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Over 70s to self isolate

962 replies

Dodie66 · 14/03/2020 21:36

Over 70s are going to be told to self isolate even if they don’t have the virus and this will be coming in 5-20 days and last 4 months
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-coronavirus-over-70s-told-21694397?fbclid=IwAR2k9MqPf7vOzNcnqfVroLXVp0sQjYRmihHKBiL9pvdhSi5780WpYkgFNnI

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TheSpottedZebra · 15/03/2020 19:43

Any thoughts as to what will be the suggestion for over 70s who live with much younger family? Obviously we can practice good hygiene and limit outings, interactions as much as we can, but they're not going to say that the seniors literally live in their room and have food left for them?

Random18 · 15/03/2020 19:45

MrsBad in Italy the Ventilators are going to the people with a better chance of surviving.

It may sound horrific but it's what is happening.

I essentially need to be socially responsible and potentially catch Covid-19 during the peak and older people need to try and be socially responsible and avoid catching Covid-19.

Stop older people catching it when it's at it's worse means they have a much greater chance of making it out the other side.

That is what we all want.

Random18 · 15/03/2020 19:48

Spotted possibly just keep distance in living room. Have designated areas where only older person sits. Maybe get another remote control so that you don't have to share it.

Be careful with light switches and obv clean down shared surfaces after use.

I know it will be incredibly difficult but hopefully it could be done?

17million · 15/03/2020 19:50

mrsbadcrumble123
your mother should not worry if she is unable to work
at 71 she would get a state pension at least up to the pension credit level for a single person - would not need ssp

Lincolnfield · 15/03/2020 19:52

@Random18 - but that presupposes that over 70s will automatically have a poor prognosis which is simply ageism and patently untrue.

The morbidly obese, the drug users and alcoholics, even the heavy smokers and those with type 2 diabetes, emphysema or COPD may well be considerably younger than the magic age of 70 but will be unlikely to have the physical resources to fight any viral disease.

Teateaandmoretea · 15/03/2020 20:04

Big working dogs like ours need daily exercise, runs of several miles which a quick trot around the garden can’t provide

So do people. Lots of people use exercise to overcome mental health issues. Children NEED exercise or they go up the wall. Your post absolutely illustrates the point I'm making 🙄

Teateaandmoretea · 15/03/2020 20:04

They’re not. It’s not either or. Sensible people will walk their dogs at quiet times of day in uncrowded places. I never see a soul on many walks.

Yep and tbf I'll do the same with my children 🤷🏻‍♀️

Random18 · 15/03/2020 20:06

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sex-demographics/

Just because you don't like it an want to use the ageism card, the stats speak for themselves.

Of course people who fall in the categories you mention above are higher risk and need to be protected too but the actual facts don't lie.

Random18 · 15/03/2020 20:07

Tea this is mumsnet. Many of the posters have always hated children, which is pretty strange considering the name but hey ho.

Debbie73 · 15/03/2020 20:14

What’s the alternative ? The grim reality will be pneumonia and death .
Today I’ve just had a big argument with my 79 year old mum about this, she often suffers with lung problems and is insistent she is still going to go everywhere on public transport , and is still going to pick up my son from school .
One word ... Italy , the medical staff look exhausted , there are not enough ventilators and elderly relatives will die if they don’t comply .
They won’t be isolated as long as relatives and carers are healthy they won’t get coronavirus.

Lincolnfield · 15/03/2020 20:15

@Teateaandmoretea I’m really not sure what point you’re arguing here? Nobody is even suggesting that children go into isolation unless they show symptoms of the virus or other flu type symptoms in which case, sadly they’d be too unwell to need or want exercise.

At this current time schools remain open and children are perfectly free to go about their daily lives unhindered. It is the older generation who are being put on notice that we will have to isolate ourselves.

If you want to take your children into isolation that is entirely your decision but it is not currently being proposed.

Fastsazer · 15/03/2020 20:28

Sorry that’s discrimination poor old people need companionship you can’t make them lonely as well as scared that’s wrong show some respect andcompassion

Lincolnfield · 15/03/2020 20:30

@Random18 but looking at the stats you quote to prove your point underlying health issues are the significant feature and, of course are more prevalent in the elderly population but, in the same way you wouldn’t lump together every teenager as a spotty, monosyllabic and temperamental youngster, you cannot lump together a whole generation as bring weak and frail in this way.

In all my years of clinical practice, and the many brilliant surgeons I was privileged to work with, thank goodness, decisions were NEVER made solely on the basis of age but on a much wider set of parameters including the health issues I outlined before.

As for hating children, if that was aimed at me, I’ve got four sons and five grandchildren so If by pointing out that there are no proposed restrictions on children’s freedom of movement that makes me a child hater then so be it. 😂😂

StatisticallyChallenged · 15/03/2020 20:30

That’s a very good point. You’re fine to work until you’re 68, then two years later you’re suddenly frail and elderly. That window’s shockingly small.

Unfortunately the virus doesn't seem to be aware of our recently raised retirement age...

The morbidly obese, the drug users and alcoholics, even the heavy smokers and those with type 2 diabetes, emphysema or COPD may well be considerably younger than the magic age of 70 but will be unlikely to have the physical resources to fight any viral disease.

Haven't seen mention of the first 3, but the self isolation is for the elderly and the vulnerable and the last 3 are all firmly in that category for covid-19. They're going to be asked to isolate too I believe.

Teateaandmoretea · 15/03/2020 20:34

At this current time schools remain open and children are perfectly free to go about their daily lives unhindered. It is the older generation who are being put on notice that we will have to isolate ourselves.

You are totally right but it's likely to change. Point is purely in response to 'my dog can't possibly stay indoors'.... have heard it in real life also.

Alsohuman · 15/03/2020 20:34

Nobody is even suggesting that children go into isolation unless they show symptoms of the virus or other flu type symptoms in which case, sadly they’d be too unwell to need or want exercise

Took the words out of my mouth. Has anyone suggested children are isolated in any circumstance other than being suspected of having the virus? I’ve seen no suggestion they should be quarantined as a precautionary measure.

Muncher75 · 15/03/2020 20:35

Ivykaty44
China has strict restrictions on media and press coverage as does South Korea. I am not suggesting we go down that route at all...however it does make me wonder at the calmer and more transparent way the government and their people have handled it...
media never report on the good stuff they are focussing on the deaths... anyone know how Nadine Dorries is doing ? Of course not... you have to search to find she is doing ok along with her infected elderly mother... it won’t be headlines though that they are recovering...

Christ remember when KFC ran out of chicken .... our country and it’s people just won’t cope
Keep calm and carry on is a thing of our previous generations unfortunately sad times ahead for all

Alsohuman · 15/03/2020 20:36

anyone know how Nadine Dorries is doing ?

She wrote in The Times that she’s recovering well and her 84 year old mother has a very mild case.

Doseydots · 15/03/2020 20:41

Sorry if this had been asked on the thread, I haven’t had time to read it all. But if the over 70s have to self isolate, could fil come and stay with us. I wfh, dh is a community nurse and I have two children in school?

Lincolnfield · 15/03/2020 20:42

@Teateaandmoretea I apologise if that’s how I sounded. My dogs are not townie pet dogs, they are genuine working dogs. My nearest neighbours are sheep farmers and their three dogs are working sheep dogs. Life in the country is very different to that of town people.

Thankfully we have vast open moorland so our self isolation is going to be spent on Kinder Scout or Win Hill! 😂😂

HeIenaDove · 15/03/2020 20:43

Key meter issue

Gaining a bit of momentum

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charlene wedgner
@charlenebooks83**
All sorted
..excellent customer service
@edfenergy**
#coronavirus sending me a loaded key as i wont be able to get to shops. Please advise others with prepayment meters.
Quote Tweet

charlene wedgner
@charlenebooks83**
· Mar 14
Ive messaged @edfenergy** in hope of a solution to top electric up as #selfisolating ...
12:42 PM · Mar 14, 2020·Twitter for Android
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EDF
@edfenergy**
·
Mar 14
Replying to
@charlenebooks83**
Thanks Charlene, this is however a case by case basis and is not guaranteed Thanks, Rachael.
nature
@Natureroots72
·
Mar 14
Clearly it is on a case by case basis as despite being registered disabled, housebound and socially isolated EDF have told me they cannot help or send me with preloaded card and key. "How a society treats its most vulnerable is always the measure of its humanity

Sally Thompson
@sallyannt_
·
19h
@BritishGasHelp
i have a token meter for electric,can only get top up in the post office in my area .if government closes all non essential shops due to coronavirus ie the post office ,where do we get our electric from??
British Gas Help
@BritishGasHelp
·
8h
If you think you’ll run out of emergency credit, contact us to discuss your circumstances and we’ll work with you to find a solution ^Bronwyn

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panic at the everywhere
@brokenoptimist_
I rent a place that has electric and gas key meters for 'topping up' / paying for utilities.
@BritishGasHelp

@SP**_EnergyPeople

@eonenergyuk

Are measure in place that these meters can be overridden and switch to 'pay as you use' accounts, if people are isolated / ill, and run out?
8:17 AM · Mar 15, 2020·Twitter for Android
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ScottishPower Help
@SPEnergyPeople
·
8h
Replying to
@brokenoptimist
Hi! We are still currently assessing the ongoing situation regarding the coronavirus outbreak and all affected customers will be notified when we can confirm what action is to be taken - Gary
panic at the everywhere
@brokenoptimist_
·
5h
Hi, thanks, Gary. As someone who is classed as disabled and considered more vulnerable in relation to being out and about during this pandemic, are you able to reassure me that these key meters can be overridden should that become necessary? Thanks.
ScottishPower Help
@SPEnergyPeople
·
5h
Until we release an official statement regarding the matter, I would not yet be able to confirm this for you unfortunately - Gary
andrew supple BicycleSpouting whale
@loftusroadw12

·
11h
Replying to
@brokenoptimist

@BritishGasHelp
and 2 others
Good question..
panic at the everywhere
@brokenoptimist_
·
11h
It's a worry for sure. A lot of more vulnerable people will have these meters too, for various reasons, I should imagine. I hope there is a way to get round this. What if shops have to close and there's nowhere to top your 'keys' up locally?
andrew supple BicycleSpouting whale
@loftusroadw12
·
11h
Hopefully they are working on it.. I see you've copied British Gas in so no excuse for them not having thought about... Be good if a news outlet picked it up and explored it..
@bbcsoutheast

RoseLillian · 15/03/2020 20:58

My Mum is due to turn 70 next month. We sadly lost my Dad last year to cancer. My Mum is a social butterfly who needs others company for her mental wellbeing. It is hard enough for her having most evenings by herself since we lost my Dad. Me and my sister aren’t local.

She is also super fit. She spends 3 mornings a week in the gym, this involves a gym session, a class and swimming each time she goes. She also walks with friends once or twice a week.

Given she is so fit, has no underlying medical conditions and will have only just turned 70 I really wouldn’t put her in one of the most at risk groups. This advice seems strange to me given that the majority of people who have died in this country have been over 60 AND had underlying medical conditions. I also really fear for the most vulnerable people in our society that they will be left isolated and without help at a time they most need it.

busyhonestchildcarer · 15/03/2020 21:03

This isn't a directive brought in to puss people off.Its to save lives.The government will also start to ban group meetings and so there
won't be social events anyway.The NHS will not cope otherwise.These are essential measures.

Random18 · 15/03/2020 21:06

lincolb no not necessarily you.

There are just so many shouting for schools to be closed. They give the impression that they would rather isolate the children than the elderly.

My biggest concern with that (although I do think it will happen at some point) is that it will be impossible for some families, especially those who financial circumstances are not great, or all our wonderful HCP's who we need more than ever at the moment. My concern is that grandparents will end up looking after the children.

I am worried for the mental health in many children if they are essentially stuck indoors for many months.

That doesn't mean I am not worried about other groups. I am and every single option open to the government is shit
So many people have been calling for an Italy style shutdown, or something similar to Ireland but when it comes to it and its mentioned that over 70s self isolate then everyone is up in arms about how unfair it is.

I really do hope that my parents and Inlaws will get to go for walks. All they surely need to do is keep their distance from others.

I hope that when the schools are off I will be able to take my kids out on their bikes. Or we go to field and play football.

It's not a competition as who's the hardest done by. It's just a completely shit situation and me personally I want as many as possible to get through it, no matter what age they are or state of health.

And purely selfishly I want my kids to be able to see their grandparents again.

Shenandoah9 · 15/03/2020 21:11

While not a fan of Boris's government, I am with him on this. It is true that if an elderly person gets this virus, they are more likely to need hospital care than someone younger. Boris has had to pick an age because if he says anything more vague, such as 'all those older people who are not in good health' for example, everyone will argue that they are in fact in good health despite this condition, or that condition. And he's picked the age of 70, because in general, most over 70s are not working - of course there are exceptions, but he has to pick an age - he could have said 71 I suppose, or 73 and three quarters, but he went for 70. The idea being that if they self-isolate, then they won't get the virus and not so many hospital beds will be needed.

If he keeps those more vulnerable people safe (by asking them to keep themselves safe), then he can keep schools open and the rest of us can take the hit in terms of catching the virus and developing 'herd immunity'. Also, in this country, these days, most women work. Therefore, to close schools, we will have a massive childcare issue. In Spain and Italy, there is a higher percentage of stay-at-home mums who are able to take care of the children while the schools are closed.

Those over 70s who are cross about the suggestion they self-isolate are being selfish in the extreme, knowing that if they do catch the illness, they're more likely to need a hospital bed, thus potentially bringing the poor old NHS to its knees.

This is a good strategy on the part of Boris. It may not work entirely though. My mother has already said she will continue to go out with large sunglasses on, a hat, and a scarf up to her nose so no-one can see she's clearly over 70. She just doesn't understand how selfish that is.