Should we ask over 60s to stay in?

Hetty58

Whitewavemark2, my retired science professor friend says we are all living in Cloud Cuckoo Land. His views are depressing.

He thinks we really should give up on any expectation of back to normal/near normal/new normal.

We've created the perfect conditions for world pandemics and this is just the beginning. Society will be unable to adapt quickly enough to prevent them. Instead, it will break down.

We passed the point of no return with climate change back in the 1970s. We stuck our heads in the sand. Now, we can slow things down - but we live on a dying planet.

'What exactly do we do then?' I asked.

'Apologise to your children and grandchildren' he said!

Yes I am aware of that as I have a scientist daughter working on one of the vaccines.

But at the moment I prefer to be a Pollyanna and try to convince myself that everything will be ok ( I can’t possibly think where I have learned that lesson?)

Daughter thinks the most worrying thing is anti-biotic superbug. That could take us back to before their invention. Even giving birth could become perilous. She usually works on anti-biopics.

But let’s not think of that. There is enough to worry about.

My view is that the over 60s in poor health should think carefully about how much risk they are prepared to take.

Some very elderly people with serious health problems would decide to stay shielding at home, whereas others would be so miserable being shut off from family that, within reason, they would take a calculated risk.

My strongest feeling is that the rest of the country, in other words the vast majority, must get back to work.

I am not convinced these stop/start lockdowns are the way to go as they will just prolong the virus.

Wow kittylester, you got it in the neck from some posters.

We are learning as we go. I was in the shielding category during that first phase but, I continued to leave the house twice a day to walk my dogs. I kept a distance from people and have continued to do so. The risks to those of us in the initial shielding category are no less, we're now to be 'very careful' because many of so their parents can work.

We need to support the economy and people's mental health alongside doing all we can to minimise the risk of spreading this virus. I agree with those who say its here to stay. Its either slightly less of a killer, or the NHS has learned more effective ways of managing it. Probably a combination.

JenniferEccles

My view is that the over 60s in poor health should think carefully about how much risk they are prepared to take.

Some very elderly people with serious health problems would decide to stay shielding at home, whereas others would be so miserable being shut off from family that, within reason, they would take a calculated risk.

My strongest feeling is that the rest of the country, in other words the vast majority, must get back to work.

I am not convinced these stop/start lockdowns are the way to go as they will just prolong the virus.

It isn’t a question of prolonging the virus because it is endemic.

It is all about managing the level of people with it at any one time.

Locking down serves as giving the NHS a breathing space.

WW2, even I (the eternal optimist) while I suspect the scientists are quite right, cannot live believing that we're all doomed anyway.

I need to have hope, so I do the very best I can as an individual. I put faith In every little precaution making a big difference in the long run.

I recognise and accept the risks and never underestimate (or ignore) them, just to suit my preferences. I see quite enough of that way of thinking on here.

Bluecat

polnan If every pensioner was dead, the government wouldn't allocate the money saved on state pensions to feed needy children or house the homeless. They wouldn't do it because they don't have the ideological motivation to do it.

More money is lost through tax evasion than benefit fraud, but we hear a lot about the latter whereas no effort goes into closing tax loopholes. The government says that it "can't write a big cheque" for free school dinners in the holidays and yet it writes massive cheques for billions of pounds worth of contracts never even put to tender. Contracts that were, in many cases, never fulfilled - including PPE that didn't meet specifications and the useless attempts at Test and Trace, such as the £18 billion which Serco has pocketed for the current shambles. Money down the drain, that could actually have helped people.

No doubt Boris would be glad if I hurried up and died, so that I didn't draw my state pension. Therefore I am going to live to be 100 ,just to spite him.

Bluecat, excellent post and observations. Thought it deserved being repeated and hope people read it and learn. The most surreal part of this year to me, has been the way that the government has got away with rewarding their mates, relatives and friends with totally useless million pound contracts which have been totally a waste.

Franbern

Bluecat

polnan If every pensioner was dead, the government wouldn't allocate the money saved on state pensions to feed needy children or house the homeless. They wouldn't do it because they don't have the ideological motivation to do it.

More money is lost through tax evasion than benefit fraud, but we hear a lot about the latter whereas no effort goes into closing tax loopholes. The government says that it "can't write a big cheque" for free school dinners in the holidays and yet it writes massive cheques for billions of pounds worth of contracts never even put to tender. Contracts that were, in many cases, never fulfilled - including PPE that didn't meet specifications and the useless attempts at Test and Trace, such as the £18 billion which Serco has pocketed for the current shambles. Money down the drain, that could actually have helped people.

No doubt Boris would be glad if I hurried up and died, so that I didn't draw my state pension. Therefore I am going to live to be 100 ,just to spite him.

Bluecat, excellent post and observations. Thought it deserved being repeated and hope people read it and learn. The most surreal part of this year to me, has been the way that the government has got away with rewarding their mates, relatives and friends with totally useless million pound contracts which have been totally a waste.

Both good posts. I have a feeling that many “thinking” Tories are beginning to feel uncomfortable with the way things are going.
Certainly some tory MPs are. I wonder where they will draw the line and say enough?

If you ignore everything the politicians say (after all, you might as well) and pay real attention to what they actually do, neglect to do - and allow to happen - then you get a clear picture of their values, priorities and agenda.

Definitely not. Over 60 is far too young. You cannot retire on a pension until you are 66 so why would they consider staying home and possibly mentally by the lack of social interaction?

Last line should have read, and possibly suffer mentally by lack of social interaction?

No.

No I’m 71 and work as a nanny and look after my 2 grandchildren 1 day every other week.I do good social dis wear a mask and plenty of hand washing why single fit and Healthy people out luckily I live in a very low rate area

Well, for millennia people have thought the end was nigh. And we do live on a finite planet doomed to be ended when the sun dies. Or an asteroid hits us.
Yes we are doing dreadful things to the planet, but we are beginning to learn and in a way Covid will be a natural correction by limiting the population a bit.
Let us appreciate today and try and live as eco friend warriors. I might do a litter pick today.

It’s all too depressing so I think I’ll continue to put my hope in a successful vaccine, otherwise my depression will return big time. I have to have hope.

twiglet same here, I work in a supermarket, but also look after my dad, especially since my mum died last month.

So shielding would not work for me.

We are short staffed at times and quite a few of us are 60 or just over, I retire officially in around 12 months.

Hetty58

Chewbacca (and Casdon) very true. Maybe it's time all over 60s were 'furloughed' and given financial support? Surely it would relieve pressure on the NHS.

That would suit me down to the ground Hetty.

I would love to sit at home all day, catching up on my reading and crafts plus catching up on TV, unfortunately I have to work (61) unlike some of you older people who got to retire with state pension at 60! I have to work until I'm 66. I wouldn't be furloughed as I am a careworker... for my local council. Plus GC duties for DD that has to continue working.

As has been said on here kittylester many people in their sixties are still working and often looking after Parents in their eighties and nineties. It would be helpful if you could tell us why you personally think that over 60's should be asked to stay in and then we can have a proper debate. What is your view based on, how will it control covid and what will it achieve. That would be far better than just making a statement saying "I think so" without telling us why or backing it up with evidence. Over to you kittylester

I’d like to know why she even started the thread - a thread discussing a serious policy proposal is one thing but I regard this thread as just stirring and unnecessarily upsetting.

I think it was just a conversation starter Suziewoozie and that kittylester wasn't "stirring it" at all. Perhaps it was just an opportunity to see what different people's outlook on the subject would be, if it came to pass. I'm absolutely sure she didn't intend to upset anyone.

I think she was just pondering. Kittylester isn’t one for controversy or stirring.

suziewoozie

I’d like to know why she even started the thread - a thread discussing a serious policy proposal is one thing but I regard this thread as just stirring and unnecessarily upsetting.

I started the thread because I have heard it mentioned on the radio.

Over 50s actually are the most vulnerable so by asking those aged over 50 to stay at home we could save lives and and help the nhs.

In the first lockdown there were Keyworkers. Why couldn't some necessary over 60s be classed as keyworkers?

As I said earlier, Dh worked for the NHS till he was 71 so I am not downplaying the role of older people at all.

Can you explain what exactly I was stirring suziewoozie? I take it you dont agree

But, hey, I was only asking opinions!

MayBee70

I think she was just pondering. Kittylester isn’t one for controversy or stirring.

Agreed.

Suziewoozie, I never seen Kitty stir. I fear you have misinterpreted her intentions.

Have never seen..

No!!