Elderly parents and extended lockdown

[Speedqueen2]

My parents are 82, very active and social and have struggled with the lockdown but with us kids nagging them over and over again they have stuck to it, got neighbour to get their shopping etc. When Chris Witty suggested that people over 70 might have to continue to self isolate for another year or so, or until they vaccine, my Dad said bugger that, and my Mum (who's in remission from cancer) said she's not going to spend what could anyway be her precious last few years, sitting at home bored out of her mind. I have to say I totally agree. They can be 'advised' to stay at home but I don't think they should be forced to. Does anyone else have older parents kicking off?

My dad is a very healthy 76 year old who lives for walking and the countryside.

His wife (60) isn't at risk or shielding, but is so petrified of catching the virus herself (not for him) that neither of them go out.
He is not worried, but stays in.

It's so sad. When we met just before lockdown, we met in separate cars and went for a walk, 2m apart in a park.

He told me then he'd still be going out as he loves to walk in the Bluebells in Spring. I'm in do doubt that he would have gone about his days as 'normal'.

Even if lockdown is lifted I don't know when he'll see me or the kids again.

Just before lockdown my mother moved 200 miles away too, leaving her home here in the hands of a friend, and I haven't seen her since February.

She wants to see us but is worried about leaving her current area, which has the lowest risk in the country and returning to our area, which has the highest risk.

I miss them both so much.

I agree with him. Quality of life is what matters when you don't have a huge amount of time left anyway. I think the statistics were 18% of over 80s who catch the virus die, but those were rates from Italy in the early days. We should have more data now. If that is the rate, I'd take my chances.
All we can do is advise elderly loved ones to take the correct dose of vitamin D, K2, a multivitamin, get sunshine, eat nutritious food and stay as fit as possible. Hugs and laughs keep people going.

As ever it's all very well talking about taking your chances

Unfortunately, your chances affect everyone you might come in contact with

Meaning that others peoples choices are restricted to either a longer lockdown which many can't afford or taking significantly higher risks than they would have to take if everyone had just buckled down in the first case

My parents are staying in as long as cafes are shut. They like to do day trips and go to nice coffees. When they are not open they are ok staying home. Not sure what they will do when they open.