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

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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 !!

I’m worried about older people in care homes, who have no choice and no chance to avoid.

Older people who have choices and choose ones I don’t think are sensible will have to live with the consequences of their actions. If it’s my parents or loved ones, I will worry, but I can’t bring myself to spare much concern for other members of that group, unless there’s a reason to think they are unable to understand the risks.

Trying to avoid using the B word as have been told that is an insult.

It's a shame if people took this thread to be ageist. Maybe that perception is part of the problem in advising certain population groups that they are at risk. Asthmatics, pregnant women, over 70s and some other groups who qualify for a flu vaccination ARE at more risk but everyone thinks "that doesn't mean me". It doesn't mean they should be shielding. It also doesn't mean shopping 2x a day and going to church groups for coffee. And to all the people saying "that's their / my choice if they / I want to do it" look at the eleventy million threads on here complaining about people who aren't social distancing. THOSE people are bad but complaining about vulnerable over 70s is ageism- really?

In my village the only people flouting the rules seems to be the under 20s. Still hanging around together where they think they can't be seen.
Most pictures you see in the papers of people out in groups in parks and sitting around or sunbathing or going for group cycle rides certainly aren't over 70.
My over 70 friends seem to be getting on with life at home. Some are even sewing scrubs or masks or knitting jumpers for children in the developing world. Keeping busy because they're no longer able to childmind.
Selfish boomers that we are.

My parents (both late eighties) are the same. I don't police them, I try to assist them where I can but they have to follow their own path.

Quite honestly OP, if you can’t see the ageism in this there’s no hope for you.

I don’t worry about old people who aren’t taking it seriously. I’m just frustrated at them. We are making massive sacrifices in lifestyle and personal freedom specifically to help the old and vulnerable.

People are entitled to be idiots, and (unlike younger people) it’s older people who will be more likely to face the consequences.

So: their actions. Their consequences.

In my village the only people flouting the rules seems to be the under 20s

Same here, and people in their 20s too. Saw a lad on a quad bike and another on a trail motor bike yesterday.

I know no one of my age (over 60) and I know a lot of people who are flouting the rules.

We are making massive sacrifices in lifestyle and personal freedom specifically to help the old and vulnerable

Everyone is doing that. It's not a them and us situation. I stay at home so NHS can cope, and so I don't catch it and pass it on to anyone. I wish my DCs could be with us, but they can't because they live in boroughs in London with high numbers. We are all making sacrifices.

First sentence worded badly! I don't know anyone flouting the rules of my age or older, is what it should say

“ I hate the 'old people don't understand' line. Of course they understand, people don't suddenly become stupid because they are old.”

This.

It's not ageist to mention their age, it is relevant given they are in the most at risk category. Regardless, Anyone of any age doing what they are doing is selfish

“ going to church groups for coffee”

How are these groups running?

*“ going to church groups for coffee”

How are these groups running?*

In homes.

Older people who have choices and choose ones I don’t think are sensible will have to live with the consequences of their actions
The thing is they aren't the only ones living with the consequences. There was a bus driver on the radio saying people ( he did mention pensioners but it's probably others too) were going on the bus just for a ride, meeting their friends at the next stop and chatting, asking about bus timetables etc. 19 bus drivers have died in London because people cant stay away from them.

It's not ageist to mention their age, it is relevant given they are in the most at risk category

Not everyone over 70 is at most risk. There are plenty of people in their 70s and 80s who are a damn sight fitter and healthier than some people half their age. The NHS writes people off as “elderly” a hell of a lot younger than is justified.

Yes most healthy older people do surrive (106 year oldin Birmingham !)

My mother was at a bible study group yesterday. Six people.

speakout I guess in a small church community, people are less likely to snitch?

@Alsohuman and everyone who thinks at risk groups decided by the government are ageist

Some people in those groups will survive. The point isn't that you know someone that survived. It's about a much bigger picture and the risk for that group.

I can't believe people who think that these threads are ageist. What part of THE VIRUS IS WORSE FOR OLDER PEOPLE do you not get? And no, it is not only the case for older people who are ill or "not fit". This virus is particularly nasty to those over 70 and that is just a fact. I'm sorry if you feel that facts are discriminatory.

I'd be one of the defiant oldies.
I would be damned if I spent my last weeks cowering in fear in my home.
I'd happily die in my home without calling am ambulance to avoid taking up your precious resources (bet a lot of MNers are delighted to read that, too).

everyone who thinks at risk groups decided by the government are ageist

Entirely missing the point. It’s the attitude on MN that’s blatantly ageist. It’s really shocking, as is the lack of self awareness of the most ageist posters. Disgraceful.

My mother is terminally ill, 75 and not on the vulnerable list, probably because if she even swallowed funny it'd finish her off. If she could get herself out of the house for a potter then I'm damn sure she would. What's she got to lose? Fuck all. As she's had enough already even without COVID, she absolutely will not go into hospital, no matter what the issue, so she wouldn't be bed blocking, as someone called it earlier. Would you begrudge her a bit of a wander round the park, coming into contact with no one, because you think she's some sort of idiot as she's over 70? Imagine if they brought the idiot age down to 40 or even 30. How would you feel about that? A bit fucking pissed off I should think.

People need to remember that social distancing is not about stopping people catching the virus, it's about slowing the infection rate so that it doesn't overwhelm the NHS. You're going to catch it sooner or later, whatever your age so let those short on lifespan do their thing and you do yours.

“ I'd happily die in my home without calling am ambulance to avoid taking up your precious resources (bet a lot of MNers are delighted to read that, too).”

Yes, mum has a DNR. She’d rather have a normal life in her last years but too scared of police etc. No way for an 82 year old to live. She’d rather die of Covid. I’ve passed a few people off saying that, but it needs to be said, it’s not fair to insist certain people hide away.