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Original poster

Older people booking holidays

289 replies

Doffodils · 15/01/2021 13:26

I've been away from MN for a few days so apologies if this was done.

Following the news that the vaccination programme is in full swing, apparently travel companies have had a rush of older people booking holidays for this summer.

We're being told that behaviour will need to carry on with social distancing, restricting travel etc despite some people having the vaccine.

Young people have been disproportionately affected by the restrictions and been reminded often of their duty to protect the more vulnerable, but apparently those vulnerable people aren't going to give a second thought for the youngsters once they've had the vaccine.

Is this a common view among the, say, 60+ people you know?

Or is it OK, or even good, that some people can start getting back to normal/supporting the economy etc?

How will this kind of 2 tier society operate?

OP posts:
kittylion2 · 15/01/2021 16:32

Normally I hate the casual ageism you can see sometimes on this board, but if older people are booking en masse to go abroad, well it does leave a bad taste. I am 65 and will not be going anywhere - even after I have a jab.

I watched something on my local news the other night which I thought was completely tone deaf. I was watching with my son who is in his 30s and has been unemployed during this whole pandemic. It was a woman who had just had her first vaccination giving her take on things, and basically she had had a very privileged lifestyle pre-Covid - multiple expensive holidays, active social life with frequent meals out with friends etc and she was describing how she and her DH would be able to do all this again. I just thought it was insensitive considering how many people's livelihoods had been destroyed and their children's education disrupted to dwell on what a nice time she was going to have because she had been first in line for this jab whilst they would still be struggling. I hasten to add that my lifestyle is nothing like hers - can't remember the last time I went on holiday for example.

I suppose what I am saying is that yes, some older people are selfish but not all of us.

ChocOrange1 · 15/01/2021 16:37

I'm 30 and I've booked a holiday, although not abroad. They're not going to say "vaccinated people can go on holiday but everyone else can't". Restrictions apply to everyone and my feeling is it will continue that way.

Bollss · 15/01/2021 16:41

@ChocOrange1

I'm 30 and I've booked a holiday, although not abroad. They're not going to say "vaccinated people can go on holiday but everyone else can't". Restrictions apply to everyone and my feeling is it will continue that way.
I bet some countries will even if airlines don't. But I get the feeling it will be a requirement to travel soon.
2020BogOff · 15/01/2021 16:42

I don't understand why the younger people would still be in limbo.

If enough vulnerable people have been vaccinated that restrictions are lifted and people can travel why would younger healthy people who will have either mild or no symptoms still be hiding away. I for one will be out and bloody booking holidays.

JS87 · 15/01/2021 16:47

@Restorationandredecoration

This pattern will be wider than just holidays. Over the next few months the old will begin returning to normal life while the young will stay in limbo.

We undertook lockdowns to protect them, we will suffer for decades rebuilding the economy and the addressing the mental health and educational impact, meanwhile they will return to normal more quickly and put pressure on us to provide services like normal for them. It makes me angry and yet I expect our generation would do the same in their shoes, it’s human nature.

That will help to rebuild the economy though; the older generation spending their money again, particularly the baby boomers.
PinkTonic · 15/01/2021 16:56

@kittylion2

Normally I hate the casual ageism you can see sometimes on this board, but if older people are booking en masse to go abroad, well it does leave a bad taste. I am 65 and will not be going anywhere - even after I have a jab.

I watched something on my local news the other night which I thought was completely tone deaf. I was watching with my son who is in his 30s and has been unemployed during this whole pandemic. It was a woman who had just had her first vaccination giving her take on things, and basically she had had a very privileged lifestyle pre-Covid - multiple expensive holidays, active social life with frequent meals out with friends etc and she was describing how she and her DH would be able to do all this again. I just thought it was insensitive considering how many people's livelihoods had been destroyed and their children's education disrupted to dwell on what a nice time she was going to have because she had been first in line for this jab whilst they would still be struggling. I hasten to add that my lifestyle is nothing like hers - can't remember the last time I went on holiday for example.

I suppose what I am saying is that yes, some older people are selfish but not all of us.

No need for virtue signalling

50% OF THE BOOKINGS ARE FROM 18-49 YEAR OLDS!!!!!!!!

But obviously only bookings from old people are click bait worthy. RTFT.

BonnesVacances · 15/01/2021 16:58

We undertook lockdowns to protect them

We have been in lockdown to protect the vulnerable, which includes the elderly. DD is 19 and vulnerable. Is she allowed to look forward to being able to go out again safely without worry, or will she have to bow and thank everyone who stayed at home?

kingat · 15/01/2021 17:03

There is another thread on this.

But, anyone can book holiday.

I have holidays booked for August, Dec and I am looking to book Feb. I am 35 with school aged child.
If it happens great, if not then not.
I am hoping it will cost less than booking later in the year as I am tied up to term dates.

I think the rules will be the same for all maybe apart from insurance premium.
Vaccine doesnt stop transmission afaik and other countries are far behind with vaccinations so either they allow foreginers in or not, whether you are vaccinated wouldnt make a difference, I think.

I also think at some point when over 50s are done, the vaccine will be offered privately to the low risk groups, so employers will buy it for their staff for example and gov can get some money back

So then you can add jab to holiday price too.

plg21 · 15/01/2021 17:10

My parents are in their 80s (and have had both vaccinations). They're not planning to rush on a holiday overseas but I'd be pleased for them if they get to go abroad. Ditto for their friends.

I wouldn't see their gain as my loss, particularly given the number of celebs who are returning from holidays in Dubai, the Caribbean and the Maldives who have, on the whole, taken a fairly tenuous approach to what constitutes a work trip to circumvent the Tier 4 travel restrictions.

JS87 · 15/01/2021 17:14

People can book as many holidays abroad as they like. It doesn't mean they will happen and having a vaccine isn't going to make you immune from having to quarantine on your return for some time I suspect. The closure of all travel corridors from Monday (as just announced by Boris) suggests that the government is finally cottoning on to the fact that if we get cases under control by vaccination, we are still at risk from new variants until the rest of the work has similarly got cases under control by vaccination. I suspect travel restrictions are here to stay for some time.

Opticabbage · 15/01/2021 17:15

We stay at home to protect the elderly and vulnerable, not the NHS. If the NHS couldn't cope and was forced to choose who to help, I've no doubt the young would fair better than the very old. I'm surprised some people on this thread dont realise this.

JS87 · 15/01/2021 17:17

As Chris Whitty just said "A problem anywhere is a problem everywhere with a virus like this"

MynephewR · 15/01/2021 17:21

@2020BogOff

I don't understand why the younger people would still be in limbo.

If enough vulnerable people have been vaccinated that restrictions are lifted and people can travel why would younger healthy people who will have either mild or no symptoms still be hiding away. I for one will be out and bloody booking holidays.

This!

I don't even understand the point of this thread Confused

I have been staying in, furloghed, home schooling my DC and not seeing friends or family to protect those that are vulnerable to covid and to ease pressure on the NHS. Once the the vast majority of the people that are vulnerable to covid have been vaccinated then I expect restrictions to be eased and I can start to go about my normal life again. Catching covid enters into my thoughts as much as catching a cold or the flu does, just part of life and nothing to worry about.

StepOutOfLine · 15/01/2021 17:22

@kittylion2

Normally I hate the casual ageism you can see sometimes on this board, but if older people are booking en masse to go abroad, well it does leave a bad taste. I am 65 and will not be going anywhere - even after I have a jab.

I watched something on my local news the other night which I thought was completely tone deaf. I was watching with my son who is in his 30s and has been unemployed during this whole pandemic. It was a woman who had just had her first vaccination giving her take on things, and basically she had had a very privileged lifestyle pre-Covid - multiple expensive holidays, active social life with frequent meals out with friends etc and she was describing how she and her DH would be able to do all this again. I just thought it was insensitive considering how many people's livelihoods had been destroyed and their children's education disrupted to dwell on what a nice time she was going to have because she had been first in line for this jab whilst they would still be struggling. I hasten to add that my lifestyle is nothing like hers - can't remember the last time I went on holiday for example.

I suppose what I am saying is that yes, some older people are selfish but not all of us.

They aren't. Read the article.
StepOutOfLine · 15/01/2021 17:25

The point of this thread , like the identical one yesterday, is so the ageist frothers can come and vent their spleen.
As you can see, despite being told about 17 times that all the bloody article said was 50% of their bookings are over 50s, once they've decided the witch must burn, then burn she will.

Jangle33 · 15/01/2021 17:37

It’s not like the vaccine is 100%, I think vulnerable people would be crazy to go back to normal life until the population covid levels are much much lower.

OnlyTeaForMe · 15/01/2021 17:40

Catching covid enters into my thoughts as much as catching a cold or the flu does, just part of life and nothing to worry about.

I think this is at the heart of the problem though - not everyone will feel the same way. Some people's response to covid, including young, previously fit and healthy individuals, is not so straightforward as the aftermath of a cold or flu. "Long Covid" is a very real and frightening result which is not yet fully understood.

It is this not knowing "how" you will be if you catch covid which makes many of the say, 30-55 year old generation, more cautious. It is the period when all those who have been vaccinated are all "gung ho" to open everything up again which will be most difficult - especially if they are relying on other (as yet unvaccinated/unprotected) groups to provide the resource and service to do so. And let's be clear, if hospitality /schools/ retail are all 'back to normal' and fully open then employers will be adamant that you have to come back to work whether you've have the jab yet or not!

LindyLou2020 · 15/01/2021 18:04

Doffodils - I am in my 60's, and have kids in their 30's. I HATE the way "the young" disparage "the old", and vice versa.
AND......it can be a deliberate "divide and conquer" ploy.
I think people of all ages have been affected by the pandemic in multiple, myriad ways. Just as "boomers" and "millennials" (I hate both of those media-manufactured terms) have had different life challenges to face.
So can we just be mature women and resist tarring different generations with the same brush?
I loathe the restrictions with a vengeance, but I have no intention of booking any holidays, or breaking any rules, until I'm told it's safe to.

MynephewR · 15/01/2021 18:10

And let's be clear, if hospitality /schools/ retail are all 'back to normal' and fully open then employers will be adamant that you have to come back to work whether you've have the jab yet or not
And so they should be! If you're workplace is open and there is work for you to do then you need to either go to work or quit your job. There are plenty of people in need of a job right now. Obviously with schools it's different (teachers need to train) but in retail and hospitality those jobs can easily be filled.

If you are not vulnerable to covid but too scared of it to go into work or get out and live your life then that's on you. The rest of the world shouldn't have to wait for you. And you would be very unreasonable to begrudge anyone else getting on with their life.

Watchingbehindmyhands · 15/01/2021 18:11

Some people will be able to get back to normal, while young people, arguably the worst affected, are stuck in this limbo

I think, arguably, the worst affected, are the thousands who have died horrible deaths without their families with them. Those who’s compromised immune systems mean they have genuine reason to fear infection, who have restricted their lives and lived without contact with their loved ones. The people in care homes with dementia without the support of their family. Those with no choice but to work jobs with increased risk of infection without quality PPE or other measures. Those suffering months later with long covid, facing what might be months, years, or a lifetime of restrictions on their lives because they were in the wrong place and picked up the virus. Those who’s hard work has been wiped out and business lost, those made redundant and facing losing their homes and much more, those women and children abused in lockdown and lives changed beyond recognition.

If your only concern at the current time is whether or not someone else gets to go on holiday before you, you really do need to be giving your head a wobble.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 15/01/2021 18:12

This reply has been deleted

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MynephewR · 15/01/2021 18:13

If you are not vulnerable to covid but too scared of it to go into work or get out and live your life once we are allowed to
That should say

StepOutOfLine · 15/01/2021 18:15

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

I'll be furious if the rest of us don't get to go away this summer too.

Old people in general:

Voted for Brexit - fucked us over economically

Stayed at home during Covid - we all worked and kept thing going, or looked after them, or stayed home to keep them safe

If we now don't get a break from this, but they do - meh... fuck 'em.

It's a shame we can't say "fuck them" to the terminally stupid who don't read threads but just answer the bat signal to come and join in the ageism isn't it? THE ARTICLE SAYS 50% OF PEOPLE BOOKING HOLIDAYS ARE UNDER 50.
0blio · 15/01/2021 18:26

@StepOutOfLine

The point of this thread , like the identical one yesterday, is so the ageist frothers can come and vent their spleen. As you can see, despite being told about 17 times that all the bloody article said was 50% of their bookings are over 50s, once they've decided the witch must burn, then burn she will.
Exactly, well said.

I do wonder if all the goady, ageist frothers will have such loathing for themselves when they get old.

FuzzyPuffling · 15/01/2021 18:29

Are Ryanair still running their tone-deaf dumbed-down advert 'Jab and Go'?

I complained about this advert and the ASA got back to me saying they'd had a LOT of complaints.