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Covid

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

OP posts:
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Userwhatevernumber · 14/03/2020 22:51

Sadly there are a lot of elderly people who have no one, and diliveroo/Uber would be stressful for them on their own to use.

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chomalungma · 14/03/2020 22:52

urely not all elderly have no one

You would be surprised.

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Dinosauratemydaffodils · 14/03/2020 22:54

See the Uber/Deliveroo idea for food. Surely not all elderly have no one? It certainly beats them mingling in supermarkets and cafes picking up infection.

No Uber/Deliveroo for my mum or my inlaws. I'm an only child and I live 2 hours away from my mum. All her neighbours are over 70. We live 1 and half hours away from my inlaws and whilst dh has siblings, we are the closest by quite a bit.

I think there is also a huge difference between a couple and someone on their own. My inlaws would be fine. Massive garden, lots of little projects, each other to talk too. Frustrated sure and would miss their grandkids but I think they'd cope. My mum would be on her own already with mental health issues.

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MirandaWest · 14/03/2020 22:54

My parents are 70 and 71. My ex parents in law are 73. None of them have any underlying health conditions. Nearly every day my ex MIL drives over to see her mother (108) who lives in her own home although with possibly a live in carer. I can’t see any of them feeling they should be quarantined.

I have a friend who is in a vulnerable group. Her mum (pretty sure she’s 70) drives over and helps her a lot.

And that’s just a few over 70s.

I can understand vulnerable people being quarantined but over 70 is not the same as vulnerable. And under 70 is not the same as being fine.

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chomalungma · 14/03/2020 22:54

and diliveroo/Uber would be stressful for them on their own to use

If Cummings is thinking they could just use an app to order one up...then he doesn't understand the reality of some older people's lives.

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Blankscreen · 14/03/2020 22:56

Thing is they don't have to do it. It the best advice to keep them safe. If somebody can't/won't self isolate then they are at a higher risk of catching it.

My parents had decided to do this anyway. We're arranging shopping deliveries for them.

They will still take their dogs out for a walk but just avoid other people.

It might not be perfect or possible for everyone but surely it's worth trying to protect them

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user1471439240 · 14/03/2020 22:56

Non frontline public sector employees will be mobilised to deliver food etc, think Nhs back room staff, receptionists etc. A war effort if you like. The nation pulling together. Elderly people are most at risk they will not be abandoned here.

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TabbyStar · 14/03/2020 22:57

I think there is also a huge difference between a couple and someone on their own. My inlaws would be fine. Massive garden, lots of little projects, each other to talk too. Frustrated sure and would miss their grandkids but I think they'd cope. My mum would be on her own already with mental health issues.

Yes, mine would have been okay before my DM got ill and my DF died. I really don't think some people have any idea about the realities of this, to be fair I probably wouldn't have either until I was actually living it.

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walkingtheway · 14/03/2020 22:57

@artyone. You are lying. This has not happened from any authority.

I'm 58 and my DH is 72. We will take care but if the government expects us to self isolate for 4 months (if that's what it is) whilst everyone else goes on with life as normal it just won't happen.

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chomalungma · 14/03/2020 22:58

e're arranging shopping deliveries for them

Unfortunately, I would imagine that many of the older people who currently rely on shopping deliveries are struggling to get slots because other people have taken them who maybe don't need them as much?

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BeijingBikini · 14/03/2020 22:58

I visit an elderly lady in her 90s and she sees a lot of people - gets a taxi to husband in care home 5x a week, has several generations of family visiting, nurse to take blood pressure, food delivery, builder and me. She already gets quite sad and anxious at having to live apart from her husband, and relies on the social interaction and visits. She would be so miserable if she had to spend 4 weeks/months alone. She'd probably die of loneliness before coronavirus.

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ilovesooty · 14/03/2020 22:58

The nation pulling together

Excuse me while I expire from mirth . Hmm

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wheresmymojo · 14/03/2020 22:59

@Alsohuman

This is the document on managing deaths during a pandemic.

To begin with funerals will simply be pared back - which means limited coffin options due to demand, no cars/hearse, bereaved will go straight to the chapel. Coffin also taken straight to the chapel. A basic/shorter service. Fine.

As deaths ramp up they will look to hold short memorial services at other venues (e.g. the home or place of worship - not at the crem). Fine.

If deaths reach reasonable worst case scenarios they may not have funerals or they may be streamed online or phone.

China, Italy and Iran have all reached the point in their hotspots where they have had to stop holding funerals altogether. This is what happened in the 1918 pandemic too. It is reasonable to expect that during the peak (May-July) we will be in this situation.


www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-funeral-stream-pandemic-uk-nafd-a9383736.html%3famp

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/health/scotlands-funeral-directors-plan-24-hour-cremations-and-funeral-broadcasts-deal-potential-deaths-resulting-coronavirus-2448944%3famp


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/62045/fluumanagingdeathssframework.pdf

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wheresmymojo · 14/03/2020 23:01

I'm 58 and my DH is 72. We will take care but if the government expects us to self isolate for 4 months (if that's what it is) whilst everyone else goes on with life as normal it just won't happen.

I don't understand this - because you think it won't happen to you?

Why would you risk your DH's life like that?

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VividImagination · 14/03/2020 23:02

Dh is 72. We have a teenager. There is no point in Dh self isolating if ds is going to school. We will all need to stay home to make it work.

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Doyoumind · 14/03/2020 23:02

I think it will be extremely challenging for some people but we have to do as much as possible to ensure it can happen and support those who are particularly vulnerable and minimise contact as far as possible for those who can't be alone. If people are too bloody minded to do it when they are capable, that is up to them.

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TedsFederationRep · 14/03/2020 23:03

That's very true, @Llyn, but I've been taking preventative measures and pretty much been self isolating for the last five weeks. I've had no contact whatsoever with anyone who might possibly have the virus.

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Doyoumind · 14/03/2020 23:04

You can isolate as much as possible within the home if you have elderly relatives there. You clean thoroughly and keep your distance as much as possible.

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chomalungma · 14/03/2020 23:04

There is no point in Dh self isolating if ds is going to school. We will all need to stay home to make it work

It could reduce your chances of exposure though.

I am doing stuff that I need to do, but not doing extra stuff though.

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user1471439240 · 14/03/2020 23:04

The vulnerability is vulnerable to not being ventilated if capacity runs out. It is a harsh reality that younger people will be prioritised. As seen in Italy.

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Alsohuman · 14/03/2020 23:05

Why would you risk your DH's life like that?

She’s not. You don’t suddenly become decrepit on your 70th birthday.

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MirandaWest · 14/03/2020 23:05

If Donald Trump were in this country then he would need to self isolate for 4 months.

Somehow I can’t see that would happen.

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wheresmymojo · 14/03/2020 23:06

@Alsohuman

"reported case fatality proportion was 49%. In a report from one hospital, 61.5% of critically ill patients with COVID-19 had died by day 28 of ICU admission. [9,15]"


https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-management-patients.html

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walkingtheway · 14/03/2020 23:06

Of course I think it could happen to us. But we all have to balance risk in life.

My mum went out one day to buy groceries. A car mounted the pavement as she took money out of the cash machine to pay for them. She suffered horrific injuries and died 4 weeks later. I am acutely aware of how fragile life is.

I think the government either should do what they've done in Italy or Spain and restrict movement for all or do nothing. Not make life different for older people.

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Alsohuman · 14/03/2020 23:08

reported case fatality proportion was 49%. In a report from one hospital, 61.5% of critically ill patients with COVID-19 had died by day 28 of ICU admission. [9,15]"

By 28 days, how many died long before that?

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