Isolating over 70s for 4 months

This is the reason why the government might well think it is worth trying to protect us and ensure that there is the health service available if we do become ill.

The death rate for children and young people is about 0.2% rising to 1.3% at 50 to 59, 3.6% at 60 to 69, 8% at 70 to 79 and 14.8% at 80+.

I have already posted this on another site. There is a lot of useful information on this site www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR1mz5YL0GnawuwmpswWAH6xyubAiRq00sMkmcetxr2BmJkFmpsEPNGswDk

Thread not site.

I haven't read the whole thread and hate the idea of staying in.
BUT - is it because we are more likely to have already got the virus and so we can spread it?
How are they going to keep us in?
There will have to be Age Police and everyone, all ages, will have to carry their birth certificate.
It's stupid IMO - if advisory, more sensible.

Just signed up to neighbourhood help scheme. I might be of some use.

ps also maybe because we would block all the hospital beds.

scribbles my heartfelt condolences.

I am considering writing to my MP to show my distaint at being imprisoned for 4 months. Maybe if others who share my view did the same they might consider the repercussions of this action.

Scribbles

My almost-97 yr old m-i-l, who lives 300 miles away, is normally quite fit, and gets the bus to the nearby town to shop 2or 3x/wk. She is not at all computer literate, so would be unable to use online shopping. Her daughter, who lives nearby, is 65, with a husband of 71, and has COPD, so is not able to go out and about. We are both over 65, and DH is at risk due to heart problems and diabetes. We would have to stay with m-i-l if we went up to help, so she would not be isolated. What are we supposed to do? Although people in the village would do their best for each other, tbh most of them are probably 70 or over!

overthehill, Have you thought the repercussions of not being isolated might be mixing with infected people and catching it yourself? You may also infect your own family.

I think a lot of this is about resources. I have just spoken to someone who is 35 who was due for a back operation on Monday only to be told it was cancelled on Friday as they had no gloves or masks. I do not believe this is true. I worked as a buyer for the NHS and I believe they are stock piling them ready for when coronavirus peaks in a few weeks time when they will need them and there could be short supply.
I'm not sure they are trying to protect us over 70's so much as they are trying to make sure they can treat everyone and that will mostly be over 70's+ and anyone with underlying health conditions. So it's not just about deciding you personally will chance it.
Apart from a vaccine which probably isn't going to be available until next year, there are hopes for treatment. Apparently the us of a certain drug in America and Japan has saved the lives of several at death's door but it has to pass stringent tests before it can be made available to all. At least it is a glimmer of hope at the end of a very very dark tunnel.
Scribbles so sorry for your loss. People do want to pay their respects and you must have a service of remembrance when all this is clear. In the meantime I don't know how computer literate you are or whether you know someone who can do it for you but you can set up a memorial page for your husband that people can post their condolences and memories on. Try googling it or maybe someone else on GN knows how to do it and can advise?
Staying put for 4 months is no hardship for me and my husband and I had already decided to do this anyway. We have a large garden and will find plenty to do. I understand others are not is such a fortunate position. Community groups are setting up to help older people.

Alexa, the wartime spirit was not about hating Hitler, Goebels etc.
It was people coming together in the face of adversity.
Sharing resources, working in difficult occupations generally making do and mending!
The blitz mentality is what we need to deal with this pandemic.

bobby I have just lost my mum, and before she got to the position that she needed daily care, I used to order her shopping on line. You can easily do that and they were always very good at taking it into the kitchen for her and unpacking. She used to phone through to me with her order (very bossy about specifics?)but it worked really well

Eloethan

I think you have a good point there, about pitting one generation against another.
There is a nasty undercurrent of this which has been happening for a number of years now.

Already some people have had the finger pointed at them as super-spreaders through no fault of their own, all over 70s regarded as being vulnerable when someone younger may be more so than a fit and healthy over 70 etc.

Scribbles and a virtual hug.

overthehill a very good idea. I will do likewise.

Let more of us do it and get up a campaign.

Fennel yes, we would be bed blockers too!!

I cannot believe this is compared to war, saying it is ageism, etc

This is not about you and how it might affect you, it is about protecting all of us, old, young, kids, babies, etc.

How do you think parents with kids at home for 6 weeks as school is cancelled AND still have to work from home feel? Yes, we all fear for our mental health due to isolation. Guess what, you will survive and this time next year we will remember it as an anecdote.

How do you think people feel about their financial future? If you cannot telecommute and if you do not work, you don't get paid. How will you pay your bills?

What if you have to go to work but you have no childcare available?

So this is not about you, group over 70+.
This is about making sure the least amount of people need medical care.

It sucks for everybody. We will adapt mentally, it is only temporary.

Merlotgran I can see what you're saying but let's look at figures.
UK population 67,000,000 roughly - positive cases 1,140 - deaths 21
I rest my case.

Scribbles, . Hard but for the best. I am sure Mr. Scribbles would want you to stay safe. As someone else suggested, perhaps a celebration of his life when all this is over. Thinking of you.

I have a distant (in both senses if the word) relative who is in her late 80s.
She doesn't even have a bank account (or cheque book), let alone a computer, so online grocery shopping is completely out for her!
When she needs money, she goes to the building society and draws out cash.

She has no immediate family, and few, if any, friends nearby who might be able to help her out with shopping.
I cannot, for one moment, imagine how she can self-isolate for even a short length of time!

Community groups are getting going. Our village are organising volunteers and lists of people who may need assistance. We have no choice, it would be irresponsible to make yourself susceptible and then expect to find a non existent ventilator should you become very ill. We only have to look at Italy to get an insight into what is likely to happen.

scribbles ...my heartfelt condolences you must still be In shock at the accidental death of your husband. Then this awful situation to co tend with..

I don't see this as pitting one generation against another - unless you want it to be. We are simply and factually more vulnerable. I am sure many younger people will want to help. It's a shame to see everyone as out for themselves. I simply don't believe that is the case but there has to be the best balance possible and if, while the younger generation are losing their jobs and the businesses they have built up, we can help by generally staying at home - I'm sure there will be some flexibility on that - then why not. It's then up to us to show our resilience and help others in our age group if only by staying in touch.

I am 70 now and quite happy to self isolate but hope that we get more information as to what that practically means. If they are telling me to stay away from people and not go on public transport or cinemas etc., I can do that (for the good of all) but can I really not move from my flat for 4 months?? not sure of that. But then again if it means that the virus is controlled maybe we have to do it!! Perhaps start a new 'isolation club' where all those isolated meet on the street corner (6' apart of course). .

Merlotgran I can see what you're saying but let's look at figures. UK population 67,000,000 roughly - positive cases 1,140 - deaths 21 I rest my case.

Isn't that because it has basically only just started here. The increase in deaths is already growing exponentially - as was expected. The death toll from this virus is thought to be 10 times that of winter flue. People are just doing what they can, with the knowledge they have, to help us.

What do people hope to achieve by writing to their MP?