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Original poster

Do you find that the older generation are not really taking this seriously?

202 replies

MySofaHasACatOnIt · 14/03/2020 16:30

My parents are in their 60s and are very ‘yeah yeah whatever’ about this. My 90-year-old grandmother has completely poo-pooed my concerns when I suggested she stop going to the library every other day and to stay home if possible. Her response? ‘We managed to live through small pox during the war!’ Hmm

All of my friends/colleagues who all have parents who are 60 plus have said that they’re not taking this seriously at all, with many thinking they know better than the majority if European governments. Completely not fussed about it, still going to mass gatherings, still traveling etc

Meanwhile people I know in their 30s/20s etc seem genuinely worried, are taking precautions etc. No one is panicking but they are being sensible, whereas the older generation I know are almost treating it all as a joke!

Anyone else finding this?

OP posts:
Cinnamon12345 · 14/03/2020 16:34

I tried to keep my mother in yesterday. She said it was all b#####ks. Shes80 and has recently had a stroke...

Bellyfullofbiscuits · 14/03/2020 16:35

Yes a million times over !!!! Very frustrating.

MintySpud · 14/03/2020 16:36

I prefer their approach.

goose1964 · 14/03/2020 16:36

My husband is in his 60s and has a heart condition, he always knows better than everyone, even WHO.

Reginabambina · 14/03/2020 16:36

I can see how after surviving small pox someone might be blaze about a disease that only kills 2% of victims, even if they’re in a risk group. But I don’t really see a big generational difference. We’ve had conversations with older family members about what to do in the event of an outbreak (they’re all abroad). They seem to be taking a similar cautious attitude. None of are worried but we’re all watching developments closely and older family members are preparing to minimise social contact in the event of an outbreak where they are.

ilovecherries · 14/03/2020 16:36

No, absolutely not. Most of the people I know in aged about 25-40 are still planning to go on their sodding Easter holidays, while most of the older people I know, while not panicking, are taking sensible precautions.

GilchristQ · 14/03/2020 16:37

I totally agree.

My mil is out and about everyday, crowded places. Visiting her 92 year old mother in law. Both with health problems.

Both think they definitely wont catch it.

BIWI · 14/03/2020 16:37

I'm 60 and DH is 61. I can assure you we're both taking it very seriously!

irregularegular · 14/03/2020 16:38

To be honest, if I was 90 I would keep going out as long as I could! If you've not got much time left, you may as well just relax and enjoy it. Once people stop getting out, stop seeing people, stop exercising, stop using their minds, then they don't tend to last much longer, at least not with much quality of life.

60 is a bit different obviously!

Keepgoing88 · 14/03/2020 16:40

My parents are the opposite, my mum is a bit of a hypocondriact (spelling?!) Altho not completely without health concerns. They are calling Drs about stuff and generally preparing for complete lockdown.

tigerbear · 14/03/2020 16:45

Totally.
My mum and dad (mum aged 70 with recent multiple health problems and always has a bad cough every year / dad aged 73 with COPD) just belittle any concerns, are very much of the ‘it’s just like flu/we might catch flu anyway’ brigade.

Mum especially is always out and about all over the place. I’ve literally just had a text argument with her, as she’d messaged to say she’d been out for a long walk on the beach, then to M&S, then into the city to buy a new fucking Dyson.
I told her she should be staying in more, and she texted back to say ‘well, you’ve been out and about today too, so you might have caught it’. I’m not in a fucking high risk category though, FFS! Argh!!

Carolamc · 14/03/2020 16:45

Oh dear, what a lot of generalisations Just because people 'know' one or two older people not taking it seriously, they assume ALL older people aren't. Of course there are some stupid 'it won't happen to me' people. But it's the selfish 'I'll buy up every single loo roll /sanitiser/lpack of pasts etc etc that really gets my goat. A true picture of the society we now have.

runningwoman1980s · 14/03/2020 16:48

My parents are 60 and 63 both still working full time and socialising as normal. They can't afford not to work. They don't have any major health issues so they don't appear to worried. I can't change anything but be there if anything happens.

NaturalBornWoman · 14/03/2020 16:49

I'm seeing the opposite actually. It isn't 60+ year olds on here saying they won't stay home for a cough and that they must take their DC to soft play.

TeaAddict235 · 14/03/2020 16:49

Yes, my aunt has asthma and is a reverend. She is 65 years old. She all but told me to naff off when i suggested that the sermon be put online with written text sent to all members. A Christian naff off is what I got. ConfusedConfused

She said that it is in God's hands. I told her that the plague was also in God's hands, just as Ebola and and and..... she told me to take care of my children and that was that.

DisneyMillie · 14/03/2020 16:54

My parents are 70+ and my father has hypertension and they’re still planning on going on their holiday to Japan in ten days assuming it’s not cancelled. I sort of understand it but it worries me still

Love2cycle · 14/03/2020 16:56

Good on em. Maybe we should listen to their wisdom.

megletthesecond · 14/03/2020 16:58

My Mum in her 70's is taking it seriously.

BeansOnToast4T · 14/03/2020 16:59

My dad is 80 with multiple health issues, mum is 78 and fit and well. They are being very careful as my in-laws and most of their friends.

Connie222 · 14/03/2020 17:00

Agree totally. Dad 84, Dh gran 93, in laws 72. None of them give a single fuck.

burntpinky · 14/03/2020 17:01

Yes, absolutely. My MIL refuses to accept she is elderly (she’s 70 in a few months) and she currently has health issues but thinks it’s all a huge joke. Meanwhile, I’m 6 weeks pregnant with an 18 month old and petrified. Her house is filthy at the best of times

Biancadelrioisback · 14/03/2020 17:03

I can see that my parents are a bit worried but very much "hope for the best" types so they haven't cancelled any plans yet at all.
I warned my DM that she might not get to go on their luxury holiday in May and she told me not to be daft. It was only when DHs trip was cancelled this week that she started taking it seriously. I told her that Disney had closed and she couldn't believe it. Think I worried her but better than sticking her head in the sand!

Steamfan · 14/03/2020 17:04

I'm in my sixties, and have friends that age - we are taking it seriously....but what would you suggest we do? Run crying and screaming round the place, rush out to the shops and buy 42 toilet rolls, and 12 bags of pasta? All you can do is keep washing your hands and hope for the best. Any other sage advice would be welcome

MauriceandAlec · 14/03/2020 17:06

Not everyone wants to live forever. Some are more interested in living their best life whilst they can. You can't put life on hold indefinitely and live in fear. My parents are in their 80s and see this as just another bump in the road of their lives which included WWII, the Depression, polio outbreaks, TB and a lot of disease.

ilovesooty · 14/03/2020 17:06

So people in their 60s, many of whom are still working are "the older generation"? And you think your sweeping ageist generalisation is acceptable?