Is it just me, or are you tired of hearing this phrase "together, we will get through this" ?

JustGrateful

I appreciate the positive attitude on the subject, but this is being beat into the ground. And what's the "together" part? Nobody has stopped by our house and offered to help us get through it. We are more like on our own instead of together with anyone.

Every business that advertises on TV has been using this too. I guess it's just a catchphrase that everyone is trying to jump on.

Dawsonsmom

While I appreciate the need for some positivity, for me, it rivals people telling cancer pts, “you’ll be fine”. It’s taking on a platitude quality. Ultimately, it’s one of those things that people say when they feel helpless. Most of us are helpless to do anything about this virus......except the biggest thing we can all do......STAY HOME. That single thing will have the biggest effect in winning this war.

Bengal

Agree with everything you and Dawsonsmom said. Actually, the catch phrase should be, "apart, we will get through this"!

LiveWithCancer

Well ... to play devil's advocate ... when I hear the phrase, it is often in relation to pleading with people to stay at home instead of treating this like an extended holiday. Around here, the streets are still full of cars - where everyone is going, I do not know. We have lots of walkers and hikers ... I don't usually see people practicing safe distancing. The young man who loaded my Walmart grocery order the other day said it disgusted him that he's there risking his own health so that the store can remain open for groceries only to see lots of people coming in to shop for yarn and televisions - items he considers non-essential. (I can argue that both could be essential to maintaining one's sanity ... but, you get the point.)

I, for one, do wish everyone would honor the rules about sheltering-in-place. It only makes sense that if people would, the incidences of the virus would decline appreciably and then we can resume life as we knew it before this pandemic hit. If everyone believes the rules are for everyone but them ... this could take a long time to resolve.

GregP_WN

I have started thinking to myself that this phrase is starting to be an advertising slogan that every company that is running ads on TV think that they have to tag with. I do believe it's getting overplayed.

BoiseB

To me the phrase is meaningless unless you are communicating with people you know and have some connection with. And when I have heard if in this setting it is ALWAYS accompanied by "How can we help?" In all other contexts, I agree with Greg

Bengal

Well stated LWC. I do appreciate the folks at Wal-Mart, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc., who are out on the line enabling us to obtain necessities. However, I gotta say he is wrong about TV's and yarn. They are necessities! If my television went up right now I would most definitely be looking to get a new one! I don't knit but my sister does and it really helps folks maintain sanity .


Our county has just announced travel restrictions to force people to stay at home. Not sure I agree with this. Nothing wrong with getting in your car and going for a drive for a little relief from cabin fever. You are enclosed within you own vehicle and no danger to yourself or others. The way I see it, better a husband, finding himself stuck at home with wife and children, get in his truck and go for a drive to relieve the pressure than add to the skyrocketing incidences of domestic violence. Any thoughts?

SuckItCancer

I'm kind of over the whole thing. It needs to finish running its course and get out of here. Hopefully it won't come back.

legaljen1969

I am definitely over the phrase at this point. "Together we will get through this." Maybe in countries other than the U.S. No-one can agree on anything and people are making so many disgusting attempts to politicize it. That is pushing people even further apart.

I guess after having so many fears related to cancer over the past several months, none of the COVID-19 stuff feels real to me. I know it definitely real and it can definitely be harder on people with compromised immunity. I was already in "stay at home" mode after recovering from surgery. I was already super aware of being extra careful about sanitizing everything and having very good hygiene. I had already stocked up on everything.

In any case, I think I feel more "together" with people on this site because many of us have a common experience and a heightened awareness of the perils to us if any of us are affected.

I wish you all the best.

MarcieB

I kind of like it. Every time I hear it I think about all the other people, like my husband and myself, who are *out there* making sacrifices to hurry this thing along. We are together in our resolve to do whatever it takes too get through this the best we possibly can. I agree it is all getting old. I have never been a fan of Zoom, or FaceTime, or any of the video tech chats, so I will be glad to have coffee with my friends in a restaurant again. When I was going through chemo I was pretty much cut off from the world because I just didn't feel good, and that is pretty fresh in my mine - so I am grateful that if I have to be isolated, at least I feel like baking, painting, reading something fun.

GregP_WN

And then you see cases of people still congregating like the few ministers who won't stop having church, and 2 weeks later multiple people in the church are testing positive. I just don't get the lack of common sense. But it doesn't surprise me either. Common sense is hard to find in most people these days

ChildOfGod4570

I'm with you, LiveWithCancer and Bengal! The phrase doesn't bother me as much as the fact that some folks are still frolicking on the beaches and in parks as if nothing was wrong while the rest of us are sheltering in place. The longer they do this, the longer we all will have these restrictions upon us. I know we're all trying to stop the virus from spreading, and I surely do hope the news is right that it's working. Our positive count and death toll have continued to rise here in Florida. In fact, a friend of mine said that Florida has beaten the entire country of Canada as far as positive tests and fatalities go. Now, I am hearing we might be quarantined until June or even July! Just the thought of that is daunting when you are more than ready to hug your family and friends, eat in a restaurant, or even take a swim in your complex pool. With us approaching record highs and us needing exercise, never has there been a time when the pool was so sorely missed. I've even heard people saying the gym or the pool is their therapy, and they can't have that now. Like with cancer, I firmly believe that mental health in the throes of quarantine should be addressed! If not for my crafting and computer projects, I would have been climbing the walls long ago. The phrase doesn't bother me in the least; I'm just ready to vanquish the virus, not have to worry about my elderly parents catching COVID-19, go aback to church, have an outing with some friends, and go swimming again. HUGS and God bless.

Bengal

ChildOfGod, I do hear you about the pool. I was going to three days a week swim therapy. The program was cancelled in early March because of Covid19. Man, do I miss it. I am so stiff and sore, some days I can barely function. I do have a backyard pool here at home but it will be at least another month to 6 weeks before it will be warm enough to open it.. Seems like forever.

As for the mental health thing, I think alot of people are going to have issues. I am doing mental health "visits" by phone. Not quite the same as in person but better than none. I had managed to stretch visits out to every third week but for the time being I'm back to once a week again. So glad I have that.

Hang on everybody. This too shall pass.

BoiseB

At the 1st of the year my congregation Started a program "You Belong" A corollary to that was you are not alone we are together. I do feel together with my prayer group, Bible Study, and Cancer Support group. Although I greatly appreciate the services of Safeway I definitely don't feel "together with them.

legaljen1969

Boise B- What a timely and appropriate program. I’m so glad you have a sense of community with your Bible study group. It’s important to feel a sense of community. The isolation can feel so hopeless and debilitating.

Dina

After my cancer treatments, I became very involved in my oncologist-prescribed Cancer Exercise Programs in the San Francisco Bay Area -- those providing cancer exercise classes for patients in treatment and recovery, those living with cancer as a metastatic disease, as well as for caregivers. I am PASSIONATE about this area of my life: I am an active student, advocate, and have been an instructor. Exercise is an integral part of my life. There is incredible value in participating in an exercise class with other people who are going through similar things.

In mid-March, My Stanford Cancer Supportive Care Program Exercise classes (Yoga, Pilates, and more) that I went to regularly, stopped abruptly as we are/were in the first 6 counties of California to have Shelter in Place. Since then, Stanford has been able to put the classes online live, which is great. However, I miss the personal interactions with my friends in these classes: the laughs, hugs, and sometimes the tears we share. But we call, we text, we share videos of other new online classes. We help each other to cultivate peace in the present moment, and practice self-care in this uncertain time. We are now starting up Zoom calls to just connect and see each other online, talk about happenings in our own little places in the world, share stories, concerns, jokes, ask questions, and laugh!

Carool

Yep, I’m tired of that phrase. I’m tired of dreaming that I can go by subway back to Manhattan from my apartment in Brooklyn. Tired of the words “Covid-19,” “social distancing,” “masks,” etc. And sad and scared about the daily death tolls.

However, we WILL get through this together. I hope.

ChildOfGod4570

Now, don't get me started on the phrase "social distancing". That's one I surely find not only to be an oxymoron but one to be kind of depressing. In this time of uncertainty, we need hugs and a healing touch more than ever, and they want us to stay 6 feet apart. OK, I'll do it because I have to, but don't expect me to like it. There are times when social distancing can make a person feel worse. In our church, we had a lady who was crying because she had suffered a loss before the virus showed up, and nobody could even lay a hand on her shoulder. I know why they say to isolate; they had me doing that when I had nutropenia with all visitors wearing gowns, gloves, masks, etc. There's nothing more heartbreaking than needing to exchange a hug or loving touch and being unable to give or receive one because you or the other person is deemed contagious, even if they feel fine. My pastor said the best way to love each other is to stay away from each other; however, my head understands that, but my heart longs for physical contact like before. And please tell me what is so social about distancing? Does that make sense? OK, I'm ranting now, and I know this is a place for support. This is just something that has bugged me right down to my guts for weeks now. Thanksfor listening to me. Happy Good Friday to all who celebrate Holy Week! HUGS and God bless.

Bengal

Social distancing. They never should have got that phrase started. I noticed Dr Fauci and a few others are now saying "physical distancing" which much better describes the situation and makes more sense. Actually, through all of our electronics and communication gizmos we are becoming more virtually socially close than ever. I stay home but I am talking and interacting with other people more than ever.

BoiseB

Bengal don't get me started the definition of terms 1st there was "shelter in place" that was originally a term for hurricanes. When it became too late to evacuate you were to go to a room in the interior of your home and stay there until the storm was over. It was later applied to mass shootings. So they changed that to "stay at home " which means something different in every state. Then I find people getting "isolation and quarantine mixed-up. Isolation means you're sick and can make others sick, visitors need to wear protective gear. Quarantine means you have come in contact with a sick person you should avoid others until you have passed the incubation period
ChildofGod, I am afraid that this "physical distancing " will undo a lifetime of effort to overcome my antisocial tendencies. I had to practice handshaking before going to interviews. Also this is a terrible thing to say, but virtual church services are without the fear of a mass shooter. Of course that is not really a Christian idea. We should not fear being killed because we worship.
I don't remember a time when my parents hugged me.
Hey Bengal I wish we had emojis on WhatNext.

BoiseB

One thing our congregation has done is assemble a phone team to contact every member of the congregation and ask about their needs both spiritual and material. I was contacted on Thursday and had a wonderful hour and fifteen minute conversation. The lady also inquired if any of my neighbors needed anything. Never were the words "we're all in this together" but the actions shouted it loud and clear

ChildOfGod4570

Just trying a test. I found out I can see emojis on my PC, so I am going to try copying them here. If it worked, you should see a sunflower, dove of peace, face with hugging hands, face blowing a kiss, and a face wearing a medical mask

Carool

ChildOfGod, I think we can’t put emojis on WN. Yours didn’t come through, and the one I just tried to post here didn’t, either.

ChildOfGod4570

Darn, darn, darn. Guess we'll have to resort to the old way of making smilies. I see my HUGS and God bless line didnd't come in either. Weird. I tried. HUGS and God bless.

legaljen1969

This post just showed up in the first few of my home page. I am glad some of us are still sticking together. Most of us seem to be sticking together. With hindsight being "20/20" (I know, bad pun), it has been interesting to look back and see how we WhatNext(ers) are still in this together- whatever "this" is, but now six months into the future, we as a society seem to be further apart than ever- socially, emotionally, physically. I don't think any of us thought six months ago that we would still be contending with this. I think, in the beginning, it was a "let's do this together" thing- but now it's so fractured and fragmented.
If 2020 has taught me nothing else, it has taught me to be thankful for every moment I have with those I love. It has taught me that we never know when will be the last time we see someone we love and when that last hug will be the last hug we have to remember and cling to. It has taught me to be thankful for healthcare providers and caregivers who are mindful and carrying on to help those who are in dire straits. It has made me far more thankful for our doctors, nurses, firefighters, EMS, and all first responders who put their lives on the line to respond to situations where people may have COVID, where people are not socially distanced or trying to socially distance.
This has been a very hard year and I wonder if many of the problems this year might have resolved themselves in a more productive and caring way if we were able to come together and give hugs and to be able to shed tears. If we could be that crying shoulder or that strong shoulder and a smile.
We have been left without so many smiles. We have hidden our smiles and our joy and I hope we will get it back. So many people have said "I really just want to "get back to normal."" I do not believe there is any going back. I believe we may be able to enjoy some things we enjoyed before, but I believe it's going to be in a way that "everything old is new again." It will look a little different. It will be and feel a little different. I just hope that whatever it is when our world re-opens, it is a world where we love each other. Right now, I am not feeling too confident in that- but I know as long as there are people like you people on WhatNext, there will be SOME care and compassion in the future.
How do some of the rest of you feel now that we are six months out? Have we been in this together? Or have we become more fragmented, angry, and isolated than we ever thought possible?