone I love and know will be safe.

Is This Going To Be Another Groundhog Year? Again!!

 It's still a lockdown in February. Nothing has changed since the beginning of Christmas 2020. Except everything has changed there are millions of people who have had their first immunisation jab to the virus. Yet millions are still waiting for their first.

HOW ARE YOU GETTING ON IN THIS LOCKDOWN.

You are not the only one who is struggling!

Remember everyone in this whole world is in a similar situation to yourself. So if you need to talk to people then do so. You can always contact me using email if you feel that you have no one to go to. Use your phone or the internet. If you can.

Listen to your favourite books or podcasts. Such as Sweetestmoonduststyle. If you don’t haven’t any then binge on your favourite movies or shows. By DVD or by streaming such as Netflix or Amazon Prime.

My favourite movies and shows are as follows:

1. The Post
2. Les Miserables
3. Picard
4. The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Just to name a few.

My fave books are as follows:

1. Complete works of Jane Austen
2. Terry Pratchett Discworld Series
3. The Complete Sherlock Holmes

Although I read various types those are my go tos for comfort. I can put my mind in those places and be a visual observer of the story. Rather than going somewhere new and pay more attention to what is going on.

Therefore, this is my safe place mentally although I do read several different types of books.

Another thing to do is to listen to positive music. This is my Spotify List with music from the 40s up to now.

Or listen to some amazing positive podcasts. The following are my go-to positive shows if I really need a boost Be Positive Stay Positive and Every Day Positivity. Another Helpful podcast I listen to is Happy Place and this is done by Fearne Cotton. She also has written books that I love, giving tips on the inside chatter, negativity etc.

STILL, STRUGGLING WITH WHAT'S GOING ON?

It's ok to be in the mood that you are alone but you must realise that you are not alone. A way to resolve an issue would be to help the elderly or disabled locally if you can. But if you cant just ring them up so that they know that tyhe6y are not alone just like you.

It is different living with one or more people because you can talk to that person or people. There are times when you want to be silent and just recharge your batteries. This is a good idea especially as you sometimes clash emotionally and verbally.

You’re not the only one who is feeling like this right now. Everyone is to some degree. Remember that your well being is the first thing to think of before trying to help anyone else because if you don’t look after yourself then you will not be able to help anyone else.

So take a deep breath and take that first step to your self-care before anyone else.

WHATS NEXT!

I am writing this towards the end of the month and tonight the UK prime minister is laying out his next move for here. Hopefully, things will be heading to a positive future but no one truly knows what is in the future. Even before the virus made more problems for the world.

The virus has no bounds and does not pick any particular race, colour or religion so by looking after yourself and your family. If in a house with other people then ensure that you all work together and get this world back to some kind of normality.

I need to be in some kind of bubble because of cerebral palsy and luckily I am with my family. I miss going out to see my friends and getting fresh air. Winter is drawing to a close, spring is coming at what seems to be a quick pace. This is when I tend to go out more in any case because of the warmer weather and the way it eases my cerebral palsy. I still also listen and read. There are days that I feel completely worn out and just want to do nothing. That’s ok too!

Don’t panic too much and get your inoculation if you are offered it and just carry on protecting yourself and those you love until we get back to some kind of normality because I very much doubt that the world will be the same again.