Stupid, selfish, stubborn old people

I’m a sandwich generation carer .

My 4 DGC, my poorly DH and my elderly father (and a few of his neighbours too) . I’ve tried my best to get some bits today but haven’t had much success .

I'm a supermarket cashier and the store has just started restricting the first hour of opening (Monday to Saturday) to 'the elderly and vulnerable, and their carers'. I didn't start work today until that hour had passed but the staff that were on at 07.00 said it was incredibly busy. Later in the afternoon I served a man in his 80s who said he had abandoned the early morning session as the queues were too long. Not much evidence of elderly customers staying at home, nor keeping a distance from other customers and staff!

Madammim1, exactly. I took GS to the beach while it was cold and there was no one around. Only to see groups of elderly people having a day out. A group of 6 walking along the sea front. Another bunch having fish and chips!

The only other people I saw were a man walking a dog and a mum and a child, doing what I was doing to get the child some fresh air.

Atqui I think they are, perhaps not on this thread but on others. DIL spent yesterday having to tell parents just who will be allowed to send their children into school next week and some were rather angry and upset if their circumstances did not qualify. She'll be back in next week helping to hold the fort. But to listen to some on here, teachers, school staff are all off, enjoying a long break.

I went to the coast the other day we sat in the car watched the sea and the beach was deserted so took a walk down to the sea we skimmed some stones and walked back to the car we saw no one but as we were driving to the coast we saw two big groups 15-20 people walking together not a care in the world all looked over the age of 70 now that annoyed me as my parents are having to self isolate for health reasons but these groups just didn't care laughing and joking as the walked makes me so mad

Anyone, old or young, don’t rely on there being any hospital staff to treat you if you become ill. My final year student medic dd is now in quarantine for two weeks, along with eleven other doctors and nurses from her hospital, after a medic became infected, possibly due to there being no protective equipment available. That’s a dozen staff off in one small hospital and likely others will fall sick too.

If it’s this bad in the early days, heaven knows what’s waiting up the line. Stay at home! It’s not rocket science.

Eglantine21 I couldn't agree more.
I rang an 88 year-old the other day and was quite shocked when he said he and his wife had been out shopping and then on to a cafe for coffee 'as usual'. He said that at their age they weren't going to worry about it. I tried to gently point out that it was BECAUSE of their age that they did indeed need to iworry about it. Not for their own sake but because, if infected, they might deprive a much younger person of a bed and ventilator. So many people in denial of the seriousness of the situation and their reponsibilities... So difficult getting the message across before it's too late. I despair!

Some people seem to think it's a film, or something so detached from them, that it won't affect them. My mum has only just stopped doing all these things. I just popped out to get the papers for the neighbours (who are elderly but about her age!) 'We take turns and it was my turn'. I told her not to, it's all propaganda anyway!

I'm 68, and went to the post office yesterday. I needed to post a parcel. I met nobody on the street, and there were only two other people in the post office. I kept my distance from them and the man behind the counter. I had my hair cut but my lovely hairdresser had staggered all her appointments so I was the only person in the salon. I had it cut extra short so it has plenty of time to grow, just in case.
It was the only time I had been out all week, and that's it.
As long as we have good weather I will go for a walk, I live near a lovely wood with a river, you can walk along beside the river and never see another soul.
The way some people, are behaving has me perplexed. It seems to me that their health and the health of their friends and relations is of little consequence to them.

Callistemon, my family are in the front line too. Two of them are in isolation now with suspected corona, along with their families.

And the hospital beds are being taken by those who could have stayed at home and stayed well.

This is the same as people refusing to evacuate when there is a hurricane but expect help when they find themselves flooded, no roof or unable to be safe.

Same as people who go to a beach in the middle of a hurricane

I agree Eglantine. I'm 54. Not in the age bracket supposed to be self isolating. But I am. Yes, I know I flew in last week from another country and that was a risk. But it's the last one I'm taking.

No shopping. No post office (even though I need to). No chemist. No doctors. I DESPERATELY need to get out to get some stuff done for my new job that starts in August but I've told my new employer I can't. I'm self isolating.

Perhaps the selfish ones think they’d better get it now while there’s still a bed/ ventilator available!

Callestemon I’m sure no one is criticising people who have to go to work .I for one feel so sorry for the not old who are losing their livelihood or who are risking their health in the course of their work. I think the OP,is talking about irresponsible older folk who seem to think the governments edicts is not about them. Hopefully most of us know that this is not about protecting us but about protecting the health service.

I haven't seen my GC since 23rd February and am now into my third week of isolation.
I have been out of the house just to get into the car, we drive to the seafront and sit with the window open. Sometimes we take our novels and read.
My hairdresser comes to the house and she is due next week but for the first time in my life I am going to cancel.

I now know several people who think they have had the virus,although none have been tested,that includes an NHS Doctor,all are recovering well and did not need medical intervention.

But once you start knowing people with it,it becomes real.Self isolation it is for me.

Eglantine, I couldn't agree more. Some people just don't get it. We are self isolating to protect ourselves but also so that we don't catch it and take up a valuable ventilator that should be free for younger people who keep the vital services going for us. We can skype in groups for our coffee get togethers, we can grow our hair, shop on line, embrace the peace and quiet to study, to read, to paint, to create or just to stop and think.

rockgran- absolutely right! I’m in my late 60’s and was told 2weeks ago by my doctor son (in no uncertain terms) to self isolate .

I agree! I'm over 70 so I'm isolating for the good of the health service - not me! They don't need us taking up beds while we can avoid it. As I understand it we are just delaying things to keep the health service functioning. We may all get it eventually but at least the burden with be spread out if we all do as asked.

sorry if my family working to defeat this is upsetting people.

I'm upset and worried for them having to go to work.

I would think that there are many thousands in the same boat, Eglantine. Cross and frustrated and this is only the beginning.

Im taking a break for my own good. It’s making me so cross.....

Most of my family will still have to work, some in those essential services, the NHS, schools, farmers, supermarket workers.
Not everyone can work from home.

Oh yes, I don’t include the younger grans in my rant.

Just those who should be doing what’s asked of them and won’t.

The trouble is when does it become critical and if it did would she have been able to summon help.

That was what I was wondering, Pikachu
Poor woman. I suppose as long as you can check in with her by phone or online every day and summon help for her if she doesn't respond, that would be helpful.