Should we ask over 60s to stay in?

People over 60 still work. I ought to know as I am one of them! Additionally, plenty of people over 60 are looking after elderly relations and I am one of them too.

People in their 60's are spending money on the High Street and, although health and prevention of deaths is so vital, this is helping put money in physical till and keeping the High Street alive.

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.

Perhaps paying state pensions at 60 would encourage people to retire and then more jobs would be available for younger people.

It's certainly true that, if people got state pensions at 60, more jobs would be available for younger people. I've often thought that.

However, I still don't think people over 60 should be confined to the house. So many of us have genuine responsibilities.

sparkynan, (fyi) I retired at 65, just last year - and I'm very well aware (and so grateful) that I'm fortunate in being able to isolate myself.

It's like being in a luxury prison, mainly solitary confinement but allowed out with the dog - quite acceptable and bearable for a good long time.

If I were still teaching teenagers and adults, I doubt I'd have been able to avoid contact with the infectious!

Perhaps paying state pensions at 60 would encourage people to retire and then more jobs would be available for younger people.

I've thought that for a long time Callistemon and it seems even more relevant now than ever, with so many younger people losing their jobs. I'd gladly have moved over to make room for a young person if I'd have got my pension at 60.

MayBee70

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

No, kittylester is not a poster known for causing controversy. It was an OP asking for opinions.

That's interesting, kittylester, I missed that discussion on the radio.

I do think many people are still having to work when they would prefer to retire as evidenced by several threads about the change in state pension age.

However, I don't think it is feasible or practical.
As someone upthread pointed out, she is having to go out to care for her mother!

We have to manage our own risks and abide by any rules and that should be the same for all age groups.

Chewbacca The number of jobs in the economy is not fixed and in a successful economy is continually growing. So this idea that the old should retire to make way for the young is fallacious, anyway if the old all retire the taxation on the young goes up to pay for the pensions.

When the pension age was set up at 60 for women and 65 for man, life expectancy for those reaching retirement age was well under 75. On that basis the age for receiving the state pension should now be 75 or thereabouts.

Anyway this tired old argument has long currency and has been used to justify sending wmen back into the home (taking the jobs that should go to men) and immigrants, and that quite recently, (send them back they take the jobs and reduce the wages of decent white workers). Many people work because they want to and because they have skills younger people do not have.

The rapid construction of windfarms currently owes a lot to people like DH, aged 77 and many of his previous work colleagues, who are still working and have transferred their decades of experience moving oil and gas platforms around the waters off Britain and Europe to moving wind generators offshore. As the offshore oil industry has slowed down over the past decade, the youngsters just do not have the experience.

Not everyone enjoys the type of work which they would physically be able to continue into their late 70s.

We have failed to train enough younger people to take their place and many younger employees have not received a rigorous enough training to understand the complexities of some highly skilled careers.

Callistemon Yes indeed. That is a big problem in the UK. We have preferred to import people with skills and a willingness to work rather than insist on appropriate levels of education and training here in the UK.

Excellent post at 9:50 M0nica

What's your view now kittylester as the latest news is that the staying in rule does not stop the virus as some people refuse to abide by them. How do you think they can be endorsed if people just continue to flaunt the rules?

I saw on SkyNews today that only 20% of people who are advised to stay at home and isolate actually do so. So 80% don’t comply, no wonder the virus is still spreading.

So much relies on everyone doing their bit, whatever their 'bit' might be.
Having said that, isolating is to protect a vulnerable individual, rather than stop the spread..

Oh! I've got shielding and isolating mixed up.
Confused and bewildered these days.

maddyone

I saw on SkyNews today that only 20% of people who are advised to stay at home and isolate actually do so. So 80% don’t comply, no wonder the virus is still spreading.

OMG! That is horrendous.
We haven't got a chance

Is it? Maybe I’m wrong but I always thought isolating is to prevent possible transmission from the person who’s isolating to other people. I don’t quite understand who the ‘vulnerable individual’ is, is it the person who’s isolating or is it other people?

No, no. It was me who was wrong.
Sorry.

Isolating is when you are contagious or possibly contagious.
Shielding is when you are a vulnerable individual due to health conditions.
IE more likely to catch it (immune suppressed) or more likely to be hospitalised.

I know that, ordinarily.
Just not today, it seems.

I understand Miss A, it all gets a bit too much sometimes at the moment.

People who are asked to shield are deemed to be clinically, extremely vulnerable, by a medical professional.

You can have health conditions, without having to shield.

Marydoll oh I know! (as Sybil Fawlty would say, bless her).
It's driven me mad, people not understanding who the shielding were / are.
Even experienced journalists have misunderstood and spread disinformation.
The go-to person when discussing shielding was always a spokesperson from Age UK.
It's got nothing to do with age.

I prefer to refer to either the multiple communications I receive from NHS Inform Scotland or go on the shielding website.
Tonight I'm expecting a text from the Govt shielding people and yet another letter within the next few days. So it goes on and on and on.....
I will need a filing cabinet soon to store them. ?

Do you need to ever show the letter, Marydoll?

Marydoll my particular favourite text message was the 'you are allowed to open a window' one, closely followed by the 'pack a hospital bag' one.