Anyone else's Parents swanning about as if they are immortal?

[Namechange2020onceagain]

Just had a chat with my Mum, she then asked if I want anything from B&Q as they are popping in there tomorrow! This is after they went shopping to Sainsburys this morning and then said they are going again on Friday.

I have said I will get any shopping they need, but they keep going out.

FFS they are both over 70 and my Dad will die if he gets the virus. They are not taking it seriously at all.

My parents are isolating themselves by packing a couple of rucksacks and walking in the hills!

They are still sprightly - dad isn't actually retired yet but both have illnesses that are on the list.
My sister has organised some Tesco online shops over the next couple of months ( let's hope they are still on). Dad says they are going to revamp the garden and re point the front of the cottage!

IamHyouweegobshite my DP is a liability too. He travels on public transport, works in multiple locations with various different people. They are mainly self-employed and can’t work at home. Last night they all had a “meeting” at the pub (Hmmm, just a coincidence that it was at Patrick’s day?? I think not 🤔). Needless to say he rolled in steaming drunk, didn't wash hands etc then proceeded to start coughing away without even trying to cover his mouth. I told him he shouldn’t go to work if he’s coughing but he’s gone anyway.

We’d planned that once schools shut he’d prob stop work but I think schools, public buildings, unnecessary shops etc etc do need to shut for people to take this seriously.

I’m having the same problem with my adult children ,20 and 22 ,one is a police officer,so because she has to go to work ,she thinks she can carry on as normal ,with shops and gym .
The other is still off every night to pubs and clubs .
What is the point of me staying home trying not to mix when my kids don’t give a shit
Plus my mum is very confused in a rest home ,saying she would rather die than not see me every day .😢

@NotWorried51
You may be university educated but you’re obviously not very smart are you?

This pandemic (yes, pandemic) is not like any other disease or virus we’ve had previously. It’s not a bit of snow on the car.
You are being extremely selfish and stupid by having this “I don’t care” attitude. You might not be worried about catching the virus but what about the people you could potentially infect if you did have it. How about thinking of others instead of just yourself.

Your only saving grace is that you say you won’t accept intensive care treatment if you succumb and that you are not stockpiling.

I’m in my early 60s and I’m taking all the advice very seriously. I’m limiting my contact with people outside the home and have asked my DD to cancel the booking for Mother’s Day lunch at a restaurant.

We ALL need to do our bit to get through this crisis.

On channel 4 news they had a 94 year old woman refusing to stay in the house. They called her "formidable" and were implicitly linking her refusal to stay in to the gutsy spirit that she showed during the war. It was infuriating because this situation is completely different. In this situation, you can literally become "the enemy" spreading the illness without even knowing it. And the vast majority of people who are refusing to make any compromise weren't around in the war anyway

That is so irresponsible and makes me cross they resorted to the war rhetoric

Yup my DM the same. She insists on going to Church everyday as she enjoys the social interaction with her friends there. Also has she has MH issues, she believes she HAS to go to the shops everyday for food as there are 'people' stealing or contaminating any supplies she keeps at home. She also doesn't trust anyone to get her shopping for her. I despair

And honestly what were they thinking let’s kill more old people off

My parents are just acting normal, they’ve said if they are going to die they don’t want there last few weeks being locked away, my PIL are self isolating they are great at following orders, tell them what to do and they just comply.

I kind of get where my parents are coming from but it’s not what I want them to do.

On channel 4 news they had a 94 year old woman refusing to stay in the house. They called her "formidable"
Exactly. Irresponsible reporting that will exacerbate the problem. I’m surprised at C4.

*actually, it might not have been "formidable" but "indomitable". Either way, it seemed to be praising her actions.

I have found my people. My DPs are in their 70s. One post-heart attack, one with incurable lung cancer. They are avoiding crowds and pouting about cancelling meals out this week. But DM won’t be staying home for 12 weeks, oh no, and nobody will be keeping her from her grandchildren. So DSis and I will be the bad guys, and DP, when we refuse to meet up....

If they don’t want us to far out strip the death rate of other countries then they should focus on Doris who is being stoical staying in.

I've just spoken to a couple in the seventies who are off to the tip and then Sainsburys - despite me offering to take the tip stuff and other neighbour to do the shopping. We're not in any high risk groups, they said. Apart from being over 70, she's asthmatic and he's got cancer. Jeez they are intelligent people and still don't think it applies to them.

I reckon a big factor is that because they (usually) no longer work there has been no major change to their day-to-day life in a lot of cases.

It's been a lot more in your face for people who are now having to work from home.

Oh, and I do get it to a degree - if you have incurable cancer, life is for living, etc - but I don’t particularly want to watch or imagine anyone dying of pneumonia and nor do I want anyone bringing it into my house.

I’m in my early 60s and I’m taking all the advice very seriously. I’m limiting my contact with people outside the home and have asked my DD to cancel the booking for Mother’s Day lunch at a restaurant

Do you have any health issues? Because social distancing is what we should all be doing but you are not in a vulnerable group.

My parents are self isolating one has heart failure, the other has untreatable lung cancer, bless them. PILS on the other hand couldn’t GAF and one of them has terminal cancer also. I’m sure they will expect to be resuscitated/ventilated and it will come as a shock when they are told NO! All four are university educated and retired.

Mine were (one with Parkinson’s and one with dodgy lungs) but all their events have been cancelled
They are very upset that I don’t want them to “pop in for a cuppa” tomorrow when they are visiting the hospital near me for a non urgent appointment

Yep - 2 years ago we were told to say our goodbyes to my dad, he was in intensive care with pneumonia, sepsis, liver damage and a massive heart attack. Amazingly he pulled through, but he's now merrily bimbling about the place and still going to the pub and shops like there's no risk at all. So frustrating and worrying.

My DP are taking it very seriously. MIL on the other hand has questioned whether the advice for older people applies to her as she 'doesn't look 70'. We had quite a hard time yesterday persuading her that we would not be taking her out for lunch on Mother's day as planned- her interpretation of the situation is that social distancing etc does not have to start until Monday! I'd usually say it's up to her what she does- at her age if she wants to take a risk with her health that's her business- but the knock on effect on the NHS if everyone did the same is a real worry

Amazingly he pulled through, but he's now merrily bimbling about the place and still going to the pub and shops like there's no risk at all. So frustrating and worrying

What a great way to show his gratitude to all athose who did everything possible to save him.

@jollygoose

Do you not understand that the most useful thing you could do right now is follow the advice to self isolate and help flatten the curve? You’re being entirely selfish to continue on as if there was nothing to worry about. You are being ‘needy’ - your need to retain your independence will hurt others.

Now right now there’s no legal requirement for you to follow advice. So you do you. But please don’t dress it up as a selfless act because you don’t want to put a burden on your family.

@Tonyaster

No, thankfully I don’t have any health issues particularly apart from a bit of arthritis.

However, I think everyone is at risk, not just older people so I’m just being sensible and social distancing. I think we all need to do our bit to try and keep everyone safe.

fluffyrice your post did make me laugh. My DPs are also of the opinion that the rules ‘haven’t started yet’. I’m not sure what they are expecting....some great big gong that signals the start of it?!