PIL terrified of Covid, norovirus, flu…

[Christmaswrap]

They live 5 hrs away. Their choice. MIL has rheumatoid arthritis and can now hardly move without great pain. FIL doing everything. Lifting, showering cooking etc. on his own. both mid 80s!
They now don’t want us to visit next week (me DH and ds, 16) MIL has compromised immune system and has read online they will die if catch Covid.We have had jabs will wear masks etc.She has found a million reasons not to get a home help, covid one of them.
They have hardly seen anyone since Covid- fil no longer sees mates at all or goes out unless to get milk. there’s a whole list of other things that are crap, including MIL immense capacity to worry about odd things - squirrels will get into the garage and eat the cars wires, and require complicated breakfasts and wierd routines etc etc.
we were going to stay a few nights and sort internet, cook and try and be jolly. But now MIL making excuses, they were keen to see us after Xmas but DH rescheduled as the roads and weather were awful on Boxing Day.
it just seems like a head on collision, What on earth can we do to help?

That’s the sort of thing people say when it’s not them being old and/or facing death…..

It might be the type of death they are worried about ,older people who catch Covid or any virus are more likely to have complications and end up getting pneumonia that can't be a pleasant death for anyone
Very different to slipping away in your sleep.

Thanks everyone. justexisiting I think you may have nailed it and they’re trying to hide/deny how much they are struggling. They both sound mis. On the phone.