What did you go through or do differently during Covid-19 Lockdowns?

Supernatural

Supernatural

Senior Member
We had viewed two YouTube videos, end of December 2019/January 2020. The first one was someone dying in USA of unknown disease. The second one about a Chinese GP talking of an upcoming Pandemic...

Last time hubby and I went shopping together that year without protection (which was upcoming) was 8 January. In March, just before the first lockdown, my thyroid gland swelled up... Welcome to hypothyroidism again...

We knew I was in trouble. The weight gain had been bad, I felt sluggish and tired all the time. On top of that, as we'd just moved into a new place, we needed to visit our GP surgeries. However, my appointment was cancelled due to lockdown happening at same time.

First Situation: I needed help and medication. Did some research and found solutions. Update 2023 -- I've cured my thyroid gland problem and lost 2 stones (28lbs). Feel much better and clothes fit again lol! Taking my herbal/mineral supplement daily.

Second situation: I wanted to change my hair colour during Pandemic. Hubby got hair dyes and bleach. However, going from black/brown to silvery grey, mm... didn't work out. Oh well! Update 2023 -- the portion of my hair that was damaged, fell out in 2022. At first I thought it was due to stress/grief of losing hubby. Nope, apparently it happens to severe cases of damaged hair. Back to my old colour mixed with the few greys and my skunk-like white bang on the right side lol!

Third situation: Wrote a whole series of stories. My muse was out in force... LOL. It was an interesting adventure. I love storytelling from my father growing up. I guess I take after him.

As we haven't travelled since 2011, no extra risks of infections, thankfully still clear. Hand washing with Antibacterial soap was already a regular exercise, we didn't have to change our style... We've felt bad and prayed a lot for all the ones who died due to this new virus.

Now, your turn, what did you do during this crazy and worrisome times?
 

I was going to visit (and possibly move to) South America. My flight was canceled just a few days before I was supposed to go. Bummer!

A friend got mad (and abusive) because I used hand sanitizer and she was sensitive. That was the end of our friendship.

My shared home on a beautiful island was fine, until there were disagreements over Covid rules. So I moved far away.

This involved a long detour to my sister's place, as she invited me to live with her. I soon decided I couldn't live in her city, but at least I got to see her; I had thought I'd never see her again. Also, I loved driving across the country.

So I moved to a weird town where most people hunt and do crafts and such. Anything I might have wanted to do had been canceled by Covid.

I did have a bit of a social life for a while. In recent months even that ended (for me), because there seems to be more illness than ever going around.

I began practicing Spanish online. This led to hosting an online trivia game (in English), which I enjoy.

There are other indirect consequences, kind of hard to pinpoint.... Life's like that.
 
Nathan said:
Just lived life normally, wore a mask when needed. Being retired my 'work life' wasn't impacted at all. ;)
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Aye, our day-to-day didn't changed much either. Looks like we'll be wearing again to ease the burden on the NHS (our hospital group here).

What I'm wondering about is if I'll ever be able to safely visit Italy and Austria as planned with hubby. I guess my retirement will be chair travelling via videos on the internet lol!
 
NorthernLight said:
I was going to visit (and possibly move to) South America. My flight was canceled just a few days before I was supposed to go. Bummer!

A friend got mad (and abusive) because I used hand sanitizer and she was sensitive. That was the end of our friendship.

My shared home on a beautiful island was fine, until there were disagreements over Covid rules. So I moved far away.

This involved a long detour to my sister's place, as she invited me to live with her. I soon decided I couldn't live in her city, but at least I got to see her; I had thought I'd never see her again. Also, I loved driving across the country.

So I moved to a weird town where most people hunt and do crafts and such. Anything I might have wanted to do had been canceled by Covid.

I did have a bit of a social life for a while. In recent months even that ended (for me), because there seems to be more illness than ever going around.

I began practicing Spanish online. This led to hosting an online trivia game (in English), which I enjoy.

There are other indirect consequences, kind of hard to pinpoint.... Life's like that.
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Wow, sorry to hear... Spanish was in school. These days I've had to use Google Translate to reply to people following on virtual games šŸ™ƒ
 
The biggest thing we did differently was trying out curbside pickup for groceries... and ended up loving it so much that I plan to continue indefinitely. When we have to go into a store, I want it to be for "fun" shopping. šŸ˜„ Also different is that we had to cancel our big road trip in 2020 and 2021. By the time 2022 came around with the recession and gas costs, we decided it probably wasn't real wise to take off on a 2000+ mile road trip, so we didn't go then either.
 
Forgot to mention: I'm an introvert, and I've often thought I'd do well at one of those jobs (e.g., fire tower) where you're isolated for weeks or months at a time.

But with various restrictions, and moving to this town (where I'm an outsider and don't have much in common with most people), I experienced loneliness for the first time in my life.

I guess years aren't the same as weeks or months. And I think it was a kind of grieving, knowing that some things will never be the same for me. Many doors will remain closed.

I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone, but I think it was a valuable experience. I learned a lot. Really learned to look within.
 
Supernatural said:
What did you go through or do differently during Covid-19 Lockdowns?
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Did my best to not let it effect my life, but some things were unavoidable.

I had a business trip planned to China in March 2020, purchased the tickets and was planning to go, got some masks. Just 2 days before the trip Delta canceled all flights to China, so I couldn't go. Kind of disappointed, I've never been to China and now most likely won't be going.

The gym I go to shut down for about a month.

I have long worked from home so that did not change. However I used to do a lot of business travel, Covid put an end to that, lots of online meetings. I think maybe 75 to 80% of the time the online meetings were as good or better than meeting in person, but the other ~20% of the time they were not. No downturn in my business, in fact I had to refuse a lot of work to get retired.

As a small business owner I tried applying for the PPP money, but got nothing. I guess I was too small...

Did not change my shopping habits, but wore masks when it was required. Also kept eating out when I wanted to, and things were open.

I made several personal trips flying domestically, at first I enjoyed the empty airports and empty seats, but that didn't last long.

Had to cancel a 2021 trip to fish in Canada, the border was closed. Got to do the trip last summer, but one of my friends who was unvaccinated could not go, he could not get into Canada.

I wore masks per Utah Health Department guidelines, still do when it makes sense, but that is getting rare. I got all the vaccinations.

I finally got Covid a couple of months ago, after 5 vaccinations. However the symptoms were very mild and other than a low grade cough did not last long.

Probably not the hardest time of my life, but wouldn't want to do it again.
 
Covid didn't impact me that much except kind of wondering WTF is this and will it ever end. Still wearing a mask out shopping.

Missed the thrift stores not being open. Though highly exposed, I didn't get covid until this past November. Several co-workers also got it for the first time. Must have been the new variant. That got me 2 weeks off though I'm part time. I've continued working part time through covid.
 
Disgustedman said:
I worked at my job, considered an "Essential Worker" so had my shopping done mask on, and 30-50 people shopping same time. I did laugh at the people ravaging the shelves then trying to return it.

"Sorry, no returns on food items" (inject cursing, screaming, throwing and threats) fun times.
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Lol! Thanks that made me laugh...
 
CallMeKate said:
The biggest thing we did differently was trying out curbside pickup for groceries... and ended up loving it so much that I plan to continue indefinitely. When we have to go into a store, I want it to be for "fun" shopping. šŸ˜„ Also different is that we had to cancel our big road trip in 2020 and 2021. By the time 2022 came around with the recession and gas costs, we decided it probably wasn't real wise to take off on a 2000+ mile road trip, so we didn't go then either.
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Hubby went out with daughter weekly. It made me panic inside. Knowing now what he was going through (with angina and the knowledge of only 2 years left to live) I get it as to why he did it his way.

After he died, daughter and I tried home delivery but it made me discover how expensive it was and that store had upped their prices. I cancelled the last order, took the list with prices from that store, went to another favourite but without home delivery.

Low and behold, my bill turned out completely half priced. So nowadays just go out of the house to see other people around and to make it a fun outing. We take our two trolleys (1 freezer, 1 regular), our new groceries app (which is amazing) and fill up.

Doing the price comparisons, we're still winning, the buses are free, but sometimes we pay ourselves a wee luxury aka if the bags are extra full and heavy, and have a return home by taxi. Added the groceries app if you want to!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.headcode.ourgroceries
 
Because of fear of food shortages, I purchased shelf-stable items that I would otherwise never have bought. Much of the food has been eaten since then but some ( a relatively small amount) has expired and had to be discarded. I am so sad about wasting food and wasting money.
 
Caring for my dying mother during 2020 was the hardest. We were terrified that someone would bring Covid to her and that she would have to be in the hospital and quarantined away from her daughters instead of dying at home as she wanted.

She wasn't able to visit with many of her friends and say goodbye and we were not able to have a funeral/memorial service until a year after she died.
 
First, I had to go get groceries and got verbally attacked for not wearing a mask. Not my choice, I could not find any.

Finally got masks but started curbside pick up for groceries.

Then health problems that led to hip replacement, not fun, going for covid tests before, being in the hospital overnight, having to ask my son for help after.

After son, went home, ordered groceries for delivery. I prefer to choose my veggies and proteins but it went well.

Now, I go out and shop when I feel up to it. I have Walmart plus for delivery when I need it. So far, Walmart has been very good. I prefer to go to Albertsons for my meats and loss leaders in produce. To be honest, I like to have choices with out having to bother my son. He has enough on his plate, workng and taking care of his own family.

Bottom line, I still wear a mask in stores, I still have delveries when needed, or do curbside. I don't have to call my son for every little thing I need. At this point, I call it a blessing, making me learn and use all the options I have. When I look at it the cost is very low, I don't have the need to call my son for every little thing. I have learned everthing I need is at my fingertips, most of everything`I need is a small charge and the tip money is valuable to young people in my area. There are some things I get from Amazon but just like any other store you have to compare prices on products.

Things are better somewhat, we have been vaccinated but I am relieved that I can still get what I need without help from son. Just that peace of mind is priceless IMO.
 
The only thing I did differently was wear a mask when it was required to shop.
And put up with those silly lines to get into the stores when they were limiting how many people could be in at a time.
 
A long planned trip had to be cancelled and given where it was going it remains impossible!
And will probably never happen.
Everything I enjoyed was cancelled for 18 months and living alone with all my friends living miles away I saw no one except bus drivers and shop assistants.
I refused to join long queues just to get in supermarkets.
I spent a small fortune on fog wipes so I could see when wearing a mask.
And living in Wales we were under tighter and longer lasting restrictions than England that resumed around Christmas/New Year
2021/2 when there were none across the border.
So I travelled to England to watch sport in non-socially distanced ,maskless crowds when they were not allowed in Wales!
 
Furryanimal said:
A long planned trip had to be cancelled and given where it was going it remains impossible!
And will probably never happen.
Everything I enjoyed was cancelled for 18 months and living alone with all my friends living miles away I saw no one except bus drivers and shop assistants.
I refused to join long queues just to get in supermarkets.
I spent a small fortune on fog wipes so I could see when wearing a mask.
And living in Wales we were under tighter and longer lasting restrictions than England that resumed around Christmas/New Year
2021/2 when there were none across the border.
So I travelled to England to watch sport in non-socially distanced ,maskless crowds when they were not allowed in Wales!
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The cancelled trip reminded me of an elderly couple in my diabetes support group.
They planned a cruise for months (likely their last one), they did everything they were required to do - Covid vaccinations & boosters. Before boarding, they were given Covid tests that were both positive. They weren't allowed on the ship.
 
jujube said:
Caring for my dying mother during 2020 was the hardest. We were terrified that someone would bring Covid to her and that she would have to be in the hospital and quarantined away from her daughters instead of dying at home as she wanted.

She wasn't able to visit with many of her friends and say goodbye and we were not able to have a funeral/memorial service until a year after she died.
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So sorry to hear of that! All my sympathies... It's difficult enough to face any illnesses but to have an additional disease looming about is something we could all have done without. Take care dear, it'll get better in the long run. Blessed be!
 
Haven't travelled since 2007 and the trip was a day one up to Edinburgh. Hubby and I had plans to begin those funky day trips which were delayed by Pandemic. Then 2022 came about and we were planning again and the rest is history.

My retirement holidays won't happen now, so I'll be back to virtual travelling via YouTube...

Meanwhile, some if you might know of this English couple who went on a cruise and got struck with Covid? Here's the video link:
 

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