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Original poster

wont the over 70s want to go to the garden centre?

118 replies

CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 09/05/2020 18:45

temptation

OP posts:
JimmyTheWeed · 09/05/2020 20:30

It's not only the over 70s who like going to garden centres! Grin

lljkk · 09/05/2020 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

YounghillKang · 09/05/2020 20:45

I didnt personally chose the age of 70, the government did

I am just concerned, as I would be if I saw somebody over the age of 70 having to go to the supermarket, with no help from family.

As with other posters this is not the case, however tbf the Govt screwed up and included all over 70s on list of clinically vulnerable incorrectly and have been trying to dial that back since!

'Meanwhile, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, tweeted: “We have strongly advised all over 70s to follow social distancing measures. However, there is no ‘blanket ban’, and the suggestion that the clinically vulnerable “include ‘people aged 70 or older regardless of medical conditions’” is wrong and deeply misleading.”
That prompted some on social media to point to advice published on the government website on Friday, which includes the words: “Clinically vulnerable people are those who are: aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions) ...”
When contacted, the Department of Health and Social Care said the over-70s “are not included in the most at-risk group (extremely clinically vulnerable), who have been told to isolate for 12 weeks”.
www.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/03/elderly-must-not-be-left-out-of-lockdown-easing-says-michael-palin

However the assumption that people in that age group are obsessed with gardening is also ageist in that it's a stereotype, the people I know in that demographic are more likely to go to a lecture at the LSE, the Tate, Royal Academy or ballet/opera as go to a gardening centre. Many also work, run businesses etc...

savehalloween · 09/05/2020 20:50

llkjj what?!

I'm in my early thirties and love gardening, go to the garden centre most weekends in spring and summer. You see loads of people there of a similar age

HoneysuckIejasmine · 09/05/2020 20:52

Horticulture is a huge industry in the UK and as pp said, their stock is highly perishable. Fil owns a horticulture business. Takings at this time of year are usually £400k a week but he's barely managed £1k with an online only service. He's now managing to open up a bit more by appointment only and hoping to make up some ground. The biggest problem has been keeping his stock alive to keep trading.

Original poster
CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 09/05/2020 21:18

most, if not all, of my peers are doing our parents shopping for them

OP posts:
YounghillKang · 09/05/2020 21:31

most, if not all, of my peers are doing our parents shopping for them

And your point is? You do realise that there are a number of people who do not have children? Or, as with some of my friends' parents, had children who died? Or live a long distance from their family? OR, as is their right, have decided to do what many other socially distancing people are doing which is making trips to shops or for exercise. The people I know in these age groups include many with PhDs, business owners, yoga/pilates instructors, practicing artists, playwrights, authors, retired GPs, all of whom I assume are more than capable of making their own decisions about what risks they will/will not take. However, casual ageism seems to be par for the course on this site these days.

Original poster
CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 09/05/2020 21:35

jeesus, casual ageism
frankly stupid argument in this scenario,
we are talking about coronavirus, it doesnt matter if you are a fucking playwright, an oh so clever GP, the virus does Not discriminate but age is higher risk, ah but they can make their own minds up, so let the clever clogs off.

OP posts:
Ilets · 09/05/2020 21:37

My mum just likes shopping. And garden centres. It's still a free country in the sense that she isn't under house arrest. If it's open, she has the same right as anyone else to go.

MarshaBradyo · 09/05/2020 21:37

Op do you think they should not open garden centres? Or that over 70 shouldn’t go out.

I’m genuinely not sure what you’re asking for.

Original poster
CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 09/05/2020 21:40

i am concerned, but apparently I am wrong because they can make their own minds up!
i think we must have lock down fatigue on this board.

OP posts:
Original poster
CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 09/05/2020 21:41

My DM is self isolating, as instructed, due to being over 70, well mid 80s, as are her friends, they have not been told otherwise.

OP posts:
Ilets · 09/05/2020 21:51

You can be as concerned as you want, go ahead and worry away. It's not yet a dictatorship and the over 70s aren't under house arrest so it's up to them what they do, within the same guidelines as everyone else

attackedbycritters · 09/05/2020 22:01

If they have been instructed to self isolate as opposed to strictly social distance, then they have things wrong with them

No healthy over 70 has been told to self isolate

savehalloween · 10/05/2020 00:22

I wish this total fixation on what others are doing would stop. The over 70s aren't children, you don't need to worry about them being tempted out of quarantine by the allure of an open garden centre.

Follow the guidelines. Do what's best for your own family and wind your neck in.

Heatherjayne1972 · 10/05/2020 07:57

My parents are both 70+. Retired and love garden centres
They can choose to go. Or not
They’re not children

Stopmenow123 · 10/05/2020 08:21

They are allowed out you know. Some even...gasp...work.

Silvercatowner · 10/05/2020 08:45

Gardens have become hugely important to the mental health of many people (me included). I'm desperate for my local garden centre to re-open. And - shock horror - many over 70s are actually independent.

OddBoots · 10/05/2020 08:47

Of all the types of retail I guess garden centres are among the safest as they the to be spacious and well ventilated.

byvirtue · 10/05/2020 08:50

Our garden centre has been open the whole time (rural, stocks animal feed). It’s been brilliant, social distancing is a doddle no queues to get in. I’m amazed it’s taken so long for others to open.

avroroad · 10/05/2020 09:00

I am just concerned, as I would be if I saw somebody over the age of 70 having to go to the supermarket, with no help from family.

Oh. My nana is 88 and she has being doing her shopping as usual the whole time. She has not been told to stay at home.

I'm a bit puzzled by the idea that all the over 70's Weill be racing to the garden centre though, I didn't realise they have an age rating.

reallifegetsintheway2 · 10/05/2020 09:05

My mum is 80 - she is chomping a the bit to go.
I want to go too- I'm 44.

daisypond · 10/05/2020 09:12

I am just concerned, as I would be if I saw somebody over the age of 70 having to go to the supermarket, with no help from family.
My parents are in their mid-80s and go to the supermarket every two weeks. As do their similarly aged friends. How are they expected to eat? The over-70s are not in the shielding group.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 10/05/2020 09:13

I live 200 miles from my parents... I think it would be greatly frowned upon for me to do their shopping. Luckily my brother lives a lot closer, and can take my Mum to her medical appointments as well. As for my Dad, he still goes to his allotment most days.

Chillipeanuts · 10/05/2020 09:15

WithIcePlease

“I've got an appointment at 930 on Monday smile
I'm ridiculously excited
This one was open last week anyway on appointments“

Appointments at garden centres? Like the sound of that, very civilised. 😁