Boris should temper outbreak proposal

IHAVE been grateful for the restrained response of this government towards the coronavirus outbreak but the new proposal to lock down every single person over the age of 70 for three months, regardless of health and strength, seems woefully lacking in logic. Where on earth is the evidence that says being 70-plus in itself is more likely to result in death or hospitalisation?

So far out of all the deaths we have heard about the sufferers had one thing in common: health problems. Surely it is better to lock down everybody of any age with underlying health problems – as well as the very elderly – and expect the rest of us to keep the economy going.

The Government wants what it describes as “herd immunity” but under this policy an entire cohort will be without any immunity at all when the wretched virus strikes again. Then what? Another three months isolation?

It is known that retired doctors and nurses are being asked to return for the duration of the crisis. So presumably, with a general retirement age of 66, some of them must be over 70 too.

FURTHERMORE it is generally recognised that we are going to need an army of volunteers. Septuagenarians, particularly the under 75s, have long been a huge resource for charitable and voluntary activity. Is all that just to be locked away?

I’m aware that whenever any policy is introduced there has to be an arbitrary line somewhere but what is the sense in indiscriminately lumping together those who were in their 60s yesterday with those who will be 90 next week?

Many people in their 70s still work. Quite apart from the impact on their own finances how does it help to take them out of the economy?

Then there is the terrible impact of loneliness. I suspect many widows will just sit indoors and cry and cry. Whether they will be sane at the end of it all is anybody’s guess.

Please temper this proposal as much as you reasonably can Boris.

IT IS

Marie Curie time again with everybody sprouting daffodil brooches. I have a feeling that their work is going to be more important than ever over the next year as the NHS focuses on coronavirus but charitable donations falter with the economic fallout. I wish them the very best.