Frustrated with parents!!

Maybe you could emphasis to your parents that they could be carrying the virus without knowing and infecting other people, i.e, nurses, doctors, key workers, etc. Ask them how they would feel if they had caused possible deaths to the young. They might think twice before going out again.

@CarolAnne I am perfectly capable of reading listening and seeing advice and understanding the principles of cross infection control thank you

I do wish I lived closer. I and my family here are following all the rules. I haven’t seen my two grandchildren in weeks as was already isolating as much as possible before the lockdown due to previous medical history. I can completely understand they are proud of their independence and don’t want to rely on neighbours to get shopping and haven’t been successful, other than the milkman, in being able to get deliveries. I tried last night again for Tesco and all the slots had gone by 00:02 (they release slots at 00:00) and had been in the queue to get access to the site for five minutes before midnight too. So they pop to the shops to get food and bits and yes there is only the two of them so they are not strictly flouting the rules although the frequency of visits to the shops, and the bank, is more than what I would say was essential. I don’t think though they should be going out at all! I have tried to tell them stories of what’s happening but it’s the “it won’t happen to us” attitude that’s the problem and the lack of understanding that they risk others too. It’s so tough for so many and they just don’t seem to see it, or want to see it. Mum also had TB as a child and was sent to convalescence for two years and still has scars on her lungs from that but believes getting out in the fresh air is best.... just take a lovely lonely walk then.... !!!

My parents died a couple of years ago, but my sister and I agreed that they would have been a nightmare if they were around now. Too proud to ask for help, too stubborn to heed the warnings. I really sympathise with you

Everyone in Torquay seems to have decided enough is enough and they're out and about doing whatever. Don't know where the police are.

Geekess...just to say I totally agree with you. I am fortunate to live by the sea and so my hours allowed walk every day is along the beach ...there are Police patrols going up and down and I carry my address with me to show them if asked that I am not a day tripper but live round the corner ….I avoid others at the necessary 2 metre distance ...however, many don't and are still taking the family to the beach and the dogs …..which concerns me as if the government does bring in the more stringent rules to stop ANYONE going out, this will impact on so many lives, not just those selfish people …….what a shame ! I live in a small flat and the garden is not is use ...so I would simply be sitting looking out of the window for months ……..I also own a caravan to which I was planning to go for the summer ...now not possible (but the Park owners are opening to allow any NHS out of area workers to use the site ...which is kind of them and I am pleased about that ! So, also I have my funeral paid for and no one who would come anyway, so that doesn't bother me. I could be a carrier ….and not know, but then, so could anyone......stay safe and hoping all those people who have to go to work are safe ,,,all NHS staff, postmen (although we just had letter saying our post office is no longer open all day ..only between 7.00am and 9.00am which is good ….bus drivers, delivery drivers, refuse collectors, shop workers, school teachers (the primary school next to me is still open, not sure if it will be after the Easter holidays...and anybody else who cares for people such as home carers, etc PLEASE can the government get PPE for those people

Coco51
Excellent point! It is in fact the main reason for isolation.

My youngest DD could use her job in the Hospital to send her son to school. But her husband is working from home instead to look after him. It's harder for him so why are they doing it ?
My daughter has a very scientific mind. She said it is far less about her son catching the virus than about keeping one less person going back and forth and being in school where it increases the chances for the virus to spread to others and then to others .....

The virus can only live inside the human body. It has to enter the body through wet openings. It can travel about 6 feet through the air and remain active and ready to infect for many days on different surfaces, e.g. the pump at the petrol station.

If you do not obey the measures you are putting the lives of others at risk.

The only way to stop it is to not let it get into people.
Keep people away from each other.
do not touch your face
Wash your hands often and after touching things when out
or use alcohol based hand sanitiser
Don't go out unless it's vitally necessary

One person fewer out there can stop the transmission to hundreds of people... (we need the graph..)

I know I'm preaching to the converted, and apologise if you feel affronted. I just feel, like the OP, frustrated at people who do not understand. Maybe she could send these replies to her parents.

You are not responsible for their behaviour. You are not in a position to prevent them doing what they are doing. You will of course be anxious that they are taking risks with their own and the health of others. Sounds like the places they visit could even comment on why they are out. Sad as it is, you have no power to stop them.

It's hard to fully understand what motivates other people - past experiences, the feeling they've already had a good life, fear, ignorance, depression, attempts to find a coping strategy... People are trying to be brave but , yes, some are also being foolish.

We need to talk to parents, friends etc with respect. All we can do is point out that any risk we take is potentially risking others.

We can't lock folk in ( at the moment) , but can only make them aware as calmly and logically as possible of potential scenarios, which are not just about them. An older/already ill person taking unnecessary risks and acquiring the virus could put NHS staff in the position of having to decide who gets the ventilators if there aren't enough to go round in their area. Or worse, they might just be the person who passes the virus to a relative, carer, cleaner, doctor, or nurse who is trying to help them. That person could then die a very unpleasant death alone, leaving bereaved relatives behind, including young children.

Geekesse,I agree with you 100%

I agree with geekeese. My almost 88 year old Mum is conforming with all the guidance but it is wearing her down mentally. She has now began to lecture me on preparing for her death!!! None of us go on forever she tells me and I have had a good life sp stop worrying.

Who is likely to spread the virus more-a pensioner going out for a daily walk and a once weekly shop or a keyworker, who is in contact with the disease, then going home to a family and going out shopping on their days off. We have to be realistic here.

I know this sounds harsh but if they feel staying in gives them no quality of life you may have to accept that going out makes life more worthwhile even if it shortens it. You have made it clear, they are grown ups, if that is their informed decision you'll just have to accept it and try not to worry

Regarding the problem getting supermarket slots:

After giving up several days trying to get a delivery slot, writing to Dave, CEO of Tesco, told to go to the store(!) then that they are adding more deliveries - still no slots - I gave up trying (in medium dudgeon.)and am no longer using this.
My neighbour picked up some breakfast oats for me. I am lucky to get milk delivered. My local Greengrocer delivers. So long as I can get eggs, I can get by. I also had bread from the Milkman.

When we are free to shop again I shall shun the big supermarket as far as I can. My local shops may be a bit more expensive but I really appreciate them and since this experience I shall remain loyal to them.

Mauriherb my Mum had Alzheimer's and would have been incapable of understanding. They went out for lunch every day. She died two years ago.

Dad (89) has taken this all onboard though he finds it hard, as do so many people.
I think what brought it home for him a while ago was when he was saying he missed going out to his usual garden centre coffee shop and I told him it was closed, no-one could go.
That shocked him, as up to then I think he felt it was only the elderly who were being told to stay home and the rest of us were carrying on as normal!
He spent two hours in the gardens yesterday chatting with the other residents of his extra-care apartments.
They all sit well apart!

Soniah

Sadly they may be shortening many other lives too. Many.

Tell them they are about as selfish as they could be - infecting themselves is stupid of course - infecting others is criminal.

quizqueen

Because certain key workers have jobs that are vital and hence cannot help going out, it does not mean that others who do not need to go out might as well carry on and do as they like. Even one person deciding to stay at home can prevent the virus being passed on to perhaps three others, who pass it on to three more each etc.

It does not matter if you think your part hardly makes a difference or that a couple of old people can't be as prolific in spreading the virus as a Health-Care worker, the point is, they could infect others. However low the risk may be in your eyes, it still makes a difference mathematically if people who do not need to go out do not do so!

I’ve been reading these posts and am so glad my mam isn’t here to go through this. She went out everyday even when it snowed she just couldn’t stay in! She sadly died last year with dementia and when we think back we can now see this was definitely the beginning of it she would wander around the shops all day! Thank goodness we haven’t this worry as you other posters have feel good for you all.

easybees I wonder why you have to generalise I am 86and have been in my house not going out for about three weeks now so we oldies are not all stubbon, fortunate to have family here. I am offended.

Here's the picture of how not going out helps - the figures are gobsmacking..!

I have some harrowing photographs of someone actually on a ventilator . My DH taken at the end of last year . I also have a day by day diary kept by the nurses and myself . Everyone on a ventilator must be put into an induced coma and even if you are lucky enough to make it through the lasting mental health effects can be horrendous .

As I told my very stubborn Mother today, after yet another conversation involving her admission that yesterday she just 'popped out' for some provisions, 6ft apart, or 6ft under, the choice is yours. My sisters and I have had these daily conversations with her for almost 3 weeks now and are heartily sick of them. I haven't been out of my own house for all that time except for my daily permitted walk and to hang out washing and do a bit of gardening but that's not enough for my mother. I even arranged to have a bag of compost delivered to her during last week from a local garden centre and because they weren't at her front door at 8.00am, she jumped in the car and went and collected it herself. I've given up trying to keep her safe, the ball's firmly in her court as from today. Also, I think we will be hearing pretty shortly of stricter measures to be applied by the government, including not even being able to go out for daily exercise. All because some people refuse to abide by the rules, for whatever reason.

They are being very foolish. Having worked with the elderly I know how stubborn they can be. Sadly my friends father passed away with COVID 19 last week. He had been quite sensible about going out because he had underlying health issues. His wife however insisted on going out and about including a trip to London. Her daughters tried to prevent her going and now sadly she has lost him. He died with no family present. This is real

The thing is, it's a horrible thing to die from, you drown in your own mucus, basically. It'd be best to be in hospital and doped up with morphine so you don't know what's going on if it came to the crunch.