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

I saw this article just after having a conversation with someone about whether once 30-40% of the population have been vaccinated are those people really going to be so careful

The older people I know, 70 plus including my parents and family members are retired and stay in during the winter anyway, they watch TV, knit and do a crossword, they have slowed down and have reached a point in their lives that they are quite happy to relax and stay at home.

My teens however have so much energy and they are in the prime of their lives, for them it is not natural to stay at home and watch countdown. They need to see friends, be out, play sports and learn. It is at this very point in life where they would usually become independent. So it is hard, and as a result we have seen an explosion of serious mental health problems across the board, and it is getting worse and worse. We lost a friend to suicide and he was so young at 15, so please don't tell me it is only the elderly suffering, as we will never get over what happened to him.

The consequences of the lockdown go far beyond a bit of lost time partying, and it is unforgivably flippant to assume that children and young people will be fine, many and the growing minority may not be at all.

I don't see why you are jealous. Even if people are vaccinated it doesn't mean their holidays will go ahead because of the staff involved. Plenty of people had holidays cancelled last year.

Nobody is rubbing your face in it, you don't have to read holiday articles. I hadn't seen anything like that before this was posted and it wouldn't bother me anyway, I don't intend to go anywhere, it's too much hassle at the moment(I'm 61 this year).

Being resentful never achieved anything.

I think the article is a press release from the holiday industry to try to make over 50s to book holidays. We are over 60 so should be vaccinated by June but are very cautious about going abroad at all this year. The holiday companies need money so if they can persuade a while group of people to book it will really help the companies cash flow, even if they have to refund further down the line.

My parents and in laws, in their 70s and 80s were out more than us. They went to book groups, dog training, music classes, history groups, gardening groups, yoga, theatre trips, watching sport, walking at least weekly, holidaying, cookery classes, parish council work, running 'elderly' friends around etc ad infinitum. I do hate sweeping generalisations that a group of people have less interesting and sociable lives based solely on age.

And no-one has said only the elderly are suffering. In fact the opening premise was that only the young are suffering, which is patently untrue. I am sorry for the kids of your friends, that is a tragedy

OP - don't worry, you can cheer yourself up with the knowledge that it is the O 50s who have so many fewer years left in which to go on holiday, compared to you. They will be pushing up daisies while you are still booking your fun in the sun.

Has that helped at all?

I heard about this on the radio, and did a private eye roll in response..
I'm over 50 (just) and my vaccination is predicted for Nov/Dec, think booking a getaway abroad this year is wishful thinking!
So i wouldn't be too peed off..

@Icanseegreenshoots

fiz The elderly have too many benefits and breaks compared to the rest of the population, that has long been the case. Your average seventy year old is NOT paying off the war debt!! Goodness gracious.

No but they were when they were young and working. The final war debt payment was made at the end of December 2006.

As far as I'm concerned - and I'm 60+, not vulnerable but have been following lockdown rules (a) to stop me passing the virus on to anyone who may be and (b) to minimise my risk of falling over and needing the services of a very stretched NHS - we can't vaccinate everyone at the same time. With the best rollout in the world, it has to be a process. So some people will get the jab before others. Ergo, some of those who are lower down the queue will feel hard done by. I'm due mine (according to the calculator) the end of June/beginning of July. I'll cope.

@YouokHun, sorry about your dad.

I do feel really sorry for those who are working, homeschooling and know their vaccines and therefore foreign holidays are a distant dream. I genuinely do, and DH and I count our blessings every day on that front.

However, the attitude towards older people from some people on this thread is disgusting. I worked and paid tax and national insurance for almost 40 years, before many of those slagging us off were even born. I retired just before the first lockdown, one of the main reasons being to make the most of what ever time we have left. I've obeyed all the lockdown rules, yet have seen younger people out in groups and mixing households throughout. As a PP said, younger people will have the opportunity to travel for many decades to come. We won't.My elderly Mum has spent one of her final years almost in isolation when the pay back for all she has done for society should be spending her final years surrounded by family.
I repeat I feel desperately sorry for those who are really struggling through all of this for many different reasons. But some of the hateful, ageist comments I have read on this thread are awful.

Surely this reporting is bollocks?!

I’m surprised at the BBC.

It sounds like holiday companies just trying to get bookings.

Let’s target the over 50’s as soon as promised vaccination dates are announced!!

What really depresses me is that journalists are seeking to foment resentment and conflict in the population. Creating anger between the generations is something that's not just about now. It sews seeds for the future.

As I posted earlier. 50% of holidays being booked by people aged 50-82 means an equal number of 18-40 year olds have booked holidays.
Journalists aren't stupid. They know that. But they've deliberately spun it to make younger people resent the older generation. It's really really negative and cynical reporting.

sows, ffs.

Totally agree saraclara.

Anybody would think somebody in the PR dept of TUI has got a mate working at the BBC

@QueenGambit

I know it sounds mean but I also feel jealous about all these people getting the vaccine

Why? They are getting it first because they are old and/or extremely vulnerable. Do you wish you were over 80? Do you envy those who have very serious health conditions?

No, anyone working for the NHS of any age is getting it. I have friends who are speech therapists in their 30s, they had first dose yesterday, plus community peadiatrician in her 50s had it earlier in the week, and another friend who is a peadiatric occupational therapist (working in schools doing assessments and offering plans to help children) was also done this week. I admit that as an education frontline worker I don't resent them getting it, but don't see how a speech therapist or OT seeing 1 child at a time while wearing a mask and social distancing where possible needs protecting more than me and my colleagues.

@saraclara

What really depresses me is that journalists are seeking to foment resentment and conflict in the population. Creating anger between the generations is something that's not just about now. It sews seeds for the future.

As I posted earlier. 50% of holidays being booked by people aged 50-82 means an equal number of 18-40 year olds have booked holidays.
Journalists aren't stupid. They know that. But they've deliberately spun it to make younger people resent the older generation. It's really really negative and cynical reporting.

Damn. That should read an equal number of 18-49 year olds.

@StepOutOfLine thank you, that’s kind of you x

As a person over 50 I have worked right the way through the entire bloody thing so far. I am mid level management in a very large supermarket and have had to put up with the most vile abuse from people every single day mainly verbal but sometimes physical. Meanwhile I am supporting my daughter in her first year at uni as her loan is just short of her rent and present circumstances have meant she has been unable to find work. I am also having to help my other daughter who has lost he

Sorry posted to soon,
Daughter lost her job in the hospitality industry. Not likely to get a vaccination any time soon, so yes its very unreasonable to be jealous. You have made no sacrifice for me. I have actually risked my health day in day out for you to have food on your table. Maybe you should be grateful

It IS cynical reporting.

I think pensioners need to help pay off the debt mountain, given the enormous sacrifices our young people have made for the elderly

The sacrifices haven’t been made for the elderly. We’ve all made sacrifices for ourselves and to stop the NHS from being overwhelmed. Every tax payer of every age will be helping pay it off, just as everyone who paid tax before 2006 contributed to paying off the World War ll debt.

What sacrifices have the young made for the elderly? Everyone has been stuck inside not carrying on with their lives or seeing friends and family.

I would be jealous if there were travel restrictions and if they declined to let you travel if not vaccinated... purely because I can’t see my OH or myself being given it any time soon.

IF it happens

Ah feck off.
I am 52. Throughout this I have supported my 82 year old Mum, including relocating hundreds of miles this weekend so she is nearer.
25 year old daughter made redundant so moved home for 10 months, just moved out again. 23 year old pregnant and 100 miles away and I've been helping youngest with home education. All whilst commuting to work by public transport.
I'm not booking a feckin holiday but if I did I don't need someone trying to whip up shite and division on the internet.
You do you. I'll do me.

And last time I checked, nobody was staying at home to protect elderly people in their 50s. Me and my elderly friends are too feckin busy being Head teachers, teachers, nurses, healthcare assistants or running businesses that employ others and keep roofs over people's heads.