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.

Overheard an elderly woman in the chemist say to her friend 'no virus will stop me from going out.'

I wonder if it's bravado covering fear? Fear of social isolation and loneliness. For some people a trip to the shops is the only time they see or speak to anyone at all. .

Or maybe just selfishness. Who knows? Unfortunately the result is the same and more are put at risk.

@Alsohuman How is it ageism? The over 70s have been specifically told to social distance/self isolate. They're the group most likely to need hospital care if they get he virus. That's not ageism, it's facts, which a lot of them are choosing to ignore. Yes, anyone in my block could infect me but this particular neighbour was the one saying she's carrying on as normal, I'd hope the others are being more sensible.
And no I wouldn't get priority, there are lots of pregnant women who have suspected coronavirus but aren't being tested and are being left to their own devices at home.

This thread is both chilling and so frustrating. I think if everyone posting here reports back in 4-6 weeks time you'll be reporting a lot of deaths sadly. People in Italy are posting on social media to say please stay in, don't underestimate this like we did.

I can well understand people don't get what's ahead and think dying is better than isolation but it's so horribly selfish when their actions now are going to put medics in impossible situations. I could cry thinking about it.

I had an uncomfortable phone conversation with a younger family member earlier. Due to DP's underlying health issues and age, we're already distancing ourselves from friends and family. This other family member has kids at school, works in a high risk job and a partner who is merrily going about his normal routine, gym, pub etc. She was rhyming off all the people they would still be visiting, while everyone was healthy. When I pointed out that having CV was transmittable before symptoms were obvious and that some of those she mentioned where either high risk, elderly or both she seemed quite miffed, like we we're trying to curtail her social life. We won't be putting mine or DP's health at risk any more than is absolutely necessary. Someone popping in for a gab and a cuppa is not necessary.

@Overthinker1988, it’s ageism because you’re singling her out in your fear of getting infected when realistically any of your neighbours could pass on the virus. Older people have been recommended to be more careful for their benefit, not yours.

The priority for treatment is initially based on need, if someone has it mildly they don’t need treatment, if they’re very sick they’re prioritised. If both you and your elderly neighbour both needed a ventilator and there was only one, you’d get it and she’d get palliative care.

My very elderly mother who has serious heart and lung issues was still getting the bus till yesterday and doing everything as normal.

Some older people are very stubborn and seem to follow the "Keep calm and carry on" motto. It's extremely frustrating.

PS .. in London

I also find that members of my mother's generation will not seek medical help either.

DM had a fall last week and her wrist is still hurting but won't go to the doctor because she doesn't want to waste his time.

I fear she will catch this virus and die alone at home because she wouldn't want to be a bother

I fear she will catch this virus and die alone at home because she wouldn't want to be a bother

Or she might make a full recovery, like 85% of over 80s.

Yes I shared a FB post with my parents from someone in Spain, about the situation there, it was horrendous but all I got in response was "Too much rubbish on social media. Do yourself a favour and stop reading that trash".

So I either get comments like that, or they ignore it.

Yes, mine are the same.
I think I might be getting through to them a little but it's hard going.

@Alsohuman Are you actually serious? There's a pandemic going on, people are dying and you're there splitting hairs about ageism. NOBODY should be going to public places unless essential, regardless of age. The only reason I mentioned my neighbour is because this is a thread about the elderly ignoring advice and she falls into that category. I bloody well know I can get it from anyone.
Honestly, the sooner a lockdown gets enforced the better, like in other countries. There are just too many stupid people (of ALL ages, before anyone else jumps on me).

I went for a drive with DD today and the town centre was full of people in the 70+ age bracket standing round in groups chatting!!
At the traffic lights I could see in the window of a busy cafe again, in the 70+ bracket.
I despair.

Yes @Overthinker1988, I am serious. You really need to calm down, your blood pressure must be way up and that’s not good for you or your baby. I hope all goes well for you.

My MIL seems to think she us completely exempt from this too. Mid 70's. I work on the front line in the NHS. I'm involved in trying to manage this immense struggle we are facing. Her attitude of 'I've had a good life.. and I wont even get a ventilator anyway ' - attitude almost makes me want to cry with frustration. This is the age group most likely to need a hospital bed. Bed we are going to be desperately short of. If we can cut the numbers in any way possible we should do so. But no, she still insists volunteering, meeting up for lunch with friends and 'games nights'.

Yep, my Dad, in his 70s, he had a heart bypass in April and has had complications since, I've just rung the house and he's not answered, probably because he's out - again

Mine have taken it much more seriously in the last two days. They are at home. They go for short rural walks. They have not been to the shops. I’ve let them know about phoning in for supermarket orders. They know church is cancelled and their social activities are cancelled. They are making arrangements to phone friends regularly instead. They have read the new government advice.

I spoke to my 76 year old Aunt earlier to check she was isolating herself. 'Why would I be?' she asked, as if she'd never even heard of the virus. I explained the government etc. said she absolutely needed to self isolate - I got a rant about it all being hysteria, they don't have it in their village it's just cities with foreigners about and - best of all - 'It's not like it's airborne, is it?' . I asked if she'd actually been watching the news. 'No, I never watch it, it's too depressing'.

I'm early 60s, DH early 70s, both fit and healthy but I also have "underlying health conditions"
and we have stocked up and have been social self isolating for a couple of weeks. Now isolating completely, as per Govt instructions.

I'm astonished at the selfishness of some of my peers

There was an article in the Guardian at the weekend about this and giving advice about how to get the message across. Luckily all of ours seem to be being sensible

@Alsohuman Run along.

I despair I really do.
My octogenarian parents with underlying health conditions have refused to see us since we came back skiing from Austria at feb half term as I had a cough. So I assumed they were taking the self isolation bit quite seriously as DM used to be a doctor. I have volunteered to get an online delivery for them and then as they thought they'd be ok for a bit , I managed to locate a kind person through FB to get things for them as they live an hour away and DH and I now have possible symptoms so are self isolating.

All good having a chat with DM about arranging a milk delivery and she says she is planning to get the bus into town because it's only oldies that get the bus so that will be fine won't it. I feel like a grinch explaining that it's not just the under 70s that are potential carriers.

There was a really nice interview on Worldwide radio service with an older person who said she felt strong, lucky with loved ones and fine about self isolation with tips. Get into something you enjoy. Nice to hear the opposite to the faux war rhetoric of ignoring the instruction.

One of my friends who is being sensible - both she and her husband have health conditions - has just been told by her HR department to go back to work, after staying home today.

God why Also poor woman. Is she in the flu jab group?

She should say no and link govt instruction.