Covid Day of Reflection

ME14addick

Five years on from the start of the Sars Cov-2 pandemic, today has been designated to remember all of those who died from this awful virus and for those bereaved to remember their loved ones.

In England alone there have been 207,708 deaths from Covid . It is still causing deaths, 9174 in England in 2024 and another 769 already in 2025.

We also remember the wonderful healthcare workers who put their lives on the line to care for the sick and dying, many of whom are now unable to work having been badly damaged by Covid themselves. Also those front line workers who kept the country going.

We also remember all those whose lives have been affected by Long Covid, estimated at over 2 million by the ONS in March 2024, but now estimated at over 3 million from the last GP survey.

Hal1x

Almost doesn't seem real now!

Friend Or Defoe

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

blackpool72

Friend Or Defoe said:

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

I know a couple of conspiracy theory cranks and they are getting more bonkers by the day.

Listening to some of the crap they come out with is hilarious. 

Hal1x

blackpool72 said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

I know a couple of conspiracy theory cranks and they are getting more bonkers by the day.

Listening to some of the crap they come out with is hilarious. 

well you would say that wouldn't you! we are on to you!

se9addick

Friend Or Defoe said:

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

Getting the train to work is a nightmare - they are absolutely rammed and half the passengers seem to be hacking their lungs up, it’s grim. 

ME14addick

se9addick said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

Getting the train to work is a nightmare - they are absolutely rammed and half the passengers seem to be hacking their lungs up, it’s grim. 

There is a lot of evidence that having even a mild Covid infection can reduce immunity to other pathogens, so it's hardly surprising that so many have been infected with Covid. This winter there has been a huge increase people being ill with flu, RSV, Norovirus, Measles, Whooping Cough and even diseases thought to be pretty much eradicated, like TB.

Sadly there are many people on social media who say that Covid is a hoax or scam.

Friend Or Defoe

blackpool72 said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

I know a couple of conspiracy theory cranks and they are getting more bonkers by the day.

Listening to some of the crap they come out with is hilarious. 

Hilarious but concerning.

ME14addick

Friend Or Defoe said:

blackpool72 said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

I know a couple of conspiracy theory cranks and they are getting more bonkers by the day.

Listening to some of the crap they come out with is hilarious. 

Hilarious but concerning.

I had a 'discussion' with someone who posted on Facebook 'that contagion doesn't exist' and she quoted some woman who has written a book on the subject. I Googled the woman and it turns out that she is an accountant, with no medical training whatsoever. Unfortunately they walk among us.

Bedsaddick

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

ME14addick

Bedsaddick said:

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

This is a day for those who have lost loved ones to remember the sacrifice many made whilst looking after others. So many healthcare workers lost their lives or have been permanently affected, in the line of duty.

We have Remembrance Day every November to remember those who gave their lives that others could be free, this is no different.

Stig

ME14addick said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

blackpool72 said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

I know a couple of conspiracy theory cranks and they are getting more bonkers by the day.

Listening to some of the crap they come out with is hilarious. 

Hilarious but concerning.

I had a 'discussion' with someone who posted on Facebook 'that contagion doesn't exist' and she quoted some woman who has written a book on the subject. I Googled the woman and it turns out that she is an accountant, with no medical training whatsoever. Unfortunately they walk among us.

Accountants? 

ME14addick

Bedsaddick said:

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

I sincerely hope you're right, but the chances of another pandemic happening are not that remote and many public health officials worry that we are still not ready to cope with another pandemic.  The following article discusses why.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/09/covid-five-years-right-narrative-outbreak

Garrymanilow

Friend Or Defoe said:

It's like it never happened. People coughing on public transport, not keeping a distance. The whole being kind thing down the shitter. If it wasn't for the increase in conspiracy theory cranks you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from 2019.

I think it made people worse. Shifted more discourse online where you can scream abuse at people without fear of reprisal or looking a human in the eye and deciding what you're about to say might be a bit much actually. That mentality has then shifted outside and influenced a lot of younger people during some very significant developmental socialising years. The world feels very polarised

golfaddick

I saw a short piece on the BBC about the coach driver who had to pick up the passengers from the airport who were on the flight back from Italy. He had no mask on but behind him were specialist medical people in full hazmat suits. 

Have had Covid twice and still think that I have lingering symptoms/ effects from it. 

msomerton

Why are we supposed to reflect on. A lot of people died of an infection, people today are dying of an infection and they will be tomorrow and so on.

ME14addick

golfaddick said:

I saw a short piece on the BBC about the coach driver who had to pick up the passengers from the airport who were on the flight back from Italy. He had no mask on but behind him were specialist medical people in full hazmat suits. 

Have had Covid twice and still think that I have lingering symptoms/ effects from it. 

Many people have, so you might well have too. 

ME14addick

msomerton said:

Why are we supposed to reflect on. A lot of people died of an infection, people today are dying of an infection and they will be tomorrow and so on.

This might help you:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/covid-19-day-of-reflection-brings-communities-together-to-commemorate-those-who-lost-their-lives-during-the-pandemic

Elthamaddick

Oh good, another Covid thread 🤣

usetobunkin

Lost a good work friend and mate . When I hear it was a hoax I want to get these people and get them to stand over his grave. 

ME14addick

usetobunkin said:

Lost a good work friend and mate . When I hear it was a hoax I want to get these people and get them to stand over his grave. 

My niece in law lost her father to Covid in April 2020, he had only been married for a few months. He had many years of happiness to look forward to, Covid took that away from them.

Leroy Ambrose

usetobunkin said:

Lost a good work friend and mate . When I hear it was a hoax I want to get these people and get them to stand over his grave. 

Know three people who died during the first and second wave. Came close to banging someone out a couple of years ago over it, just ignore the fucking cretins now. 

Huskaris

ME14addick said:

Bedsaddick said:

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

This is a day for those who have lost loved ones to remember the sacrifice many made whilst looking after others. So many healthcare workers lost their lives or have been permanently affected, in the line of duty.

We have Remembrance Day every November to remember those who gave their lives that others could be free, this is no different.

It is though... People gave their freedom so others could live and sadly many died... It's completely different in about a dozen other ways too. Really don't appreciate that kind of comparison. If your analogy which is a very poor one was true, it would be those who stayed at home who "should be remembered"

I know it's your whole raison d'etre and all that but it just isn't true. It's terrible what happened but it's not comparable. 

ME14addick

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Bedsaddick said:

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

This is a day for those who have lost loved ones to remember the sacrifice many made whilst looking after others. So many healthcare workers lost their lives or have been permanently affected, in the line of duty.

We have Remembrance Day every November to remember those who gave their lives that others could be free, this is no different.

It is though... People gave their freedom so others could live and sadly many died... It's completely different in about a dozen other ways too. Really don't appreciate that kind of comparison. 

I know it's your whole raison d'etre and all that but it just isn't true. It's terrible what happened but it's not comparable. 

Many healthcare workers did give their lives looking after others, some moved out if family homes so that they didn't infect their loved ones. Many died and many have been unable to work since. They went to work even though they were not properly protected with adequate ppe.

You ought to listen to the evidence given by Dr Kevin Fong at the Covid Inquiry last year. He spoke of seeing colleagues wearing nappies, so that they didn't have to take toilet breaks and could therefore continue to look after sick patients. 

I think a day of reflecting on what those brave health-care workers did is not too much to ask.

Huskaris

ME14addick said:

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Bedsaddick said:

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

This is a day for those who have lost loved ones to remember the sacrifice many made whilst looking after others. So many healthcare workers lost their lives or have been permanently affected, in the line of duty.

We have Remembrance Day every November to remember those who gave their lives that others could be free, this is no different.

It is though... People gave their freedom so others could live and sadly many died... It's completely different in about a dozen other ways too. Really don't appreciate that kind of comparison. 

I know it's your whole raison d'etre and all that but it just isn't true. It's terrible what happened but it's not comparable. 

Many healthcare workers did give their lives looking after others, some moved out if family homes so that they didn't infect their loved ones. Many died and many have been unable to work since. They went to work even though they were not properly protected with adequate ppe.

You ought to listen to the evidence given by Dr Kevin Fong at the Covid Inquiry last year. He spoke of seeing colleagues wearing nappies, so that they didn't have to take toilet breaks and could therefore continue to look after sick patients. 

I think a day of reflecting on what those brave health care-workers did is not too much to ask.

You're literally reverting to type and completely ignoring what I've actually said... What the healthcare workers did was amazing. Comparing it to Remembrance day is at best idiotic and at worst tasteless. 

I'll leave it there because I don't think this is a fair fight... 

Stuart_the_Red

Leroy Ambrose said:

usetobunkin said:

Lost a good work friend and mate . When I hear it was a hoax I want to get these people and get them to stand over his grave. 

Know three people who died during the first and second wave. Came close to banging someone out a couple of years ago over it, just ignore the fucking cretins now. 

Having lost my best mate, and best man, in the first wave I can’t engage with any of those idiots either!

Huskaris

Leroy Ambrose said:

usetobunkin said:

Lost a good work friend and mate . When I hear it was a hoax I want to get these people and get them to stand over his grave. 

Know three people who died during the first and second wave. Came close to banging someone out a couple of years ago over it, just ignore the fucking cretins now. 

It's the worst thing that came out of the pandemic in societal terms in my opinion. All of a sudden "contrarian" conspiracy theories became more and more mainstream. 

That has not subsided post pandemic, if anything it's become more pronounced.

ME14addick

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Bedsaddick said:

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

This is a day for those who have lost loved ones to remember the sacrifice many made whilst looking after others. So many healthcare workers lost their lives or have been permanently affected, in the line of duty.

We have Remembrance Day every November to remember those who gave their lives that others could be free, this is no different.

It is though... People gave their freedom so others could live and sadly many died... It's completely different in about a dozen other ways too. Really don't appreciate that kind of comparison. 

I know it's your whole raison d'etre and all that but it just isn't true. It's terrible what happened but it's not comparable. 

Many healthcare workers did give their lives looking after others, some moved out if family homes so that they didn't infect their loved ones. Many died and many have been unable to work since. They went to work even though they were not properly protected with adequate ppe.

You ought to listen to the evidence given by Dr Kevin Fong at the Covid Inquiry last year. He spoke of seeing colleagues wearing nappies, so that they didn't have to take toilet breaks and could therefore continue to look after sick patients. 

I think a day of reflecting on what those brave health care-workers did is not too much to ask.

You're literally reverting to type and completely ignoring what I've actually said... What the healthcare workers did was amazing. Comparing it to Remembrance day is at best idiotic and at worst tasteless. 

I'll leave it there because I don't think this is a fair fight... 

Somebody was questioning the need for a day of reflection, I gave reasons why that might be. 

I watched some of the bereaved families attending some of the services that were shown on tv this morning, they deserve a day of reflection. Citing people 'giving up their freedom so that others could live' I find pretty tasteless, it doesn't come anywhere close to losing a loved one.

Huskaris

ME14addick said:

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Bedsaddick said:

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

This is a day for those who have lost loved ones to remember the sacrifice many made whilst looking after others. So many healthcare workers lost their lives or have been permanently affected, in the line of duty.

We have Remembrance Day every November to remember those who gave their lives that others could be free, this is no different.

It is though... People gave their freedom so others could live and sadly many died... It's completely different in about a dozen other ways too. Really don't appreciate that kind of comparison. 

I know it's your whole raison d'etre and all that but it just isn't true. It's terrible what happened but it's not comparable. 

Many healthcare workers did give their lives looking after others, some moved out if family homes so that they didn't infect their loved ones. Many died and many have been unable to work since. They went to work even though they were not properly protected with adequate ppe.

You ought to listen to the evidence given by Dr Kevin Fong at the Covid Inquiry last year. He spoke of seeing colleagues wearing nappies, so that they didn't have to take toilet breaks and could therefore continue to look after sick patients. 

I think a day of reflecting on what those brave health care-workers did is not too much to ask.

You're literally reverting to type and completely ignoring what I've actually said... What the healthcare workers did was amazing. Comparing it to Remembrance day is at best idiotic and at worst tasteless. 

I'll leave it there because I don't think this is a fair fight... 

Somebody was questioning the need for a day of reflection, I gave reasons why that might be. 

I watched some of the bereaved families attending some of the services that were shown on tv this morning, they deserve a day of reflection. Citing people 'giving up their freedom so that others could live' I find pretty tasteless, it doesn't come anywhere close to losing a loved one.

They deserve a day of reflection, completely agreed. 

twiggyaddick

I lost my aunt to COVID in February 2021, they had to take her to Bristol for treatment as no hospital in London could take her (she lived in Slade green). I didn't realise today was a day of reflection til I came on here.

So I will reflect, and how I wish it hadn't taken a woman in her early 60s away from us, and reflect and sympathise with anyone that lost someone then and still lose people today to it. 

ME14addick

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Huskaris said:

ME14addick said:

Bedsaddick said:

Personally I’d rather forget it than reflect on it . Dark days that hopefully we won’t see again .

This is a day for those who have lost loved ones to remember the sacrifice many made whilst looking after others. So many healthcare workers lost their lives or have been permanently affected, in the line of duty.

We have Remembrance Day every November to remember those who gave their lives that others could be free, this is no different.

It is though... People gave their freedom so others could live and sadly many died... It's completely different in about a dozen other ways too. Really don't appreciate that kind of comparison. 

I know it's your whole raison d'etre and all that but it just isn't true. It's terrible what happened but it's not comparable. 

Many healthcare workers did give their lives looking after others, some moved out if family homes so that they didn't infect their loved ones. Many died and many have been unable to work since. They went to work even though they were not properly protected with adequate ppe.

You ought to listen to the evidence given by Dr Kevin Fong at the Covid Inquiry last year. He spoke of seeing colleagues wearing nappies, so that they didn't have to take toilet breaks and could therefore continue to look after sick patients. 

I think a day of reflecting on what those brave health care-workers did is not too much to ask.

You're literally reverting to type and completely ignoring what I've actually said... What the healthcare workers did was amazing. Comparing it to Remembrance day is at best idiotic and at worst tasteless. 

I'll leave it there because I don't think this is a fair fight... 

Somebody was questioning the need for a day of reflection, I gave reasons why that might be. 

I watched some of the bereaved families attending some of the services that were shown on tv this morning, they deserve a day of reflection. Citing people 'giving up their freedom so that others could live' I find pretty tasteless, it doesn't come anywhere close to losing a loved one.

Again I really don't want to get into this as clearly you are troubled by what has happened to the extent it has become a defining part of your character, a long running tedium in this forum that we don't need to argue about. 

They deserve a day of reflection, completely agreed. The idea that anyone is saying they somehow don't is crass and the offence I've taken to that will sadly come through in this post. I am reflecting today, I'm currently listening to Vanessa Feltz on LBC reflecting on COVID with tears in my eyes, and I'm reflecting on how me and my family went through the pandemic. 

It doesn't make your comment any less stupid or tasteless. That person wasn't asking why there should be a day of reflection as your post claimed, they were saying they'd rather forget. A lot of soldiers, to use your pig eared analogy, preferred to keep quiet and forget the trauma of war. 

Your problem is you have a big mouth and a small brain. Try actually reading what people are saying rather than being so focused on the agenda you want to get out there. 

I'm going to go and reflect now... Maybe you should do more reflecting and less projecting. 

I started this thread to do just that. You chose to make it personal.