Pandemic panic

Social distancing yes, self isolating no. It is possible for oldies to lead a relatively normal life and keep a distance from others. Obviously public transport, restaurants, group activities and the gym are out, but walks and fresh air should not be a problem, sitting away from others outside. Common sense should prevail. Younger people can always wear a proper protective mask for visiting or taking the oldies out in a car. They are available online for less than £25, I've just bought one! They look like WW2 masks but they provide 100% protection unlike the surgical masks.

I do not see how 4 months isolation for over 70s will work.

If someone could explain to me how this could happen I'd be grateful.

We are not a separate group with separate problems and needs; we are a cog in the wheel which keeps the country going.

I was watching Matt Hancock on BBC this morning. He was carefully non committal about over 70s staying in for months. We were impressed at his reasoned responses and open mindedness.
A good suggestion that, as in Denmark, supermarkets should open for an hour first thing just for older people. This would be after freshly sanitising these shops. That would give the chance for shopping and some socialising.

A middle course seems most useful to adhere to.

Except that is not what the government is planning Jane10. They are planning to ask all over 70s to self-isolate for 4 months according to Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on Sophy Ridge this morning. It may be worth trying to see the programme if it is available on Youtube or elsewhere later on.

They may decide not to do this of course but, because the NHS has been so under-resourced they may have to.

Off again GracesGran?

That makes no sense to me. Perhaps you would like to explain it Jane10?

Off again GracesGran?
'self isolating' or to be less dramatic, staying in for four months is an awful prospect. Mental health will deteriorate and physical health too as we all need activity and fresh air. Social isolation is already a mental health problem for many elderly people.
If everyone stays at home for 4 months what will happen when they all emerge?
A middle course seems most useful to adhere to. Keep clean, think carefully before going out and where you might be going and try to keep a positive mental attitude.

Absolutely agree with everything you have said above GracesGran.

People are acting like questioning human beings Jane10. Not wanting clarity or being concerned would be more chicken-like.

Are you over 70? Are you prepared for four months in self-isolation? Once we all have enough in our cupboards to do this - it is what the government is intending to ask the over 70s to do - the buying will slow down. I know my next on-line delivered order is bigger than normal but that is because I have added the normal things I would go to the shops to buy. I am not actually buying anything extra. People buying in bulk may be buying for two sets of parents. And there will always be a few who don't think it through but it will even out and the supermarkets seem to have some control over it already.

Please don't use this as another excuse to paint everyone who isn't you as "less than". We have surely had enough of that.

And people acting like headless chickens. Keep clean and carry on.

correct chestnut but there are people who have heads in the sand as always

Just saw a virus expert from Cambridge University on TV who said categorically that everyone will get it. They are just trying to slow down the infection rate so there won't be a surge on the NHS all at once.

Two hundred and twenty nine scientists from UK universities have written to the government to say that the current approach will put the NHS under additional stress and "risk many more lives than necessary". They criticised comments made by Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, about managing the spread of the infection to make the population immune. However a Department of Health and Social care spokesperson said that Sir Patrick's comments had been misinterpreted. "Herd immunity is not part of our action plan, but is a natural by-product of an epidemic."

Additionally, more than 200 behavioural scientists have also questioned the government's argument that starting tougher measures too soon would lead to people not sticking to them. "In fact, it seems likely that even those essential behaviour changes that are presently required (e.g., handwashing) will receive far greater uptake the more urgent the situation is perceived to be. Carrying on as normal for as long as possible undercuts that urgency."

(Full article on BBC website.)

Oops, another link to make you happy, broad Yorkshire accent now 'vaccine, vaccine' nah we want non of that EU rubbish, we'd rather 60% of the population die than accept anythin' from elsewhere. I daresay a lady cake n a cup o'tea will outdo any EU vaccine. Let me get ma pinny...'

LOL x 000s.
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/14/coronavirus-vaccine-delays-brexit-ema-expensive?

Oh purlease not back to the world war, we'll fight them on the beaches cr*p, let's have a good old argument about brave little Britain being bailed out by the US shall we? Got some biros and marker pens have you to make pretend stockings? Go well with masks made out of bras and how about plastic tubing and old blacksmiths bellows to replace ventilators, I'm sure they'll do. Dads Army, fgs!! Wheres that boomer remover thread again, what century is this?

yes, a nanny state with a sticking plaster. For goodness sake look after yourselves, where on earth has that war spirit gone, many still have it but others want everything handed on a plate. Some have made their own masks, every bit as good as a paper one. Don`t rely on fake words. Isolate, do it

President Macron gave a speech to the nation yesterday in which he pledged to look after the vulnerable at all costs and urged everyone to do the same. The state are handing out free masks. Bit different eh?

Your post at 12.47 today was spot on Labaik

I have just read online that a shopper has been mugged for a 4-pack of toilet rolls as he was leaving the supermarket!!

“It’s possible that COVID-19 will be similar to a bad flu year but there are a number of indications that it will be very much like the 1918 flu pandemic,” wrote Juliana Grant, a preventive medicine physician and infectious disease epidemiologist. “To put that in perspective, the 1918 flu did not end civilisation as we know it but it was the second-deadliest event of the last 200 years. It is likely that people you know will die from Covid-19.”

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-cdc-1918-flu-pandemic-death-toll-symptoms-a9389171.html

I just spoke on the phone to another person a few years older than me, maybe 75 with heart and breathing problems. Another one who said schools should close and they would carry on as normal. I had to clench my hands while I explained all over again. There are a lot out and about who really don`t care and several are in the vulnerable group. Its a very nasty way to die, why on earth risk it?

The above I find totally disgusting as the decision will affect many in preventing them from working due to the requirement of child care. No doubt those teachers and other staff will expect the supermarket's shelves to be fully stocked as they take a prolonged break.

I can’t even get past this comment. Teachers are not choosing to close schools, and schools are not closing just to give teachers a prolonged break. What are completely dismissive attitude.

Another link re ACE

www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m810/rr-2

10 more deaths in the last 24 hours bringing the uk total to 21. Those who think its 'just' like flu might like to watch the short video with a doctor who is recovering from Covid19. It is clearly worse.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51886497

Measure not measuring.

I had just put on another thread that the one thing that concerns me is the stopping of testing. To repeat what I said there, how can you measuring anything if you don't have the data?