I’m just angry now

[BathFullOfEels]

They knew a vaccine would be the only way of getting us out of this mess. The country has already been locked down twice. Why, why, why didn’t they use this time to set up the logistics of distributing and administering these vaccines?

Why, why, why are the government allowed to decide who to prioritise to receive these vaccines when they were always going to distribute in a way that benefits them. Surely any government with an ounce of realism would be self aware enough to realise that they would make this vaccine distribution a political decision and instead allow the decision to be made by an independent third party who can distribute it in a way that would allow the country to get back to work. Instead it’s likely that months and months down the line we’ll all be forced to go back to work despite still be unprotected.

I have visions of pensioners being able to swan off on holiday over the summer while the workers of the country will still be unable to.

It’s an absolute fucking farce. Watching that press conference last night just finally made it snap for me - they genuinely don’t know what they’re doing at all

Was saying this earlier OP! This government and most probably Labour are just causing a major s*^tshow! Just need a panel of mums to organise this and it will make a lot more sense!!

I am hoping some of the posters on this thread are drunk or trolls.

It is still the case that 89% of deaths ate in the top priority groups.

Yes sometimes younger people need oxygen but that can be the case with the flu as well. The vaccine needs to go to those in genuine risk. Not a load of people worried they are at risk.

NHS and carers need it because of viral load and staff shortages.

Eventually teachers will probably have to make the list. Mostly to convince them back to work. Which is interesting as if they are vaccinated but can still transmit the virus. Do we have to vaccinate their whole family? Else their partners or childrens are still at risk apparently.

A lot of it depends on research into whether you can still transmit after you have the vaccine.

Most of us over 60s have always paid our taxes and continue to do so. Pensions are not tax free. DH and I worked in the nhs all our careers, always paid PAYE, always volunteered for various charities. Borh of us saved many, many lives in our careers. I retired and was immediately hit by serious illness. If I get covid I will probably not survive. I am still patiently waiting my turn and hoping that by vaccinating the elderly and most vulnerable, the nhs will not collapse.

@MrsBadcrumble123

Was saying this earlier OP! This government and most probably Labour are just causing a major s*^tshow! Just need a panel of mums to organise this and it will make a lot more sense!!

Reading this thread shows exactly why this was left to government scientists to make this decision and not ‘a panel of mums’. The people most likely to get very ill and therefore put pressure on the nhs causing lockdowns and death are being vaccinated first. Once that is done the rest of us can start to get on with our lives.

Please learn to look at the bigger picture.

I query the generational equality question

The people in their 70s and 80s grew up in the 40s and 50s under rationing

They ( average) didn't buy their house until they were in their 30s or older and married. Coped with inflation and mortgage interest payments if 15%. In their 20s they didn't ever hope to buy a house,

When people talk about the wealth of that generation they compare what they have now after years of work with what a younger person has at the start off their life.., which is generally a lot more than those older people started out with

I don't like people trying to stir up divisions. We are all one society. We took from those older people to pay for our education whilst they paid the pensions and healthcare of the previous generation

There is time for things to get better and things will

Can I just remind you

They're paying wages for the furloughed
Boris Johnson HAD the virus and was in intensive care so he knows first hand how bad that virus is
Kids can adapt and make up for lost time, pensioners can't

Stop being ungrateful and selfish and learn to appreciate. You're alive, aren't you. We will get our vaccine when it's our turn. In the meantime, sit down, shut up and be grateful for you life

@nannawend well said. I am 40 but I totally agree with you.

The pensioners who will be able to swan off are also the erstwhile workers who have paid a lifetime of taxes and whose parents fought in the war so that all the younger generation today could have all they have today. Most moderately healthy under 50s can fight the disease adequately enough but older people's immune systems are not so strong. Therefore the old fossils get the vaccine first because it's much more likely they'll die of covid. It's the one and only time the government have shown any concern for old buggers: allow us to enjoy it.

@Icequeen01

I disagree. I work in a residential SEN school which is fully open. We have cases of COVID currently. I am my 81 year old mum's support bubble. I cannot support her properly whilst I am working due to the risk to her from me. I need her to have this vaccine (and she has been fortunate enough to have already had her first and her second is going ahead on Saturday). This is a game changer for us. I will be able to take her to hospital appts etc and sit in her lounge and have a cup of tea with her so she has some form of social interaction without worrying I could kill her.

This could be my status. I also work with SEN who can't wear masks or socially distance. I can't wait for mum to have the vaccine so I can finally see her even if it is a walk

This is madness, why would you give first doses of vaccine to fit and healthy people that would most probably recover from Covid absolutely fine and leave more vulnerable people with underlying health issues to catch it and overwhelm the NHS, seems to me the OP is more sore about possibly missing a holiday while the OAP’s can what was it “swan off” damn bloody right they should be able to swan off, they’ve done their time, they’ve worked and paid their taxes and should be able to enjoy their retirement before they pop off this mortal coil. So yes give the vaccines to the grandparents of the world because I for one would like my kids to keep theirs. Everyone pissing and moaning about their kid having to homeschool for a bit is actually starting to grind. No it’s not ideal but kids are resilient and I think they’ll manage.

If you vaccinate workers you have to vaccinate kids as most are working parents of school age children. Even if they are not they are working with 18- 25 yr olds who would also need to be vaccinated for it to have any effect.
The call to vaccinate teachers now is a moot point as they still have to spend the majority of the day with children who won't be vaccinated. Vaccinating the elderly, vulnerable and NHS staff makes sense as it reduces transmission/admissions in a hospital setting. Its the only reason we have such a tight lockdown now so at least that would take the pressure off, workers would be able to return to the office and kids to schools. Masks and SD are here until the end of the year at least but at least those south of 60 needn't worry about hospital access.

How the hell did you think Boris and his cronies ever knew what they were doing?

They are the ultimate self interested chancers. I never cease to wonder how their voters couldn’t see it????!!!!!!

Completely agree with this!
Moan moan moan it never bloody ends!

@Flaxmeadow

The hatred towards elderly people on here is mind blowing

Indeed!

they will jab the patients as the vaccine doesn't prevent spread, the only claims are that you 'should' get a milder dose if come into contact.

Scottisy - What a lovely person you are xx

On the news yesterday there was a nurse saying all the patients in ICU were young people under 40.
So vaccinating the elderly isn't necessary going to help reduce pressure on the NHS.
I think all key workers should be getting the vaccine first but everyone seems to be a key worker so how would it work?
Whatever system the government used people would moan so they couldn't win anyway.

Hopsalong your post is one of the most disgusting I've ever read on Mumsnet.

The ageism on this thread is utterly abhorrent.

Nobody is going to be swanning off on holidays, least of all pensioners until most of us had the vaccine, in other words until we have reached herd immunity.

I had my vaccine yesterday being a front line NHS worker but still have to wear PPE, social distance etc as I can still pass it on if I get it.

People who at most risk of dying or being hospitalised from Covid should absolutely be first in the queue, its a no brainer. Then vital front line workers, everyone else will just have to wait their turn.

@Rosebel

On the news yesterday there was a nurse saying all the patients in ICU were young people under 40. So vaccinating the elderly isn't necessary going to help reduce pressure on the NHS. I think all key workers should be getting the vaccine first but everyone seems to be a key worker so how would it work? Whatever system the government used people would moan so they couldn't win anyway.

Have you considered that this may be related to the fact that, as more and more people end up in hospital, they have to prioritise ICU spaces based on who is most likely to be able to be saved. The elderly and CEV who are being left to die instead of being out on a ventilator. This is why they need to be prioritised over young and healthy people for a vaccine.

I agree, more or less, with the vaccine order. And I say that as someone who is under 50 and pretty low down the vaccine list. I do think though that the government should be working to shut what they can. For example, criminal lawyers are being forced to go to in person court hearings. It feels very unsafe and seemingly no effort being made to move hearings online in some courts. Courts often dont feel that sanitary at the best of times-if the government are forcing me to attend (for work I should add!) I'd bloody well like to know when I can get a vaccine!

There’s a film, made ages ago. Where society did away with everyone over a certain age, that’s it’s you 30 years old now die! Perhaps OP you would sanction this? .. no I didn’t think so! I am 65, my mother died at age 69, father 71. I am still healthy at the mo and would really like to get to enjoy what few years I might have left, if that’s ok to you. So If I get to swan off on my cruise in July, don’t be resentful. Just remember anger and jealousy will eat you up and cause illness for which there might not be a vaccination for!

@hopsalong, I read your post (at 19.52) with great interest and I think you make very valuable points. We definitely need to allocate resources more fairly in future.

I am appalled by the way in which children and young adults have been sidelined throughout the crisis. Lockdown was contrary to their needs, and they will need enormous support to recover the opportunities which they have lost.