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Start here => What's your crime? Basic Discussion => Topic started by: Gopher Gary on September 06, 2020, 05:06:39 PM

Title: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 06, 2020, 05:06:39 PM
I'm curious if anyone else has made changes because of the pandemic, that they think will continue from now on.  :orly:

I used to only grocery shop twice per month, but now I shop every week because I don't want to look greedy buying too much at one time, and I've grown to like having everything well stocked all the time, so I think that change is going to stick.

I've also increased the amount of frozen and non-perishable food I keep in the house. I think my previous disaster preparedness food efforts were fine but I've gotten accustomed to having more now and have a good rotating system, so that's probably going to stay too.

I may think of more, but food is probably the biggest changes I've made.  :dunno:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Yuri Bezmenov on September 06, 2020, 05:42:03 PM
A high school friend of mine has a new normal.

It's called "Do meth, do some really stupid shit and end up in an encounter with the police"

In his latest episode, his uncle got a hotel room in Ventura for he and his mother to come down from Santa Maria and visit. In addition to struggling with meth addiction, he's also a sex addict and nothing makes him hornier than meth. So at some point he got some meth, looked up some porn videos on a laptop and stated to masturbate right in front of his mother!!!.

Lucky for my friend, she didn't call the cops, instead she called up her other son to come pick her up.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 06, 2020, 05:44:50 PM
:aff:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 06, 2020, 05:48:18 PM
Oh, my new normal insecure food habits also include an increased back up supply of dog food. I had a panic moment running a little low on dog food and not being able to find it in any store, but luckily found a place I could order it online, so now I keep lots and lots more dog food.  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Dirty Big Yoke on September 06, 2020, 05:53:14 PM
Increased overall anxiety and actually being irrationally nervous about going out.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 06, 2020, 06:28:41 PM
Yeah, the food stuff is definitely an insecurity coping mechanism, but I've been doing it long enough I think I've formed permanent habits. I've worried most about Sugarbutt's special dietary needs because I haven't been able to react on those concerns. I already had about 3-4 weeks of non-perishable special food stashed for him, but I'd like to increase that too and it's been impossible to find since this all started. I'll just have to keep watching and grab some when I can. :dunno:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Dirty Big Yoke on September 06, 2020, 06:41:28 PM
The other main change for me is a renewed interest in photography, among other things. I've been eating far less as of late too.

I also guess that my hygiene overall has improved - I'll likely keep wearing a mask outside even when the pandemic is over, and I'm always far more conscious on washing my hands etc. when out.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 06, 2020, 07:09:02 PM
I haven't really thought about masks as a permanent change going forward. I would definitely say it's become a habit though, because I do it reflexively now and sometimes forget I have one on, even though I only leave the house once per week. I was already a neurotic cleaner, and Sugarbutt's immunity means we already did extra stuff. I wasn't one of those people affected by not being able to find antiviral cleaners and masks because we already had that type of stuff. And toilet paper, no one's ever going to make fun of me again for hoarding toilet paper. 
:lol1:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Parts on September 06, 2020, 07:10:40 PM
I avoid going in stores even more than I did before and any place with a line of more than two people is defiantly a no go.  I used get lunch at a deli at least once a week which I have done only once since March
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Minister Of Silly Walks on September 06, 2020, 09:16:46 PM
I now attend meetings in my underpants.

That's gonna be a tough habit to break when I go back into the office.

Then again, maybe I can start a new trend.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 06, 2020, 11:47:24 PM
I suspect I'll be less inclined to regularly spend a week at a client site without a very good reason.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on September 07, 2020, 05:53:34 AM
None of the changes are likely permanent.

Now drink hazelnut coffee every day; previously drank plain coffee from the office and the hazelnut was a weekend treat. Coffee was a tough adjustment, oddly missing the cup kept in the office, and in the beginning was still drinking hazelnut only on the weekends at home. It still seems like a treat, though now a daily one. Will probably go back to drinking office coffee because that's easier.

Have completely stopped wearing makeup, though this has caused a dry skin issue due to missing the moisturizers in foundation. Have purchased facial scrub and moisturizer, but that seems to completely defeat the benefit of not spending money on makeup.

Also recently decided to forego hair color, now knowing returning to the office will not happen until next year. This is a huge maybe for when the time comes to make that decision.

TBD if Jack will embrace her natural appearance as permanent pandemic change.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on September 08, 2020, 10:27:12 AM
Probably going to miss coming here on lunch break, when things get back to old normal.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Parts on September 08, 2020, 11:36:22 AM
I've changed where I walk the dogs due to all the people out in the parks and on the trails at all hours.   Hopefully the numbers will drop and I can go back to my favorite spots
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Phoenix on September 08, 2020, 11:50:35 AM
I'm home far more than I was before because the things I did previously involved large gatherings like choir, monkeyboys ASD social groups, weekends away with my friends etc. I think it will be a long time before those things happen again.

I walk my dog in places where I won't run into many people (she tends to draw a crowd due to her breed and size, everyone wants to pet her). That will probably continue because I like the quiet.

I never really kept much of a supply of staples outside of winter and I've started doing that. I will probably continue to do that going forward.

I miss my twice yearly getaways with my kids and not having to worry so much about germs and contagions.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Pyraxis on September 08, 2020, 02:00:19 PM
I'm running three times a week due to being able to do it and shower over lunch. That's the main positive, the rest of the changes are mostly the same crap everyone is dealing with.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 09, 2020, 11:01:59 AM
I'm a little surprised no one said online grocery shopping. I guess some people might have been doing that already, but I think that's going to be a change for a lot of people in general. I know people who never did it before who say they'll keep doing it because of never realizing how convenient it is. I haven't tried it because I buy a lot of produce, and which produce I decide to buy is completely dependent on the condition of it, so I just can't even think about letting someone else do it or buying stuff I might not have otherwise bought at all. I can only be mad or disappointed at myself most times if I get something that isn't very good. A few months back I got some radishes I think may have accidentally been frozen because they were sort of smushy. It never occurred to me before to squeeze radishes, but now I do.  :lol1:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Pyraxis on September 09, 2020, 01:22:04 PM
Yeah, I don't do online grocery shopping due to wanting to pick my own produce and meat, and sometimes impulse buy new things at the store which I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Also inertia. I don't like changing habits.

I ordered socks online though, and shoes for the cub. It took three pairs before I found some that fit him. The socks got delayed for a month and a half, which was equally annoying. Once the big surge passed, it was back to the stores again because it's so much easier to get what you want the first time.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Phoenix on September 09, 2020, 04:44:05 PM
Yes, I've been doing online grocery shopping and it's rare that anything I've chosen has been poorly selected so I'm happy overall. Plus it keeps me on budget.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 09, 2020, 07:26:26 PM
I could also be making excuses for myself because I really really like grocery shopping now.  :lol1: For years I thought I hated grocery shopping. It might be because I didn't do it often enough so it was a huge undertaking and an awful chore, or it could be because it's now literally the only time I go anywhere except for the occasional health related appointment.  :dunno: Anyway, weekly grocery day. :woohoo: Gonna squeeze me some radishes.  :zoinks:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Walkie on September 09, 2020, 10:05:32 PM
I could also be making excuses for myself because I really really like grocery shopping now.  :lol1: For years I thought I hated grocery shopping. It might be because I didn't do it often enough so it was a huge undertaking and an awful chore, or it could be because it's now literally the only time I go anywhere except for the occasional health related appointment.  :dunno: Anyway, weekly grocery day. :woohoo: Gonna squeeze me some radishes.  :zoinks:
daft gopher  :plus:

and yeah, i'm one of them people who can't call online grocery shopping the new normal for me. Coulda said that many years back, but it's no longer new for me, just normal.

I would so love to pick out my own fresh fruit and veg. Luckily the store stuff is usually good quality, but sometimes it's terrible, and when you've ordered several kilos for home freezing (i can't eat commercially frozen veg any more- they spray it with corn-derived citric acid, and my body always knows it)  that reallym really sucks. especially given that fresh produce already costs n times more than frozen produce... even before you chuck half of it in the bin.  Also , I have to avouid all the ready[repared/washed/packaged stuff (same reason) and it can sometimes be hard to tell from websites. And generally pre\prepared spinach is the only kind of spinach they sell online  (emo) (I love spinach and sorely miss it)

Ideally, i'd like to buy my fruit and veg from the local market (they sell unwashed spinach! *drool * and similar delights) but that's out of the question unless i get an apartment right next to the place.  I kept up B &M shopping for as long as I realistically could, and then a bit longer.   eventually got to the point where I just couldn't figure out why my weekly shop was takng me 3 hours when it used to take an hour , and i was utterly exhausted at the end of it (to the point that most of my groceries never got unpacked , let alone cooked, cos  I'd be spending the  next 3 days just sleeping off the strain of getting it).

So my friend, David, followed me around the store one week and watched from an inconspicuous distance.  We found out that by the time I'd coverered a couple of aisles, I'd be getting absence seizures all over the place, and wandering around in circles, unwittingly barging into other shoppers with my trolley  :zombiefuck:   Heck, I'm lucky the store didn;t ban me!  Then (as we alreafy knew) I'd often fall over on the way to the car park, especially when David "helpfully" grabbed my shopping and marched ahead with it. That was the only thing holding me up  :laugh: and he knew it , but he just couldn't find his helpfulness  "off switch".

So, shopping not only brecame a ghastly ordeal for me , but -worse- I  was incoherent, rubbish company and a pain in the arse.  So I finally decided to never go anywhere with any of my friends anynore , not if i could help it, not unless i could realistically arrange it so i didn't need to walk any further than the length of one very short street.  I'm usually decent company -for a weirdo- if that condition is met- and i much prefer to keep it that way. Friendship is all about company, after all, and not about getting your groceries

 But in practice,  that means I almost never go anywhere at all anymore, shops included, not since David died (2-3 years ago)  You know how it is? almost nobody stays in the same town forever, so David was my very last  close,  local RL friend, as it happened ,  and the only one who drove. I don't drive,  I'd be fecking dangerous, as you can probably tell from the above  :laugh:  Heck,  I wouldn't even drive an electric wheelchair, if offered one, cos i'm not that irresponsible.

The upside is that Covid-19 has made bugger all difference to my lifestyle :green: except it's expanded my social life enormously, what with everything moving online :)
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 11, 2020, 12:09:41 AM
I buy almost everything online these days, except for groceries.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on September 11, 2020, 01:54:14 AM
I started buying wine and beer by the crate during lockdown but stopped when the postman looked like he was judging me.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 11, 2020, 10:50:02 AM
I started buying wine and beer by the crate during lockdown but stopped when the postman looked like he was judging me.

They maybe were just irritated by the heavy packages.  :lol1:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 11, 2020, 12:18:37 PM
All you have to do is look offended and say "drinking is the new normal".
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Parts on September 11, 2020, 05:48:10 PM
One thing I hope people keep up with after its all done is the six foot rule,  I like my personal space bubble always have.  In the past I have worked with a lot of people always wanted to get right up on you to talk,  I used to tell them if I can smack you in the head your too fucking close
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 11, 2020, 08:37:49 PM
One thing I hope people keep up with after its all done is the six foot rule.

I agree. I also wish people were more mindful of the one way aisles in stores. The grocery section of the walmart here is maddening. Though to be fair, they have two aisles right next to each other going the same direction, so people possibly start out doing the right thing and then get screwed up if they're not paying attention. Still, I give them the look.  :zoinks:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 12, 2020, 05:38:52 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lXdyD2Yzls
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 12, 2020, 06:52:16 AM
 :lol1: Yeah, that's the one. I especially do it when they pass me right by the arrow on the floor, because i can look down at the arrow and then look back up at them again.  :zoinks:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on September 12, 2020, 07:27:46 AM
I started buying wine and beer by the crate during lockdown but stopped when the postman looked like he was judging me.

They maybe were just irritated by the heavy packages.  :lol1:

I think it was the 8 litre box of Lilley's Mango Cider that was the tipping point.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Pyraxis on September 12, 2020, 09:11:18 AM
Mango cider? Damnit why can't we get that here.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 13, 2020, 07:29:26 AM
You can have ours.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Pyraxis on September 13, 2020, 07:37:10 AM
 :lol1:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on September 14, 2020, 10:19:44 PM
Mango cider sounds delicious.

The main difference for us is that we now do our grocery shopping online. I think it saves us money as we're not buying random things. The fruit and vegetables we buy are usually good except the one time I had to eat all the bananas within two days or they had to be thrown out.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on September 15, 2020, 01:31:57 AM
Lilley's Mango Cider.  The uncarbonated stuff in the boxes is better than the fizzy bottled version.  It's just sweet enough to slide down easily pint after lovely pint.  Discovered it in the cider tent at a beer festival about 6 years ago and it's now one of my summer party favourites.

https://www.lilleyscider.co.uk/bnb-mango-cider-10-litre-lilley-s-c2x20531551
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on September 23, 2020, 11:34:44 AM
I buy almost everything online these days, except for groceries.
Basically this sums up what I do

I'm outside a lot, just not in buildings or closed spaces. My sister got COVID and was sick for a whole month, She's a CNA and caught it at work. and now has anxiety about catching it again, said it was a bitch to have

I've known 2 people thus far that have died from it. My Pediatrician from when I was a kid, and My half siblings auntie died of it in June

So basically, I'm just not putting myself in a building unless I have too but get plenty of Sunshine. and of course I wear an n99 mask if I do have to put myself at risk

Stay safe everyone
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Walkie on September 23, 2020, 12:54:56 PM

Stay safe everyone

Thanks . but I think that we've all given up on staying safe on my estate.  :laugh:  It mixes elderly/disabled n the lower floors with young-but-mentally-fucked up on the upper floors, Seemed like a great idea idea at the time, I suppose.  To make matters worse,  there's a young guy,  upstairs from me squeezing himself and three others into his single-bedroom  flat;  and they come and go all the time, making no effort to socially distance. To make matters worse again, we have communal facilities, such as a laundry. which you can't avoid using if you're in one of the really tiny flats (like mine) which simply don't have space for a washing machine. And to cap it all , they've temprarily housed the local homeless people in the student flats acrioss the road. A lot of those people are addicts of course. And being housed a few yards from my block's entrance has by no means cured said addicts their peculiar compulsion to congregate there,  leaving behind an highly disconcerting variety of sharp objects and  body fluids

I really applaud that last one , though (housing the homeles in student flats)  just wish it could be permanent. As one who was recentl;y evicted just  to make room for yet more student housing, I delight in the poetic justice of it, if it should happen that  the Uni goes bust  and  homeless folk end up taking  over (or should I say repossessing?)  their housing . I've surely nothing against education , but the grasping, grinding bums-on-seats ethos of the modern education factory  is more  about exploitation than education  IMO.  And as it's mushroomed out, to provide more work for builders, more profit for landlords, and otherwise improve the local economy,  nobody's celebrating the  the trickle down effect. That's just another  crackhead pissing in your porch.

Cam't blame the folk round here for giving up on attempting to protect themselves. Can't even blame the crackheads for totally opting out of reality. I  just wish they'd keep a bit more distance from those of us who'd just about rather be alive than not, on balance.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on September 23, 2020, 02:34:04 PM
Yeah. I think people here are fatigued about the whole matter, I'm seeing more and more not wearing masks when I do go into places, can't really blame them but still. Wear a mask, it's not that hard to do. I'm very fortunate that I live in a rual area so I'm not ontop of people. I live way out in the freaking desert, My biggest problem is haunted native american land I live on

Anyways, I'm fully expecting the pandemic to be a disaster this winter. I bet this thing is gonna kill almost as many people in the US as the Spanish Flu did, which is sad.

Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Walkie on September 23, 2020, 11:09:12 PM
My government has issued the followng - unusually sensitive- advice:
"In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others."

It'sgood to read this, because that's my own attitude already. I find it painful to see other people getting judgementul about it (or anything else, come to that)  even if i'm not the target.
Personally, i've ben wearing a face mask, or one of my snoods at very  least on the rare occasions when  i have to enter any other building bar my own. But it's been ridculously difficu;t (and horribly expensive)  trying to find a mask that doesn't set off my asthma or worse. and i'm not sure that the exceprtions ( a sort of perspex shield, and my own snoods ) quite meet the legal requirements, nor other folks'expectations.

At least my pwn difficu;ties help keep me mindful, as per the above govt advice, though i don't think i really needed any more reminders of what it's like to  have an invisible difference  :LOL: I shou;dn't think that any of we spazzes  need that.

And now we're getting to that time of yeasr when i'm likely to have an asthma attack every time i go outdoors  *sigh* cos breathing in cold air also triggers it for me.  That's gonna be fun  :LOL: I already had a taste of what's it's like to be asthmatc during a covid outbreak, during  the spring. People draw back from you, staring  in horror , as if you've turned into a zombie, They oughtt to issue asthmatics will bells to ring and warn others of our approach, eh? so we don't give them too nasty a shock.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 23, 2020, 11:47:50 PM
I need a t-shirt saying "It's just a cough!"
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on September 24, 2020, 04:03:22 AM
I need a t-shirt saying "It's just a cough!"

I've got an awful cold at the moment.  But the new normal is that I'm really pleased that my face is so full of snot I can barely breathe, because that means it's not the 'rona and just a sodding cold.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Pyraxis on September 24, 2020, 09:06:15 AM
I need one that says "It's just allergies!"  :laugh:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Dirty Big Yoke on September 24, 2020, 10:14:27 AM
I'd love one that said "expose your nose to spite your face", with an image of some gobshite wearing a mask with their nose sticking out.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on September 24, 2020, 04:33:03 PM
Perhaps we're overthinking it.  A T shirt saying "Wear a mask, you twat." should cover ever eventuality.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Walkie on September 24, 2020, 11:06:11 PM
Perhaps we're overthinking it.  A T shirt saying "Wear a mask, you twat." should cover ever eventuality.

Er, no. You're underthinking it.

A good half of us are complaining about  people mistaking us for lepers who ought to be  be at home,  self-isolating whenever we have an attack of asthma or hayfever. In which case, I'm pretty sure that 'wear a mask, you twat" would  read like. "Protect yourself, if you're worried , you pussy.  Don't expect me to  give a damn"  :LOL:.  Not exactly the reassuring message  we're looking for  :laugh:

EDIT: And so is Odeon underthinking it, mind.  Seems, he   hasn't twigged that  "It's just a cough "is only gonna make him sound like Reggie  :laugh:
Hope you haven't bought that T-shirt already,  Odeon.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 25, 2020, 05:55:34 AM
Hey, no need to get nasty. :smarty:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Walkie on September 25, 2020, 01:57:10 PM
It's just a nasty cough
Wear a mask , if it bothers you   :P   :laugh:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on September 25, 2020, 03:26:36 PM
It's just a nasty cough
Wear a mask you twat, if it bothers you   :P   :laugh:

See?  My version works much better.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Icequeen on September 25, 2020, 10:09:28 PM
Grocery shopping as needed, stocking what I can. No big shopping lists like before though...I want in and out as fast as possible, and I use the self checkout a lot now. Not waiting in line.

Ordering some other things online.

Cut and colored my hair long before this, SO doesn't have much left...so no worries there. Just making sure I'm stocked on cat food, the shelves are frequently bare on certain items, so I've been trying to keep some backup essentials.

Avoiding people more than I did (and I was pretty proficient at it before the shit hit the fan) :laugh:.

Not many of these f*ckers are masking up...still :facepalm2:


I figure it's not long before I start biting people at the rate this is going, these local nitwits should thank f*cking god I am wearing a mask instead of trying to tell me I don't need one because I still have plenty of teeth and I'm getting tired listening to unsolicited bullshit from people I don't even know anymore. :roar:

Did I talk to you Karen? No? Then STFU.

FFS, Economic uncertainty, political unrest, pandemic, anxiety, mild OCD, dysfunctional family members, and menopause.

If I get though this without needing AA, 2 years of therapy, or a prison sentence it's going to be a god damn miracle.



Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 26, 2020, 12:48:32 AM
Fewer than 12 steps to the beer. :zoinks:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Icequeen on September 26, 2020, 10:25:28 AM
Fewer than 12 steps to the beer. :zoinks:

Yep, and thankfully won't be running out of that anytime soon since SO closed up the bar.  :thumbup:





 
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on September 26, 2020, 01:48:23 PM
I figure it's not long before I start biting people

I've missed you.  :eyelash:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on September 27, 2020, 01:55:36 AM
I miss the old normal.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Icequeen on September 27, 2020, 10:49:35 AM
I figure it's not long before I start biting people

I've missed you.  :eyelash:

I need to stop by more.

All work and no play....

(https://media.giphy.com/media/o5bF1n36QaktW/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on October 25, 2020, 07:41:09 PM
Did hair color this weekend. Guess new normal isn't going to involve getting old after all.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on October 26, 2020, 02:58:19 AM
Did hair color this weekend. Guess new normal isn't going to involve getting old after all.

My wife always gets her hair coloured with my daughter.  I have an arrangement with my daughter that she phones me straight after to tell me exactly what my wife has had done so when she walks gets home and asks me "does my hair look different" I can say yes and tell her exactly how it is different.

In return for this information service I put new tyres on my daughters car whenever they're needed.

Quid pro quo.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on October 26, 2020, 09:58:55 AM
Did hair color this weekend. Guess new normal isn't going to involve getting old after all.

My wife always gets her hair coloured with my daughter.  I have an arrangement with my daughter that she phones me straight after to tell me exactly what my wife has had done so when she walks gets home and asks me "does my hair look different" I can say yes and tell her exactly how it is different.

In return for this information service I put new tyres on my daughters car whenever they're needed.

Quid pro quo.
Wear dark hair, so the silver skunk streak is a bit obvious. :laugh: Don't ever ask husband if it looks different, or if he likes it. Already know the way he prefers my hair isn't how I prefer my hair.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on October 26, 2020, 03:55:57 PM
All work and no play....

(https://media.giphy.com/media/o5bF1n36QaktW/giphy.gif)

I felt an urge to QFT. :P
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on December 20, 2020, 03:07:58 PM
With 324,000 deaths so far here, Everybody doesn't seem to care. People still out with no masks

Seems like the numbers will only increase. America will have the worst deaths number wise of any fucking country, We will probably be the laughing stock of the world for years

Canada doesn't even have 20k deaths.

Lazy Americans~
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on December 20, 2020, 04:01:00 PM
With 324,000 deaths so far here, Everybody doesn't seem to care. People still out with no masks

Seems like the numbers will only increase. America will have the worst deaths number wise of any fucking country, We will probably be the laughing stock of the world for years

Canada doesn't even have 20k deaths.

Lazy Americans~

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but the laughing stock thing began in 2016.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on December 20, 2020, 06:45:18 PM
It did? News to me.  :zoinks:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on December 21, 2020, 01:21:21 AM
Pot, meet kettle. :P
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on December 21, 2020, 12:59:36 PM
You say Geese, I say Goose ~  :laugh:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on December 21, 2020, 07:23:21 PM
Welcome back.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on January 31, 2021, 05:36:55 AM
Because some hotel security guy caught Coronavirus from a guest and then went to a large variety of places in the northern metro area, we are now in lockdown for the next week. We are to only leave home for food essentials and work if that hasn't been affected by the lockdown too. I won't be going to the Salvos this week as it's closed. I don't know about my cleaning job yet.

We also have to wear masks if we go out. This is a first for me, I haven't worn a mask yet because I haven't had to.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on February 02, 2021, 12:48:11 AM
You get used to it.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on February 02, 2021, 03:19:53 AM
Because some hotel security guy caught Coronavirus from a guest and then went to a large variety of places in the northern metro area, we are now in lockdown for the next week. We are to only leave home for food essentials and work if that hasn't been affected by the lockdown too. I won't be going to the Salvos this week as it's closed. I don't know about my cleaning job yet.

We also have to wear masks if we go out. This is a first for me, I haven't worn a mask yet because I haven't had to.

The first three months of lockdown are the hardest.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on February 02, 2021, 05:57:16 AM
You get used to it.
Personally have grown to like it.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on February 02, 2021, 07:07:27 AM
My cleaning job still exists but because they have cut down the amount people that work there, my shift is only 45 minutes long instead of an hour and a half.

The roads are very quiet as are the shops. The clamour for buying toilet paper only lasted a day.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Charlotte Quin on February 02, 2021, 08:20:49 AM
Thank goodness I don't live in a metro area. The only restrictions we've had are the ones that get applied statewide. We haven't had a single local covid case since last April/May. Still there's plenty of cautious people wearing masks when going out and about. Plenty of travellers and people moving here to get away from Sydney, driving the housing costs way up.
So not much of my routine has changed, still go to work, get groceries, eat out occasionally. I'm merely adhering to social distancing, keeping masks on hand and using that covid-safe QR code check-in whenever I visit anywhere (the govt use it for contact tracing). I guess we can count ourselves very lucky here.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on February 03, 2021, 12:17:33 PM
You get used to it.
Personally have grown to like it.

They're a bit annoying to wear if you need glasses but other than that, I have no issues with them. I wish people still held their distance, though. Lots of people here seem to think that it's either or.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on February 03, 2021, 08:29:11 PM
You get used to it.
Personally have grown to like it.

They're a bit annoying to wear if you need glasses but other than that, I have no issues with them. I wish people still held their distance, though. Lots of people here seem to think that it's either or.
Glasses fogging, or too much on the ears? Not really sure why liking them so much. Have definitely gotten used to them. Recently was scratching behind the ear, absent mindedly picking at something wondering what's this crap behind my ear? Then thinking, oh yeah. :laugh:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on February 03, 2021, 09:14:43 PM
My masks tend to puff out when I breathe. I don't see anybody else's doing that.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on February 04, 2021, 05:19:15 AM
My masks tend to puff out when I breathe. I don't see anybody else's doing that.
Occasionaly have that when exerted and breathing heavily. In the beginning, also would breathe more heavily due to feeling a little smothered, but that eased quickly with a little time. The conspiracy member who was here for a short while once posted an article about people who were experiencing gum disease and bad breath from breathing through their mouth while wearing a mask. Breathing through the mouth might cause a mask to puff out more, but not sure if that's it.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: 'andersom' on February 04, 2021, 09:18:48 AM
You get used to it.
Personally have grown to like it.

They're a bit annoying to wear if you need glasses but other than that, I have no issues with them. I wish people still held their distance, though. Lots of people here seem to think that it's either or.
Glasses fogging, or too much on the ears? Not really sure why liking them so much. Have definitely gotten used to them. Recently was scratching behind the ear, absent mindedly picking at something wondering what's this crap behind my ear? Then thinking, oh yeah. :laugh:
For me it's glasses fogging. I made my own cloth masks, with elastics behind my head, to avoid extra stress on the ears. 
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on February 06, 2021, 09:24:00 AM
You get used to it.
Personally have grown to like it.

They're a bit annoying to wear if you need glasses but other than that, I have no issues with them. I wish people still held their distance, though. Lots of people here seem to think that it's either or.
Glasses fogging, or too much on the ears? Not really sure why liking them so much. Have definitely gotten used to them. Recently was scratching behind the ear, absent mindedly picking at something wondering what's this crap behind my ear? Then thinking, oh yeah. :laugh:

The fogging, mostly. The reusable ones are especially bad.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on February 26, 2021, 11:57:22 AM
The numbers are going up again. The government is finally talking about proper restrictions now, only a year after everyone else.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on September 29, 2021, 09:23:57 PM
I feel very lucky to live in Western Australia and not NSW or Victoria.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on October 01, 2021, 11:55:02 AM
The authorities have now officially ended the remaining Covid restrictions. It's too early - not enough people are vaccinated and when people gather in crowded restaurants football games and movie theatres, the virus will strike back. My guess is that the number crunchers convinced the powers that be that the collateral damage is worth it.

And since it's been more than six months since the older population got their shots, the virus is again making headway in old people's homes.

It's sort of sad. A few more weeks would probably save lives.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Pyraxis on October 01, 2021, 04:49:13 PM
That's where we were a couple months ago. The predictable results predictably happened.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Genesis on October 05, 2021, 05:53:30 PM
It's not really a new normal for me... I'm used to my isolation, I just hate that people tend to crowd into my thoughts when I'm trying to kick their stupidity, and bullshit out of not just my life, but my mind as well.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on October 07, 2021, 02:54:10 PM
The curve was pointing in the right direction but is now flattening out. Give it a week or two and it'll start going up again.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on November 17, 2021, 04:30:19 PM
Now that I've been infected I'm just not gonna give a shit about Covid anymore. I'm not gonna pay it any mind, everyone at some point in their life is probably going to get it anyways
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on November 19, 2021, 03:49:47 PM
You probably should, though. Give the virus enough space and it will mutate again.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Calandale on November 21, 2021, 01:10:19 PM
It's got space and will mutate no matter what.

There was almost no means of stopping it entirely.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on November 22, 2021, 03:16:15 PM
Yes, you're right. With enough people vaccinated and careful, it will mutate more slowly, though.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Calandale on November 22, 2021, 04:10:25 PM
Better get all the wildlife too. This thing is really good at jumping species.

Cats, dogs, deer....
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: rock hound on November 22, 2021, 08:32:49 PM
Stupid is as stupid does.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on November 26, 2021, 01:05:41 PM
And now there's a new Variant.  Omicron. I find it fascinating it came out of Africa, Coronavirus seems to be something that isn't going away anytime soon
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on November 26, 2021, 02:01:46 PM

I've zero fucks left to give for the unvaccinated.  Omicron is scary if you're vaccinated, but for the unvaccinated it's really bad news.  If someone is still unvaccinated out of choice then fuck them and the horse they rode in on.  I just hope they drop dead before they pass it on to people who don't deserve it.


Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on November 26, 2021, 04:14:02 PM
And now there's a new Variant.  Omicron. I find it fascinating it came out of Africa, Coronavirus seems to be something that isn't going away anytime soon

It's not going away. We'll have to learn to live with it.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on November 26, 2021, 04:14:42 PM
"Omicron"? Missed this in the news. I guess this is the new African variant, right?
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: rock hound on November 26, 2021, 04:19:15 PM
"Omicron"? Missed this in the news. I guess this is the new African variant, right?

Apparently.  It's beginning to make me wonder if this WAS manufactured.     :hide: :tinfoil:  Not to be paranoid, but, it's not behaving like past pandemics.  We may be dealing with more years of this shit ahead of us.  <SIGH>
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on November 26, 2021, 04:27:12 PM
This is supposedly a lot like the Spanish Flu was, a hundred years ago. They had no way to identify the variants like we do but the progress of the bloody thing has been very similar.

Evolution is a bitch but this should shut up the nutters who still doubt it.

(I know it won't but one can dream, right?)
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Dirty Big Yoke on November 26, 2021, 04:46:34 PM
The conspiracy/anti-vax morons will just say it's continued fearmongering or the government deliberately modifying the virus, possibly both at the same time. Never underestimate their lack of logic or critical thinking skills.

I hate to say it, I sort of wish for another lockdown, one that is done properly. Sadly governments and businesses won't allow that because they care more about money than anything else, rather than admit the entire system is unsustainable.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on November 26, 2021, 04:57:04 PM
I want my third shot. The 5G reception is not as good anymore.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Dirty Big Yoke on November 26, 2021, 05:14:34 PM
I was wondering why I had roaming charges when I travelled home to see my family.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on November 26, 2021, 05:42:45 PM
There is no way I'm taking a 3rd shot. Just gonna let my Immune system handle business from here on out
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on November 26, 2021, 05:46:22 PM
"Omicron"? Missed this in the news. I guess this is the new African variant, right?

Apparently.  It's beginning to make me wonder if this WAS manufactured.     :hide: :tinfoil:  Not to be paranoid, but, it's not behaving like past pandemics.  We may be dealing with more years of this shit ahead of us.  <SIGH>
or Gain of function that escaped from a bio lab, that was funded partly by our dumb government?  :trump: :aff: :kapkao: :murica:

Oh yes ~
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on December 03, 2021, 04:11:32 PM
There is no way I'm taking a 3rd shot. Just gonna let my Immune system handle business from here on out

Your immune system is about to forget what it learned. Don't you think it might be a good idea to remind it? Give the virus an opportunity to mutate and retry your immune system, and you'll be sick for real.

Plus, even if you have mild symptoms or if you're asymptomatic, you will carry the mutation and others might catch it while it's trying its best to get through. Not everyone catching it from you will be as lucky.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on December 03, 2021, 04:13:13 PM
As long as people refuse to take their shots, the bloody virus will have all the space it needs. FFS, it's not a conspiracy or a joke, it's real and we all now have to rely on others.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on December 23, 2021, 02:20:46 AM
Some French backpacker who came here after a visit to another state brought in the virus and went to about a dozen different places while he was symptomatic. I mean, he went out a LOT. So now it's back to masks everywhere except home over Christmas and New Year's.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on December 23, 2021, 05:07:02 AM
Got tired of the rules constantly changing, especially when it changes by setting. Not even sure what the rules are here anymore, or even the general expectations. Wear a mask, keep a distance, and don't go out unless needed. Those things have proven to have positive results personally, have completely become the new normal and not going to change that anymore unless have to.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on December 24, 2021, 04:10:02 PM
Well duh. Avoid people. Not that difficult to grasp, not really.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jack on December 24, 2021, 05:55:41 PM
Well duh. Avoid people. Not that difficult to grasp, not really.
Just realized my previous post wasn't clear. Was talking about masks in response to Renaeden's post, and not knowing the current rules for masks, because the rules have changed too many times to care anymore.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on December 26, 2021, 09:26:00 AM
Which is really why I replied. The rules change constantly but the ideas should be simple.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on March 07, 2022, 04:28:45 PM
Speaking of rules, I recently flew through MUC airport. I had a few hours to spare before the next flight so I though I'd eat something.

You should know that I was wearing a mask, which is still mandatory at German airports. British and Belgian, too, but that's beside the point. Anyway, I found a breakfast kind of place that looked OK, so I waited in line to be seated. When it was my turn, the German lady handling the tables looked at me very sternly. I'm not good at reading eyes but there was no doubt here; she was upset. She started telling me in German that my mask was all wrong. *Nein!* You're not to enter with that mask.

What was wrong with my mask? It's the usual surgical kind, used by surgeons who try not to infect their patients while operating on them. What's wrong with it?

It is dizallowed!

She disappeared for a moment and then came back with a different kind, an FFP2 mask that looked stiff and unforgiving, and ordered me to put it on. *Jawohl!* I did, and she led me to my table, 10 or 15 metres away. She left me, I took off my mask, and I ordered food, and I never wore that mask again.

Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on March 07, 2022, 10:49:04 PM
:lol1:

I know the mask you're talking about. They look uncomfortable.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: FourAceDeal on March 15, 2022, 09:00:57 AM
Me:  Excuse me.  You need to be wearing a mask if you come near me.

Them (defiantly):  WHY?

Me:  Because you're ugly.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: rock hound on March 15, 2022, 09:06:59 AM
Me:  Excuse me.  You need to be wearing a mask if you come near me.

Them (defiantly):  WHY?

Me:  Because you're ugly.

 :lol1:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on March 16, 2022, 12:39:57 PM
 :lol1:

Apparently they're dropping mask mandates for Heathrow. I hope it's not too early.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: rock hound on March 16, 2022, 12:41:22 PM
:lol1:

Apparently they're dropping mask mandates for Heathrow. I hope it's not too early.

Fingers crossed!  Not happening here.....YET!   :hide:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Genesis on March 23, 2022, 02:30:20 PM
Old Geezer yelling at me coming outside of the Walmart: You know we don't have to wear that anymore right?

Me *oblivious to the Old Geezer's comments*: I feel pretty, oh so pretty... wait... why the hell am I singing West Side Story in my head?
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: rock hound on March 23, 2022, 02:47:38 PM
Old Geezer yelling at me coming outside of the Walmart: You know we don't have to wear that anymore right?

Me *oblivious to the Old Geezer's comments*: I feel pretty, oh so pretty... wait... why the hell am I singing West Side Story in my head?

An old geezer troll.   Stay oblivious to that crap. 
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Genesis on March 25, 2022, 06:20:38 PM
Old Geezer yelling at me coming outside of the Walmart: You know we don't have to wear that anymore right?

Me *oblivious to the Old Geezer's comments*: I feel pretty, oh so pretty... wait... why the hell am I singing West Side Story in my head?

An old geezer troll.   Stay oblivious to that crap.

I'm quite oblivious.... just as I was when that Italian Anti-masker/Anti-vaxxer was claiming me in my profile pic on Facebook wearing a mask was causing a lack of oxygen to my head.

Two-timing twat only got my blunt honesty, and my annual giving of GIFs.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on April 09, 2022, 12:54:32 PM
Remove the mask, hug him, and tell him how glad you are that someone finally accepts your covid.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: rock hound on April 09, 2022, 05:58:12 PM
Remove the mask, hug him, and tell him how glad you are that someone finally accepts your covid.

 :laugh:  If it doesn't want yours, I'll be glad to give him mine!    :mischief:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Jesse on March 13, 2023, 06:40:35 AM
I got covid 3 fucking times so far. Expect to get it every year lol
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: odeon on March 17, 2023, 03:04:19 PM
It'll fade and something worse will replace it.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Parts on March 31, 2023, 02:52:23 PM
Almost all the people I see wearing masks these days are wearing them wrong, you would think after all this time they would have figured it out by now
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on March 31, 2023, 05:27:30 PM
Almost all the people I see wearing masks these days are wearing them wrong, you would think after all this time they would have figured it out by now

Most of the people I see wearing them are probably required to wear them, so they might be having trouble giving a crap, staff in medical offices and people like that. The few I see wearing them voluntarily in public are doing it right, though it's rare to see masks in stores at all anymore. Today I saw a lady wearing a mask and also wiping off her grocery cart.  :orly:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on March 31, 2023, 09:59:24 PM
At the local Aldi, the hard plastic barriers at the checkouts have been removed and no staff are wearing masks.

At the local chemist, the hard plastic barriers are still up and all of the staff are wearing masks.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: Gopher Gary on April 01, 2023, 01:52:06 PM
The Aldi here still has the plastic shields. I hope they keep them. They are a good idea even without pandemics.  :dunno:
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: renaeden on November 02, 2023, 12:20:01 AM
They've also removed the plastic barriers at reception at work. They still have the big outdoor sign telling people with any flu or Covid symptoms not to come in though.
Title: Re: New Normal
Post by: conlang returns on November 02, 2023, 08:53:34 PM
I stopped wearing mine when I ran out of fresh ones and couldn't afford to buy more.  Since then I think I've been getting sick.  I keep feeling extra tired and sleepy.  Course I also had a gap with one of my HRT medications, so we'll see how I feel once I've readjusted (or rather, re re re re readjusted, since my meds keep getting interrupted by budgetary constraints  :( ).  But I really want to start wearing my masks again.  Little afraid of what other people will think of me, though, when they see me wearing them.  Specifically people who may be in charge of hiring me.  So maybe I'll wait until I have a new job before re-upping  :dunno: