Isolating over 70s for 4 months

If this comes in I will definitely be going to my allotment in the car,( providing the weather is kind!) I will be out in the fresh air and more than a metre away from the plots on either side. At the moment I am still going to my sewing and upholstery classes. DH is going to his bridge this morning.

Enjoy it while you can but be prepared. The suddenness with which everything closed down on Saturday was still a surprise. Fortunately we had done our stocking up.

It’s going to be difficult, but we are unused to hardship as a generation that’s generally had it pretty easy. We need to toughen up and accept that we aren’t going to be able to lead our normal, lovely lives for a time.
Luckily, I work from home as a professional artist, but I shall miss seeing friends, the children and grandchildren. But all my children are encouraging me to stay safe.

Listening to Matt Handcock this morning it was clear that he didn't expect us to stay inside all the time, for example, it was okay to walk the dog/s. (I may need to get one)

The idea is that we stay away from others so a walk where you say good morning but keep your distance may well be possible for many.

We are off to a cottage in Suffolk today. We have taken all our food, will keep away from any social contact including peeing in service stations. We are taking wipes and spray to clean before we leave for the next people. (The cottage has been newly decorated and we are the first visitors)

We intend to walk, bird watch and get loads of fresh air for 4 days before we enter isolation.

Medieval nuns and monks were very good at isolation. Meditation might be good for some.

growstuff just because some posters do not post all their woes and worries online does not mean that they are free of them. I'm sure you wouldn't bother to read a couple of pages of mine, nor would anyone else.

Having a joke about haircuts with another poster does not mean that we are not deeply concerned, for ourselves, for our families, especially as several of mine are on the front line, and for many members of our community who may need our help, however, it is difficult for us to help as apparently we are amongst the 'vulnerable elderly' ourselves.

I'm sorry if you will have difficulties paying your bills.

I suppose if people believe in God meditation might be a good thing, Whitewave but if not it could make some more anxious and morose.
That sounds like the best kind of holiday at the moment.

I may try yoga at home.

I usually order DH's lengthy prescription online but when I logged on this morning I noticed some of his meds didn't have the box beside them that you tick.

I phoned the surgery who told me that I had to type the whole thing out in the 'custom request' box at the bottom. They didn't know why some of the boxes had been removed as he'd attended all his med checks.

She then informed me our local surgery in the village (two miles away) has been closed indefinitely and I'm the first to know as they only made the decision Friday evening so I'd have to drive six miles to the main surgery to collect his prescription.

I told her I was happy to do that but what would happen if we have to self isolate as we're both in our seventies.

'Just get a younger neighbour to collect if for you.'

We live two miles from anywhere and have no neighbours.

The reply was something along the lines of 'tough' - although she didn't actually say that.

Ho Hum!

Have you got a parish council or similar Merlot? Could they organise something?

Playdates for my kids can wait
being healthy

How old are you Hithere? I am assuming you are not 70 or over.

Would the pharmacist deliver for you merlot? They will have to make some arrangements for older patients who may have to go into lockdown but require repeat prescriptions.

I wonder what my hair will look like after 4 months without a cut. Will there be new hints on social media on how to style long hair for the over 70s?

You're not allowed to mention hair granma47, apparently is is shallow and you are prattling - even if you are just trying to be lighthearted.

In fact, having spent periods in hospital I know that having short hair is, for me, a bonus, as it is so difficult to control otherwise.

"If you can keep your head whilst all around you are losing theirs"
Or keep your hair tidy.

I think I will start a a thread for shallow prattlers who intend to come out of this crisis mentally unimpaired as a result of our capacity to balance the serious with the frivlous.

See you there!

It’s going to be difficult, but we are unused to hardship as a generation that’s generally had it pretty easy.

Could people consider what they are writing before they treat us all as having had the same life! The above is going to be patently untrue for some. Equally, you do not know what you cannot cope with until it happens. I do not feel part of that "we". Talk about your own experience by all means but don't assume everyone's is the same. It's just rude.

I am not sure if this clarification from the BBC website is known widely but here it is:

'Mr Shapps [Transport Secretary] told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that those asked to stay home would still be able to go for a walk outside. "It's about being sensible but not mixing in crowds," he said.'

I think they may come up with some sort of delivery service, Calli but it sounds like they really don't know what's what at the moment.

They've shut the local surgery to 'protect their staff' so goodness knows how the very elderly in the village are going to cope. At least I can drive until they stop that as well.

Oh my goodness forgot about hair cuts, I look like Brian May with a mass of white untidy curly hair after six weeks.

Jengra, it's amazing how well most people cope in a crisis, whether 'unused to hardship' or not.

Generally, we tend to greatly underestimate our own strengths and capabilities - until they're really tested.

If you are worried about collecting prescriptions perhaps contact the nearest WI or WRVS (didn’t realise they still existed) and ask if they can help. I belong to a predominantly young group and they love helping in the community.

Our computer prescriptions don’t have a tick box if you order too early but you can always put the request in writing.

4 months this would put the health dept under more stress as a lot of older people would rely on them for help.....reading summerlove message .the government always trying to kill off the old/ill and disabled... this is not the first time....

So annoying when the post decides to go before you are ready.

My mind has gone blank!

Vanity? Macmillan promote Look Good Feel Better and it really made a huge difference to the ladies in my gynae group most having terminal ovarian cancer. Gave them a real boost. I end up looking like a clown when I try too hard with make up as I just don’t have the knack. I might get some root touch up stuff or I could use it as an opportunity to let the grey do its thing! Might be a shock for the family though! Perhaps I can be even more shallow than the shallowest and look up make up for grandmas on you tube!

I use Patient Access online for repeat prescriptions. It’s all done electronically, and the the meds are delivered by my nominated pharmacy. Saves so much hassle.

Some of us are scared
Some of us are pragmatic
Some of us politically weaponise the situation.

I am way below 70.
But I am not immune to it. Nobody is.

This is what bothers me about the hair comments -

1. The value and worth of women are not based on their looks.
Women, same as men, have value in their skills, what they bring to the table.
Like I said, my motivations on value are different than other people I guess.
I do worry about hygiene and looking presentable. Hair longer than I am used to? Roots showing? They can wait if there is they're bigger going on
Which takes me to point 2

2. Worrying about your looks is vain and shortsighted as it ignores other huge effects that isolation and quarantine will bring to our countries.
Families going bankrupt, depression and suicide, accelerating recession and countries unable to get what they need to face this crisis.
Healthcare workers are so brave and I still have to read more recognition posts for what they do for us.

This crisis is highlighting the world's weakest points and yet we worry about hair. Ok then