Travelling on train.

[jillybeanposh]

I am supposed to be going away for the weekend soon. But with the virus problem and the fact that the elderly I am nearly 70 and I have an underlying medical problem AF. The government are saying we are more likely to be more poorly if we catch the virus. The plan is for me to go by train. Would you people out there with AF and if you are the same age as me still make the journey.

[Maisiemay13]

Hi I am 65 and booked to go to New York (I am here at the moment) think we are at risk as much as anyone but cannot let things rule,I am due to return home tomorrow after 4 lovely days, have been to restaurants and the theatre also used the subway I will let you know if anything happens but if it does other than stay indoors without contact with anyone I have no idea !

[Hidden]

I think it depends on the need for the trip and how bad I wanted to go. Im in the US and on tonights news they ( government) is saying avoid cruises. I was going to a conference in may but I cancelled it because I dont want to b in a crowd if I dont have to. I personally would avoid public transportation if I could but thats just me.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Definately avoid cruise ships! Air conditioning means you are breathing the same air as your neighbour’s are breathing and you can’t live on your balcony.

[Barb1]

My thoughts are, that just like AF, we mustn't let this scaremongering rule our lives. Life is for living not putting on hold. If it comes to the point that travel etc is banned by the Govt then so be it but not now. PS I am in Sri Lanka atm!

[paolina in reply to Barb1]

I'm in Padova, Italy & we are now in the red zone, it hasn't stopped us, in fact with regards the advise for over 75's to stay indoors my 80 year old husband said he'd tell them he was 70!

[Hidden]

Carry on as normal, just practice sensible hygiene, wash hands ect. Ignore the media over reaction. There's 60 million in the UK. Normal flu kills 600 a year. Nobody makes a fuss over this. Enjoy your trip.

[CDreamer]

I wouldn’t cancel just because of the virus or age but I would take precautions. We have had visitors for the weekend - their journey was 3.5 hours. They packed a picnic with their own coffee & cups etc, took a packed lunch so didn’t have to handle money. They chose to travel on the ‘quiet’ route - took longer but the coaches were less packed.

They were extra careful with hand washing which was the first thing I made them do when they walked through the door. Whilst here they were very diligent about hand washing and only used their own towel. No hand shaking, kisssy-missy or hugs - air hugs, kisses etc only so avoid skin to skin contact with anyone. If you are staying in someone’s home - I think that’s safer, but I would be much more dubious about B&B or hotel, unless I knew it well.

We’ve just returned from Maderia and I had no concerns about travelling or the hotel because the hygiene in the hotel was immaculate.

I always wear gloves in any public place - avoid public toilets if you can - if you can’t wash your hands on the hour then use hand sanitiser.

My view is you are just as likely to catch it staying home - but much less likely if you are proactive, otherwise reasonably fit and really you have a choice - allowing it to halt your life as we know it or be concerned, cautious but proactive.

I am 69 with other serious conditions and take immune suppressants so especially vulnerable so am selective about who, what and where I go and see but not going to stay locked up and live the life of a hermit. This virus may burn itself out in a few months or it may stick around as various other cold and flu virus have done but we have learned to live with them.

Stepson is a microbiologist and puts it into proportion for me -

weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/...

[jillybeanposh in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for replying, my

amazing

Neighbour has just offered to take me. Problem

Sorted out. Thanks

[Hidden in reply to jillybeanposh]

Glad you found another way. Great neighbor💜

[jillybeanposh in reply to Hidden]

He got his wings this morning.

[Hidden in reply to jillybeanposh]

👍🏻

[jeanjeannie50]

I have to be honest and say I wouldn't go, but then I'm in the South West which has a high rate of the coronavirus - 25 cases so far. I'm avoiding all crowded places, but still do some nice walks. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

My daughter and her husband lost their flight with Flybe, but has now booked to travel from Devon to a party in Manchester by train, she's quite unconcerned about the virus, but of course she's still young.

As Hoski has said it depends on the need and how desperately you want to go. I'd say travelling in that confined space on a busy train - no!

Jean

[jillybeanposh in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Good Morning Jeanie, nice to hear from you, my

Neighbour is taking me up there now. Bless him. As I

Always take my little dog with

Me I always sit in the adjoining part. Usually only have bicycles as company. I have

Helped at her florist shop every year. I do quite well

With the broom and

Kettle. Hope you are well, I

Am

Doing really well, x

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to jillybeanposh]

That's really good to hear. Have just updated the outbreak numbers for my area the South West, now 25!

[jillybeanposh in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Where are you the?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to jillybeanposh]

In the South West. There have been 4 cases in my small town.

[Bob56]

Some different views and suggestions, but I’m not sure I agree with your description of yourself as elderly at the tender age of 69. Quite a few of the definitions of those in vulnerable groups talk about the over 80s, and until I am 80 I will not consider myself to be elderly. ( I reserve the right to change my definition when I reach that age).

Of course, I accept we might be described as being vulnerable due to our various heart conditions, but whether AF alone makes you inherently more vulnerable is an interesting debate.

My father in law was still driving a meals on wheels van at age 85, as he wanted to help the “old folks” so in some ways being elderly it is just as much a state of mind as it is a state of body.

Returning to the central issue of whether to travel or not, I think much depends on one’s own state of mind. Personally, if you take sensible precautions and follow the hygiene advice, then I would still travel by train ( underground maybe not based on my experiences last week crammed into a hot carriage!).

Equally, we might not be far away from a serious escalation in infected numbers, and I might not have the same view as I have now

I am actually more worried about my son who takes immunosuppresents for a chronic illness. He’s going about his business quite normally, whereas I would be wrapping him up in cotton wool and not letting him leave the house.

It all feels a bit surreal at the moment so probably best to take things one day at a time.

[jillybeanposh in reply to Bob56]

Hi Bob. I don’t consider myself elderly either I had to check how old was elderly last night. I am quite well, hope you are too.

[Bob56 in reply to jillybeanposh]

Hi Again, I'm pleased you are well. I'm a creaking gate, a bit sticky, needs oiling now and again but basically sound. Many years ago I worked for what was then called Age Concern. We didn't really like using the term elderly, as it sort of bracketed us all together. OAPs even worse! We were just 'older people'.

[jillybeanposh in reply to Bob56]

You saying a bit creaky, I thought we go to bed for a nice sleep and wake up with aches and pains. Is there any way we needn’t sleep. I have a bad leg and a very painful neck but all are irrelevant along as my AF behaves itself.

[irene75359 in reply to Bob56]

I don't consider myself elderly and at 69 my nose would be put right out of joint if I was described as such - elderly is somewhere years and years in the future!

[Bob56 in reply to irene75359]

Elderly should always be years and years in the future!

[Polski in reply to Bob56]

I have come across the suggestion that when we are in AF our hearts are beating erratically, so less oxygen is getting round the body, which would make it harder for us to fight off a serious infection.

Also we know that when we have a cold or virus it tends to increase the amount of AF we get, so these two together suggest to me that with AF we are more vulnerable.

[R1100S1]

I am not elderly as only 71 at end of month

Have AF

High BP

Asthma

Bronchiectasis

Had 6 hour plus operation (Whipple) mid November 2019

Riding my motorcycle to my chemotherapy session this afternoon.

All those looking after my conditions are happy with the wash hands, don’t mix with obviously infected people etc advice.

I would ride on a train unless I knew it was a jam packed standing room only commuter type.

I won’t be a hermit until instructed to do so.

Take care and love and live life

X

[Hidden]

Interesting that your getting a lift, a good side effect of this flu panic is petrol prices have fallen and a train King's Cross to Aberdeen today is less that 30 quid (I do that trip quite a lot) so all is not bad news.

[irene75359 in reply to Hidden]

That amazes me; a couple of months ago I enquired about a train ticket to Aberdeen (travelling at the end of this month) and it made no sense when the flight was less than a third of the price of the train.

[Hidden]

Unlike most of the other comments, we have gone into lock-down. But in all honesty we're quite hermit-like anyhow, and retired, and we live in the sticks, so no problem and not too much change for us. We are not using public transport of any description till this has blown over. It's not just about cleanliness, it's other people breathing out the virus. To be honest, even if you just caught a normal cold it could be stressful wondering.

We have cancelled a cruise we were due to take in July. That may be a bit premature (although I doubt it) but we had to make the full payment this week otherwise.

The BBC said incubation period was up to 2 weeks, but certainly it's something like 5 days, so surely by the time there's news of an "outbreak", it's already too late to take avoiding action. Best to take care before there's a problem, if you can, not afterwards is our view, but as I say it's easy for us.

[Steve101 in reply to Hidden]

I am in similar position with cruise. Final payment due in 10 days. As my wife has lost her spleen I am inclined to cancel the booking and lose the deposit, £800. But the risks are too great. Don’t think I will be able to make an insurance claim as it will be our decision. What were your thoughts?

Steve

[Hidden in reply to Steve101]

I called the agent and told them I wanted to cancel. Which meant I would lose the deposit paid last year and not be able to claim. But they said they would give me another month to decide and then I can cancel if I still want to, and I absolutely will without any doubt whatsoever. Money doesn’t come into it. However, if in the meantime there is a ban on travel to the airports we would be flying to, or on cruises altogether, one of which I would think likely, then we will be able to make a claim I suspect.

My wife and I have decided to disregard the money, we haven’t lost any money at all is our view, what we have lost is simply a holiday which we will do without no problem.

We are disappointed, we were going to the Arctic.

[Hidden]

Spanish flu in 1918 killed 50 million. 50000 out of 60 million I get the maths matey

[Lulu2red]

I am 61 with PAF, heart failure and hypothyroidism. I am avoiding public transport & crowded places, no eating or drinking out. I caught pneumonia 2 years ago. Some old man sneezed on me in Aldi I think he gave it to me. If you go wear a mask at least. Problem is not everyone is clean nor do they follow advice. You can take a relaxing weekend away when it's all over. Is it worth the risk for a weekend? If you must go drive or get someone to drive you. But if you want to live for the day, go and enjoy yourself. I felt very close to dying from pneumonia. This virus mutates into pneumonia on weak elderly patients.

[jillybeanposh in reply to Lulu2red]

I have got a lift now. Thanks. As I am 69 I have had my pneumatic jab as well add so obviously my flu jab. I am doing all the right things re hygiene and have got masks wipes sprays gel. I may have. To get train back but it usually empties at Birmingham and as I have my little dog with me I sit or stand in the adjoining part of the carriages. I shall go as it is work for my daughter. Then I will isolate. If anyone comes near me I will spray them. Ha ha.

[D_afibber]

At 58 I will this weekend go into isolation. But my case is more unique. It is coming into allergy season for me. 2 years ago my lungs were so inflamed from allergies that my heart started double beating to get the oxygen into my system. Hence I needed ablation surgery to stop the afib which had developed.

This Corona virus in combination with my allergies would be catastrophic for me.

So taking prevention ahead of its arrival.

No more public visits as I am in the countryside. I will stock up with as much as I can. And avoid going into an office. I shall work remotely.

[jillybeanposh]

Hi everyone, weekend away cancelled. Disappointed but relieved in a way. Have decided to self isolate with orders from family. I know government said wait a bit but someone was walking around town with it on Friday. Will still walk my dogs but can walk where I

Rarely meet anyone. Love to everyone,keep well.