To be worried about people over 70 who aren't really taking COVID seriously

[upstar]

I'm really worried about friends and neighbours over 70. They seem to be the ones who are still out and about, going for papers and pensions, refusing offers of help and generally not wanting to make a fuss. I'm sure they think old people are someone else! How do we get across to them that it's really important? They also seem to think that we will all be back to normal next week !!

Over 70s are not all in the shielded group, just the at greater risk group unless they have other specified health issues.

They are still allowed out to shop and for exercise, and for essential travel.

They don't have to stay home the whole time.

I obey the rules and am not in the over 70s group, but I'm fed up with all the ageism. I'm worried about the toddlers in the park whose parents let them run around without distancing properly, but that's because they don't have capacity to think for themselves. Groups of youths I think, well, Darwinism rules. As I walk to work I see obese people and mutability scooter users chatting in the chemist queue, along with come obviously terrified older people in face visors.

Many over 70s with no underlying conditions are fit enough to fight this off. They are less likely as a group to be reached by scaremongering on the internet and therefore stick to "what the news says", especially if deprived of their copy of the DM. It's also well known that a few weeks may feel like a lifetime at 20, but in old age it's the blink of an eye.

Stop with the bloody ageism. It's not all older people and it's not only older people

^^This.

I just find it very easy on MN to scapegoat the older generation, your Mums and Dads, aunts, grandparents. Well... I'd like to think on Gransnet, they were all scapegoating young families, teens, twenties whatever... because there are people not adhering to this in every age group.

I keep saying it on here... everyone I know in the 60plus age group (a lot of people, and includes me and DH) are strictly adhering to the guidelines. If you have a Mum or Dad who isn't, bloody sort them out then, but stop generalising about a whole age group like your thread title.

Yes it's hard for Teens to stay in, @hopefulhalf ,I have a 13 yr old ,however if he got it he might absolutely fine ,but if he passes it on to dh,who has underlying health issues ,or my younger son who is classed as a higher risk due to disabilities than it maybe rather more serious for them ,that ,s why everyone needs to follow the rules .

I don't think anyone is saying people shouldn't follow the rules, I am simply saying it is more understandable that healthy youngesters are breaking the rules than in those in high(er) risk groups.

It's hard for everyone to stay in! This thread just comes across as...

Teens - awww poor things, how hard is it for them to stay in
OAP's - for god's sake, just stay in and do what you're supposed to

I don't think anyone is saying people shouldn't follow the rules, I am simply saying it is more understandable that healthy youngesters are breaking the rules than in those in high(er) risk groups

For god's sake. I'm in my 60s, why in hell's name is it easier for me to stay in than a 'healthy youngster'? Why for my DH who is over 70? We are fit, active, with a busy social life, we are always out and about in normal circumstances and leading busy lives, travelling etc. I'm hating this as much as a poor teenager thank you. In fact, I would say it's worse for us because you know you don't have 40 decades in front of you to do all the things you want to do.

Becuase your brain is no longer developing, because as others have said your perception of time is different. Because you are not biologically being primed to explore, breakaway from the family group and risk take. FFS

The definition of 'old' was defined by the NHS years ago. A fit and active 70 year old these days who exercises and doesn't smoke is less of a risk/drain on the health service than some lardy, couch-potato smoker.
Many of the obese younger people I see waddling about in our town are an ongoing health liability for the NHS.

Rousette your attitude could be thought of as personifying why some people struggle with the values expounded by the post war generation.

hopefulhalf maybe so. But threads like these generalise and AFAIC attack a whole generation for not taking this thing seriously. That is very unfair.

You talk of 'my attitude' like there's something wrong with it. No idea what.

Becuase your brain is no longer developing, because as others have said your perception of time is different. Because you are not biologically being primed to explore, breakaway from the family group and risk take. FFS

I presume we have to feel far far more sorry for youngsters than old people in all of this then. I'm not sure that all the families who have lost parents, aunts, grandparents very prematurely would agree with you.

p.s. I'm not old enough to be 'the post war generation' by the way

You said you were in your 60's so born between 1950 and 1960 most people would call that post war.

Really? First time I've ever been put in that category.

Do elucidate on my 'values' if that's the case. Feel free.

No, just saying it is pyschologically easier for those whose brains are mature and not yet declining in function, so those of us aged 30-70 in midlife should find it easiest to understand and follow the advice.

For god's sake. I'm in my 60s, why in hell's name is it easier for me to stay in than a 'healthy youngster'? Why for my DH who is over 70? We are fit, active, with a busy social life, we are always out and about in normal circumstances and leading busy lives, travelling etc. I'm hating this as much as a poor teenager thank you. In fact, I would say it's worse for us because you know you don't have 40 decades in front of you to do all the things you want to do.*

These values speak for themselves.

My neighbour is in her 30s. She’s had her nephew staying for a sleepover two weekends running, has friends round for the evening and is out for hours every day despite not working, not volunteering and with no vulnerable relatives who need looking after.

I go out for a walk most days and in the nice weather have seen people ‘social distancing’ sat in friends and neighbours gardens chatting.

I’m in my 60s and my friends and a lot of my relatives range from late 50s to mid 70s and we are all taking the lockdown very seriously indeed. All socialising and visiting in person has stopped. Shopping done online by those who have been able to get slots and once a week or fortnight by those of us who are going to the supermarket. In can’t generalise but my experience has not been of older people not taking this seriously.

My values might speak to you, but as you are not prepared to explain, the one thing that is obvious is... you are being insulting. You don't know me, you don't know my life.

From Wiki, but yes 50's is post war.

You're sounding obsessed about the 'post war generation' .

Strange

You are saying you normally have a busy social life, go travelling etc so it is just as hard for you to stay in as it is for the adolescents. That strikes me as a phenomenally self centred attitude.

No you said you weren't of the post war generation, I was simply clarfying.

It's hard for everybody. Surely you accept that?

Call me self centred if it makes you feel better.

You obviously think anyone of 'the post war generation' should not enjoy their lives any more. We should stay in and shut up and never say it's difficult for us. We are all finding it hard, my 3 DCs, my family, all of us. And my god do I feel for those who are going through far worse than us at the moment.

But hey, continue having a bash at us over 60s if that's your thing

No you said you weren't of the post war generation, I was simply clarfying

No I didn't. I said it was the first time I had been called that. There's a difference.

OK... before you pick me up on it, which you will, I also said I wasn't old enough but thank you for the clarification, I shall forever refer to myself as post war generation.

The number of ageist threads on here are increasing and rather insulting given the fact that there are so many under 70s folk out and about whose brains are apparently top notch and functioning but are still flouting the rules we really shouldn't be picking on the elderly