Covid-19, Lockdown and repercussions

[Lucius]

My thoughts exactly, the results of the protective measures (Quarantine, limited mobility and so on) along with the vaccination and the rise in temperature that is coming in the following months will relieve the population and the health sector. I believe that things will do get better after March or April, however, is the same thing going to happen the next winter?

My guess would be probably not, due to the vaccination and the acquired immunity, but measures will probably be taken then too.

What is still insufficiently researched is how long the immunity of a person who has survived the virus lasts - and also how long a particular vaccine gives someone immunity. Therefore, it is possible that people will have to be vaccinated every year, as is the case with the flu - and that wearing protective masks and disinfecting will be something that will be needed for years to come. Now there are 2 big problems, insufficient doses of vaccine for everyone, and a few very dangerous mutations of the virus for which again it is not possible to prove at the moment that the current vaccines work.

The fact is that people have to learn to deal with reality - those who reject it and want everything to be as before live in one big misconception that humans are superior beings on this planet, and in fact it is a virus invisible to the human eye that has turned the world upside down.

[virasisog]

Where I live, cases are not that rampant. There may be some cases maybe 1 or 2 from time to time but it gets easily contained. We are free to go outside and most establishments are open, which I think is not that depressing compared to the early phase of lockdown. Most companies and offices are operating. However, this is a little alarming knowing that our country's medical system is not that high and we also have limited facilities now that new variants of Covid cases are rising around from country to country. I hope everyone else is doing fine financially and mentally during this pandemic. l, and we will get past this.

[jasonjm]

The situation in my country is also the same and is very depressing for me. I am a person who love to socialize and love travelling with Covid-19 threats and lockdown I was not able to go outside and spent almost a good 2 months in my home. With lockdown many small business were badly affected and majority of private sector employees lost their jobs because of the economic conditions. But now with Covid-19 vaccines hopefully everything will go back to normal and people will earn breads for their family easily.

[Vatimins]

     Honestly, it really is very difficult specially for the regular people and small business owners. Hours outsiyare limited, some services and businesses are also disallowed, which leads to loss of hundres of thousands of jobs in the whole country. Curfew hours makes it even worse. Even simply buying basic needs and necessities became tedious tasks since only one person per household can do this and a permit for this is needed. I can go on and on with all the troubles that I and my fellow countrymen experience but the bottom line is the lapses of the government, unpreparedness, and lack of innovative ideas in making solutions that would make the lives of everyone easier which would lead to fast adaptation to the new normal that is inevitable.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Where I live, cases are not that rampant. There may be some cases maybe 1 or 2 from time to time but it gets easily contained. We are free to go outside and most establishments are open, which I think is not that depressing compared to the early phase of lockdown. Most companies and offices are operating. However, this is a little alarming knowing that our country's medical system is not that high and we also have limited facilities now that new variants of Covid cases are rising around from country to country. I hope everyone else is doing fine financially and mentally during this pandemic. l, and we will get past this.

Here in India also that is the case. New infections have declined by almost 90% when compared to the numbers we had in September and October. Now the pandemic is mostly confined to two states (Kerala and Maharashtra) and in the other regions the situation has returned to normal. Most of the IT professionals are still working from home, and it may continue for at least the next 2-3 months.

I have noticed something strange about this pandemic. In countries such as the United States and European Union, the fatality rate and number of deaths are much higher when compared to developing nations such as India and the Philippines. For example, in the United States they have 483,200 deaths till now. On the other hand, India has recorded only 155,399 deaths, despite having a population that is 5 times bigger than the United States.

[finaleshot2016]

Lockdown really helps on lowering the case of confirmed cases of COVID-19 but it's also lowering the economy rate as we know that the production rate is absolutely zero. Here in my country, confirmed cases are increasing daily, sometimes it's low but most of the time, it's going up, and yet our government is not implementing 2nd lockdown because they knew that it will cause too much damage to our economy. Tbh, IDK what our government is thinking and if their actions will definitely help us to recover, or maybe their decisions are just for them who'll benefit from the tax. Having lockdown is very sad, can't even go outside where you can refresh and can't go to work where you earn money so it's very difficult for some to have 3rd lockdown.

[kolbalish]

We all know about covid-19, it creates a situation that I have never seen before. It's terrible and fearable which means no one in the world is relieved from the effect of covid-19 directly or indirectly. During the pandemic, we face the situation that can't go out from home to work, to shopping, to education, even treatment. The economy was badly injured at this time. My repercussions about the pandemic are totally dangerous and I pray to my Almighty for relief from the situation.

[BuNga_cute]

The beginning of COVID-19 spread, many people panicked in my country, especially when the lockdown was first imposed. I am very stressed,
because I'm not used to staying at home for 2 weeks. I was confused about what to do, only fear was on my mind. But after several months had
passed, I'm getting used to COVID-19. Because I already have the knowledge to avoid getting infected by COVID-19.

[iv4n]

It's crazy what is happening! Locking down the entire world is crazy! And for what? Because of Covid that have a lower death rate than many other diseases!?
I think this is a big game, nothing more! They marked some invisible enemy and now they are forcing all of us to believe in that, to not question anything they do, to be calm and afraid at home, not to socialize, and not stand up against repressions!
What I see is that extensive damage is done! To the economy, to the people's lives, in material and spiritual way! And for what? I think some will have hard problems recovering from this, and it's sad! How can we make progress if they tie us up?

[oHnK]

Hello, I hope your country's condition will improve soon. My current condition is not in lockdown, because my country does not enforce it in my region but only in other regions of my country. It must be very hard with the lockdown conditions that you experience, the government in my country seems to let the spread of Covid-19 just like that. Because for my country, lockdowns are not the solution to this pandemic, the impact resulting from lockdowns is far greater than the impact of the disease itself. Those who were attacked were not only physically but psychologically as well. So what only applies in my area is the application of health protocols only.

[Renampun]

...

*hello, nice to know you...
I'm lucky to live in a city that doesn't do lockdown. even so, the tourism business is still sluggish. fortunately, my husband has started working again at the hotel where he worked before but with a small salary. I only try to think positively about living life in this pandemic.

[Darker45]

Many of us are caught almost helpless in these dreadful times. We are at a health crisis and yet its effect is so immense that it well stretches into the economy, education, mental-health, and many more aspects of our human lives.

At the very least, it's a good thing that you can still go out cycling and exercise and do basic shopping. It means you are still more or less free.

We both share the same situation. It's an unpleasant situation. Neither of us would have wanted our lives to be like this. However, in these dire times, we could be classified as the very lucky ones. If you can stay at home, sit on a soft couch and watch Netflix or whatever, browse through Facebook or Twitter, watch your favorite TV show, cook food, read a book, shower, and so on and so forth, you are very lucky indeed. I cannot do all of them but I'm still very lucky just the same. 

For the hundreds of thousands of my countrymen, this pandemic is not much of a health crisis as a diabolical economic crisis. Jobs are lost. Livelihood and small businesses went bankrupt. This means food on the table is gone. That's the worst!

[Noctis Connor]

Well since the lockdown started here in my country too many have been affected not only by their business or what so ever, and it was the best solution to lessen the cases since we've been on 500k cases and yet too many people are still hard headed still going out thinking that they are the only one who affect in this situation and still blame the government and local government but they always looking for a solution and then solution came out and still complaining about the vaccine and it is still up to you whether you  want to get vaccinated or not, But in some provinces some of tourist spot and other business are now opened and operating but you still need some documents before you go in some places , some other places doesn't believed in covid they like it was created to scare people to not go out.

[magneto]

Must be really tough over there in Greece with lockdowns, financial instability and IMF austerity conditions to adhere to from a fiscal perspective.

I do feel you. It's not as bad here but it's pretty much the same story.

In terms of macroeconomics, COVID lockdowns simply means that there is a lot of excess, spare capacity in the economy that is unutilised. People are willing to provide their labour, but because of restrictions, they legally cannot. That can probably be shown best by the uptick in unemployment and underemployment worldwide.

What is laughable is that markets are rallying hard from the stimulus packages, whilst Main St. is still struggling... It's sad to see, honestly.

[Janation]

As far as I know, here in our country, it started in March.

I can't forget that because we are still in the province at that time. Luckily it is not that hard to be in lockdown in provinces as you could just get food everywhere, your neighbors would even give you food if they cook something good. The government is strict when it comes to the implementation of health protocols but it is fine as all I need is just an internet connection.

Going back to the city, to be honest, it is much lighter than the provinces. I can't argue with that since the province is so small so it is really dangerous when a carrier gets through. It is much more depressing being locked down in the city as you are a prisoner of your own house. In terms of food, I have some shortages unlike in the province. It is really bad in the city but in the province, it is much better. Still, it is the worst year but I saved a lot of money since I don't get out much.

[coin-investor]

Hello from Greece,
I'd like to discuss any repercussions that stem from Covid-19 response measures (Or lockdown depending on where you are), either Economical, Psychological or anything else you can think of.

We've been in lockdown since the early days of November, only retail has been reopened and even that isn't open in every region due to a rise of cases in them. Moreover, the recent surge of cases throughout the whole country might be leading to a 3rd lockdown (like it is much different from now). Definitely, the economic repercussions are huge throughout the world, since most countries have taken extreme measures in order to suppress the pandemic. However, the combination of financial depression and quarantine, could lead to clinical depression in a respectable percentage of the population.

Seeing it from my point of view, being in home, almost 24/7, while the supermarket or to the pharmacy being the only way out is depressing and driving me nuts. We can also go out for exercise/walking. I'm living in a region that is characterized as "Red zone", everything closes at 5.30 p.m, while we cannot leave the house after 6pm. My only escape is going out cycling every once in a while.

I'd like to discuss the financial and the mental repercussions of the pandemic plus, how do you cope with the Lockdown yourself?

We also have a one-month lockdown and since we are living in a depressed area we got our relief goods coming from the government this is to prevent people from going out, it's really depressing in our areas because three families are cramming in a 50 sqm meter house it's really is depressing, but we need to heed the call of our government to protect ourselves, we have to take it whether we like it or not.

[Ultegra134]

Great replies from all of you, read every single one of them. It would be great if you we could also take notes of the country you live.

Currently, I'm temporarily suspended from work, thus I have to stay at home most of the day. It really sucks, because other EU countries have imposed far better response measures. Here, the government is doing the exact opposite, instead of announcing measures to increase the health's system capacity, or a more effective vaccination program, they impose measures that have been proved to not be effective, while hurting the economy even further.

Not only that, the prime minister Mitsotakis and the other members of the parliament (Of his party of course), are dining in Ikaria in broad daylight, open for everyone to see. If I did that, I'd have to pay an enormous fine instead. We only hear excuses for their actions while at the same time they are provoking their own citizens.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/07/greek-prime-minister-criticised-for-lunch-with-up-to-40-people

We also have a one-month lockdown and since we are living in a depressed area we got our relief goods coming from the government this is to prevent people from going out, it's really depressing in our areas because three families are cramming in a 50 sqm meter house it's really is depressing, but we need to heed the call of our government to protect ourselves, we have to take it whether we like it or not.

One month? Well, I wouldn't really complain, we're closed since the start  of November. That's 5 months.

My thoughts exactly, the results of the protective measures (Quarantine, limited mobility and so on) along with the vaccination and the rise in temperature that is coming in the following months will relieve the population and the health sector. I believe that things will do get better after March or April, however, is the same thing going to happen the next winter?

My guess would be probably not, due to the vaccination and the acquired immunity, but measures will probably be taken then too.

What is still insufficiently researched is how long the immunity of a person who has survived the virus lasts - and also how long a particular vaccine gives someone immunity. Therefore, it is possible that people will have to be vaccinated every year, as is the case with the flu - and that wearing protective masks and disinfecting will be something that will be needed for years to come. Now there are 2 big problems, insufficient doses of vaccine for everyone, and a few very dangerous mutations of the virus for which again it is not possible to prove at the moment that the current vaccines work.

The fact is that people have to learn to deal with reality - those who reject it and want everything to be as before live in one big misconception that humans are superior beings on this planet, and in fact it is a virus invisible to the human eye that has turned the world upside down.

Correct, there is not enough research yet, but I do hope that the rising temperatures help this condition. Moreover, vaccinations here are moving on a very slow pace.

[Lucius]

Moreover, vaccinations here are moving on a very slow pace.

How incompetent the EU leadership is when it comes to protecting its citizens and their health is shown by the fact that there are no vaccines even in approximately sufficient quantities to meet the needs to vaccinate those most vulnerable people. All manufacturers have committed to deliver a certain amount of vaccines but then at a crucial moment they directed their production to some other countries.

Do you really need to be a detective to figure out where millions of doses of vaccine went missing, if at the same time the UK, Israel and the US don’t have those problems? The same thing that happened with protective equipment at the beginning of the pandemic is happening now with the vaccine - the EU has not yet realized that if it plays strictly according to the rules, it will not be able to vaccinate even 30% of the population by the end of this year.

Some countries, such as Hungary, have realized that they will not fare well if they rely entirely on the EU - so they have already agreed with the Russians and the Chinese on their vaccines and will soon implement them in their healthcare system.

The country of around 10 million people is scheduled to receive 600,000 doses of Sputnik and another half a million doses of Sinopharm’s vaccine this month, potentially allowing it to speed up its inoculation programme despite delays in Western vaccine deliveries.

[AicecreaME]

Covid-19 impacted negatively almost every aspects of our lives. The surge of cases in most countries definitely had huge repercussions in terms of economy and well-being of the citizens in that particular place.

Personally, this pandemic is driving me nuts as well. I can relate to you. Except that our place isn’t as strict as yours as of the moment. Since recently, the security measures were eased out depending on number of cases in an area. In our place, we’re placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Of course, there are still several activities that are prohibited and policies to abide, but I can say that it’s manageable.

For a person that is used to being active doing errands outside the house, this crisis is such a burden and headache. Being confined at home, with limited things to do is so depressing. Most of the times, I feel empty, lonely, and sad for no specific reason. I guess this is one of the psychological effect of the pandemic to our mental health. Being deprived of what makes us happy because of safety precautions is such a real challenge. We have to sacrifice even though we have a strong urge going outside in order to prevent contacting the virus, as well as to protect the people surrounding us.

Regarding financial repercussions, this crisis brought down the economies of almost every country last 2020. Majority of the countries aren’t equipped and prepared enough for such turn of events, hence some resorted to borrowing money from other countries and even in world bank. There was an increase rate of unemployment all over the world. Different industries suffered. Many establishments, companies, and businesses closed and filed bankruptcy. It was hard to everyone even those at the top of the pyramid. The only difference is they can manage and can still survive despite big losses, while poorest of the poor can’t do much and suffer from hunger. There were even instances that because of poverty, some people opt to do things that are immoral, illegal, dangerous, and punishable by law.

These are just some of the repercussions of the pandemic. This is somewhat just the tip of the iceberg. There are still many aspects I haven’t discussed yet. Hopefully, this year will be the year of healing. May the production of vaccine be continuous and  I hope it’ll cause no bad side effects. May everyone be vaccinated safely. Let’s conquer this pandemic altogether.

[redsun114]

the prime minister Mitsotakis and the other members of the parliament (Of his party of course), are dining in Ikaria in broad daylight, open for everyone to see. If I did that, I'd have to pay an enormous fine instead. We only hear excuses for their actions while at the same time they are provoking their own citizens.

I remember the picture Mitsotakis had when he was taking his vaccination and how the internet world reacted lol . Never knew any politicians from Greece, no idea who was your PM or anything about it really but that picture was a meme for like a week at least. All jokes aside it is not about Greece only, there are too many nations that didn't do anything major, some nations are better than the others in the long term future because they have covered their bases better, but in short term it was common situation everywhere.

I have seen at least 5 big nations leaders being not careful and needed to be reminded, so I can definitely say that it is not something that only Greece has but all the world had. We needed a lot better situation, we needed more lockdowns and better responses, basically we needed politicians to take this seriously but most of them unfortunately didn't.