We can trust ‘old people’ to make right decisions

ON Friday, March 24, the Ministry of Social Development Seniors newsletter, written by Minister Martin and sent to all of those aged 65 years and over, arrived in my inbox.

It reiterated that under Level 3, nothing would change for seniors.

Throughout the week, there have been several reminders that if there is more than one sibling in a family, only one was allowed to visit their ‘‘elderly’’ living alone.

I recall the first media advice from the Prime Minister advising all of those over 70 to stay home. We didn’t know then we were under Level 2. Many of us with infant and young grandchildren were already practising noncontact

While it is gratifying to see that the rules have been relaxed, to hear the minister say that the over70s are quite able to make their own decisions is a staggering flipflop in the space of less than two days, to say nothing of the confusion of the 65yearolds who were never included in the Prime Minister’s first press announcement.

I know that many trampers will be delighted with the latest news, just as I know that we are unlikely to frequent the popular tracks close to the city any time soon where social distancing will be impossible to maintain. I also know that the large membership of the 60plus club won’t be rushing to meetings and other activities.

But the knowledge of a bit of personal freedom if we want it will be music to the ears of every over70, and not just those living alone, but those who are caring for terminally ill wives, husbands, partners or children.

I also think that there is an underestimation of the level of fear throughout the whole community and that parents with young children won’t be rushing to congregate, any more than they intend to send their offspring to early learning centres or school.

It’s a community shame that obviously old people are so often treated like idiots until they prove otherwise.

With our new arrival one week old, we will be expanding our bubble only slightly and keep to social distancing for as long as it takes to protect that newborn. As I tried to say, once a parent, always a parent.

Nola Harris

Abbotsford ..................................