I know this is a bit morbid

[fancyginglass]

But do you really think they should have given so much publicity to the first elderly people getting the vaccine? Given their age, what if something happened to them in the next few weeks? This would seriously dent the update of the vaccine and the anti-vaxers would have a field day. Obviously I wish them all well.

It’s as if this idea is just too awful to contemplate

You may well have a heart of ice @NikeDeLaSwoosh but most people do find the death of a parent too awful to contemplate.

@Metallicalover I totally understand this.

It's as if we are so far removed from death now that we can't fathom the concept that it is going to happen to everyone eventually. What happened to celebrating a lucky, long life that was well lived?

@Srslydontgiveacrap

It’s as if this idea is just too awful to contemplate

You may well have a heart of ice @NikeDeLaSwoosh but most people do find the death of a parent too awful to contemplate.

Sure, and yet they are not all equal. The death of a 90 year old parent doesn't compare to the death of a 30 year old parent. Once your parents/grandparents are in their nineties, you surely have some clue of what is going to happen and prepare yourself accordingly?

This is, by FAR, the most awful discussion going.

Those 70+ are loved ones.

Also flabbergasted at those believing the vaccine is being “tested” on the elderly 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

If you think you’ve a greater risk of getting worse side effects from the cv vaccine than any average flu vaccine - don’t take it. Just imagine if that was the case for all vaccines? We’d be fucked.

I can’t wait for my loved ones to be vaccinated.

@Srslydontgiveacrap

It’s as if this idea is just too awful to contemplate

You may well have a heart of ice @NikeDeLaSwoosh but most people do find the death of a parent too awful to contemplate.

It doesn’t need a ‘heart of ice’ (thanks btw) to understand that, at some point, most people will have to deal with the deaths of their parents.

Surely it’s just sensible to reflect on this periodically?

It’s baffling that so many people are totally mentally unprepared for an event that is almost certainly going to happen at some point.

it was nonsense that the lady shown was the first t to get the vaccinations.
I work in the nhs . half the workforce got it yesterday.

Once your parents/grandparents are in their nineties, you surely have some clue of what is going to happen and prepare yourself accordingly?

Fucking hell. DM was 86 when she died. I knew she was ill but not how ill as there were issues I didn't know about. She was taken to hospital on the Sunday, Monday the doctor told me she'd be discharged on Friday, Tuesday I got a call to say she was dying and she died on Friday. So no, I wasn't fucking prepared and it devastated me.

Once your parents/grandparents are in their nineties, you surely have some clue of what is going to happen and prepare yourself accordingly?

I don't think it's possible to prepare yourself for a parent dying.

They are not being tested on the elderly, just done in batches as a logistical point.
Just a publicity angle.
I think the contrary, it wont dent public acceptance. It covers more bases - if the "first lady" dies it will likely be due to old age. If touch wood a high profile person like the PM or healthy young person suffers a very rare side effect, it will make a severe dent on the programme.

@bettbattenburg

Once your parents/grandparents are in their nineties, you surely have some clue of what is going to happen and prepare yourself accordingly?

I don't think it's possible to prepare yourself for a parent dying.

Yes, it is.

My grandparents and parents were both very open about death, as I am with my D.C.

I see it as part of my job as a parent to prepare my DC for my inevitable death.

With any luck, scientists will be evaluating the outcomes of the vaccination programme. The analysis will take into account the fact that, sadly, some of the people vaccinated were going to pass away anyway in the coming weeks/months from other causes.

I’m finding I really hard to understand how so many of the population can be so stupid to not realise why older people are being vaccinated first!

They are infinitely more likely to have complications resulting in them needing hospitalisation, and contrary to some people’s belief/wishes if a 40 year old nurse suddenly needs ventilating they don’t just say “right 85 year old Doris better switch off your ventilator now to make way for someone more worthy”. That’s why we need to minimise the number of elderly people needing ICU beds in the first place by vaccinating them, so the far, far smaller number of younger people who experience have complications can have rapid access to treatment.

What’s the alternative? Vaccinate all the young people first and leave the elderly to die alone in care homes?

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

Once your parents/grandparents are in their nineties, you surely have some clue of what is going to happen and prepare yourself accordingly?

Fucking hell. DM was 86 when she died. I knew she was ill but not how ill as there were issues I didn't know about. She was taken to hospital on the Sunday, Monday the doctor told me she'd be discharged on Friday, Tuesday I got a call to say she was dying and she died on Friday. So no, I wasn't fucking prepared and it devastated me.

I'm sorry to hear that.

But it's obvious that I meant it in the sense that life expectancy in this country is, what, 81, 82? So once a parent or grandparent becomes older, logic dictates that they are going to die. That is clearly going to be very sad for their loved ones, but surely not entirely unexpected.

@bettbattenburg

Once your parents/grandparents are in their nineties, you surely have some clue of what is going to happen and prepare yourself accordingly?

I don't think it's possible to prepare yourself for a parent dying.

I agree. There are some cold heartless posts on here. I'd hate to know any of the posters in real life.

@bettbattenburg

Once your parents/grandparents are in their nineties, you surely have some clue of what is going to happen and prepare yourself accordingly?

I don't think it's possible to prepare yourself for a parent dying.

But you would be aware that it's very likely, once they are in their nineties? In that sense you would be more prepared than if they were 45?

@Bewareoftheblob just because it's not unexpected doesn't mean you're prepared for it.

This is a really horrible thread, as are a lot of others on MN about the elderly.

@BooFuckingHoo2

I’m finding I really hard to understand how so many of the population can be so stupid to not realise why older people are being vaccinated first!

They are infinitely more likely to have complications resulting in them needing hospitalisation, and contrary to some people’s belief/wishes if a 40 year old nurse suddenly needs ventilating they don’t just say “right 85 year old Doris better switch off your ventilator now to make way for someone more worthy”. That’s why we need to minimise the number of elderly people needing ICU beds in the first place by vaccinating them, so the far, far smaller number of younger people who experience have complications can have rapid access to treatment.

What’s the alternative? Vaccinate all the young people first and leave the elderly to die alone in care homes?

I’d agree that on balance, the vaccine has come in time for us not to have to make the admittedly awful choices to which you refer.

I remain, however, very concerned about the next novel virus - we simply cannot afford a response like this to the next pandemic, or the one after that.

I fear that at some point, we are going to have to make difficult decisions like that. The sooner we at least make them part of society’s discourse, the better.

[quote Bewareoftheblob]@Metallicalover I totally understand this.

It's as if we are so far removed from death now that we can't fathom the concept that it is going to happen to everyone eventually. What happened to celebrating a lucky, long life that was well lived?[/quote]
@bewareoftheblob In my job I've saw a lot of young people die. I thank my lucky stars that I'm healthy and very grateful for what I have!
I also care for a lot of elderly people. Most elderly people I meet say that they are lucky enough to live to their age and have had wonderful lives. A lot of elderly state they have lived too long and I think this is due to having multiple health problems. There are a small number of elderly who have little health problems who have a different outlook (we're all different 😊)
My parents when I was younger were very open about death as we had a few deaths in the family. I was always taught it was nothing to be afraid of and it was a normal part of life. (It doesn't make it any less sad).
I find a lot of people are terrified of talking about death, people are horrified that people have do not resuscitate orders in place (I don't think they realise how brutal resuscitation is and what the figures are from surviving it). As a nation we need to talk about it more and these conversations with their loved ones.

I wondered about this also. I noticed the Alzheimers society was asking for those with dementia to be prioritised.

It made me think, my granny had that and died of pneumonia in a nursing home which we felt was a blessing. I have a genetic link and tests show I have similar genetic risk.

It concerns me a little. Death is not always the worst thing.

@Metallicalover, I wish MN had a like button!

It is easy to dismiss as cold, heartless but that is not is far too simple.

I'm with you @HollyBollyBooBoo. Why vaccinate the elderly ahead of NHS, care and front line staff? I adore my DMIL, and would like her around for years but at 91, she would say it's better to vaccinate someone younger and more useful than her.

The elderly are being vaccinated first as they are the most likely to become seriously ill if they catch Covid and require a hospital or ICU bed. This age group might also start living their lives again .