Over-70s are being put on the scrap heap
I am 72 and I’m fairly fit and active. I look and feel at least ten years younger and, until recently, led a life with a wide variety of interests.
I am now becoming increasingly upset about the way over-70s are being treated during this pandemic and generally. What is it about this magic number of 70? Does it all of a sudden change us from normal human beings worthy of respect into nameless, faceless objects?
The present Government has seized on this number, making people over it stay indoors, whether or not they have any health issues. There is even a possibility that over-70s may be forced to stay indoors until a vaccine has been discovered, which apparently could be up to 18 months. Surely this is against human rights laws?
Added to that, there is the appalling way that elderly people have been treated in care homes, with residents not being tested from the start of the crisis, with the result that there have been so many unnecessary deaths.
Then there are reports that people over 70 are immediately given Do Not Resuscitate forms on admission to hospital. What is going on?
This is blatant discrimination, lumping everyone of a certain age together and putting elderly people on the scrap heap by either not giving them the care that they need or locking them away to be forgotten. I wouldn’t be surprised that, if something is not done soon, the suicide rate for this age group goes up alarmingly.
I notice also that no one in the Government making these arbitrary decisions is anywhere near 70 themselves. This has got to stop. It is about time everyone is treated with respect and dignity, despite their age.
A. Gray,
Surrey
In my opinion, the Government wants to rid the UK of over-70s. Many of us are ‘baby boomers’ who have contributed to the State all of our working lives. Now we are being pushed aside for the sake of the wellbeing of others. P. Evans,
Great Wyrley, Staffordshire
Please don’t patronise people who have reached my age – 86 – by referring to us as vulnerable. We experienced the Second World War, the Cold War and an array of crises. And if it is not ‘our turn’, we will outlive this pandemic.
We still look forward to hearing jokes and pearls of wisdom we haven’t heard before, as well as politicians saying something original – even an idea they have thought up themselves!
North Wales
D. Goldsmith,