Coronavirus

I had my first Covid jab yesterday and can't believe how many "side effects" I've developed: a lovely fat grey arm, raised temperature, headache (and how!), joint pain, loss of taste (golden syrup tastes as bitter as crushed-up aspirin, and coffee tastes like burnt dog-poo probably smells...!). I'm sweating and have a sense of being "distant" from my environment. I've got intermittent backache, toothache and that good old standby, extreme tiredness. T here doesn't seem to be anywhere on this site to discuss this - that's why I'm starting a new thread. Please forgive me if I've missed an obvious discussion elsewhere, but I'm not quite myself today! Anyone else experienced this? If so, how long did it last?

Good sunny morning all I'm a 24/7 sole carer for my 93 year old mum who is housebound. Mum got her call for the vaccination to be done at home and I asked if I could have mine too at the same time as I'm her sole carer. I was told no; that I would get mine a week later at a centre some 5 miles away (my surgery is a short walk across the road and a chemist the same distance away). I explained I couldn't leave mum for more than 30 mins max; had nobody else to babysit; and could I get it done at the surgery/chemist so I can get out; sit for 15 minutes; rather than have to drive to the centre; wait there and probably not be back for over an hour. I was told no and told to 'get someone to stay with her'. I fully appreciate things are a little fraught at the moment, especially with us in the London area, but this really isn't acceptable for unpaid, full-time carers who have no family to step in when needed. Our friends are also of the same age and have their own families to consider and every person who comes through the door is a potential threat to myself and my mum. I really don't mind waiting a bit longer as I know there are more worthy recipients ahead of me, but to immediately dismiss it, and with such bad grace, is just stupid, especially when I give 2 alternative solutions which are in the best interests of a 93 year old who only has me to look after her and is prone to thinking she can still walk and in my absence will eventually start trying to find me or be desperate for the loo. The general feeling I get throughout is that we are unacceptable nuisances as mum is disabled (shock horror at 93!) and I am so utterly ridiculous as to want to look after her in the final years of her life and make her as happy, safe and comfortable as I can. This does nothing for the 'compliance' of the nation if we are hitting brick walls when we are willing to have a vaccine and trying to arrange this.

As we find ourselves in lockdown V2 many of us will feel isolated again for the second time this year. We may be at home but we should never feel alone. Feel free to offload any thoughts or concerns here in our community - we are all in this together - sharing is caring

I have not seen any evaluation of visor versus face mask for everyday public use. How effective are visors ?

Hi, my son has been told to isolate by his school as one of his classmates has tested positive for COVID, can anyone tell me if he's ok playing at the front garden rather than the back garden as I've been told he's not allowed thanks

I'd like to blame lockdown for feeling lonely, but sadly it is not the case. But it has emphasised just how bad I feel, and how I have coped and masked my loneliness in the past. I am 55 years old, married and have three adult children and soon to be three grandchildren. I have built my life around my family. My happiest times are when my girls come round, and we share a laugh, or go out together. However, that happens so rarely. More often than not, I now feel on edge and wary when the children come around after a few arguments. Pre lockdown I had been in a choir for a year or so. It was a really good year. But I joined choir for the social side, not the singing, and it just is not the same online. So I find myself feeling sad, bored and lonely quite a bit lately. I know things have to change, and I start to think about what I can do to change things. But come back full circle as life is so limiting at the moment. So I thought maybe if I could at least chat to people that might help......so here I am.

Over the last few months I have had an overwhelming feeling of wanting to move away. Somewhere close to the sea, countryside and open space. I feel hemmed in closer to London. I love walking but have felt unable to go far during this pandemic. Although this move is not something I would have thought of doing before, the thought of it makes me feel happy during difficult times. I do have a job I love with a great company but since the virus I am not sure that is enough. I know the restrictions on life now will be the same everywhere and there are lots of things to consider. Really just wondering if anyone else has felt the same?  

I have made quite a few face masks and have given them to family and friends. As well as using masks myself when I go shopping or drop shopping/ prescriptions off for vunerable friends I was wondering if any body knows where I can get the nose strip grip from. I hope someone out there on the forum can advise. Thanks

Currently, there is no aircraft noise overhead and certainly much less noise or indeed pollution from vehicles on the road so peace and quiet and cleaner air are obvious bonuses from being in isolation, unless you work in the aircraft or car industry of course. The fact that more of us have to be online in order to communicate with others has its pros and cons and perhaps some of us will miss that daily or weekly hello from loved ones that doesn't seem to happen so frequently when the world is a busier place. And the simpler things from a different time such as neighbours checking up on each other and just being neighbourly, I for one will certainly miss that when the lockdown eases, unless of course, those relationships endure which I certainly hope they do. Is there anything you will miss? Melina :)

I'm wondering if anyone thinks, like me that those men and women who work to provide us with clean, fresh water every minute of every day, both to our homes and below ground, deserve a HUGE vote of thanks. Everything we eat, drink, or use depends initially on water. How else would we wash our hands, as instructed at the moment, and we wouldn't have the NHS if there was no one to supply fresh, clean water. THANK YOU to all water workers, I hope life will be kind to you.