We will get through
For elderly Londoners, the virus’s grip on the capital will mean isolation, loneliness and anxiety. But there is a spirit
FEARFUL, real, positive, courageous, funny, inspirational — these are the words that come to mind after speaking to six Londoners directly in the line of fire of the rapidly advancing coronavirus. For older people — and indeed all of us, their children, relatives and friends — this is a truly gut-wrenching time. My local pharmacist Vinay Mehta, 58, told The Standard: “It’s getting desperate now. Some older people are panicking. They want supplies of medication because they will be housebound. In 30 years of running my shop, I have never known anything like it.”
At Coolhurst Tennis and Squash Club in Crouch End, the courts were preternaturally quiet as the usual school of midweek veterans heeded the Government’s call for over-Seventies to begin to self-isolate for up to four months. Everywhere, families, churches, mosques, synagogues and fast-forming street neighbourhood groups were making arrangements to help the elderly and most vulnerable — shop for them, call them. And yesterday, as deaths worldwide spiralled towards the 10,000 mark, the vast majority of victims over 70 years old, I did what children around the world were doing: I called my 84-year-old father Maurice who lives alone in another city and discussed his detailed plans for self-isolation. I felt desolate as to how he will cope but found myself unexpectedly buoyed by his resolve. “We’re all worried for each other but don’t worry too much about me because I am capable of looking after myself and we will get through this,” he said.
In London I spoke to five elderly people and one carer who have already begun to self-isolate, including a 97-yearold Holocaust survivor and an 81-yearold doing shadow boxing to keep fit. How were they coping? This is what they had to say. well and want to remain that way, so I walk from room to room, do stretches and even the odd bit of shadow boxing. I have been going over my old diaries. I see I had a problem with my knee 12 years ago, that I broke my arm 10 years ago — and I feel reassured to think that I got over all that. The biggest worry is how long this will last. They’re saying three months. But to not go out or socialise for that long will make me really depressed.
At least this virus is considerate in that it doesn’t distinguish between kings and paupers and the Queen has to self-isolate as much as I do. Perhaps humour is our biggest weapon. If something positive can come out of this, it’s the realisation that we are all in the same boat and maybe it can bring us closer together.”