• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Vaccine Passports - currently being considered in Scotland & Wales

Status
Not open for further replies.

Smidster

Member
Joined
23 Oct 2014
Messages
561
Sorry but I really don't think it is fair to argue that life hasn't been put on hold / people have been doing nothing more than existing for 18 months.

Think of those on Furlough for that time - not only have they missed on career development but always having the uncertainty of whether or not they will have a job to go back to.

For others the stuff we haven't been able to do is what makes life worth living - the experiences you have, events you go to or the people you meet / love

I am pleased you have done OK during this period - many of us really haven't and are still suffering
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

nedchester

Established Member
Joined
28 May 2008
Messages
2,093
I did acknowledge inconveniences and some people have suffered more than others, but I would associate phrases like 'life on hold' and 'giving up 18 months' more with being under literal house arrest or in jail, or stuck in hospital for ages for example.

It irritates me to read people implying they've had no life during this time when it's an exaggeration.
The depends how you normally live your life.

If you are a person that likes to travel (especially overseas), see friends, go to pubs and clubs etc then your life has been effectively put on hold.
 

Philip

On Moderation
Joined
27 May 2007
Messages
3,646
Location
Manchester
The depends how you normally live your life.

If you are a person that likes to travel (especially overseas), see friends, go to pubs and clubs etc then your life has been effectively put on hold.

We have been allowed to travel across England throughout all but the 'stay at home' times, which has amounted to about 5 months of the last 18. You can enjoy travel and visiting places without having to go overseas. Pubs and restaurants were open from July to late last year, not an insignificant timeframe.
 

nedchester

Established Member
Joined
28 May 2008
Messages
2,093
We have been allowed to travel across England throughout all but the 'stay at home' times, which has amounted to about 5 months of the last 18. You can enjoy travel and visiting places without having to go overseas. Pubs and restaurants were open from July to late last year, not an insignificant timeframe.
You don't get it do you?

Some people travel abroad every time they get the chance. They like to see different parts of the World, see other cultures, perhaps visit friends and relatives.

Pubs effectively shut in November unless you were having a 'substantial' meal and didn't really open until May 17th this year with proper opening on July 19th. Therefore, decent socialising has not been popular unless you agreed to restrictions. Now you might not have that many friends but many of us do and hated having to be limited to 5 other friends to socialise with.

You might have found it easy but many many haven't. I actually think the Government gets that and I really don't think there will be another lockdown as they know it will be ignored.
 

VauxhallandI

Established Member
Joined
26 Dec 2012
Messages
2,743
Location
Cheshunt
You don't get it do you?

Some people travel abroad every time they get the chance. They like to see different parts of the World, see other cultures, perhaps visit friends and relatives.

Pubs effectively shut in November unless you were having a 'substantial' meal and didn't really properly until May 17th this year with proper opening on July 19th. Therefore, decent socialising has not been popular unless you agreed to restrictions. Now you might not have that many friends but many of us do and hated having to be limited to 5 other friends to socialise with.

You might have found it easy but many many haven't. I actually think the Government gets that and I really don't think there will be another lockdown as they know it will be ignored.
Yep and every time we left the house we were confronted with council propaganda and zombies in masks
 

Philip

On Moderation
Joined
27 May 2007
Messages
3,646
Location
Manchester
You don't get it do you?

Some people travel abroad every time they get the chance. They like to see different parts of the World, see other cultures, perhaps visit friends and relatives.

Pubs effectively shut in November unless you were having a 'substantial' meal and didn't really properly until May 17th this year with proper opening on July 19th. Therefore, decent socialising has not been popular unless you agreed to restrictions. Now you might not have that many friends but many of us do and hated having to be limited to 5 other friends to socialise with.

You might have found it easy but many many haven't. I actually think the Government gets that and I really don't think there will be another lockdown as they know it will be ignored.

I do get it.

Overseas travel is only a modern phenomenon and really it is a shame people can't appreciate the beauty and sights of our own country if they consider the restrictions on overseas travel as part of 'life on hold'. Although that said overseas travel was allowed last summer and many people went abroad.

I have had a good number of socials with friends in pubs and restaurants during this time and didn't consider the restrictions you mention as making it any less enjoyable, if anything I think it was a benefit as places were less crowded and you could enjoy each other's company more, although I know this is down to personal taste.
 

kez19

Established Member
Joined
15 May 2020
Messages
2,038
Location
Dundee
I did acknowledge inconveniences and some people have suffered more than others, but I would associate phrases like 'life on hold' and 'giving up 18 months' more with being under literal house arrest or in jail, or stuck in hospital for ages for example.

It irritates me to read people implying they've had no life during this time when it's an exaggeration.

But wasn’t that not the governments advice literally was? Clap your hands for the NHS and stay indoors (only for essential things)?

I might partly agree with you here but however the messages throughout this has been nothing more than a farce but it proves a point, like I say it was safe for Piers to fly to Antigua during lockdown but it wasn’t for us? 18 months has possibly affected us all but let’s not kid ourselves people higher up have had a laugh and a giggle at us though

Yep and every time we left the house we were confronted with council propaganda and zombies in masks

This I agree with and last September was a time I felt more unsafe than safe in my own country and at the time it felt like that was going for something to eat!

I do get it.

Overseas travel is only a modern phenomenon and really it is a shame people can't appreciate the beauty and sights of our own country if they consider the restrictions on overseas travel as part of 'life on hold'. Although that said overseas travel was allowed last summer and many people went abroad.

I have had a good number of socials with friends in pubs and restaurants during this time and didn't consider the restrictions you mention as making it any less enjoyable, if anything I think it was a benefit as places were less crowded and you could enjoy each other's company more, although I know this is down to personal taste.

You also forget that people probably have jobs that include overseas travel, so I wonder how this has affected them too (guess we will never know since this will be another thing media don’t cover or bother about)
 

NorthKent1989

Established Member
Joined
13 May 2017
Messages
1,898
I did acknowledge inconveniences and some people have suffered more than others, but I would associate phrases like 'life on hold' and 'giving up 18 months' more with being under literal house arrest or in jail, or stuck in hospital for ages for example.

It irritates me to read people implying they've had no life during this time when it's an exaggeration.

And it irritates me when I hear people denying that last 18 months have been put on hold and the fact that we have given up a lot, it’s pure denialism.

We haven’t seen family and friends, Xmas was effectively cancelled last minute, education been put online which has been a struggle, many businesses closed, if those things aren’t putting a hold on life I really don’t know what is.

I do get it.

Overseas travel is only a modern phenomenon and really it is a shame people can't appreciate the beauty and sights of our own country if they consider the restrictions on overseas travel as part of 'life on hold'. Although that said overseas travel was allowed last summer and many people went abroad.

I have had a good number of socials with friends in pubs and restaurants during this time and didn't consider the restrictions you mention as making it any less enjoyable, if anything I think it was a benefit as places were less crowded and you could enjoy each other's company more, although I know this is down to personal taste.

You really don’t get it and this post smacks “I’m alright Jack”

People have lost businesses and their jobs there is nothing normal about that.

Pleased that YOU were all fine and dandy though….
 

Smidster

Member
Joined
23 Oct 2014
Messages
561
It irritates me to read people implying they've had no life during this time when it's an exaggeration.

It irritates to read people who think their experience is what everyone else has been through.

It is great that you have had a good 18 months but that is most definitely not the experience many have had.

I haven't had a life for most of the time - the few things I have were all taken away and because we are still working at home I am going weeks without seeing another human which isn't fun and unlikely to change before next Spring.

Fancy a trade?
 

Yew

Established Member
Joined
12 Mar 2011
Messages
6,538
Location
UK
It's still an exaggeration to suggest life has been put on hold, inconvenienced yes but even the time during the lockdowns in the UK was still a life people from many other countries would consider luxury and with reasonable liberties; it also encouraged people to try more healthy leisure past times such as walking, running, appreciating nature etc. It is just that people weren't prepared for it, but we always knew it would only be temporary.
That’s is quite simply drivel that’s demonstrably untrue.
 

DustyBin

Established Member
Joined
20 Sep 2020
Messages
3,613
Location
First Class
I think we are at the stage where people have had enough of putting their lives on hold. Since July 19th people have gradually learned (in the main) to live life as they did pre-March 2020. They have had enough, it is why the streets are crowded, the pubs busy and public transport getting busier. Mask wearing is getting less not because people believe they don't work but because want to get back to some kind of normality. Masks to many are a sign of the inconveniences and restrictions of the last 18 months.

I totally agree with this (at least we agree on something!).

@Philip just to pick up on one of your points, you may like quiet pubs but a quiet pub is not a sustainable business. Would you rather have a busy pub or no pub at all?
 

bramling

Veteran Member
Joined
5 Mar 2012
Messages
17,685
Location
Hertfordshire / Teesdale
I think we are at the stage where people have had enough of putting their lives on hold. Since July 19th people have gradually learned (in the main) to live life as they did pre-March 2020. They have had enough, it is why the streets are crowded, the pubs busy and public transport getting busier. Mask wearing is getting less not because people believe they don't work but because want to get back to some kind of normality. Masks to many are a sign of the inconveniences and restrictions of the last 18 months.

This is the thing. Like most, I was absolutely more than happy to suspend normal life last March. At the time we were arguably in an emergency situation, and I think that demanded an emergency response - though with hindsight we shouldn’t have essentially given the politicians what amounted to a blank cheque with our freedoms.

But emergency measure quickly became business as usual, accompanied by the “we didn’t think we could get away with it, then we realised we could” mentality. We’ve paid the price for that ever since, and we are in a dodgy position as it is clearly proving very difficult to get lockdowns out of the political toolbox. Likewise politicians know they can sell pretty much *anything* off the back of “save the NHS” - and I don’t think we’re going to hear the last of that for some time to come.
 

kez19

Established Member
Joined
15 May 2020
Messages
2,038
Location
Dundee
This is the thing. Like most, I was absolutely more than happy to suspend normal life last March. At the time we were arguably in an emergency situation, and I think that demanded an emergency response - though with hindsight we shouldn’t have essentially given the politicians what amounted to a blank cheque with our freedoms.

But emergency measure quickly became business as usual, accompanied by the “we didn’t think we could get away with it, then we realised we could” mentality. We’ve paid the price for that ever since, and we are in a dodgy position as it is clearly proving very difficult to get lockdowns out of the political toolbox. Likewise politicians know they can sell pretty much *anything* off the back of “save the NHS” - and I don’t think we’re going to hear the last of that for some time to come.

The thing is as well just to add is as the public we shouldn’t be so naive, it has proved to me that politicians and media are more hand in hand together but it proves a point to a degree that regardless of opinion be rightly or wrongly all parties involved have done a great job in creating further divisions in society whilst they get away with it.
 

NorthKent1989

Established Member
Joined
13 May 2017
Messages
1,898
We are in a much better place than we were in March 2020 and even September 2020.

As I said it was great seeing pubs and bars bustling now, why would anyone want to prolong restrictions? This past two months has proven that we can live with Covid now, if individuals want to continue to be cautious, go ahead that’s up to you, but I think that is rapidly becoming a minority.

I think we are at the stage where people have had enough of putting their lives on hold. Since July 19th people have gradually learned (in the main) to live life as they did pre-March 2020. They have had enough, it is why the streets are crowded, the pubs busy and public transport getting busier. Mask wearing is getting less not because people believe they don't work but because want to get back to some kind of normality. Masks to many are a sign of the inconveniences and restrictions of the last 18 months.

This is spot on, I’ll further add that from here on out it should be down to the individual, want to wear a mask? wear one, if you don’t then don’t, want the jab? Get it, if you don’t then don’t, it’s personal choice and liberty and thankfully more people are returning to that way if thinking.

We can never go back to the 2019 life fully, even I’ll admit that, for starters that year is in a different decade and we need to get the 2020s decade up and running and I for one won’t miss the 2010s. And the last nearly two years feels that we haven’t left that decade due to Covid, 2022-23 should be the time we move forward in a complete reset, the last 5 years have been dominated by Trump, Brexit and now Covid.

WFH will be more present in our lives, and sick days will inevitably be changed too, before 2020, bosses would guilt trip their employee into coming to work if they were unwell, that won’t be happening again! They’ll encourage people to look after their health, so those are positives.

The NHS needs a complete overhaul to prevent such things like lockdown from ever happening again and firing medical staff who won’t get the jab won’t help or save it, as I said we can more than live with Covid now.

Lessons will be learnt because there were things from the 2010-2021 era that cannot go on.
 

Hadders

Veteran Member
Associate Staff
Senior Fares Advisor
Joined
27 Apr 2011
Messages
12,980
You haven't given up your life for 18 months, to say this and that life has been on hold for this amount of time is nonsense.

Normal life isn't:

Closing schools
Making university courses online only
Telling kids that they can't play U10 football on a Saturday morning (insert other sports and age groups as appropriate)
Not being able to visit relatives for months
Saying you can't go to the theatre, a football match or even the kids school pantomime
Cancelling weddings
Having to choose the people who can attend the funeral of a loved one because there is a limit on the numbers who can attend

I could go on....
 

DustyBin

Established Member
Joined
20 Sep 2020
Messages
3,613
Location
First Class
Normal life isn't:

Closing schools
Making university courses online only
Telling kids that they can't play U10 football on a Saturday morning (insert other sports and age groups as appropriate)
Not being able to visit relatives for months
Saying you can't go to the theatre, a football match or even the kids school pantomime
Cancelling weddings
Having to choose the people who can attend the funeral of a loved one because there is a limit on the numbers who can attend

I could go on....

As you say, the list goes on.

Another thing that some people don’t seem to appreciate is the financial uncertainty faced by many. As well as those who have actually found themselves unemployed over the last 18 months, hundreds of thousands (if not millions) have faced the threat of it. When you’re in that position things are most certainly put “on hold”…
 

Philip

On Moderation
Joined
27 May 2007
Messages
3,646
Location
Manchester
Normal life isn't:

Closing schools
Making university courses online only
Telling kids that they can't play U10 football on a Saturday morning (insert other sports and age groups as appropriate)
Not being able to visit relatives for months
Saying you can't go to the theatre, a football match or even the kids school pantomime
Cancelling weddings
Having to choose the people who can attend the funeral of a loved one because there is a limit on the numbers who can attend

I could go on....

I'm not saying life hasn't changed or hasn't been difficult for a lot of people, I'm just saying to say 'life has been on hold' is the wrong or exaggerating way to describe it in a lot of cases.
 
Last edited:

NorthKent1989

Established Member
Joined
13 May 2017
Messages
1,898
I'm not saying life hasn't changed or hasn't been difficult for a lot of people, I'm just saying to say 'life has been on hold' is the wrong or exaggerating way to describe it in a lot of cases.

So how would you describe the last 18 months then? If life hasn’t been put on hold - which it has!
 

Philip

On Moderation
Joined
27 May 2007
Messages
3,646
Location
Manchester
So how would you describe the last 18 months then? If life hasn’t been put on hold - which it has!

I think obviously problematic and difficult or very difficult at times for a lot of people, but I still don't think you can call it 'life on hold' - there have still been many positive aspects of life for a lot of people during this time.
 

DustyBin

Established Member
Joined
20 Sep 2020
Messages
3,613
Location
First Class
I think obviously problematic and difficult or very difficult at times for a lot of people, but I still don't think you can call it 'life on hold' - there have still been many positive aspects of life for a lot of people during this time.

There have, but benefits such as quiet roads, empty trains etc. are fairly insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I’d far rather be stuck in traffic occasionally than be forced to postpone our wedding and loose a considerable amount of my earnings over the last 18 months, believe me!
 

Highlandspring

Established Member
Joined
14 Oct 2017
Messages
2,778
I think obviously problematic and difficult or very difficult at times for a lot of people, but I still don't think you can call it 'life on hold' - there have still been many positive aspects of life for a lot of people during this time.
My sister and her husband were trying for a baby but paused in March last year due to the uncertainty around employment security and life in general; of course the biologicial clock continued ticking in the background. When I spoke to her the other week she told me they had reached a final decision now not to have kids at all, entirely because of the impact of the pandemic and lockdown. One of the things she is worried about is the situation taking a turn for the worse and ending up locked at home with a new baby and having no support from family, friends or the health service.

I was struck by her saying she doesn’t think it’s fair to bring someone into the world the way is is now. Those are some pretty stark words and that’s one less potential doctor or surgeon or Nobel prize winning scientist that we’ve missed out on for the future.
 

35B

Established Member
Joined
19 Dec 2011
Messages
2,295
I do get it.

Overseas travel is only a modern phenomenon and really it is a shame people can't appreciate the beauty and sights of our own country if they consider the restrictions on overseas travel as part of 'life on hold'. Although that said overseas travel was allowed last summer and many people went abroad.

I have had a good number of socials with friends in pubs and restaurants during this time and didn't consider the restrictions you mention as making it any less enjoyable, if anything I think it was a benefit as places were less crowded and you could enjoy each other's company more, although I know this is down to personal taste.
You lose the argument when you suggest peoples' perception of the impact on their lives is because one of the things they do is "only a modern phenomenon". There is significant feedback that people have put life, or significant parts of it, on hold for the last 18 months. I may think that some of them are offering an exaggerated picture, and being over-dramatic, about the impact, but arguments like that are entirely counter-productive.
 

Annetts key

Established Member
Joined
13 Feb 2021
Messages
2,644
Location
West is best
Normal life isn't:

Closing schools
Making university courses online only
Telling kids that they can't play U10 football on a Saturday morning (insert other sports and age groups as appropriate)
Not being able to visit relatives for months
Saying you can't go to the theatre, a football match or even the kids school pantomime
Cancelling weddings
Having to choose the people who can attend the funeral of a loved one because there is a limit on the numbers who can attend

I could go on....
Err, point of order.

What is “normal life” varies greatly depending on who you are, your job/profession, where you are (location), and the time period (date). It’s very far from one common thing.

What may be normal life to one person may be very far from what is now a normal life for someone else. You should not disrespect others, as not everyone will have the same opportunities as others.

The following is not aimed at any particular individual, but as general comments.

The amount of moaning, whining and complaining in this thread is quite unbelievable. So you may feel that you’ve lost 18 months of your life. Quite frankly, that’s just being damn right selfish and self centred.

There are millions of people around the world who have it far, far worse, and who, if given the chance, would be happy to exchange your place in the U.K. with their current situation.

The average life expectancy in this country is 81. So 18 months of inconvenience is only 1.85% of that.

Oh, and 18 months is very far from nearly two years.

Most restrictions have been lifted. So go and live your life.
 

Bantamzen

Established Member
Joined
4 Dec 2013
Messages
9,669
Location
Baildon, West Yorkshire
Err, point of order.

What is “normal life” varies greatly depending on who you are, your job/profession, where you are (location), and the time period (date). It’s very far from one common thing.

What may be normal life to one person may be very far from what is now a normal life for someone else. You should not disrespect others, as not everyone will have the same opportunities as others.

The following is not aimed at any particular individual, but as general comments.

The amount of moaning, whining and complaining in this thread is quite unbelievable. So you may feel that you’ve lost 18 months of your life. Quite frankly, that’s just being damn right selfish and self centred.

There are millions of people around the world who have it far, far worse, and who, if given the chance, would be happy to exchange your place in the U.K. with their current situation.

The average life expectancy in this country is 81. So 18 months of inconvenience is only 1.85% of that.

Oh, and 18 months is very far from nearly two years.

Most restrictions have been lifted. So go and live your life.
Tell that to someone who has been struggling for months on a 20% pay cut, or have lost their jobs altogether. Tell them they are whining.

Seriously some people are so far removed from the reality of others....
 

roversfan2001

Established Member
Joined
19 Feb 2016
Messages
1,666
Location
Lancashire
There are millions of people around the world who have it far, far worse, and who, if given the chance, would be happy to exchange your place in the U.K. with their current situation.
Is this some sort of twisted race to the bottom? Insinuating that we should be happy with the past 18 months because others have had it worse is laughable.
 

Darandio

Established Member
Joined
24 Feb 2007
Messages
10,672
Location
Redcar
The amount of moaning, whining and complaining in this thread is quite unbelievable. So you may feel that you’ve lost 18 months of your life. Quite frankly, that’s just being damn right selfish and self centred.

  • Haven't seen family abroad for nearly two years?
  • Lost your job, have no income and facing regular visits to the foodbank?
  • Has your education been decimated and you are worried for your future with exams just around the corner?
  • Scared to leave the house because of constant scaremongering messaging?
  • Now suffering from serious illness because you couldn't receive even the most basic of treatment that would have easily prevented it?

If this applies to you then it seems you are nothing but a selfish, self centered whinger.
 

Dent

Member
Joined
4 Feb 2015
Messages
1,106
The amount of moaning, whining and complaining in this thread is quite unbelievable. So you may feel that you’ve lost 18 months of your life. Quite frankly, that’s just being damn right selfish and self centred.

Have you heard of a concept called "empathy"? People have been genuinely suffering for an extended period, to label these legitimate concerns as "moaning, whining and complaining" is arrogant in the extreme and frankly downright rude
 

NorthKent1989

Established Member
Joined
13 May 2017
Messages
1,898
I think obviously problematic and difficult or very difficult at times for a lot of people, but I still don't think you can call it 'life on hold' - there have still been many positive aspects of life for a lot of people during this time.

Yes there have been some positives but to claim that life hasn’t been put on hold means you completely do not understand that others have had to put plans on hold.
Err, point of order.

What is “normal life” varies greatly depending on who you are, your job/profession, where you are (location), and the time period (date). It’s very far from one common thing.

What may be normal life to one person may be very far from what is now a normal life for someone else. You should not disrespect others, as not everyone will have the same opportunities as others.

The following is not aimed at any particular individual, but as general comments.

The amount of moaning, whining and complaining in this thread is quite unbelievable. So you may feel that you’ve lost 18 months of your life. Quite frankly, that’s just being damn right selfish and self centred.

There are millions of people around the world who have it far, far worse, and who, if given the chance, would be happy to exchange your place in the U.K. with their current situation.

The average life expectancy in this country is 81. So 18 months of inconvenience is only 1.85% of that.

Oh, and 18 months is very far from nearly two years.

Most restrictions have been lifted. So go and live your life.

What an utterly selfish point of view, and you think you can call others selfish, take a good long hard look in the mirror.

People have suffered greatly with their mental health, who do you think you are to judge others on how they’ve dealt with this period? I hope no one suffering mentally or emotionally never goes to you for advice.

There is nothing normal about universities and schools being online, children’s mental health has suffered greatly, prior have lost jobs and businesses and haven’t been able to go to loved ones funerals because of restrictions.

By the way 18 months is nearly two years so get some perspective and learn empathy, because you’re seriously lacking in that department.
 
Last edited:

DustyBin

Established Member
Joined
20 Sep 2020
Messages
3,613
Location
First Class
My sister and her husband were trying for a baby but paused in March last year due to the uncertainty around employment security and life in general; of course the biologicial clock continued ticking in the background. When I spoke to her the other week she told me they had reached a final decision now not to have kids at all, entirely because of the impact of the pandemic and lockdown. One of the things she is worried about is the situation taking a turn for the worse and ending up locked at home with a new baby and having no support from family, friends or the health service.

I was struck by her saying she doesn’t think it’s fair to bring someone into the world the way is is now. Those are some pretty stark words and that’s one less potential doctor or surgeon or Nobel prize winning scientist that we’ve missed out on for the future.

I can really relate to this. I'm sure some people may think your final paragraph sounds a little hyperbolic, however this has entered my thinking and it's something my fiancé and I have discussed.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top