My mum is the Coronavirus version of ‘Karen’

[Kitkatkatnap]

Attempting to convince my elderly gran to not go to one of her weekly clubs but she is refusing as my mum doesn’t think it’s ‘all that bad’.

I pointed out that many, many counties were on lock down and had banned travel, with a likely impact to their economies probably totaling billions, and that they wouldn’t do that unless it was very, very serious.

My gran says my mum says it’s a load of rubbish and those countries are all overreacting. And she knows this because ‘she’s done research on the Google’

Of course- Linda (66), a retired bank clerk from Surrey, knows more about all of this than most of the world leaders and leading scientists because of what she read on the internet

Jesus wept. You have to laugh otherwise you’d cry.

In Italy young purple with a chance of survival couldn't get ventilated because ventilators we all being used on elderly people who had much lower chance of survival. That won't happen here - old people will not be admitted to hospital, they will not be ventilated. My mum is in an at risk group, I've advised her to self isolate immediately. If she catches it chances are she will die.

To be honest, rather enjoying the feisty attitude of that generation on this thread!

No judgement and no advice. I just know I love talking to them, hearing their memories and I will miss them when they are gone.

Bloody autocorrect keeps changing people to purple....

UYScuti that;s the thing- they are not worried either way. God has a plan. And it is the end times after all.

@Peasfox

There is NO PEACEFUL way to go. Death is brutal and shows no mercy.

Some do go to sleep and never wake up! That’s my Grans daily wish and she’s always so jealous when it happens to one of her friends. 😳

“how are you today Gran”

“Still alive. Didn’t die in my sleep unfortunately”

😂

She’s early 90s and had enough of living in her defence! But even she isn’t keen on catching this one.

I thnk I LOVE your gran!

Life goals. I totally wanna be her when I am 90. (even 80 or 70!!!)

I agree death is not always brutal. It can be, but not always. I have had two close family members die in their sleep without being ill before hand, just very old, and another who died while eating vanilla ice cream.

And actually, hamstersarse, some deaths are peaceful - thinking of my FIL and stepfather who both drifted away (I was with them both as they passed).

I agree. I saw my best friend the day before her death and it was very peaceful. I do think you need the correct care and medicine to achieve this though. Which is why I worry about my grandparents catching it if the NHS can’t cope.

A death at home from this is unlikely to be peaceful or well managed.

@Shinycat

She’s great ha ha. What would you like for Christmas Gran? To die but that doesn’t look likely. Oh well hopefully it will be my last.

🤦‍♀️🤣🤣

My local sites are full of over-70s saying “like hell am I staying in my house for weeks on end”.

They are saying that now. They might not in a couple of weeks as the news gets increasingly grim.

I heard a great way of putting this earlier:

"How would you feel Mum / MIL / Gran if your GC / DD / DS was in a car accident and desperately needed an ICU bed but you'd just taken the last one because you refused to miss Bridge...."

My DM is 79 and has a heart condition. According to my DB she still plans to go with them on a few days away to York next weekend. I am going to have to have a chat with her about the implications of this. I know she won't want to be at home for 12 weeks on her own and I actually don't think I could make her stay in. But popping to the shops for a paper and bit of shopping and going to church is a whole lot different to travelling on a train, staying in a hotel then visiting lots of tourist attractions. My DB is a bit pathetic and will let her choose thereby being the 'good cop'. I will be 'bad cop' by disagreeing and telling her what I think. Nothing new there sadly.

As a young person attempting to care for an older person (PILs) its bloody terrifying. Shes only 74, has youngish children and doesnt "feel old". FiL is younger but with multiple health concerns causing poor immunity and lung function. Both have previously had pneumonia.

Im trying hard to be patient but when your facing losing your parents because the advice doesnt feel like it applies to them.

We tried to have a gentle chat about making sure the cupboards are stocked etc, but they feel sure their tesco delivery will arrive fully stocked (they havent even booked one yet) and that the guidelines arent for them.

We are looking at getting married and all of a sudden its hit us that they might not be there, their daughter is pregnant etc and the reality is scary.

I work in the nhs so have lots of harsh realities about age, and while we keep being gentle, its hard to not share that frustration

@MagnoliaJustice I'm pretty sure she can go in her own garden, or does she have a gardener?

Of course you can go in the garden, as long as you’re not hanging over the fence coughing on your neighbour!

I have two family members ( different ages and generations) who yesterday attended communion at churches. One in this country- one abroad

That is very irresponsible on the part of the vicar. The Church of England went out over 10 days ago and recommended that communion should only be given in one kind (individual oblates) and with due attention to hygiene. We had no wine and our vicar made the ritual hand-sanitising part of the service. It is likely they will soon recommend churches shutting if they haven't already.