AIBU to think isolating the elderly is the best option?

[Snowy111]

And if they look after grandkids that needs to stop. Communities (not the elderly) need to work together for childcare pooling.

Let everyone else get the herd immunity while keeping society going. Keeping food in the shops etc.

If not the elderly, then we’ll all end up in lockdown.

If you can’t see this, you do not understand how bad things could get.

I’d hate to be front line NHS right now, for what’s to come. I’d hate to be one who decides who gets one of the 5000 UK ventilators

Lockdown of the over 60s wasn’t mentioned today, but surely it’s the least bad option

Older People are less likely to be paying into the system rather than those of pensionable age so the government does not want to have to support those who are no longer paying in.

I don't see why Older People are being asked to stay at home if the rest of us (symptoms or not) are free to bring it home to an Older Parent with whom we live. It's treating Older People like sitting ducks.

UK last again...It's deadly.

I agree with you OP. In fact I'd go as far to say it's quite selfish NOT to self isolate if you are in an at risk group and don't need to go out for reasons such as work. People who refuse are essentially putting a strain on the nhs by going against medical advice.

Sounds sensible lotsofdogs, I do think everyone needs some fresh air and hope that will still be an option.

Also if this did happen we need to look after the over 60s with shopping etc as required. Hopefully the online retailers will prioritise them, and make it easier to phone up rather than do online for those that can’t do online. At the moment it seems (especially today) everyone is panic buying which isn’t good for anyone

@longearedbat and people are getting heartily sick of lots of "older" (if the term elderly offends you ffs) people saying shit like "they don't care if they get it" OR "it is all hyped up, the war, etc etc" and "Yes, I will isolate , but of course I will still do x, y z"

People and their family will care if someone is desperately ill or dying as they can't breath (horrific death).

Why would an older person who is at greater risk NOT try to take all steps possible to avoid getting it? Such selfishness. The arrogant person who is now seriously ill in hospital and is stopping the care crash victim, the person who has cancer surgery, the premature baby getting the care they need.

Over 60s and state pensions on MN..................they are still young Its not like the old days Why cant they still work

Over 60s and Coronavirus on MN You are old and dont know whats good for you You need to do as you are told

Maybe that should be the cut off. - if you are receiving state pension or a any disability benefits stay at home and self isolate, because you are most likely to be higher risk of needing ICU, and you are more likely to have regular funds

Obvs this is not ideal, and I may be offending even more people now (sorry!) but this is incredibly serious and it’s about the least awful solutions

I have no idea how this is going to work with my uncle. He's 84 and had a hip replacement last month and so is relying on us for help, taking him to appointments etc. He also wants to see us. I really can't see him not seeing anyone for 3 months.

My mum is 69 and still works for the Police, she will not stay in like the old pensioner the Government now want her to be, yet refused to pay her pension to!

Snowy111, DH gets state pension this year as he's 66. I really cannot see him self isolating for 3 months and how would it work anyway as I'd have to go out to get shopping etc (I'm younger)? Surely that would make a mockery of him self isolating.

Pink Everyone has individual situations to manage. Those isolating will need to get shopping or get it online - but you’ll have to stand 2m apart from any other person when you do. If you work you should homework if possible. If you don’t work you should self isolate too to protect yourself and him.

This will come, we’re only a week or so behind Italy and Spain, especially since the decision to only test serious cases

I will be working from home, but we will both be going for walks and one of us will have to take my elderly uncle to some essential appointments. We're resigned that if one of us gets it the other will as we cannot isolate from each other.

I understood it is the over 70s or anyone with an underlying health problem that makes it more likely that they would die from the virus.
I did not hear it referred to all over 60s - but maybe I missed it.
I am already avoiding restaurants, rammed supermarkets and public transport. I am doing it for the sake of my own health being in the vulnerable group. In fact I have been doing it for the last 2 weeks anyway.

I heard over 60s originally, then it changed to over 70s and people on here are saying over 65 so I have no idea!

Tbh I think DH will carry on as normal but take sensible precautions.

Personally I don’t see the harm in going for walks in the fresh air but don’t know what the medical evidence is on this! And not sure how you’d do it if flu lived in a very built up area

My son had an important hospital appt which has been cancelled. I think there will be a lot more cancellations coming

You lived not fly lived

Ffs flu

We're hoping my uncles appointment will be cancelled and he's going to push for it. We live near the river so we'll go for a walk along the towpath. If we see anyone so be it, we're not on full lockdown.

Most people under 65 are still working. It is possibly more practical for over 70s to self isolate particularly as they are likely to have a pension income. People in their early 60s may be at risk but some of them will be NHS staff for example.

I would love to see how they are going to keep everyone over 60 or 70 locked in their houses. What will happen, if they put a toe out the door they will be arrested, will neighbours be reporting them? To who I don't know.

I find it patronising and demeaning. If you phrased your post with an ethnic group in place of 'the elderly' or 'over 60's', you would rightly be pilloried for it

What a load of bollocks, if there was a virus which had worse consequences for Indian people (for example) I would fucking hope everyone would be encouraging total lock down for that group of people. Acting now and limiting contact with the elderly we can limit exposure for the most at risk group. Would rather that and a few get offended than they all get it and die.

If I was in my early 60s I would not want to be front line NHS. I want all NHS workers to be safe, please god.

I would love to see how they are going to keep everyone over 60 or 70 locked in their houses.

I'll tell DH he can only go out under cover of darkness and he'd better sneak out the back gate just in case!

I don’t think they can stop people leaving their houses, but if 90% do that will definitely help. Checks on the doors at churches, bingo, (which might be forced to close anyway?) supermarkets, etc would help enforce it. Makes a change from asking for over 18 ID

It is just fact that some people in their early 60s are working in the frontline NHS. I wouldn't particularly want to be but the retirement age is now 66. I retired from tbe NHS at 63.