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Original poster

Captain Tom

212 replies

ssd · 01/02/2021 18:35

I know this is a really self indulgent post. So sorry in advance.
I'm worried about captain Tom. I know its ridiculous, I dont know him. Maybe because hes just a bit older than my dad would have been.
But I feel if he dies with coronavirus , it'll be the final straw for me. Hes been the only bright light in this.
If he doesn't recover I think I'll sink.

OP posts:
IrmaFayLear · 02/02/2021 10:16

If he dies it will be sad but he's had a long life and a good last year - and above all clearly has a very loving family.

What I can't stomach if there is "Covid kills Captain Tom!" nonsense from the media, as if covid snuck under his door after seeking him out, and ignoring the fact that he is a very elderly man who was suffering from pneumonia.

MereDintofPandiculation · 02/02/2021 10:40

He's 100 years old! He was highly unlikely to see another xmas let alone 2022. Remaining life expectancy for a 100 year old male is another two years. So more likely than not that he would see another Christmas, although you would still expect him to want to make the most of every minute just in case.

ImsorryWilson · 02/02/2021 10:56

Bucket lists involving foreign trips don't go with pandemics.

Topseyt · 02/02/2021 10:57

@Pinkcanoftan

Bedford hospital is not private.

Good on him for going on a fantastic last holiday and if he sadly dies shortly then omg he's had a fantastic life and incredible last year. I doubt anyone forced him to go to Barbados bless him. I will be sad though, he kept me going last April that's for sure. It was a risk to go obviously but I think he knew that.

These are my exact thoughts in the issue.

I enjoyed watching him in his garden during the first lockdown, supported by his trusty walker and moving determinedly along.

He has had a long and varied life. In his final year he became an icon (media interest was no bad thing there) and raised over £32 million for NHS charities.

I think it is fantastic that he was able to have a wonderful holiday over Christmas with his family while he still could. It will have been his wish to go as much as theirs. He knows his own mind and has his own opinions.

I think it is awful that some people are carping about this. I cannot find it in me to begrudge a a 100 year old man who has contributed so much for so long a lovely holiday. A holiday he thought he would not get and which will very likely be his last.

intheenddoesitreallymatter · 02/02/2021 11:08

It’s sad when anyone dies but the man is 100 years old. What a privilege to reach such an age, think of the young men he fought alongside who never had a hope of reaching peak adulthood let alone retirement age.

If he has been battling pneumonia for three weeks then his recovery would have been long, arduous and highly unlikely he would have physically recovered.

Instead of mourning his death (as and when it arrives) it must be celebrated what a rich, long life he has had. Here he is now, surrounded by family after leaving such a legacy to his name.

Toddlerteaplease · 02/02/2021 11:10

@SpnBaby1967

He's 100 years old! He was highly unlikely to see another xmas let alone 2022.

If he dies of pneumonia, covid or anything at all it will be sad for his family. But it is not a tragedy and it certainly doesnt need all this grief tourism being spouted on here and in the media.

Exactly
LunaHeather · 02/02/2021 11:13

I'm reading that he is "surrounded by family" in the hospital. Can that be correct?

LunaHeather · 02/02/2021 11:15

@RedWelliesAreHot

He probably got covid in hospital whilst being treated for pneumonia.

That's not the story that is being put out though.

The family say he was treated at home for pneumonia and has only just been taken to hospital to receive oxygen.

And if he did catch C in hospital, that's terrible really given how they are supposed to follow strict hygiene measures.

Um...you know how many people catch Covid in hospital?
intheenddoesitreallymatter · 02/02/2021 11:18

@LunaHeather

I'm reading that he is "surrounded by family" in the hospital. Can that be correct?
At our local hospital you’re allowed direct relatives wearing PPE.

A friend’s father was allowed all six children with him. So yes chances are he will be ‘surrounded by family’.

freddiesmoustache · 02/02/2021 11:27

it was a risk to go obviously but I think he knew that.

Yes, it was a risk to go, meaning that the NHS could be further burdened. Even if he wasn't personally worried about catching covid it's pretty obvious that the journey alone could easily weaken a 100 year old and leave them needing NHS care once home.

They were also putting Barbados at risk, a country that is also battling the pandemic with only 2 hospitals.

Risks taken during a pandemic don't just affect the individual.

So if he and his family knew the risks, it doesn't exactly paint them in a good light

ParkheadParadise · 02/02/2021 11:36

I'm more shocked that his daughter is 51!
Honestly, I thought she must be in her late 70's if he is 100.

willFOURbagsbeenough · 02/02/2021 11:36

@ParkheadParadise

I'm more shocked that his daughter is 51! Honestly, I thought she must be in her late 70's if he is 100.
Why?
ScrapThatThen · 02/02/2021 11:39

I wish him well. I understand he has always said he is sanguine about catching covid and about dying - death comes to us all. I understand that it will be an outlet for a lot of pent up emotion for people like yourself OP, and maybe me. That's no bad thing. We need to express our emotions and grieve. We will get through this Flowers

VinylDetective · 02/02/2021 11:40

@ParkheadParadise

I'm more shocked that his daughter is 51! Honestly, I thought she must be in her late 70's if he is 100.
There are plenty of men fathering children in their 40s now. According to MN wisdom, you’re apparently never too old. I was 60 when my dad died aged 99.
Ch3rish · 02/02/2021 11:40

@ParkheadParadise

I'm more shocked that his daughter is 51! Honestly, I thought she must be in her late 70's if he is 100.
Mildly surprising maybe but how is it shocking? 50+ year old men have children every day, do you have a low shock threshold?
RedWelliesAreHot · 02/02/2021 11:42

Um...you know how many people catch Covid in hospital?

@LunaHeather Yes :) I quoted 10K (ONS figures) on another post.

RedWelliesAreHot · 02/02/2021 11:44

@ParkheadParadise It's possible for a 49 yr old man to produce a child.

He married later in life after a divorce.

rainbowunicorn · 02/02/2021 11:45

@ParkheadParadise

I'm more shocked that his daughter is 51! Honestly, I thought she must be in her late 70's if he is 100.
You must be very easily shocked then. Lots of men father children in their late 40s and 50s. They always have done.
ParkheadParadise · 02/02/2021 11:46

Personally, I don't know any 49-year-olds having a child.
I knew plenty who are Grandparents at 49.

Topseyt · 02/02/2021 11:50

@ParkheadParadise

I'm more shocked that his daughter is 51! Honestly, I thought she must be in her late 70's if he is 100.
Why is it even remotely surprising (never mind shocking) that he became a father at 49? ConfusedHmm
Ch3rish · 02/02/2021 11:50

@ParkheadParadise

Personally, I don't know any 49-year-olds having a child. I knew plenty who are Grandparents at 49.
I don't know 49 year old grandparents but obviously I know they exist, why is it shocking to realise that the world is larger than just the people you know?
VinylDetective · 02/02/2021 11:53

@ParkheadParadise

Personally, I don't know any 49-year-olds having a child. I knew plenty who are Grandparents at 49.
I only know of one person who became a grandparent in their 40s. They were mortified as their son was 17 when he became a father. He was beside himself with embarrassment.
reformedcharacters · 02/02/2021 12:00

My exH fathered DC in his 40s.

I had our DD at 24 and she had a DC at 21 so I was a GP at 45.

ParkheadParadise · 02/02/2021 12:01

He sounds a charmer.
His Grandchild was an embarrassment to him.
☹☹☹

MrDarcysMa · 02/02/2021 12:01

Lots of my friends became pregnant around age 40 because of career choices, and many were in relationships/ marriages with older men.
So 48/49 yr old dads aren't rare at all in my circles.

The place I grew up you'd be more likely to be a grandparent at that age. Horses for courses etc.