Over 70s

As other posters have said 70 is an arbitary age. I consider myself to be a fit nearly 75 year old and in better shape than many who are younger than me. I have never broken a law but will do so if the Govt think that they can isolate me for 12 months. As others have mentioned we are closer than most to the end of our lives, I have told my family that I would not wish to be resuscitated so I'm prepared to take my chance with the Corona Virus. The need to see my grand-children is more important to me.
I know that everyone's opinion is different but those of you who are lucky to still have their partners should consider what it is like for us who are now alone.

It isn’t really doable and if Boris makes the over 70.s stay I that will also apply to his dad. Good luck with that Boris!

It’s an extremely difficult one to decide. I’m 75, active and fit. Over the last 5 years I have lost my daughter in law ( aged 36 ) my father, my very close cousin, my husband and then last year, my constant companion, my dog. My husband had recovered from a cancer diagnosis but also had Lewy Body Dementia. At the beginning of this year I decided it was time to pull myself together and get along with life ... joining various groups and getting back in touch with long lost friends. Now this ...
Its sensible to say I ought to carry on self isolating but there are days when I wonder why has this happened. I’ve raised a family, worked full time, cared for parents and in-laws, grandchildren and my dear husband and I’m beginning to feel “ what’s the point “ I may not have many years left anyway and suddenly when I decide to get along and make a new life for myself I’m stuck in the house, alone and it could go on for the next 18 months . It may sound like self pity but I can assure you it’s not. I’m just stating fact .

I'm not 70, so I have no axe to grind.
A lot over over-70s live alone. What about their mental health?
If they go to do a big shop, they'll be no social distancing in the street or the shops. They won't be able to go to the cinema, or see friends. Will they need to wear masks every time they leave the house?
Few decisions in the crisis have been thought through. Is this another?

I’m with you Framilode....another couple of months yes..... 18 months no. I’m a fit healthy 69 year old ....I will reach 70 at Xmas ..... I will take my chance and sign any waiver they want , but I have never committed a crime in my life , and I’ll not be imprisoned for so long .... law or not!

I cant imagine what it will be like later in the year when the weather and daylight hours change. At the moment we are blessed with some beautiful days weatherwise so can get out in the garden or go for a walk. How different when its pouring with rain, it cold and grey and the darker evenings draw in. I will do as they say as OH has COPD and cant risk bringing it home to him, but sometimes even now my eyes fill up at not being able to see and hold my children and GC. What i will be like then, heaven knows.

I'm 70 (well I will be next week) himself is 73. I have had 2 different cancers in the last 5 years and recovered from both (thanks to the wonderful NHS). I feel whatever time I get now is a bonus and the idea of not being able to see children, grandchildren, siblings, friends for 12 to 18 months makes me terribly sad. Himself says he will go "rogue" (whatever that means!!). I would not want to put other people at risk but it will be terribly hard to do

I have had the virus and was really poorly at home. Presumably i could catch it again.
Even so, they ain't pinning me down. I want to see my little grandchildren soon or my heart will break!

Not really but if we want to live then yes. I’m not quite 70 but hubby is.
We are basically lazy anyway so adapting to couch life and more tv is fine for now. Have to be glad we have light evenings and sunny days to enjoy. Can’t imagine how dreadful it would be in winter months.

I won’t stay in for another 12 months. That’s a seventh circle of hell. I’ll be sensible. I’ll social distances. I’ll wear a mask.
I may be old but I still have a lot of living to do outside of my house and my estate. And I’m bloody tired of cooking three meals a day and the husband’s company 24/7.

While we are still letting people in to this country and illegals
untested, we will never be clear. Other countries shut their boarders immediately i.e. Australia which greatly reduced the problem.
So are we seniors expected to stay in until a vaccine is produced, which will not be for us. We won’t even be tested but who has paid into NHS and tax longest. Some seniors are in better health than youngsters whose life style is not healthy.
When you live on your own it’s very lonely and soul destroying and we need the company
I already have a Health POA in place and wear a DNR band
So if I catch it I won’t use the NHS.
Every one can catch it, even those who have disregarded the isolation but they will get treated.
This is discrimination against seniors. Life is meant for living whatever your age.

I am 67 but my other half is 76 and it is him that is going out to do the shopping at the supermarket and visit the farm shop - if I am honest, more than is absolutely necessary - because he is already going stir crazy. So no - I don't see that working. As soon as others are allowed out he'll have his car keys in his hand and his running shoes on! And I'll be right behind him.

no, I am not happy about it..

No, I don`t think I could survive, mentally, therefore potential suicidal

now,, about time euthenasia was legal,, well as I can`t spell it, does that mean??? duh!

seriously though, I can`t see a complete lockdown for over 70`s if healthy, should be enforced. as we have found out, some over 70`s (healthy or not) have survived the virus

and some very young, healthy or not , have not survived

No, I don`t see why we have to consider a complete lockdown, surely we, well some of us, have enough sense to practice sensible precautions?

Nicky 7of7, just saw your post about Sainsbury`s, their online delivery has not worked like that for me... I do my order, and keep on trying for a delivery date.. late at night or first thing in the morning seems a good time to get a free delivery slot.
I have NEVER even been consulted by Sainsburys as to whether or not I am classed as vulnerable.. I don`t understand how you got that communication with them?

I just keep on trying,

TBH I think the 70s+ are the more responsible generation, so I think we should be let out first. The younger generation seem to think this virus won't happen to them, so to let them out first could put us in an even worse situation than we are in now.

Like others here I am not willing to lose so much of whatever is left of my live.
I have said all along that I am more scared of the lockdown and the stress it is causing me, than of the virus itself.
Okay, if I happen to one of the minority who get it really bad, so be it, if I die, so be it. BUT - I do have hopes of celebrating my 80th birthday next year and am most definitely not willing to stay by myself almost until that time.
I do go out most days, I am still doing a weekly Sainsbury shop, BUT I most definitely need to get out to see my family, my children and their children.
Advice yet, but it is my life and I am will take my own decisions about it. Each to their own
Probably if I was ten - twenty years young, many on here are that and more, then my feelings might be different, but for us who are probably nearing the final time of our life in any case, I most definitely have no intention of wasting the next year sitting in my home, however lovely it is.

I hope I don’t have to stay in for 12 to 18 months I might starve to death! I am 72 with COPD which is only moderate but a cause for concern when we are told that the virus attacks the lungs. I tried to get an online delivery from Sainsbury’s yesterday but was refused on the grounds that they do not have me on their vulnerable list! I have been a lifelong Sainsbury’s customer not any more!!!

Sorry but no! Basically that is committing us to a jail sentence with as few rights as a criminal. Just because we are over 70 does not mean we are all wrecks. Loads of us are full of beans and living a full life. Why should the last of our days be spent imprisoned. If you are saying the elderly should all be confined then you must extend that to all the disabled, and people with other health complaints. I cannot see where this would end! We must stay sane and sensible over this issue. Without reason we have certainly lost our way!

some people will be ok with lockdown some not. RD Laing
the psychiatrist observed that humans are generally scared of 3 things; death, their own thoughts,and other people.I think he was pretty spot on with his observations.

If that's what we have to do, what is the alternative? I won't like it but I'll do it.

I will comply with whatever restrictions are put in place, but would like to visit family about 15 miles away - happy to socially isolate an stay 2M apart.- sit in the garden if weather is good - happy to take my own drinks and snacks. I know people who do this already, Skype is not the same as hugs from my grandchildren, but its lovely to see them. Grateful to the technology that lets this happen. I can't imagine a time when I won't have to queue outside the supermarket - but it will hopefully come. I count my blessings every day. Hugs to you all. Please don't take your chances with the virus - its too awful and you could put your loved ones and others at risk. be strong. This too will pass.

I'm 55 and 'shielding' as I have an autoimmune illness and am on immune suppressant drugs. I was made redundant in February and has my first ever spell in my life unemployed. I found a new job which I should have started on 24th March but because of this I'm stuck unemployed. I have arranged a mortgage holiday (3 months), We have been turned down for universal credit and council tax support because my fiances wages (not great .. works for NHS) and my jobseekers allowance put us over the limit! I have also received a letter saying my JSA wont be paid after 31 August as my time is then up!! So if I have to shield for an extensive period I dont know how we will survive financially as our outgoings with mortgage exceed our incomings greatly even before we think about food etc!! Very worried and will have to go to work and 'risk it' regardless. I cant retire until 67!

I’m 75 and the thought of another 18 months of this horrified me. I belong to many clubs, choirs etc, which I miss a lot, but not seeing my lovely family would be the worst thing. We have FaceTime every night, but it’s no substitute for the real thing.

Of course, it's 'over 70s' here - only because many people are still working in their sixties - but the age varies by country!

Those of you happy to 'take your chances' are gambling with other people's lives too.

If you're seriously ill and somebody calls an ambulance, you won't have an opportunity to explain that you'd rather be left at home.

This is a difficult one I am afraid of the virus but the thought of another year of isolation is horrifying.I miss my time sitting on the seat by the harbour wall. Watching folk going about their daily lives. Small pleasures which in my eighties brighten my day. I have watched the lock down failing, more people in the village each weekend. I stay inside but sometimes feel that I am being punished because others won't stick to the rules. As long as the mostly young ignore guidelines and spread lnfection we have no chance of coming out of isolation, we will allways be locked down as we will forever be at risk.