Over 70s isolation

[Man 'o Kent]

Down here in the "molly coddled" S.E. it is quite normal to have to wait three weeks to see a quack and I'm 79.

And that is before the whole system really goes pear shaped . . .

[TheBiscuits]

2 hours ago, David Schweizer said:

the NHS will not be able to cope because of long term inadequate resourcing.

I would be far more cross at them if they were usually trying to fund the support for a unique pandemic that has caught every country in the world on the hop.

 

Can't cope with an uptick in 'flu patients in November?  Bad planning,  Naughty Minister.  Careless Government.

 

Most widespread pandemic since the 1918 Spanish 'Flu?  Caught every other country out?   No country on the planet prepared for it?  Obviously it must be Maggie Thatcher's fault somehow ...

 

She's dead.  Get over it, and try and deal with the world as it is, not as you would like it to be.

 

Have you ever considered the real difference a proper wealth tax would make to UK government coffers?  A 1% flat rate property tax (annual) would go a long way to redressing the balance ... 

[DandV]

7 hours ago, Arthur Marshall said:

So we're being asked (not compelled) to isolate as much as we can, for our own good. Fair enough. Penalties are for those (of any age) who refuse a test if it's considered necessary or who, knowing they are infected, put others at risk. While I'd obviously much rather damn the Tories for incompetence and uncaringness, I think they've got this right so far and unlike other countries have resisted the urge to panic and make things worse. 

A view from afar. I think you are being far too charitable. All governments reacted too slowly. But some have reacted much slower then others, with now apparent rapidly deteriorating results.

 There was a natural reluctance to cause disruption. There was also probably a realistic  evaluation on preparedness.  Those that were better prepared had more options. Hence those authoritarian Asian regimes had more options, and also because they acted promptly, now have better results. And those who had a run down, or worse, no public health system, or were too afraid of disrupting the holy cow of business, and then delayed responses. However when the virus obeyed epidemiological models,  rather then economic, or political models, which then out run any resource ramp up,  ran out of options. "Herd immunity" by letting the virus run it's course is just a politically palatable way of selling failure as a virtue. Letting the virus run it's course and "letting go" vulnerable as an inevitable consequence needs challenging. It needs be measured against other countries performance after all the virus is the same.

Governments make choices, in a democracy they are periodically accountable. 

Edited March 16, 2020 by DandV
Clarification.

[Yellowback]

7 hours ago, Dr Bob said:

Nope. I've not had a dose yet and I've not caught this corona virus yet either.

You'll have to be doubly careful you don't get both at the same time!

[Higgs]

 

Not in the age bracket, but isolating. Not quite completely. Visited a friend at the weekend. Took my own hand towel and a flask of coffee. Was able to watch the telly, and while there's usually naff all on, watched Sausage Party. Very funny. 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2020 by Higgs

[roland elsdon]

While I deplore the run down of the Nhs and the loss of clinical specialities, ( my own included), that is a consequence of the general public preferring to vote for governments that offer them a tax system that encourages spending on flash cars, tvs and consumer goods, rather than social and health.

Levelling up might involve ford fiestas and bikes rather than range rovers and big screen tvs, but might return  equitable and accessible health care, but greater taxes.

Who knows. Socialism doesnt work but neither does rampant malevolent capitalism. 

 

 

[Movin' on]

13 hours ago, LadyG said:

I think they assume everyone lives like they do .... tubes, taxis, planes and trains. I will still be popping out on my bike, just not socialising, not using public transport. The problem is I have been living like a hermit since xmas to avoid getting another cold, so I'm afraid I will be getting on my boat and getting out of here. I will be ordering as much as I can from my Doc, should have enough for three months. Another visit to Lidl for two months supply of booze. 

I don't know if you remember "care in the community", lots of mentally challenged people kicked out on the streets, it's the same idea, "the community" will rally round.

What do you suggest?
 

 

 

Hopefully the canal community will rally round (after all it is why many of us go boating in the first place) - I'm not sure the general population even understand what a community is any more - but who knows this situation might be the making of the "entitlement" generation.

 

No-one will be around to enforce any of this stuff if they close schools and let prisoners out the authorities will be pretty busy ……………………...

Edited March 16, 2020 by Halsey

[Sir Nibble]

7 hours ago, Man 'o Kent said:

Down here in the "molly coddled" S.E. it is quite normal to have to wait three weeks to see a quack and I'm 79.

And that is before the whole system really goes pear shaped . . .

That's after you get through the morning telephone race to see what lucky winners can get through between 8 and 11.

[alan_fincher]

4 minutes ago, Sir Nibble said:

That's after you get through the morning telephone race to see what lucky winners can get through between 8 and 11.

 

"You are number 27 in the queue"....

[Sir Nibble]

Just now, alan_fincher said:

 

"You are number 27 in the queue"....

I re dialled for two and a half hours one morning, engaged, engaged, engaged. Finally got through and was on hold for half an hour before they hung up on me as eleven o'clock arrived.

[Alan de Enfield]

The new legislation referred to in the various articles which allows the 'rounding up of the wrinklies'.

 

Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulation 2020

 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/129/regulation/14/made

[howardang]

It's starting to get serious across the pond, hence the following from another forum I follow: 

 

"Wow, just came out of Walmart and have never seen anything like this. There was NO toilet paper and I walked back up front to the service desk and asked if they had anymore anywhere else. The girl gave me a very rude 'NO' with a such a look of disgust that I would even ask. That was the longest walk back to the bathroom with my pants around my ankles .."

 

Howard

[David Schweizer]

What makes people think it is any better elsewhere? We live in the South West and If we try phoning for an appointment, we can wait two hours to be told that there are no appointments left. Fortunately for us, we live only three doors from a Village sub-surgery where we can wait in what is normaly a short queue and usually get an appointment the old fashioned way by speaking to a receptionist.

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2020 by David Schweizer

[Sir Nibble]

Just now, David Schweizer said:

 

 

 

What makes people think it is any better elsewhere? We live in the South West and If we try phoning for an appointment, we can wait two hours to be told that there are no appointments left. Fortunately for us, we live only three doors from a Village sub-surgery where we can wait in what is normaly a short queue and usually get an appointment the old fashioned way by speaking to a receptionist.

I don't think it's better elsewhere, except in those countries that don't have the "benefit" of our "wonderful" NHS.

[Athy]

12 minutes ago, Sir Nibble said:

I don't think it's better elsewhere, except in those countries that don't have the "benefit" of our "wonderful" NHS.

The ones where you have to pay?

You're not a fan of our health service, by the sound of it. The problem to which you referred a few posts ago was obviously caused by excessive numbers of people doing the NHS equivalent of panic buying, not by the NHS staff.

[Arthur Marshall]

36 minutes ago, Sir Nibble said:

I don't think it's better elsewhere, except in those countries that don't have the "benefit" of our "wonderful" NHS.

I understand it's going really well in Italy, Iran, Spain...

51 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

The new legislation referred to in the various articles which allows the 'rounding up of the wrinklies'.

 

Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulation 2020

 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/129/regulation/14/made

Stop trying to panic us. Doesn't mention age at all. It refers ONLY to those infected who risk spreading it by behaving like idiots. Got nothing to do with incarcerating us old farts.

[Alan de Enfield]

2 minutes ago, Arthur Marshall said:

I understand it's going really well in Italy, Iran, Spain...

 

Yes - they are having a great time

 

BBC News :

 

 

How far has the virus spread?

In an indication of the extent of the crisis, Switzerland reported a leap in the number of infections by 800 to reach 2,200 in just 24 hours. The country has recorded 14 deaths.

 

Italy has borne the heaviest burden from the pandemic with 24,747 infections and 1,218 of its fatalities were recorded in one region, Lombardy, which is home to the business hub of Milan. The government put the whole country in lockdown last Monday, restricting people's movements and ordering the closure of all shops except food stores and pharmacies. Schools, gyms, museums, nightclubs and other venues had been closed earlier.

 

On Saturday, Spain, which now has 7,753 infections, and France, which has 5,400, took drastic temporary measures of their own.

The Spanish government banned people from leaving home except for buying essential supplies and medicines, or for work.

[Athy]

59 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

The new legislation referred to in the various articles which allows the 'rounding up of the wrinklies'.

 

 

Sounds like a cue for The Barron Knights [who do still exist] to make a comeback with 'Round Up The Wrinklies', after the fashion of 'Call Up The Groups'.

[Alan de Enfield]

7 minutes ago, Arthur Marshall said:

I understand it's going really well in Italy, Iran, Spain...

Stop trying to panic us. Doesn't mention age at all. It refers ONLY to those infected who risk spreading it by behaving like idiots. Got nothing to do with incarcerating us old farts.

No it doesn't (which is why I posted it) but it does provide the 'law' that allows them to make the decisions, they appear to have made.

 

The PM is apparently outlining the increased restrictions in a Press conference later today.

We can only wait and see what is said.

[Slim]

28 minutes ago, Athy said:

The ones where you have to pay?

You're not a fan of our health service, by the sound of it. The problem to which you referred a few posts ago was obviously caused by excessive numbers of people doing the NHS equivalent of panic buying, not by the NHS staff.

Are you suggesting that delays, aborted telephone calls, 2 hours of holding on followed by hangup is being caused by panic over the present crisis? If so you obviously don't live in the same area as me. If I've misunderstood your post I apologise.

[Athy]

1 minute ago, Slim said:

Are you suggesting that delays, aborted telephone calls, 2 hours of holding on followed by hangup is being caused by panic over the present crisis? If so you obviously don't live in the same area as me. If I've misunderstood your post I apologise.

Of course I am. If fewer people tried to ring, the telephone would be answered with less delay. That is simple logic, surely?

[howardang]

57 minutes ago, David Schweizer said:

What makes people think it is any better elsewhere? We live in the South West and If we try phoning for an appointment, we can wait two hours to be told that there are no appointments left. Fortunately for us, we live only three doors from a Village sub-surgery where we can wait in what is normaly a short queue and usually get an appointment the old fashioned way by speaking to a receptionist.

 

 

 

We have an online booking system set up by our local  NHS group of surgeries - System on Line - which lets you know which doctors or nurse practitioners have appointment slots, and allows you to book any ones that are free for a number of weeks into the future. It save sitting on the phone waiting for someone to answer. It also allows us to order prescriptions, again saving time. We have had it for a number of years and I for one am very pleased with the way it works.

 

Howard

[Stephen Jeavons]

1 hour ago, Sir Nibble said:

I don't think it's better elsewhere, except in those countries that don't have the "benefit" of our "wonderful" NHS

Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have the NHS. It's overstretched because the country has too many people generally and certainly too many old farts like us in it. Otherwise it's a fantastic service.

Poorer people in the States and elsewhere who cannot afford the treatment simply get none.

[dor]

14 hours ago, Rob-M said:

The implications from the interview with Matt Hancock on Sky News this morning was that new laws would be passed this week to legally enforce isolating.

But will allow you to go out to a pharmacy or for food shopping.

[LadyG]

Come to East Riding, same day appointments, only two cases.