Over 70s

When you have walked a mile in someonelses' shoes then you can comment. Some people who still have their partners are so smug, but they will be on their own one day.

Please sign up to this statement:

I am happy for members of my family to die so that people like me can have a day out.

Anybody want to sign?

Yes sure, there are many worse things than being in my own home, relaxed and enjoying the small pleasures and if it keeps me alive and drawing my pension until the end of my natural life, why on Earth not

No, lincolnimp not need you want to be there. It might be ideal in every respect but would it be ideal if your OH (or you) contracted the virus and died.. eh?

As I have said on many other threads here on this subject, over 70 is a grab all to make all older people stay in until we either die from starvation, loneliness, falling over & staying down or becoming really mentally ill through too much stress at being alone for long periods of time!
Personally I do not do well with being locked up. I got 'the letter' but have no idea why as my disability is life limiting not life threatening. At 75 I was still fairly active & saw family & friends regularly. At my age how much longer have I got before something takes me off? Will I ever see my Grandchildren again if I have to be locked up like a prisoner for another year to 18 months! I will probably have gone sat on the beach waiting for the tide to come in by then! Even if a vaccine is found tomorrow that works perfectly there will be civil war if any old person is given it ahead of all the young entitled people who will want it first. They have many years ahead of them & we will be deprived of our last few years with our families! Do not remember being so selfish & hating old people when I was 20-40 years old. They will be old one or will they consider themselves immune to old age?

Many of the people who've died (not passed away or lost) were overweight. That is a fact besides any underlying issues they may have had.

No, we won't be prepared to be incarcerated for another 12 months, unless we are allowed to move house during that time.
All contracts signed and ready to be dated, just waiting for restrictions to be lifted for completion date.
It's this that is causing us more stress than any other aspect of isolation. Our new property is the ideal house in every single respect and we just need to be there

It isn't as simple as that Gwenisgreat1

_ABSOLUTELY, DEFINITELY, UNEQUIVOCALLY...NO_

Well, there is talk of being able to see close relatives, that would make Lockdown much more manageable, seeing my 4 year old GD and getting cuddles from my 6 year old GS who has Down Syndrome. On the other hand I realise I am lucky to be able to communicate with them and my daughters via Facetime. I'll stick it out, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I for one will not be happy, inconvenient, but resigned to what will be will be.My chicks flew the nest to far away lands many moons ago so am used to few and far between visits. We will adapt as we have before, not forgetting years of war many will remember, then temporary social isolation is a piece of cake in comparison. No doubt there will be 'moans and groans'. Tough, get used to it.

Regarding Sainsbury’s I phoned their helpline as I found it difficult to get a slot. I explained that I fall into the ‘elderly’ category and they said they would make a note and I’ve been lucky to get some shopping slots since. You have to keep trying at odd times through the day.

Good morning. I'm 58 with diabetes,overweight and increasingly confused by the situation! Initially diabetics told to self isolate for 12 weeks,but then we were just recommended to stringently socially distance etc. I work in care so that impossible. I'm currently not at work but unsure if will get SSP as not really sick as such. My GP strongly advised against work,but admitted there was no official advice however much it was needed.
In many ways I'm lucky,I have no mortgage,a house with a garden and a daughter nearby and a small amount of savings.
I think initially i was quite optimistic BUT:
I feel increasingly despondent at how the Government is handling this. It's an extraordinary situation but they appear increasingly inadequate.
I increasingly am wary of their advice. Yes,if you over 70 however fit you may be your immune system is less effective.
Groups of people have been told to self isolate/shield but the resources to support them inconsistent. I joined the 750 thousand volunteers to do phone calls. Still havent received an alert. I know from support group for volunteers on facebook it is very patchy. Yes its early days but concerning.
I work with older people and although not at work am in touch. Although publicity has stopped it I was horrified to learn that not only would covid patients be allowed into nursing/care homes for end of life care but homes were being forced to take them. The idea being to free up NHS resources. It almost certainly was a dealth sentence to the other residents.
I've always strongly believed this virus is more contagious than we are really told and that precautions told to take outside of home barely effective but maybe make us feel in control.
As time goes by there seem fewer stories of people having a mild virus. People either seem to be asymptomatic carriers extremely ill with a long recuperation period if they survive.
I increasingly feel people have to make their own carefully considered choices.
I feel those over 70 are probably more at risk themselves than to others and have been told to self isolate and then often just left to it.
The government has shown no concern for all of those in the shielded/vulnerable groups in past decade so I have a horrible feeling their current concern is lip service but behind cabinet doors we are acceptable less.
Although I have always avoided it I recommend joining Facebook. It is a very good source of local groups and businesses that can help with food delivery etc. Supermarket delivery is impossible even if previous customer. That said I have an Iceland delivery arriving today between 9pm and 11pm that unexpectedly got when logged in. They do at least have random slots weekly unlike other supermarkets.
Personally although less optimistic I feel all I can do is see what next month or so holds and take it day by day. My grandchilderen live near London and so only see them every few months,but I accept I may not see them for a very long time in person.
If I was in my 80s,or 90s or had a terminal illness maybe I would take the risk.

100% agree

A question for all those who say they will go out and are prepared to take their chance.

In the 5 days before symptoms show you will have infected many other people. Some of them will be very ill, some of them will die. Some of them may be the family you are desperate to see.

Some of your family may be infected by another person just like you, who wants to be out and doing. Even if you decline medical treatment you will want doctors and nurses to put their lives at risk to treat the people you love.

Please try to think beyond your own wants to the devastating effect your actions may have on others.

Will turning 70 in 2 months time put me in the over 70's category ??

Chameleon
I’m so sorry for your loss

Yes we would do it. DH is nearly 80 I'm nearly 70, we will do anything to protect each other and have as many years together as we can. If that means staying at home, not socialising and not seeing our children and grandchildren in person, then so be it. They will understand, if not now, as they themselves get older. Eventually, some day, a vaccine or treatment will be developed but it could take a long time and until then we have to accept that CV19 is an ongoing deadly risk. We personally will make every effort to avoid it. It will probably have to be the choice of each individual rather than imposed upon them by the authorities. I hope common sense will prevail.

Nan79
Nan79 is right, we should have closed our borders, it’s one of the first things we should have done. To not do so was absolutely stupid. The only flights allowed in should have been those repatriating British citizens. And they should have been put into quarantine. We did it with the flight repatriating people from Wuhan, and after that - nothing. People were coming in from all over the world, including 3000 people from Madrid to watch a football match! Planes were and are still are coming in from Italy, China, Iran and New York. Honestly, you couldn’t make it up. If we don’t control our borders, we don’t control the virus, and 70+ people will continue to be told to lockdown. Do you want to stay in lockdown just so people from all over the world can freely fly into Britain? And some of them will be bringing the virus with them!

Yesterday morning a very dear friend of mine, (who was more like my sister has we were both only children)died suddenly. She wasn't knowingly Ill. We hadn't seen each other since just before the lockdown although we had phoned and text everyday. We had arranged to go out and have coffee and catch up once restrictions were lifted. That now will never happen. Because of number restrictions at funerals I cant even say my last goodbye. My heart is aching.

I will listen to the advice on lockdown but will go with my gut feeling. I would rather trust myself to make the decision than this incompetent government.

I'm 74 and every day is precious now. I'm not going to isolate for 18 months while the rest of the under 70 population go about their business. I'll take my chances, thanks.

I've not seen any of my seven grandchildren (or my three adult children and their partners) since just before the lockdown began - and, like everybody else, I'm REALLY missing them all.

I usually have the youngest one (aged 3) during school holidays to help out with child care costs - and we go to a Soft Play Centre, a Park or on a Mystery Bus Ride. He's my little 'adventure pal' . However, I've just had a phone call from his dad asking me if I'd be alright doing a video call with him via What's App - such a delight to see his little face light up when he saw me.

If anybody hasn't yet tried What's App, I urge you to give it a go - I also got a 'sloppy kiss' on the screen ................. his Daddy is going to have to give his phone a really good clean after that .

Oh yes - I forgot - I DID have a visit from little fella's Daddy on Mother's Day ................................. he arrived, tidied the garden, cut the privets and mowed the lawn and then waved bye-bye as he left again.

My other son and his wife brought me a present that she had made for me in work - a large canvas-style picture of my favourite band, to hang on the wall. They arrived - phoned to say they were outside - then left the parcel on the garden path. We had a brief chat, me in my upstairs flat window and them by the garden gate.

None of that would have worked out with children present - I'd have been upset not to get cuddles/hugs from them at all.

I'd urge anybody to have a go at the What's App Video call - or Facetime, Skype, Zoom etc. Not quite the same as the real thing, but needs must when we're longing for contact of some kind.

I’m concerned about this because my granddaughter (aged 22) lives with me. Obviously she’ll be going back to work. Where does that leave me infection-wise?. I’m happy to stay home but I’ll be on edge all the time in case she brings infection into the house.

Polnan re Sainsbury’s- I’ve not had a problem with deliveries. I find Sunday night or Monday a.m they put some slots in. I’ve not registered as vulnerable. I have ordered from them in the past so maybe they have my dob.

Oops pressed yoo soon
What if the single over-70 is ill at home? No-one will be allowed into the house?