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.

@GameSetMatch So they have accepted they may die and are flouting the advice, have you established that they are going to refuse precious medical resources to try and save them??? I expect not.

Busy zone 3 suburb today - loads of elderly in costa/nero/waitrose and in the public library.

An elderly women came out of greggs on a mobility scooter, lit up a cigarette and shouted at her friend "Boris can't keep me in for four months - I won't stay in for four days!"

The thing is, a lot of them aren't being affected financially. They aren't on zero-hour contracts or self-employed or at risk of being made redundant and therefore their income is safe so to them life hasn't really changed. In fact they probably think it's wonderful how much easier it is to get a table in a café.

And I think the whole 'well I've had a good life and if I die I die' is a load of old bollocks. Are all these people really intending on isolating themselves at home to die alone pinning a note to the door saying do not treat (let alone resuscitate)? Of course not, they will be phoning 111 like everyone else.

The neighbours I mentioned were worried in case the wife got one of her common chest infections and she said 'I'd have to see a doctor, what else could I do?' I said she'd probably get a phone appointment and I could pick up an antibiotic prescription for her. The worry obviously didn't stop her going to LIDL the next day.

I told my mid 70s mother that I'd not be coming to visit her in hospital when she lands up desperately unwell because covid and 4 hour journeys on a mega bus to meet her sister for lunch don't mix.

She thinks I am ludicrous (we are in 12 week isolation, one of our kids is chronically ill. Just bought a bunch of tomato seeds to entertain the kids and seriously considering chickens - she may have a point) and I think she is ludicrous.

I'm genuinely worried I'll never see her again. But, I'll not be visiting - can't possibly risk bringing it into the house, this isolation is going to be at a cost for my teens and if she makes her choice and I make mine and they don't match up, well, I think that's difficult, but, really, just tough.

Fucking challenging to think about.

*For me - I am dreading old age as being a time when I am less able to take care of myself physically or mentally (due to dementia)

I don't have to self isolate at this stage although I am following guidance and have cancelled a weekend visit to my sister 300 miles away.

The 'sweetener' I would want, in order to persuade me isolation is a good idea to prolong my life now, is for voluntary euthanasia to be legalised.

If I was vulnerable and immune compromised and thoroughly expected my independence to disappear within the next 5 to 10 years, I would prefer to die from CV19 now rather than go into a care home and would take my chances on the street.

Guarantee my right to die with dignity when I choose to do so would persuade me to isolate to prevent imminent death now.

Oh, and should I get CV19 seriously now - let me go, don't waste ICU on me*

This times a million - also mid sixties.

If anyone says it’s time for me, leave me then it’s up to them.

I’m concerned about this war rhetoric, stoic etc, to what end?

Higher death rate
Preparing old people to die in their beds
?

Yep. My dad is on antibiotics for pneumonia and went out yesterday and today has a bathroom fitter coming. I'm pregnant and he keeps asking when I'm coming over. He's 80. I e told him he will die if he catches it.

There is a big difference between late 50's and early 80's by the way.

I think 75 would have been a better age tbh.

mambanumber5 why on earth did you say that? There's a much higher chance that he WON'T die if he catches it.

An 80% chance of it not being fatal in fact

An elderly women came out of greggs on a mobility scooter, lit up a cigarette and shouted at her friend "Boris can't keep me in for four months - I won't stay in for four days!"
I went into town yesterday to sort out some financial stuff (which was really urgent, apparently a lot of international transactions between countries are shutting down/restricted which I did not know). Judging by who was out on the streets, the most vulnerable are the least likely to stay in! It was full of smokers, older people shopping, people on mobility scooters, street living people (homeless) and generally the least fit looking sector of society. Unfortunately all this bravado isn't going to mean much when they are the most dramatically affected disease-wise. And people never do 'just die' these days, they require expensive and staff-intensive treatment. I felt very sad about the whole thing to be honest.

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.

Same here Ilovemy pantry. Not particularly at risk as in good health but being extremely careful because:

1. I don't fancy an unpleasant illness even if lucky enough to get through it unscathed

1. If I get seriously ill I will either take a bed someone else could benefit from, or more likely won't get the treatment I need as they will rightly prioritise someone younger

1. It's up to all of us to halt the spread as effectively as we possibly can

So I have cancelled all clubs, gym, lunches out etc and am staying around the house and garden. I had to do one big supermarket shop but went at a quiet period. DH is playing golf still but keeping his distance from others with no lunch or drinks afterwards. We went on a remote walk yesterday, avoiding others. Also disinfecting anything that comes into the house.

I help at an old people's lunch club, closed for now, and have suggested a rota where all volunteers keep in touch with a couple of the members by phone regularly to try to combat their loneliness a little.

I'm planning yoga every morning, some exercise in the garden each day if weather OK, lots of reading, baking, and jobs like decluttering which I've been putting off for ages. It's going to get boring but we'll get used to it and it needs to be done.

I feel strongly that it's up to us older people to keep our heads down and not add to the huge problems the NHS and other emergency services are having to deal with. We're not risking our lives in the front line; others are doing that for us and we need to appreciate that.

Total lockdown can't come soon enough.

@Springsnake
Plus my mum is very confused in a rest home, saying she would rather die than not see me every day

Oh, that must just be so hard to hear from her. And what a pressure on you. Horrible for you both.
God, the knock-on effects from bloody corona just go on and on

@highlandcoo
Fabulous!

@highlandcoo excellent.
We walked past the golf course today and it was very busy, many grey heads, all very separate from each other.

@highlandcoo

At last! Someone with a bit of sense 👍

not like they are immortal but like if they die then they die 🤷‍♀️ ffs

Boris Johnson's father. Not to be deterred from the pub

Yep Frown this tw@t has a lot to answer for.

My 84 you dad with COPD, CKD4, Diabetes's & more was being very sensible without my even saying anything & he was telling us to be too. He has food & loo rolls etc thanks to listening & getting extras in ahead of Brexshit.

A call from a mate about singing in his pub though & seeing this pillock on TV & DFs mate using BoJo Senior as an example of why DF should go to the pub, off he went to a very packed party, on the day more cases announced in his town 😏

quite the reverse- my mum has been spraying dettol spray at my DD, and said 'get away from me!' and ' you're too close!' she also would not eat a tomato that she'd touched... my DD has a cold.

I can understand people saying the want to live their life and may not have much time left anyway. But unfortunately I agree with others that it is selfish. I wonder if older people who are carrying on as normal have actually realised that they are not just making a choice about their personal risk but putting others at risk too.

There are so many people who are at risk of catching it through their essential work -

healthcare workers
people looking after the kids of healthcare workers
people in food production or distribution
people who collect our trash
people working in power plants
people providing social care
emergency services
so many others

Let's make sure there are enough intensive care beds for them if they need them. If older people get sick they will take up a bed for a long time (much longer than each young person who gets sick) and someone else won't get the treatment they need as a consequence. Or, doctors will be forced to choose who to save and unplug some people - do you want to put them through that?

If you want to decide you will take your chances, that's your decision, but ONLY if you will genuinely refuse hospital treatment when sick.

My mum is a hypochondriac at the best of times so she and her partner are hunkering down, thankfully. It's one less worry on my mind.
What really pissed me off was my elderly neighbour saying she was going on as normal. We live in a block of flats, so obviously have shared areas, shared entrance doors that we have to touch etc. I'm currently pregnant. SHE might not care about getting sick but I do, and if she was to get ill and infect me (unlikely but still), she would probably get priority over me for treatment due to her age and the fact she will likely suffer complications.
I'm working from home and not going out anywhere (other than isolated country walks), what's the point of it all if some people are blithely going on as normal?

if she was to get ill and infect me (unlikely but still), she would probably get priority over me for treatment due to her age and the fact she will likely suffer complications

She wouldn’t get priority over you. Quite the reverse. And anyone in your block of flats could infect you unless they’re all self isolating. I completely get your concern about catching the virus but it’s no excuse for blatant ageism.

A steady stream of customers in the Toby Carvery today.

My Dad says he loves walking and intends to see the Bluebells etc. He did cancel the pub and hairdresser.

I explained that Im not worried about me, but him. And that he isn't bothered think about asthmatic son.

But then we get "They sorted it in China. We won't be like Italy. Boris has a plan"