Should we ask over 60s to stay in?

dragonfly46

I know kitty I check the figures every day. You are probably safer than we are as we are surrounded by students. It is not their fault and I wonder why students weren't allowed to stay at home.

Or told to. Matt is right in the midst of the students. Hey ho!!

No, definitely not. We take sensible precautions but want to live our lives. We are mid-sixties, fit and healthy, and most importantly provide childcare for our daughter. It would probably do a few people good to actually go out and about, rather than obsessing about Covid. At present the problem is all the cancer diagnoses and treatments that are being missed, as well as other illnesses. You're far more likely to die from one of them that Covid.

I know kitty I check the figures every day. You are probably safer than we are as we are surrounded by students. It is not their fault and I wonder why students weren't allowed to stay at home.

It is getting scary round here isn't it dragonfly and particularly where DS1 lives.

Hard decision, 60 is still relatively young.
The cases in our area are rising rapidly - over 130 yesterday. I am over 70 and just being extra careful. I would hate to be confined to the house.

I find this a dreadful idea. We do what we can to stay well and think of others but I think by saying people of a certain age should stay in when they are fit is a recipe for a rise in mental illness. What about those who live alone? At least in the Spring we had lighter nights, could be in the garden and see our neighbours.Now with the darker days and bad weather not being able to go out could be a recipe for disaster.
I like to go out for a walk. It's good meeting dog walkers . It's also good to go to the local supermarket (wearing mask of course ). My answer to the original post question is definitely NO.BTW I am 82, but that to me is a number.

The only problem with this suggestion, Kitty Lester, is that if you were to need hospitalisation there would be no nurses to administer the treatment you would need to stay alive. Two thirds of frontline nurses are looking at changing jobs and by making all the nurses over 60 stay at home you would have given those under 60 the opportunity to move away from the front line. The NMC say that 1/3 registered nurses are aged between 57 and 66 and due to retire within 10 years. I’m only referring to one healthcare profession but the same will occur in all the other key professions and key worker jobs. Once you say that people over a certain age are not worthy, whatever they are now doing, then they are not worth keeping alive. If you believe the cut off age is 60, then you at 71, have no hope of survival.

Only if they are vulnerable

No way and who on earth cares for elderly Mum in the meantime. I am also fit, not over weight with no underlying conditions, no meds and will carry on as normally as possible while taking reasonable precautions.

growstuff, I was talking about over 60s who are still in work (rather than retired)!

There are 1.31 million over 65s in work - so how many over 60s?

www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/31/over-65s-to-account-for-over-half-of-employment-growth-in-next-10-years

Can I just say, that it wasnt my suggestion but something that has been bandied about in the media.

This 71 year old would rather not be confined again but, if needs must.....!3

Good question kittylester. Although the death rate , so far, is highest amongst those over 80 the risks increase once 60 is reached and go on rising.

People in their 60's are part of the work force as well as being involved in caring for elderly parents and grandchildren. For those reasons they can't be asked to stay in. I was that person 10 years ago but I'm luckily now retired so its easier to keep myself a bit safer.

A GP friend says we missed the boat and should have had a circuit breaker three weeks ago. It's too late now, the virus is raging through. I am 'clinically vulnerable' , awful phrase that I can't associate with myself but know I have to accept that. I'm continuing to be very careful. In our friendship/family group we have two friends in their late 60's recovering well from the virus. In the mid 30's group, which includes our children, a number are positive but not very sick and every local school has bubble groups at home because of covid contact.
I don't think the over 60's should stay home but I do believe the whole population should be responsible, follow the hands/face/distance guidance. I wish the anti vac/conspiracy theorists would stay at home.

If they tried to do that I would refuse to comply. Sorry.

Good gracious - No!
I am 69yrs. I think that my mother needs to stay in - and she does.

I don't think you can force anyone to do anything - just advise and let each person make their own decisions. We are both over 65 and have underlying health issues so therefore only go out when it's absolutely necessary but that's our choice.

As others have said many our age (and older) are carers for either young children or elderly relatives or still working full time and don't have the luxury of choosing to stay home.

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.

There are an estimated 20-30 million people either over 60 and/or with underlying health problems which put them at higher risk of death. There is no way in the world that the government would find the money to support all of them, if they were forced to shield. They didn't even do that much the first time round when only a couple of million had to shield.

People should be aware of their individual risk, whether it's due to age or a health condition, and act accordingly. For those who can't leave the house or have dementia and might not realise what's going on, there should be support and protection available. There should also be more protection for high risk people who can't work from home. However, forcing everybody over 60 to stay at home would be unrealistic and push many into poverty.

Dr John Campbell has been telling people to take VitD for months. He can’t understand why the government don’t advise it. Also zinc is quite important too. And I’ve just bought some quercetin.

Keep your Vitamin D levels up everyone, to help your immune system. This is particularly important now we haven't so much sunshine, also for anyone with dark skin as they don't make Vit D so readily. I have no idea why the government isn't publicising this more. It is all in Lancet, not an old wives tale.

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.

Casdon

The vast majority of the hospitalised patients are over 60, nearly all those who die are over 60, and by no means all those who die have underlying health conditions, or are in the oldest, frailest groups, it’s indiscriminate in that respect. Our immune systems are weaker, regardless of how fit we think we are, so there has to be an argument that we should stay at home. None of us want to, and we find ways of justifying why we can’t or won’t, but the facts speak for themselves unfortunately.

It’s all to do with our thymus gland isn’t it? I actually read an article about the thymus gland before the pandemic.

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.

I know Chewbacca, I’m still working too. It’s not fair, but all we can do is arm ourselves with the facts and stay as safe as we can given that we don’t have the option. It does annoy me though when some people bury their heads in the sand and justify behaviours that put them and others at risk.

I have no reason not to agree with all you say Casdon, unfortunately the over 60s have been propelled back into the workplace by successive governments who insist that we must continue to work. Without an income, how can the over 60s keep a roof over their heads, food on the table and support themselves? They have no choice but to put themselves into situations where they are most vulnerable.

The vast majority of the hospitalised patients are over 60, nearly all those who die are over 60, and by no means all those who die have underlying health conditions, or are in the oldest, frailest groups, it’s indiscriminate in that respect. Our immune systems are weaker, regardless of how fit we think we are, so there has to be an argument that we should stay at home. None of us want to, and we find ways of justifying why we can’t or won’t, but the facts speak for themselves unfortunately.

We allow such awful cruelty to the dying - yet we'd be prosecuted if we let our pets suffer like that.

Absolutely right Hetty, we afford more dignity to our animals in end of life care than to people.