To think this is irresponsible?

[Lovely1a2b3c]

My family member has been having regular chiropractor appointments every week for three weeks. They are over 60 and I'm very concerned about it.

They are being irresponsible aren't they?

[Sleepthief]

Not if hygienic practices are being observed - handwashing, face masks etc Pain can play havoc with your mental state!

[onalongsabbatical]

Medical treatment is allowed. The fact that it's private and chiropractic not NHS (presumably) is not really relevant.
Sounds like they've made a considered decision for their health.

[beelzeboob]

I assume they’re in pain so why wouldn’t they seek treatment? Medical appts are allowed.

[Willow2017]

No they are making thier own choice. If they cant do that at 60yrs old when do you suggest you should 'let them'?
Its none of your business tbh. Unless you are going round licking them whats it got to do with you?
Physios, nannies and cleaners are still working.
If they have good hygiene practises its fine. Their choice.
Pain can be debilitating at the best of times, being stuck in this situation and in pain is a horrendous situation to wish on them. Medical treatment hasnt been made illegal.

[TheGreatWave]

Not particularly as long as appropriate measures are adhered to.

[UnderTheBus]

So do you think they should have spent weeks in pain to avoid a tiny risk of contracting a virus which, for most people, is mild. If she is seeing him 3 times a week, she must have quite a serious problem which needs sorting. It's a medical issue.

[LonginesPrime]

I feel very sorry for anyone who needs to see a chiropractor and can't during this period.

Assuming they need the treatment (and I can't imagine why else they would go), your relative has done nothing wrong.

[Lovely1a2b3c]

Thanks for your opinions- that's helped a bit as I felt that they were taking an unnecessary risk, which is a problem because of their age and their spouse's health.

I've also slightly changed the type of treatment that this person is going for (i.e. it's not chiropractic treatment) so that it's not identifiable.

[TW2013]

If you have changed the type of treatment how do you expect people to respond in a meaningful way? If my back was in agony then yes I would go to a chiropractor after waiting a little for it to settle down. If my feet needed a pedicure then I would delay it, but if I was in agony with my feet then I would go.

[Drivingdownthe101]

If they feel they benefit from the particular treatment then that’s their call to make. All practitioners will be adhering to the appropriate hygiene standards.

[Msmcc1212]

I’m surprised the chiropractor was practicing and has been able to get insurance given that dentists and acupuncturists had been told not to practice and would be uninsured if they did.

[noraclavicle]

My DP has been having them during lockdown. He’s 87 & suffering chronic pain. I was surprised he could even get the appointment, but he’s a grown adult, as is the chiro...

[Trevsadick]

Its not for you to decide its an unessacary risk, for another grown adult

[Soph88888]

I’m pregnant and have been for osteopathy. I think it’s shocking the nhs have closed so many departments including dentists which should 100% be open. If my osteopath can touch me, and my midwife can take bloods then this should be allowed.

As for AYBU.. yes very, why not focus on yourself and stop worrying about others and leave them to make their own (adult) decisions

[Lovely1a2b3c]

The reason I am concerned about it is because it's a close family member and I obviously don't want them to die or become seriously unwell with Covid (which I know is far from inevitable) and I share a living space.

Thanks for the replies though- it's good to know that people don't think my family member is being irresponsible.

On a side note- I don't actually agree that dentists should be open- they'd be at high risk as they are exposed to aerosoled liquids, saliva etc.

[pfrench]

Should people be pulling out their own teeth then?

[fallfallfall]

if you saw the garb that dentists and their assistants will now wear you will see they are well safe as are the clients they are caring for.
allied professionals are the best choice to reopen first as they have full knowledge of ppe use and the necessary science background.

[TimeWastingButFun]

Medical appointments are still allowed.

[Msmcc1212]

Emergency dentists have always been open so need to pull your own teeth out

[beelzeboob]

OP are you a dentist? What makes you think dentists aren’t wearing correct PPE?

I think you’re over thinking, which is perhaps understandable in these unprecedented times

[Msmcc1212]

PPE doesn’t completely protect you. Hence so many Healthcare workers dying. There are different levels of PPE. The full PPE is only used for those doing aerosol creating procedures on those with covid (e.g. intubation). This is because the advisory board downgraded the risk posed by the virus and then this is the level of requirement. Someone involved in that process believe that this was because there was a lack of PPE. This is because the government failed to follow their own plans despite originally being rated by WHO as the 2nd most prepared country in the world if a pandemic occurred

[TweeterandtheMonkeyman]

Good grief , my DDad has been working in healthcare throughout and he’s 67! I’ve never heard anything to suggest over 60s can’t attend medical appointments!

[Drivingdownthe101]

TweeterandtheMonkeyman my 60 year old mother is frontline NHS!