Over 70s

I am 76 and generally well but, I am asthmatic and do not relish the thought of catching something that will affect my lungs. I have chosen to self-isolate and am lucky that I am getting regular grocery deliveries. My lovely neighbour collected my prescription yesterday.

I do not relish the thought of this going on for another 12 months or more but, if necessary, will do it. As a widow I live alone but, in a spacious house with a big garden. I speak to my family regularly on the ordinary phone or by FaceTime or Zoom. I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like living in a flat without outside space or being unable to move around because of disability or illness.

All I can do is pray that the trials with the vaccine are successful and soon.

Why are the government still allowing people from anywhere
come into the country.
I thought the airlines were grounded.
But I understand that there are people sneaking in on boats?
as well and are being allowed to stay.
While all this is going on we will never get covid 19 under control.
I agree we should stay home to protect the NHS, and anyone else.

Having seen my mother die of emphysema, struggling for every single breath, I can imagine that Coronavirus will be the same. I don’t want not die that way and will do what it takes to stay well. I am on the ‘at risk’ register and if they say ‘stay in’ then that what I’ll do.

My mother is 85, in a hot, stuffy sheltered flat where no one is allowed in but care staff. She is reclusive and negative by nature and normally reliant on family for any small pleasures she may get. After just four weeks of lockdown she is saying she would like to kill herself, so we don't see how she could cope with 12-18 months.

There are more ways of suffering than just with the virus. But I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make the decision.

Australia are allowing family visits ?

A clear fact---" scientists and medics from other countries have attacked this problem in a different way to us, with spectacularly different results ".

Why oh why are we having so many deaths ? It's worse than a bad winter of 'flu.

I believe I have had the virus and would love to be able to confirm that.
At 71 I want to get back to work. Not that that is likely.?
I am much younger than my mother was at 60 with excellent health and loads of energy.
Nothing to feel superior about as it is, I am convinced, due to HRT.
Why should I have to suffer when I am fit and well ?

When the idea of extending the restrictions on over 70s was mooted I admit to being a bit smug as I am 68 and my husband is 76 so my first thought was ‘I’m ok’ . However I have read somewhere that the advice will be for over 60s to continue to be restricted.
I will continue to be careful even though I have had the virus almost a month ago because there is at present no evidence that having had it confers immunity on everyone. The worst part was the struggle to breathe at times even though it was not so severe that I needed medical help. That bit lasted 3 days. Thankfully I had no previous history of asthma COPD etc.
I really , really need a reliable antibody test and if one was available I would be first in line to have it! In the meantime I too will continue to take as many precautions as possible as my husband is a) 76 and b) has heart disease.

Eglantine21 - you omitted the part that NHS staff should be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice because clapping for them once a week is all that I am prepared to do to keep as many as possible safe and well

South Korea managed to contain the virus with 300 deaths compared to the UK at 20,000 and rising. A month ago a UK public health director contacted South Korea requesting their logic ( not to replicate. WHY ? ) but so far no reply has been forthcoming.

If people in the UK are kicking off about being in a lockdown how would those same people react to the rules and regulations of a country such as South Korea ?
Yet, we HAVE to break this chain of freedom to enable the country to rid itself of this virus.

No draconian lockdowns in many Asian countries and there are far more of them than us. Yet better outcomes than Europe ? South Korea is continuing as usual with their shops, restaurants and businesses open.

How was it achieved ? Mass-testing. Aggressive contact-tracing through credit-card transactions. CCTV recordings and GPS on mobile phones.
Imagine that happening here ??

Taiwan has seen 6 deaths in a population of 24 million ! This country uses citizens phone signals to track movements and trace the spread of the virus and contain hotspots.
We'd have cries of Big Brother here !

Members of my family are on the front line Sussexborn. Obviously it is more important for posters to hug their grandchildren than for mine to stay alive.
??‍♀️

To be honest, it would not affect me a great deal. I have taken daily walks since the ‘lockdown’ began, as allowed. I make sure to walk in quiet places, and give a wide berth to anyone I meet. I visit the supermarket once a week, and observe the rules carefully. One DD and GD live nearby, and we chat down the driveway a couple of times a week. The rest of my family live in Australia, so we FaceTime often.
I miss my regular activities, but take part in quizzes and chats regularly on Zoom. I phone my friends to keep up with them.

I’m not being smug, and sympathise greatly with all those who are suffering in various ways because of the situation. However, I am fairly comfortable with how things are for me, personally, and could continue in this way for as long as necessary. As I am 80, though, I hope that things return to normality fairly soon. I’m very fit and healthy, but hope not to ‘pop my clogs’ before getting back to hugging my family.

I will certainly be ultra-cautious when we are finally allowed to go out and mix again!

Excactly GreenGran same here even down to DC and DGC in Australia!

No I am not happy staying in lock down! At 70, who knows how much time we have left, I don't want to spend it watching box sets! I would rather take the risk that I might get it than not see my family and resume a normal life any time soon!

So you are happy for others (including your family) to die so that you and other people like you can do what they want.

Sign up here!

Until 'the science' is definitive and trustworthy and not changing every single day - masks are no use, masks will be mandatory etc etc - what else can we do but follow our own common sense, hard come by over long years? We have a responsibility to look after our health and vitality, which I take very seriously, and I do not take kindly to being told what to do based upon flawed hypotheses and unproven, just-guessed-shots-in -the-dark solutions. It's an insult to our wisdom and intelligence. The frightening fact is No-one has a clue of how this will all play out. If we all behave with kindness, compassion, thought for others and above all common sense there's no need for draconian curtailments of our generation's freedoms.

No I’m not happy, I would like to get back to seeing family and friends and going to the gym.

Surly it depends on the individuals circumstances.I am fit and healthy walk for miles etc.My husband is 70 and plays golf 3 times a week.There is no way my mental health could cope with my freedom being curtailed for a year while I am fit and healthy as are numerous people over 70.Im mature and sensible enough not to go to crowded pubs etc A walk by the sea motorhoming holidays.Im afraid they will have to lock me up because I will make a stand.Everyone else who wants to stay in fair enough no problem but some common sense is required

This is a difficult one. Many over 70's are fit and active and play golf, go to the gym and walk with the Ramblers etc. It is understandable that over 70's and younger people with underlying health problems are being asked to continue to stay at home. Choosing a particular age group feels wrong and discriminatory.

I'd rather there be Big Brother checks on each citizen such as was practised in South Korea and Taiwan than this wholly uncertain way of life we find ourselves in, with no end in sight for many.

I don’t think the transmission of a virus is an unproven hypothesis. We have known for over a hundred years how viruses are transmitted, especially airborne ones.

Unfortunately most of the posters have shown that they do not have any compassion or thought for others so I think you’re on a loser there. As indeed we all will be if people cease to isolate.

But we can as a society chose individual freedom over death toll. Just be aware that this is what you are choosing and that your family is not invulnerable.

People just don’t believe it will hit them.

Unfortunately Judy it’s the virus that has chosen the age group, not the Government. Our bodies have aged, our resistance and recovery is much, much lower than younger people. It’s biology.

A few weeks ago a chart in a National paper showed risk of dying higher for men in 55-65 age range than women in 65-75 range. Women apparently have stronger immune systems (more boy babies die in 1st year) because it is the x chromosome that carries the immune defences, and we have twice as many.
I also saw an article claiming that the government are considering adopting a system once lockdown starts to ease up, based on not just age but also state of health and fitness. This makes more sense but I still have issues with it - see below.

Thank you Eglentine21 that makes a lot of sense.

Yes older people have poorer immune systems than young ones. However I know many over 70's myself and my OH included who are far fitter than overweight smokers in their 40's who do not exercise. Having said that our son aged 44 is with us as he is immunocompromised and had had "the letter", he had to come here as his wife works at a GP surgery and her sister who lives with them is an ICU Nurse. We have no intention of putting his or anybody else life at risk. If it does go on for a long time hopefully his wife and daughter can come and see him and us from a distance.
.

Many supposedly fit and healthy older people do lead very active lives, play tennis, belong to the Ramblers, play golf etc.
However, I do know of more than a couple who have died when carrying out these activities.