Apologies if you knew already

For those mentioning the over 70 aspect may I just say it's because our immune systems become less able to cope as we age.
Nothing more than that.

When DD1 started school the headmistress gave a talk to us parents and told us that they do not have a pupil named “everybody else”. I initially thought she had lost the plot but she went on to say that children will come home and say that “everybody else” wears kitten heels, sweaters with logos on and whatever else is trendy at the time.

Once the everybody else mindset takes over we are likely to be in lockdown for years. There are 68,000,000 people in the UK so the individual demands of those incapable of seeing the big picture and, thinking that there needs are somehow more important than others, are as delusional as Trump.

Their self importance and sense of entitlement is staggering.

I'm not sure if this is relevant to this thread -
A few of my female friends, people still living at home with a family, have had the virus and were able to stay at home. Now recovering.
What is surprising is that up to now, after 2 weeks quarantine, no other members of their family have developed symptoms.
Thank God - don't want to speak too soon.

It's interesting that you should mention that because I was wondering how many cases there were of people not passing it onto other members of their household, especially as they must have been in close contact when contagious.

Nota gran. Sorry dad was a mistype, I meant DD.

The papers say that Charles caught it but Camilla didn’t. Boris had it and so did his GF but hers was milder. Seven members of one family all died in the early days. Hard to know if the virus was more deadly or if some people are different genetically.

Sussexborn There is research being carried out at this moment to try and understand why some people are more badly affected than others. Scientists are looking at vast banks of DNA records they hold to see if there are any common factors. At the moment, nobody knows. One possibility is the ACE2 gene, which encodes the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, which has been proved to be the receptor for both the SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and could be the host receptor for Covid-19. That's why there were some scare stories about ACE inhibitors and ARBs, which are used to treat high blood pressure. Apparently, there is a positive correlation between high blood pressure and Covid-19 deaths, but nobody yet knows why.

I thought the bubble idea was a possible way forward, a sort of next step, in releasing the lockdown that had been suggested in Scotland by Nicola Sturgeon. A sort of way of expanding the definition of household. Are these two bubbles ideas the same thing? Or are they referring to different things?

If a genetic link could be found, it would be possible to target shielding advice more accurately. At the moment, it's a bit his and miss. It's known, for example, that most people who have died are elderly, but that doesn't mean that most elderly people will die - or anybody else in any group, for that matter.

PS. I like that headmistress' thinking.

typo alert … his = hit

BlueBelle we do ahve a level system letting us know what we can and can't do. It's based and depends upon what your 'underlying condition' is, what drugs your taking etc and advises where you can and can't go. I got a letter from our local hospital,in the post, yesterday with all the criteria.

Soupy It really isn't as simple as older people's immune systems not working efficiently. There are all sorts of other factors, which haven't been proved. For example, more men than women have died. Many of them have been overweight and/or have had other underlying health conditions not connected to immunity. Diabetics have compromised immune systems, but they also often have other conditions which affect general health, such as being overweight, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which link to heart problems. Research is ongoing, but nobody yet knows for sure.

Remember, here in ME there have only been just over 1000 cases and most of them have recovered now.
We have been on strict lockdown at level 4, same as uk, only going out for essential shopping and exercise.
Now we are moving to L3, the bubble idea is that one or two extra members can be added to your group. So grandparents to help with childcare if they are nearby, or friends who has been isolating alone can join up. Grandparents with two families nearby have to choose one.

Sorry to be a dumbo, but where is ME?

Fennel, how do your friends know that they've 'had it' at home? Without testing, it's only a guess as they may have had flu or another virus.

Sorry, bloody autocorrect! NZ

Please don't mention high bp and ACE drugs again! We are already scared by it all never mind this on top! I've read that it's better to have stable bp than unstable bp so don't be tempted to stop your medication.

I think the bubble idea is good. I have a few single friends who live alone. If even 2 single friends could meet, it would make a huge difference to them. Of course it would take discipline and trust and should only be introduced when and where sufficient testing and contact tracing has been set up.

Growstuff - I’ve also been reading about research into genetic factors that might predispose some people to more severe infection. The fact that identical twins died seems more than sad coincidence.

Indeed Farmor. My daughter's partner is involved in the research into genetic factors. Apparently, very little is yet known but there are definitely some clues.

BlueSky I'm sorry to mention BP drugs, but it's true that the ACE2 gene is involved as the receptor for Covid-19. Whether ACE inhibitor or ARB drugs play a part is uncertain and the tabloids were wrong to publish scare stories. Of course it's better not to have high BP, so people shouldn't stop taking their drugs, although ACE inhibitors aren't the first line antihypertensive drug of choice for people over 60 anyway.

Thank you, GrandmaKT.

I agree the bubble idea sounds promising, but agree that it would involve trust and discipline. I am 99% sure I'm not infected because I haven't left the house or been in physical contact with anybody for over a month. I could drive to somebody in the same position, but I'd be wary of going outside or being with anybody who'd been outside.

Thanks Growstuff the fact is that I'm taking an ACE at the max dosage. But I'm sure GPs would have stopped/changed the medication. The Anti-hypertensive body have commented that there are no clinical or scientific evidence.

Perhaps we could nominate family members with whom we could have contact? As SuzzanahM said, it wouldn’t suit everyone but it would help many to continue to bear the burden of lockdown, especially if it is to go on for many more months.

BlueSky I take Candesartan, which is an ARB, at quite a low dose, so I did some research when I read about the scare stories. I'm actually more concerned that my routine tests for kidney and liver function have been put on hold. During my review last year, my GP did talk about changing me to another drug, but all of them have side effects and it's a balancing act. Personally, I try to do what I can to keep my BP in control naturally, but I still need a little chemical help.

Nevertheless, the link with the ACE2 gene is interesting and if it helps identify those at higher risk of being badly affected by Covid-19, it could mean that some people could take more risks than currently and others, sadly, would have to wait for a vaccine or, at least, know that they have to be ultra-cautious. Hopefully, the government would target resources towards those who need to be most cautious.

The more we know about this horror, the better we could all manage.

Bossyrossy I don't think it's a question of if. Unless everybody were to be confined to single cells, so that nobody could infect anybody and the little bugger couldn't be transmitted, there's no doubt this is going to go on for months if not years.