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

[MySofaHasACatOnIt]

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!’

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?

We are a four generation family, and all of us are taking it seriously.
It's a waste of time panicking, if you are going to get it then you will.
Taking sensible precautions is all anyone can do.

If I were you 2018, I’d continue to see my grandchildren. But I don’t take kindly to anyone telling me what to do. We’re still seeing my husband’s grandchildren.

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.

I agree with that. In public loos, it's the younger and middle aged who still aren't washing their hands - nearly all the older people are doing it. Our neighbours (30 something) had their holiday cancelled, and they've spent all today planning somewhere else - they're deluded but adament they're going abroad on holiday. I think stupidity spans all age groups!

I sent a message to my elderly neighbour to say that if she wants me to get her some shopping I'm happy to so she doesn't have to go in the busy supermarket. She popped round to lecture me about how she never gets ill because she's a vegetarian.

I wonder if it's to do with the media and social media

My parents are early 80s and are not worried
They live in a village, read the times every day but no Twitter, Facebookm don't worry rolling news, mum doesnt have a mobile phone , dad does to randomly text twice a year, not a smart phone

@Alsohuman agreed! He is not dictating it. He knows that won't fly with me! He is strongly asking me to consider it.

Haven't seen them for two weeks as I've been crazed planning work shut down. What is the point if all this hard work if I don't even get to see my little loves? Seriously.

DGS is 9. As the school was closing the head teacher have advice, including not seeing your grandparents as they are old. Poor boy called to ask if we are indeed old. I said older, but not old. It is sad.

Most of the people I know in aged about 25-40 are still planning to go on their sodding Easter holidays

They won't be if flights etc cancelled !

My dad is 68 his partner is 75, she has been out shopping today with her daughter. 🤦 I've just messaged him to say they shouldn't be doing that anymore. His partner is just getting over breast cancer and my dad is T2 diabetic.

MauriceandAlec
It's funny all this shaming and scolding but people still expect supermarket shelves to be stocked, petrol garages to have fuel, doctors and nurses to treat patients, care homes to have staff reporting for work, bins to be lifted.

They seem to think it's done by fairies.

@Ginbunny1212 out of curiosity how does it work getting food ?

loppy you sound nice.

FWIW - I am 60 and do not consider myself "the older generation".

The real older people have lived through tough times and tend not to panic at every new crisis. Also, many of them are resigned to the fact that they won't live for ever and therefore are more prepared to face the end when it comes, but to get the most out of life beforehand.

You have to realise the boomer generation are the most spoilt generation there has ever been.

You have got to be joking!!!! I've yet to meet a boomer who is as entitled as the generations who came after them. Unless you are one you really have no idea.

The below is going round Facebook- might be worth showing relatives :

I’m an intensive care specialist in a small city

Coronavirus isn’t just like the flu, but it’s only really very dangerous to the elderly or the already unwell. Quite a lot of people in their 80s will die, but most of the rest of us will probably be okay

If you’re in your 70s and you get Coronavirus, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you

If you’re in your 60s and you have a heart attack, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 50s and need bowel cancer surgery, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 40s and have a bad car accident, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 30s and have terrible pre-eclampsia as a complication of pregnancy, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 20s and have a bad reaction to a party drug, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

I have 7 beds equipped with life support machines. We have a plan to increase to about 25. Getting more isn’t a matter or more equipment or more money, that bit is easy. There are not enough skilled staff, even if we all work double shifts every day for six months (and we probably will).

If 50% of my city gets infected, that’s 75,000 people. If 5% of them need life support (which is the estimate), that’s 3750 people. For 25 beds.

And then I might not have a bed for you.

So it’s up to you to flatten the curve. Wash your hands. Stay home.

ScoMo #lockusdown

@MauriceandAlec this thread is about older people not taking this seriously and I’ve stated that my parents are clearly not taking this at all seriously.

I'm well aware of the title of the thread, Wine. It's a discussion board and you are not the thread police. My opinion is that adults are making decisions regarding this virus and their actions and that's their remit and whilst to some it smacks of not taking it seriously, to others they are behaving sensibly in a manner they see fit . It's their live to live.

That bitter diatribe doesn’t deserve to be dignified with a response Loppy.

Your definition of taking it seriously seems to be panic isolation immediately because that's what you personally have decided is the best approach. Other people can understand the severity of the illness and still come to a different conclusion about how to run their lives.

Old is not stupid.

@MauriceandAlec so a man who is recovering from cancer and seriously immune repressed, and is refusing to self isolate or follow any government advice is behaving sensibly? Ok then.

My step mum in her 70s was very blase about it, but I spoke to her tonight and finally she's taking it seriously and her and my dad are going nowhere for the foreseeable future.

My parents are in their 70s and one is particularly high risk. They’re being fairly sensible but not paranoid - they’ve cancelled a cruise they had booked and they’ve started taking Vit C & D supplements but otherwise are going about life as usual.

I've found the opposite. Elderly scared and stuck at home waiting on rations, young people still going out.

@bigchris they can leave to get food as only chemists and shops open. Only 1 at a time and only 1 person allowed in the shop. They say it’s fine as a small village, but stocked up on the drive over

How fucking dare you @Loppy10. I typed 'Loopy' originally, and perhaps that's a more apt name?

You have no idea what people of my generation are like, how we feel and what we're doing, beyond your own fucking stupid prejudice.

I’m surprised you are so illogical, Loppy.
Surely you should be supporting us Boomers in our reckless behaviour to reduce the burden of our existence on the delicate snowflake generations that followed us.
What is it like to be too terrified to live?