I understand that many people won't be pleased with prospect of a period of isolation but it does make sense to me as an alternative to closing down the whole country (yet). If/when we do that, the vulnerable will be even more isolated.
I live in a little row of 1960s built houses. All the other residents moved in to the new builds when their DC were small, ie they're in their 80s now. Plus my parents in their 70s live round the corner.
My parents had seen this coming and during the week have been stocking up on library books and gardening supplies to keep themselves occupied. My mum particularly will find this very difficult. She has always, since we were children, believed that "getting out" everyday is the right thing to do for our mental and physical health.
I'll be at work but 19yo DS has this week on leave. He works in catering and their shifts have been slashed due to lack of customers. I expect lots of people far more reliant on their wage than DS are suffering the same.
So, what does protecting the vulnerable look like? Is it removing themselves from busy places or restricting all contact with the outside world?. Can DS go for a cuppa with his gran, provided he's well and they all take sensible hygiene precautions? What about taking them out for a walk in the woods? Can they still play golf? (Outdoors no close contact?) Should we be putting notes through the neighbours doors? Saying what?
I've got some ideas but wondered what others think. We know the neighbours to say a breezy good morning and chat about the weather but not well, I do t want to frighten anyone by being too much. One couple and four widows/widowers all pretty active considering their advanced age.
If it were for a week, I'd say just get on with it but it seems this is going to be much longer than that. It might save lives from the virus but I expect it will cost them in numerous other ways, but that would be the case whether we just try to protect the vulnerable or do some sort of wider shutdown.