They haven't even brought the old variant under control with the existing measures, if the new variant is really so much more infectious nothing short of an extreme lockdown with absolutely everything shut down will work. And it's far from clear that there's the political will for that.
There won't be enough vaccine either until summer at the earliest. The EU commission made some very bad decisions (rejecting an offer for 500 million doses of the Biontech-Pfizer vaccine, ordering only 300 million), there isn't really a prospect of a rapid vaccination programme leading to herd immunity in the next 2-3 months. So imo it's clear that tens (or even hundreds?) of thousands will die of Corona in Europe in the coming weeks.

That variant has already been evidenced in Germany in November. So it's already here. Don't panic though, it seems while it's more infectious, it's less dangerous. Reasonable concerning virus evolution, a virus "wants" to spread, killing the host is counterproductive.

That matters only on the individual level, a more infectious strain will still cause many more deaths, be harder to contain and make a collapse of the health care system likelier. So really grim prospects imo.

YouTube made me sad today but that's nothing new.

It's crazy to see that some people can be aggressive for no reason and only respond with insults.

No wonder that social networks in general are considered as a spillway of hate.

Seems to be??? Where have you been? Christian anything is always treated in postiive and glowing terms while ANYTHING related to sexual minorities is always lambasted, attacked and villified. It's impossible to look up anything queer without at least one guaranteed person insulting and complaining about it. Movies, games, businesses, whatever. Even googling gay content brings up links where gay = bad, constantly reminding us how much we're reviled.

Don't know how old you are, but that's our reality. Always has been, always will be.

Mom and I get along quite splendidly, but yesterday, we got into a heated argument and for the first time ever, I actually made her cry. :( I felt like shit all day today and guilty and sad, especially. Phoned her earlier and noticed she was still upset with me. :( Not proud of myself.

Mothers always, always forgive their sons: the greatest love ever!!
You need to act as a real man (or woman, please don't pay attention to the gender, your avatar is my excuse) to solve this mess -you- created (yep, starting with taking the responsibility and the lead to solve it)
Use all your intelligence, heart, imagination, habilities, commitment... heck: all the best you can do!
Figure out why all this happened, what -exactly- you need to improve/solve/ammend/apologize_for and -do it-!
No doubt: You need to apologize -in person- (be a real w/m, remember?) prepare your speech and speak from your deepest self. Be extremely patient and dont do anything stupid please.
Hope this stranger advice helps a bit (I read your post about 2hr ago but took me time to think something to say)
Today you felt as one of the worst shts in the universe. Make sure to feel it enough to remember, to improve whatever is needed and not cause this mess again!
Everything is going to be alright!

Thx for the kind advice. :) I showed up at her place today with some potted flowers and an apology. Spent two hours with her and not once did she look at me, nor did she speak much. But she did make me an espresso and gave me some veggies from her garden. It was a baby step in the right direction. I guess time will heal. I feel less like a shit today (but still do) and let's just say I learned my lesson the hard way.

Just give your Mum a hug.

Do i need a reason to be sad..? Anyway mom woke me up at <7 and said it's past 9 (evergreen lie)... (:
well this is the reason that i have in my mind at this time.. anyway i don't need reasons to be sad caz i'm always... hehe

Glad to hear things are moving forward matterbandit. Be patient and persist.
Diamonds are always an option :)

This week I'll be attending my 3rd funeral of the year. :(

Oh, no... I popped into this thread only to be confronted with the fact that I posted here last. LOL! Oh well... I may just have laughed away my sadness. xD

I was feeling sad today because it's Friday and sunny and I was in the mood to not be alone today. Watching people hanging at the park, some in couples, others in groups, some sharing a bottle of wine, others just sharing a laugh... The handful of friends in town were busy with other stuff to meet up with me and as much as I completely understood that, I couldn't help feeling sad for killing time on my own. And naturally, I did not tell any of my friends how I felt because I did not want to come across as needy. Most days I am fine with my solitude. But today I was really in the mood for company.

I am not so sad at this very moment. Thankfully. But it was pretty much my mood all afternoon, especially after I had left work and was looking forward to kickstarting my weekend.

Cold and rainy weather.