It's already depressing me

Because my immune system is vulnerable and I have several underlying health problems (including breathing difficulties) my better half is more worried about infecting me than he is about himself. This thread has prompted me to remember to check on my neighbour though - she is a few years older than me and when I spoke to her a couple of days ago she was having trouble getting a new inhaler (can't remember why to be honest, or maybe she didn't volunteer that info or I didn't pry - I have the memory of a goldfish!) - I know you are not meant to 'share' prescribed medicines, but I know I have a new spare of the exact one she is usually prescribed so if she needs it she's welcome - I know how horrible it is to fight for breath and how fearful wondering if it will be your last fight it is, so won't leave her without if I can help. Does make me wonder if medicines like inhalers will become as hard to get as loo rolls etc (anxiety with a smattering of sarcasm!)

I've been pretty good at learning to spend a lot of time alone and while I can't do as much as I'd like to be able to do I will find things to occupy my time. I wish I could have a thorough spring clean and go nuts on decorating, gardening etc but that's more wishful thinking. Instead I'll enter lots of competitions, watch too much crap on TV, watch a few DVD's I keep meaning to watch and never get around to, keep my brain ticking with puzzle books, dip into my rather large 'personal library', dig out that adult colouring book I won last year and filed in a box somewhere, and think about ways I might be able to help others even from my sofa/bed - know from experience that sometimes even a few comforting words, bit of encouragement, couple of minutes company etc can be useful and good for someone's frame of mind. I do worry that mental health will suffer for a lot of people and deteriorate further for those already struggling. Gransnet has been a generally supportive community for many years and times like this I hope we can look out for each other, prop up those in need, offer useful advice etc.

Getting very depressed. My daughter, who lives 5500 miles away is due to give birth by cesarean very soon. I had booked flights to go and help as she almost died last time after a very traumatic birth of her toddler and was very ill afterwards, . She is not well at the moment. I had booked flights, ready to go, but not cannot enter that country. I'm very, very worried.

Sad to report that if the country goes onto lockdown and they follow the measures that other countries have, walks other than go into food store, doctors or place of work will be against emergency law and anyone found out of their home with no reason other than going for a stroll will be heavily fined. I have friends in Spain, Lanzarote, Maderia and Malta and this is what is happening there. Also against the law now to visit friends and neighbours
This is real not scaremongering and I think you are right, mental toll will be high and not just amongst us I'm isolation old crocks.

Don't do social distancing - isolate. This thing is truly horrible and we have no resistance to it. It may cause minor symptoms in most people but when the cases are serious, the effects on the body are awful. We have to do all we can to protect ourselves and others. After all, the experts disagree amongst themselves but they all agree that being old is the thing that puts us most at risk. We have got to be prepared to change our ways.

What is 4 months in the grand scheme of things? If you take steps now, you are much more likely to be there for your children and grandchildren in the future.

Don't wait until you are feeling poorly to isolate yourself. The idea is to not get ill in the first place.

As for carrying on socialising, it is a very bad idea - particularly anything involving other old people. Not only are you putting yourself at risk, you may be spreading it to others whose immune system is weaker than yours and who may have health issues that you don't know about. It is selfish to put people at risk when you don't need to.

My sister told this morning that she had a dream last night that I had been isolated for four months (not her: she is a good deal younger). At the end of the ‘house arrest’ she came to see me and found me with hair to my waist, long curly fingernails and a garden worthy of the RHS.

Bluecat That is about most sensible and measured post I have read yet!

Our local church is organising phone calls (phone tree) for its older members (most of us) and a retirement group I belong to is thinking of doing the same.

I am scrolling through this in bed, with what I think is shingles! I should get checked by the doc but can’t face it really. I have a painful herpes looking rash on one side of my face, and feel under the weather and exhausted. Can’t believe it!Anyway, our mental health is really something to be looked after over the coming months. We will have to draw on all our resources to stay positive. It is hard. My son has a wedding planned for May....and an expensive holiday afterwards....he only realised at the weekend that the chances are, their insurances won’t cover either of them.? But....we must count our blessings....the sun is shining and life’s pleasures are often the simple ones. Taking each day at a time and focusing on the present moment, has to be the way to go.?

newatthis
I do hope your DD is ok when the time comes and that her baby is born safely and that she has plenty of support.
It’s a worry at the best of times.
Will you be able to rebook your flight for later in the year? We should have been going to Virginia in April to see DS and family, but United Airlines will allow us to defer the booking.

As I have said before I have low immunity. I have been out today for some last minute bits. Sainsburys was chaos. Aldi not much better. There was a woman in there with a heavy cold (I could hear her) and I dont understand why she had to be there? I have seen many elderly people no doubt thinking that Monday would be a better bet to shop than the weekend. So now I will be staying in. My understanding is that you can go out for a walk but keep distance from any one else. I expect a drive in the car would be ok too. I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong.

Can I add that I do hope everyone here keeps well and at least we can chat on here if we do have to stay in.

Just noticed this for any who may need it -
covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/
May help.

It’s much harder for us seniors who live alone. I spent 5weeks on my own over Christmas due to chest infection which was allowed to develop because I couldn’t get doctors appointment. That nearly drove me round the bend. Can’t see how I will cope for 4 months. Us seniors are just being written off, out of sight out of mind.

To digress. I hope, given that it looks like we oldies might be grounded, that all Gransnetters who post give us something to smile about and some belly laughs even jokes - certainly no doom or gloom

I've been home from work for almost a week with the "normal flu". I haven't dressed or put my head out through the door. Today I'm feeling a little more like myself, so have spent some time reading and knitting. I've also found a site on line where I can do jigsaws. We have a park just 200 m away, so hubby & I will take a short walk there either early in the morning, or later in the evening. Our council are sorting out a list of volunteers for shopping/picking up medication etc and I've volunteered to be at the end of the phone for anyone who needs a chat.

Bluecat, excellent post thank you . Almost word for word what my doctor son (emergency medicine) told me to do. Sadly he’s the other side of the world which makes the whole situation so much harder to cope with for both of us , and absolutely no possibility of travel either way .
Sorry granless, not in the mood for jokes just now .

Ginger girl,
Please contact your GP regarding your shingles,I believe that mediation such as zovirax may be of help to you, other medications may help to relieve symptoms.
The isolation is going to be difficult enough without the discomfort or pain of shingles.
To everyone one else, look after your physical and emotional health as much as possible.
Gransnet is a great benefit to us all.

Wise words bluecat. I have decided today to cut out social contacts altogether and just get on with it. It may be four months or even longer, but we have more chance of coming out of it in one piece by doing this. I won't be going for walks outside, as some people plan to, as I live in a built up area and couldn't be sure I could maintain a safe distance from others. I usually shop online with Sainsbury's but I see today they have no delivery slots available for the next 3 weeks and none showing after that. I'm fairly well stocked up so fingers crossed. Already a facebook group has been set up in my area to help those self isolating - that's quite heartwarming.

I know where you are coming from curvygran. We too have our only son in Oz and should have been going there this Friday.
Our young neighbours have offered their help.
Today Iceland have put a notice on their doors saying on a Wednesday, 10-12am, 70s and over only in shop - well done Iceland. My hubbie said that I’d better take my birth certificate! Nice one.

Esspee I really needed that laugh. Thank you. Glad I'm not the only one with a dark sense of humour

I too, am begibnning to feel somewhat "down" at the prospect of being obliged to stay in. In common with some other posters, hubby and I are in our 70's and have the "underlying conditions" oft mentioned! We can't get out much now, due to mobility issues - our worry is not having anyone nearby who is younger, to take care of us, should we need it. We live in a rural village, no bus service, no shop, no pub and not even a Church (we get Communion once a month at home). I rely on hubby to drive us to the nearest town for shopping - I understand that delivery services from Supermarkets already have only advance delivery slots, now - we use Lidl or Aldi, neither of whom offer this anyway! Hubby can't walk far (he has a spinal nerve injury and Arthritis) and I am partially sighted. Provided it's not too warm (hubby also has Skin Cancer and can't tolerate warm temperatures), we can perhaps sit in the garden for fresh air. Happily, we spend all our days together anyway and rarely fall out - so at least we're OK in that regard. I've got lots of books to read, and even a jigsaw or two - but as Roly can't bend very far, this latter activity would exclude him. We always keep a reasonable amount of food in (but not a month's worth), as there is nowhere we can "pop out" to, should we run out of something. Just hoping we don't get ill and that we will be allowed out for food as and when necessary!

I would be fine cutting social contact and self isolating on my own but husband already climbing the walls whilst recovering from chest infection and I will be homicidal after a few weeks of his nasty grumpiness NEEDS MUST lets all just stay calm and stay home !

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Come on ladies we need that war time spirit
Let's make do and mend everything that we would normally throw out. Lets grow our own in the garden and chat over the fence with a loud voice and lots of distance.
Back into the modern world and skype family and friends , research places we might like to go when all is back to normality. Cook and fill your freezer and order crafts from amazon. Love my new (cheap) pom pom maker , plan on making a rug with them for granddaughter.
We can do it ladies. We are strong.

Wishing you all the best Anniebach. I have carpel tunnel in both hands and awaiting surgery - I suppose this will be a long wait now! Fortunately I have a lovely garden and shall enjoy lounging and reading there when the warmer weather arrives. Also all that decluttering to do?

Last week my husband passed away, funeral arranged but have been told it may be postponed due to virus etc., group gatherings, so when you are feeling down spare me a thought please I am going through hell.

So sorry Billybob4491 to hear of your loss. Could you have a quiet service and a gathering at a later date?
Heart felt thoughts are with you.