We have decided to stay in.

[Ellie-Louise]

While all this virus is about, we have decided to stay in the house and only go out if absolutely necessary. (We are both 73 so I felt it wise).

Yesterday I had to go to the opticians, no getting out of it because I have to go every year as both parents and one of my sisters had/has glaucoma.

My thyroid blood test is due and I had an appointment already booked to see the doctor about what I wanted testing. This morning I decided to get him to ring me instead so avoiding any possible risk in the surgery and also freeing up a slot for anyone needing it.

The receptionist thought it was the best thing I could do in the circumstances and has booked a call for the same day.

[Ellie-Louise]

My wretched iPad is playing up and the keyboard has decided not to appear so I couldn’t edit my post to add, that for the last two weeks we have ordered the shopping online and my husband has collected it from the point in Sainsbury’s car park.

It took me hours the first time I had to do it, but it was quicker yesterday.

I think we will miss going out even though we don’t have really have any kind of a social life. Just the cinema or lunch occasionally.

[Hidden in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Same here Ellie-Louise I’m keeping outings to a bare minimum because health wise I’m still not sure what’s going on but got to admit I miss my cinemas and my treat is a decaf cappuccino and slice of lemon drizzle cake to take in with me to film lol.ive been doing online delivery from Waitrose/amazon so I’m quite well stocked up without having to trek round the isles scared to death.we went to a big shopping area last week midweek to get prescription items and it felt quite eerie no chit chat anywhere girl in boots seemed so nervous when serving I feel so sorry for shop staff right now,I wouldn’t want to be doing their job.

My adult children are carryin* on as normal and still doing usual clubs and outings with their children I have to admit I’m scared for them but it’s their decisions isn’t it.anyway you do what your comfortable with we all have our own needs and opinions with this.take care xx

[Hidden in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Ps.weve been told not to go in front door at doctors for appointments and to go to back of building into a secure area/room to be tested before seeing any medics.scary stuff but necessary to protect our medical staff.

[Tina_Maria]

I think people are making a bit much of this. Think about it - the common flu virus is far more widespread than covid-19, and dependent on which strain of flu is going round you could still catch it, even if you are vaccinated.

I agree we need to be sensible and responsible for us and others - but should we not do this as a matter of course in the winter season anyway? With a good personal hygiene routine and keeping a varied and healthy diet to support our immune function, we can still get some enjoyment out of life.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Tina_Maria]

I get plenty of enjoyment out of life, I am an avid online gamer with friends all over the world, plus I make jewellery, do beading and knit/crochet. So I don’t feel I’m missing out on anything. I am actually loving not to trek around a supermarket as that’s normally where my sniffles originate from a week later.

[DippyDame in reply to Tina_Maria]

While this is absolutely not a forum about covid-19, it nevertheless will have an impact on all of us here therefore the severity of this current pandemic should neither be misunderstood nor overlooked.

Like Ellie-Louise my husband and I, both in our 70s, have decided to follow the social distancing advice (encouraged by our family) both for our sake and to avoid any unnecessary risk of spreading this elusive virus.

We don't need to go out beyond our property so why risk exacerbating an already critical situation by doing so, if it can be avoided.

We have planned ahead and will certainly still find shared enjoyment in hobbies, reading and non personal contact with family and friends.....

You may find this of interest -

flattenthecurve.com/?fbclid...

Stay safe and please don't think of this virus as just another strain of flu...it's a killer virus as you already know.

[Tina_Maria in reply to DippyDame]

I am sorry but why is this a killer virus? The scientific data does not support this statement. Yes the death rate is 3.4% so at present higher than the normal flu virus, but this can also be due to the fact that not everyone who has the virus will be counted in the statistic, as not everyone can get tested. To put it in perspective MERS was 34% and SARS 10%, Ebola is 40%.

Or to read the figure differently, 96.6% of people infected with covid-19 will live, hardly a killer virus then.

Yes people need to be responsible, but there is a difference between being responsible and panicking people.

[DippyDame in reply to Tina_Maria]

Time will tell!

[helvella in reply to Tina_Maria]

To put it in perspective, by age group:

70-79 - 8.0%

80+ - 14.8%

theguardian.com/world/2020/...

You imply that SARS had a 10% death rate and so was serious. But covid-19, from the perspective of someone 70-79 is not far behind at 8% and for 80+ it is considerably higher at 14.8%.

Those are not odds that I would happily risk and I suspect few others would either.

The probability of surviving at simple Russian Roulette are 83.3%. But I'd not be willing to take that risk.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Tina_Maria]

Since the testing is poor and apparently many people are symptom free - that mean s lot of people who have "got" the virus are not identified and just get better, so that means an even lower %age actually die. Better testing (as in Korea) means it looks as though there are more cases, but it actually exactly the same as it was before the improved testing. It also makes the fatality rate fall (as in Korea) even though nothing has changed. Poor quality testing = high fatality rate (as only people who are very ill are spotted). It's all just maths.

[acc1 in reply to Tina_Maria]

No one has immunity and it's spreading rapidly, worst case estimates are that 80% of the population catch it. Even with a 1% death rate that's over half a million in the UK.

And it's been predicted that 20% of people could be ill at once at peak, and probably an even higher proportion of health care workers as they have more exposure.

With around 15% of cases needing oxygen and 5% needing ventilation, the health service can't cope with even a fraction of the serious cases, and many more will die because they can't get the treatment they need.

Our intensive care capacity per head is one of the lowest in Europe, and it's generally running at 80-100% capacity before we even consider coronavirus.

Italy are already having to make choices on who to ventilate and who to leave to die - see this report from a doctor over there:

mobile.twitter.com/jasonvan...

[Treepie in reply to Tina_Maria]

You are wrong.It is much more contagious. Economically very bad as well.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Treepie]

and were is your scientific basis for that?

[Treepie in reply to Tina_Maria]

Only have to look at what is happening in Italy.

[DippyDame in reply to Tina_Maria]

I totally agree with Treepie ...expect difficult times ahead.

[Tina_Maria in reply to DippyDame]

I am not burying my head, but panicking is not the solution - and I am afraid thats what people are doing at the moment.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Tina_Maria]

Where is your proof that people are panicking, surely if you can be bothered enough to quote science as you see it, then you must be able to back it up?

I think you are confusing panic with being sensible.

[lilliput]

Think it could be wise to avoid gatherings if in a vulnerable group.. Saw ALOT of people gardening today and roads were quiet. Think it's still important to have a walk and get some fresh air.

[DippyDame in reply to lilliput]

Gardening....a great form of social isolation.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to DippyDame]

A walk round the garden in the fresh air, and NO pollution from cars. Perfect. x

[DippyDame in reply to Ellie-Louise]

...and a seat in the summer house with a book.

Take care.

[sy28 in reply to DippyDame]

the best ... never seen myself as part of the herd, garden isolation suits me and tops up Vit D. that's next week sorted.

[Ladybex]

Wishing you well and hope this all goes away as quickly as it appeared...

I too am only going out if necessary but I do have my Labrador for company and walk him near my home. Not many people around atm

Take care 😊

[Hidden]

Living in London has been like a disaster movie for a long time. Chin up, nature is a wonderful healer. I'd love to be there.

[sy28]

You ought to write about this, you've given such an honest account of how you feel. You're not alone. Take care.

[DippyDame]

Here, we're all in this mess together so there will usually be "a thyroid buddy" about to have a chat if you feel lonely....sometimes even in the middle of the night!

I don't venture far and no longer drive but am lucky to have a supportive husband. Our sons and their families are a long way away but Skype is a huge help. They were all coming home at Easter but that isn't now going to happen...but that's life.

I guess our only choice is to ride this crisis out as best we can and to look forward to better days.

Be safe...

DD

[Angel_of_the_North]

You might want to consider going for walks when it is quiet as you may suffer more if you don't get any fresh air and exercise