Is It Right That Because Of The Virus, The Old Should Expect The Economy To Be Locked Down On Their Behalf?

[dave50]

I am 62 and if I was in a vulnerable group there is no way I would expect the young to suffer impending economic meltdown heading our way just so I can add a few years to my life. And if I did get it I wouldn't blame the government or Boris or anybody. I would just accept as one of life's risks. Not everybody can be saved, sometimes we have to think of the greater good. So let's get back to normal and hope for the best, if some want to lock themselves away that's up to them. Anyone agree?

[bednobs]

quite a lot of 62 year olds wouldn't consider themselves as old like you do I suspect

[dannyk13]

Dave, how does the lockdown of the old affect the economy? Surely most of them will be retired and out of the workforce.

[Bobbisox1]

Yes I agree, I wouldn't expect anyone's life to be bartered for me lasting longer

[fiction-factory]

But if the NHS is overrun with Covid patients (albeit mainly old) who have Covid given to them by other old people or by younger people, that has a bearing on everyone

[Gromit]

// let's hope for the best //

You sound like Boris Johnson. I am fed up of daily reading about what he is hoping for, but not actually delivering.

// just so I can add a few years to my life. //

We are not talking about extending our life expectancy, we are talking about not shortening it.

Customers dying in large numbers is not good for retailers, not good for the economy, and mot good for society. And the Government should try to avoid the damage that would cause.

[ichkeria]

Yes I’d partly agree.

[Gromit]

Lockdown is being gradually eased but we cannot ignore the fact that 45,000 have died. Normal will not resume for many months, if not years.

[Old_Geezer]

Who says the "old" expects any such thing ?
Your question is therefore invalid.

No one wants rampant virus in society anyway so a balance is reasonable. Unfortunately government seems to have caught the paranoia virus that previously was contained north of the border.

[TonyV]

Lots of young people have died because of not social distancing.

[emmie]

not as many as the old, vulnerable, Black/Asian folk.

[TonyV]

emmie I don't have access to actual figures, do you, but elderly and unwell people die every day.

[emmie]

i watch the news from time to time, and those at most risk, are ones i have listed.

[woofgang]

I don't expect the economy to be locked down on my behalf and never have. Neither do I agree with your selfish attitude.

[iluvmargie]

^ Ditto.

[Bazile]

There is altruism for you

[Kathyan]

During the winter of 2017/18 over 50,000 people died from the flu. Did we lockdown then? No we didn't, because no-one knew about it. This virus has been blown up out of all proportion. How many people have died from the flu this year? Non, according to the figures, everyone has died from Coronavirus, even if they have had terminal illnesses. There is something not right.

[youngmafbog]

No, there was no need for the lock down. I said right up front the vulnerable should have been identified and protected. Everyone else should have carried on.

[dannyk13]

ymb, so the lives of the unshielded don't matter, is that what you really believe?

[fiction-factory]

kathyan- please can you give a link for the 50000 flu deaths figure 2017/18 please because it seems like nonsense to me- unless you are referring to US or Europe
I think you've misheard or misunderstood

[Deskdiary]

"Lots of young people have died because of not social distancing."

That's not true (in the scheme of things).

Less than 500 people under the age of 45 have died; of those we don't know how many had an underlying condition, and we certainly don't know how many died due to not following social distancing.