Over 70s to self isolate

[Dodie66]

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

[definitelygc]

Did all these older people that are refusing to follow advice "live through the war" by turning on all the lights during a blackout? Because that is the equivalent.

To be fair I remember my nan saying they only slept in the air raid shelter for one night because it was cold and damp so they spent the rest of the Blitz in their beds. And they lived next to the arsenal! I think it's human nature to take risks and assume it won't happen to you. Apparently my parents have changed their tune having watched footage of a Spanish hospital on the news last night.

[MarshaBradyo]

Anyway the point was a nice one help out but you’re too chippy to see it.

[MarshaBradyo]

And in answer to your question you are so someone who is working and not separating because you are under 70.

[tryingtoprep]

elderly people refusing to follow advice

Perhaps it's because they've seen WHO and other medical experts worldwide speak of risks to all - and where risk increases with age, it starts much younger than 70. The over 70s are probably confused. Why only over 70s being told to stay in when all the many other at risk people aren't. They probably think the risk to everyone is low in the UK, otherwise we'd be in lockdown like elsewhere. Unfortunately we're not only at risk here but likely huger risk than all the countries taking proactive measures. Re WW2 they would mostly have been children during the war. Those old enough to have been adults are a minority.

[Lincolnfield]

@MarshaBradyo but my husband is over seventy so does that negate my skills?

I’m not singling you out honestly. Just sad that so many people on here are so vicious about older people which is cruel and tbh quite shocking.

[MarshaBradyo]

And I’m not trying to be vicious I just want people to follow the advice.

And if people go on about young nit being resilient they may be told no and get a few words back.

Hell I want to stay home for the next four months.

[HeIenaDove]

@Bool As you care so much about the over 70s i look forward to seeing your posts on my key meters thread a. being as how 23% of pensioners in the UK live in social housing and a fair proportion of those are on key meters, which need topping up at paypoints found in shops.
b. the electric companies dont seem to have anything in place and want to play it by ear. Not good enough

Yep we are "all in this together" yet again

[Latteaday123]

I would go as far as to say that over 70s refusing to do what has been advised is selfish. These are the very people who are at risk. The risk goes down in 80s presumably as they don't go out as much or are already dead.Of course people in their 70's want to continue their social lives and routines. But to what cost? Think about the crammed hospitals and the doctors and nurses who are all pulled to their aid. What happens then if e.g there is a car crash? Someone goes into labour and there is a complication with the baby? Will there be enough resources then to deal with that? I know it sounds awful but I'm not afraid to say it. Protect yourself and OTHERS!!!!!!!

[tryingtoprep]

@Latteaday123 by your argument we all (not just over 70s) should practice social distancing. Like you say we need to protect ourselves and others, and considering many of the higher risk people are well under 70 that means following suit of the rest of the world in implementing lockdown for all.

[Alsohuman]

So now we have advice that we should all be social distancing and nobody should go to pubs, clubs or theatres. Perhaps the abhorrent ageism on this thread will stop now.

[MarshaBradyo]

It goes further for people who usually get the flu jab

such as:

anyone aged 65 and over
pregnant women
children and adults with an underlying health condition (such as long-term heart or respiratory disease)
children and adults with weakened immune systems

To self isolate for 12 weeks

But look it up as I cannot find a summary of the conference online

[Angryrant55]

YouGov -'61% of Britons support the decision to ask over 70s to self-isolate for up to four months. Support is weakest among those aged 65+ (47%), with a comfortable majority of all other ages groups backing the call.'

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Marshbraydo I can't find it either but I think that bit was going to come next, probably by the end of the week

[cadburyegg]

The advice is not for over 70s to stay at home for 12 weeks - the over 70s should be especially careful not to go to places like pubs and restaurants. This is the advice for everyone, but over 70s in particular should take heed.

[MarshaBradyo]

It was very confusing but there’s probably more to come

[thatmustbenigelwiththebrie]

Not read all the thread (sorry!) but surely over 70s can make their own minds up if they self isolate or not. It's their life, they have the facts, it's up to them.

[Alsohuman]

surely over 70s can make their own minds up if they self isolate or not. It's their life, they have the facts, it's up to them

You’d think, wouldn’t you? MN thinks you lose all cognitive reasoning on your 70th birthday, though.

[Derbygerbil]

It's their life, they have the facts, it's up to them.

But it’s not just about them and their lives... By disregarding advice they are unnecessarily placing themselves at risk of needing scarce medical resources. If they all did that, many, many more will die.

[MarshaBradyo]

We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.
This group includes those who are:

aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):

[MarshaBradyo]

Official guidance here older people and vulnerable people

[MarshaBradyo]

No it’s not up to them hence govt instruction.

[definitelygc]

It's their life, they have the facts, it's up to them.

What an incredibly selfish thing to say. Unless you're happy to get seriously ill and seek no medical treatment whatsoever then it's not just your life. What about the medical staff who are risking their lives treating people with the illness? Who are working 18 hour shifts?

I'm self-isolating so I can still go round to my parents and help them out (and stop them from killing each other). I know not everyone has the luxury of doing this but if you can work from home and don't have kids to look after then staying indoors is not exactly the biggest sacrifice in the world.

[Bool]

Can you imagine this the other way round. There is a new virus that disproportionately affects children. Around 10-15% of them will die if they get it. And if they all get it and need hospital treatment then the system is going to be overwhelmed so some of their parents and grandparents wouldn’t be able to be treated. What would we do? What would we say to the kids who stamped their feet? The child who says but I love going out and about. I love going to school and being with my friends.....I don’t want to be protected. What would we say to them? Would we be accused of not liking children or respecting them? Because we didn’t give them the choice?

[Alsohuman]

People over 70 don’t have undeveloped brains and cognitive function.

[definitelygc]

I just don't understand it though. If I knew I had a 10-15% chance of dying by catching a virus that is currently at pandemic levels then I'd be battening down the hatches (I already have for the sake of my parents). I've had pneumonia before and the feeling of not being able to breathe is the scariest thing I've ever experienced. I never want that to happen to me again, especially if I knew I might not even get to see a doctor.