To be a bit jealous of over 50 holiday bookings

[Toomuch2019]

I probably am but here goes

I was reading an article about surges in over 50s holiday bookings driven by the fact that they are anticipating getting vaccinated soon.

And I'm finding myself incredibly envious that there is a subset of the population that will be able to go about living normally and going abroad while the rest of us are locked away waiting for a vaccine.

I don't feel like I can plan anything holiday wise at least abroad right now as there is no timeline on vaccines for under 50s and I don't want to risk getting ill in another country. Particularly if insurances will only cover vaccinated people (which isn't the case yet but can see it moving in that direction).

I know there is no answer and obviously I'm not arguing vaccines aren't in right order but does anyone else feel wound up with articles like this rubbing it in?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/business-55654127

If you read the article, they are mostly booking UK based coach tours. And you're jealous?

I'm 50. And I have a first year student who wants to be at university not learning online, and a nearly 17yo who hasn't seen friends in person since her school shut at Christmas. And I go to work every day with young people who cant and wont socially distance in or out of school. There are a fair few "old" people like me, and getting annoyed with us on any level, personally or socially, shows a real lack of thought. I am in no way protected by this lockdown. I haven't booked any holidays.

Societally

I'm about to be 50 and have a 13 and 16 year old. I'm just as worried about them as under 50s are (who are annoyed at over 50s "on a societal level")

Lots of people over 50 have teenagers they are worried about.

My parents are 70. They have spent lockdown wearing a face mask mostly correctly and enjoying walks with groups of friends, going on day trips, out for meals and sitting with their friends. They absolutely will be off booking holidays as soon as they are vaccinated because they believe they will have earnt it by staying at home and not going out. They think that once they get their vaccination (and they have complained about not getting it asap) they can high tail it on holiday again and don't believe they could either still catch Covid or pass it on. They will be first on a plane to Europe and so what if it helps spread the illness.

In terms of 50% bookings made by over 50s, I've assumed the reason that this is newsworthy is because it is normally significantly less than that, so there s been an upsurge in over 50s making the bookings. Fewer under 50s are making bookings than normal.

Instead of being annoyed at the over 50’s why not be annoyed at the press who just love to whip up a frenzy and cause bad feeling wherever they can.

The press have been absolutely atrocious in this pandemic. More so than they normally are.

@LucilleBluth

I don’t think people are annoyed at the over 50s on an individual level but on a societal one.

I’m far mor worried and pissed off about my older teenagers and what they have/are missing out on than anything else. I have a first year uni student who should be having the time of his life...and a 17 year old who is stuck inside studying online and not out on his skateboard or playing basketball with his friends. Not to mention my 10 yo who is now out playing in the snow on her own.

Let’s not pretend that the children and young people aren’t paying a massive price in all this. I have to watch myself because it makes me so angry.

I have 300+ teenagers a week, plus one I made myself (aged 17) Yes, it's hitting them hard, but I can guarantee that (at least with all of mine) not one of them has ever, or I believe would ever express the abhorrent points of view I've seen on here about the elderly (and by extension also the young but vulnerable- though of course they'd never dare voice their hatred for that group in the same way) since the beginning of the pandemic.

I place my faith in the future generation. Because dear god, this one has sunk so low it stands no chance of redemption.

@LucilleBluth

I don’t think people are annoyed at the over 50s on an individual level but on a societal one.

I’m far mor worried and pissed off about my older teenagers and what they have/are missing out on than anything else. I have a first year uni student who should be having the time of his life...and a 17 year old who is stuck inside studying online and not out on his skateboard or playing basketball with his friends. Not to mention my 10 yo who is now out playing in the snow on her own.

Let’s not pretend that the children and young people aren’t paying a massive price in all this. I have to watch myself because it makes me so angry.

Like many over 50s, I have teenage children who are suffering just as much as your children are. Is there any reason your kids have it worst than mine because you had children younger?

I'm almost 60 and the online calculator suggests it'll be September before I get the 2nd jab, so won't be booking anything involving flights any time soon.

I'm sure over 50s will make up more than 50% of bookings most years as many are retired or at least don't have school age children so can travel more cheaply and more often?

lucille You are spot on and so many parents feel the same. It is the younger generation paying the price for this. Some people are defensive about their age or whatever, ultimately we will all be free at some point. Lets hope no one calls a young person a snowflake ever again, they have been exceptionally resilient and shown such good will throughout this whole pandemic. I hope your children will soon be out again living their lives - lets hope!

@TheFairyCaravan

So why does that poster have to stay home too then?

Because we all have a part to play. ITU’s across the country are full of patients under 50 with Covid but have no underlying health conditions.

Your source for this? ICU beds are “full” of patients under the age of 50 with no underlying conditions? Really?

The data I find from the NHS, you know, the actual source, is that in the week to January 7 (most recent data available) less than 500 people under 65 (they don’t show data for the under 50s so under 65 is as good as it gets) were admitted to hospitals in England with COVID-19. Even if all of them were placed in the ICU (and that’s highly unlikely) they would make up around 10% of the mechanical ventilation beds that were occupied that week (total MV beds occupied that week just over 4700). Funny that there is no data on how many underlying conditions people did or didn’t have so I have no idea how you can make such a confident claim. Are you another MNer who “knows someone high up in the NHS”?

www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/01/Covid-Publication-14-01-2021.xlsx

Stop scaremongering! Start getting your facts from the source, not those who are trying to clickbait you with sensationalist stories. And stop making stuff up. You’re being ridiculous.

@Clymene - this is not a competition as to whose children are having the worst time.

But it is a statement to say that children of all ages are paying a high price in terms of lost education and life chances not to mention massive Government debt that they will be responsible for repaying.

TUI, the UK's largest tour operator, says 50% of bookings on their website are currently by over-50s

Which leaves 50% of bookings coming from the under 50s

20s, 30s, 40s =50%
50s, 60s 70s = 50%

Add in a few teens and a few in their 80s, and it's pretty much exactly equal.
Where's the raging against the young and middle aged?

Children have not had it worse than other generations. The pandemic has affected different people in different ways.

Everyone is stuck inside missing out on their plans.

I'm in my 60s. Not expecting to be called for inoculation until at least April probably later. Factor in 2nd shot 12 weeks later that's mid summer, if everything goes to plan. As someone who is normally abroad quite a bit I'd love to get away but realistically I'm thinking the Autumn might, just might, be a possibility. I won't be booking anything until I'm reasonably sure there's a good chance of it happening and, above all, it's safe.

[quote SusannaSpider]@LakieLady

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30306579[/quote]
Bloody hell, I had no idea there was still a WW1 debt so recently @SusannaSpider!

I wonder how much those bonds had appreciated in all that time?

I just want to add to my post, I’m in my mid 40s myself. I’m just making the point that IF people are annoyed at older people it’s not them as individuals...not that I’m personally annoyed at the over 50s.

I work in a special school with children and young people and believe me I know that we can’t social distance in schools.

I just really really feel for our young people. My dad is 75 and I’m aware oh his anxiety but I worry about our young people more.

It's January. People book holidays then in large numbers. Have done most years if not all since 1946.

[quote 1dayatatime]@Clymene - this is not a competition as to whose children are having the worst time.

But it is a statement to say that children of all ages are paying a high price in terms of lost education and life chances not to mention massive Government debt that they will be responsible for repaying.[/quote]
Indeed it is not a competition which is why @LucilleBluth seemed to think her children's suffering was so much worse than my children's or why it is beyond her imagination that people in their 50s might also have children going through this same shit.

The thread reads like it's the over 50s' fault that there is a global pandemic!

Ah sorry missed out some crucial words there but you get my gist. But actually in terms of ruined childhoods, I'd say my parents - who were raised in London during WWII - had a slightly shittier life so while I think this is pretty awful, it could be far far worse.

@TheLisbonSisters

Lots of people over 50 have teenagers they are worried about.

Exactly. I agree with you and others who have said the same.

And why the fuck would an age group be to blame? I don’t think people are annoyed at the over 50s on an individual level but on a societal one. Are we saying that over 50s are selfish and only think of themselves? Why are people annoyed at over 50s on any level?

Every generation has its crosses to bear. This generation of 50 somethings are often sandwiched in the middle trying to hold things together. Here’s my circumstances (and I’m not saying I have it worse that a lot of others but it probably is illustrative of a lot of my age group):

I’m 53 (elderly apparently)
I work full time in a stressful and responsible role (I pay my taxes and am not a “drain” on society). I won’t get to retire for 20 years. No final salary pensions for my generation. I’ll be chipping in for the cost of COVID just like those younger than me, though there’s no government support for self employed people like me.
I have elderly parents I care for. My DF is dying of cancer. His dying is traumatic and largely without medical support thanks to Covid. He’s suffering and so is my DM. He’s been rushed to hospital yesterday and after 55 years of marriage my DM will know if she’s a widow when she gets a phone call because we can’t be with him. Perhaps he’s a selfish man and we are wasting precious medical resources on a lost cause? He paid into the system for 50 years mind you. He’s chipped in his skill too as a doctor and an expert (ironically) on public health; it’s all take take take with these over fifties isn’t it?! I need to be their carer, nurse, counsellor, banker, IT support, driver, mechanic and general labourer. They are totally isolated apart from me. They’ve got it tough.
I have a 15 year old DS who is volatile and angry with no social life and struggling with the mess of school and the endless changes to GCSE exams. I am very worried about him and need to try and help him stay bouyant. I need to absorb a lot from him at the moment. He’s got it tough.
I have an 18 year old who missed out on so many things and now is really struggling with A levels and UCAS and social isolation. She is really down and losing motivation and hope. We’ve organised a counsellor for her which seems to be helping. She’s got it tough.
My DH is 57 and he’s struggling and quite down. His DB was an early victim of Covid and died in March at 58 years of age (which, though over 50 is actually quite young). So my DH has it tough.

And me? I’m just trying to keep the show on the road. Every generation has it tough right now so can anyone explain this: I don’t think people are annoyed at the over 50s on an individual level but on a societal one and indeed the general tone of this thread?

@LucilleBluth

I don’t think people are annoyed at the over 50s on an individual level but on a societal one.

I’m far mor worried and pissed off about my older teenagers and what they have/are missing out on than anything else. I have a first year uni student who should be having the time of his life...and a 17 year old who is stuck inside studying online and not out on his skateboard or playing basketball with his friends. Not to mention my 10 yo who is now out playing in the snow on her own.

Let’s not pretend that the children and young people aren’t paying a massive price in all this. I have to watch myself because it makes me so angry.

Why should people be annoyed with the over 50s on a societal level I'll save the majority of my pity for those who have been shielding on and off since March (mostly older), those who are widowed and alone (mostly older) and those who are CV or ECV (mostly older), people who live in terror of the disease because it will likely kill them (mostly older). They are suffering just as much, if not more than a teenager who can't spend their time partying at uni, or someone who can't be skateboarding or is playing alone but has at least a family to come inside and spend time with.

Our DGC has spent much of his first year in lockdown, but his parents just get on with it, despite opportunities to develop his socialisation skills being excitement limited. They haven't turned their anger or bitterness onto the older generation. Mainly because they aren't angry or bitter, they just accept that we're all struggling together through this unprecedented time.

There are lots of over 50s with pre teen children. DH is 53 with a 9 year old.

I think in 20 years time there are going to be a lot of surprised individuals, when they suddenly turn 50 and think 'bugger, it isn't old'!

People are turning on others because they feel out of control, and it's a way for them to excert themselves. Gives them something to do. Most people just get on with it. Including the young.