Am I out of step with other pensioners?

I think some things could have been done differently Casdon, but I think that’s a different question. It’s the losses of children and young people that I’m thinking about now. And with children, even the most privileged lost a lot, but the least privileged, those I used to work with when I was teaching, many of them have suffered immeasurably. Some of these losses may well affect these children for all of their lives. A year is a massive amount of time in the life of a young child. Anyone who thinks ‘oh they soon adapt, catch up’ clearly doesn’t know anything about child development. Maybe it’s too uncomfortable a thought to actually think.

Yes Monica, the vaccine roll out has been magnificent, and is a credit to the government. It’s definitely our way out of this pandemic.

Bbbface I am glad my daughter who is around the ages of you and your friends does not think like you.
I am 63 and still working, so I dont know what you are talking about, no one has made sacrifices for me. I still make a contribution.
I can honestly say that I think you and your friends are in the minority. Most people of your age have a parent or parents and would be horrified by your statement.

I don't think I suggested children catch up, I said they adapt well if they are in stable households. I acknowledge that that aren't will struggle more short and long term. Those with additional stresses will need support long term too. I actually don't think I can bear to think about it My youngests school offered him pastoral support last week as he only went in 2 days and I spoke to him about it and he was adamant he was fine - so some of my responses are most probably denial

I agree completely maddyone, I’m just struggling to see a way through this that would have supported them better. I think in the second lockdown some of the lessons of the first were learned so that access to school for those most in need was better, but it didn’t compensate for the loss of all the support systems. Hopefully some lessons will be learned and a greater level of support, including funding will be forthcoming, which may mitigate a few of the long term impacts.

Rafichagran: well said. My AC would also be horrified at Bbbface comment because it was very insensitive and self centered.

I don't think she was self centred or insensitive, she has just written how she feels which is what everyone else is doing.

Shelaghallen: I don’t quite understand how concern about children and grandchildren can be called «self-centered «Maybe you can explain? I respect everyone’s point of view and am willing to listen.

Rafichagran: epat is talking about pensioners ( the title of the thread) so it’s quite normal that you don’t understand what she’s talking about, as you are still working. Epat is a pensioner herself ( read the title again «other pensioners») so I don’t really see how your daughter can have the same age as the OP if you are 63- I’m baffled !!!!

Bbbface, I understand the sacrifices my grandchildren have made. They've really missed their friends and school (except for my teenage grandson, who's positively thrived at home).

As a retired teacher, I know full well that their education has been seriously disrupted, but it's not entirely a negative experience. They've become more creative and self-reliant, through necessity.

Of course, generally, their experience has been mild - compared to many children evacuated, during wartime, to live with complete strangers - with the real danger of death!

It's simply not as simple as children 'saving' the lives of the elderly, though. We've kept the NHS functioning for all those who may need it, of all ages.

My Mother in law said she felt she 'went on holiday' when she was evacuated to her 'Aunts' farm. She said she never understood the enormity of what happened until she was much older and had her own children

ShelaghALLEN

Rafichagran: well said. My AC would also be horrified at Bbbface comment because it was very insensitive and self centered.

Which is ironic considering how many here seem to be unwilling to accept what younger generations have lost.

Some willingly, some not.

The real losers are younger mothers/mothers of children. They are under much more pressure than before.

M0nica, I don't think 'we' (they) managed it reasonably well - at all.

With the exception of the highly successful vaccination scheme, all I see is a series of delays, mistakes, half-measures, u-turns and gross mismanagement - totally embarrassing!

Just to clarify: I don't have a problem with someone being worried about children's mental health. My problem is that people are dying from this virus. This virus is a life and death situation and her comment about being mortified is insenitive to those who lost loved ones during this difficult time.

Jill66 Why are you baffled. I am 63 and my daughter is 44. My comments were to Bbbface who I felt made a insensitive comment. My daughter is the same age as her friends who she mentioned in her post.
I also never made a comment to the OP. I suggest you read my post again.

I think you need to apologise jill66 I looked again at my post and I never said my daughter was the same age as OP
I was commenting to a completely different post on this thread by another poster I dont mind people disagreeing with me it makes for good debate, I just ask you read the post properly.

This virus is a life and death situation......

And that is why we had to have lockdown. But I wish all older people would just acknowledge what this has done to our younger generations. Mental health amongst the younger members of society will be a huge issue going forward, as will achievement, although that can be managed. Some of our young people have lost parents or other members of their families, some have lost several members of their families. Socially they will need to re establish relationships, learn again social skills. Some young people have lost their jobs, or their career prospects. University experiences have not been the wonderful and exciting learning experiences our generation had, but instead the lonely life of a single student locked in a bedroom with a computer for company. Many slightly older had to cancel their weddings and graduation ceremonies, and couldn’t even attend the funeral if a grandparent died. These are the experiences of thousands of our young people and children, and we should all own it. They did it for us.

Maddyone Many young people, as with older people will have lost jobs as a result of Brexit. Increasing numbers of people are out of work, some because covid has meant that their businesses have had to close, but not all. There have been several examples of businesses closing or reducing staff numbers because they have lost a part of their market.

Dinahmo I know that.

repat

I'm trying to find out if I'm the only one who is troubled by the fact that my children, grandchildren and friends are suffering in order to "protect" me.
I am an older person, but lucky to be fairly healthy.
I can't help wondering - if the government had offered me a longer life (no guarantees) but in exchange I would have to agree that my children and grandchildren be locked away for an indefinite period and suffer financial deprivation thereafter, possibly for decades, would I have accepted it? I wouldn't, but maybe I'm out of step with others of my generation. What do you think?

No repat. You are not entirely out of step. You have voiced my opinion exactly.
Strange though, that when I said as much to my son he was surprised and said it was a novel idea.
Had I been given the choice back in March last year I would definitely have said - "Let those that aren't at risk carry on as normal and leave us oldies to look after ourselves." Far less damage to the economy and to children's lives would have ensued.

Unfortunately, there will be economic effects making themselves felt for a long time, and children whose schooling has been affected, but these things are necessary evils in this situation and preferable to a vastly increased death-rate due to Covid19.

They are certainly not necessary evils. The long term costs should have been weighed against the short term benefits. Had anyone done that analysis we would not have had all the restrictions that have caused so much misery.

I do think that the older generations have been totally selfish.

We've kept the NHS functioning for all those who may need it, of all ages.

No we haven't. We have turned it into a covid only service to the detriment of many people with other illnesses. Cancer care, maternity care, orthopaedic care have all been diminished - to name just a few areas of medicine that have not functioned as well as they should have done..

I do think that the older generations have been totally selfish
And what would you have had the older generations do? All any of us - young, old or in-between - is follow the rules set out by the government. Stay home, wear a mask if you have to go out, socially distance, get tested, get vaccinated when your turn comes round.

If that is totally selfish, what does unselfish behaviour look like?

All any of us . . . have done is follow the rules . . .

GrannyRose15

^Unfortunately, there will be economic effects making themselves felt for a long time, and children whose schooling has been affected, but these things are necessary evils in this situation and preferable to a vastly increased death-rate due to Covid19.^

They are certainly not necessary evils. The long term costs should have been weighed against the short term benefits. Had anyone done that analysis we would not have had all the restrictions that have caused so much misery.

I do think that the older generations have been totally selfish.

What kind of calculation would you use to weigh somebody's life against a "cost" to the economy?