Wuhan virus.

[Suff]

Saundra, I know this is hard, however you are never truly alone so long as you have someone to talk to and we all listen.

My Bil and Sil are faced with trying to self isolate to protect their daughter but also running the risk of becoming infected every time they go into the hospital.

Things are going to be hard for a while but, with a little pragmatism, most of us will see it through.

[Workingman]

It is desperately sad, though understandable, to see so many of you fearful and despondent, but I urge all of you to try to be positive.

The vast majority of us, even us oldies, will come through this especially if we do just a few simple things. The washing hands thing is one, and make it the first thing you do if you have been out. Fill the car up, at a card payment pump if you can, so that you are able to avoid public transport. When you need to go shopping do it at the quieter times or online. I have found early doors or late in the evening to be the best times. Don't confuse self-isolating with solitary confinement. You can still go out in the garden or go for a walk and if someone is coming towards you; cross the road. There are plenty of times during the day when the streets are empty to allow you to keep your distance. Get in a load of books or box sets before everything shuts down. I have just joined Netflix and looked at book downloads for my tablet. And exercise. It is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. You don't need a gym or equipment. Bung on a rock CD, grab a couple of tins of beans / soup and do yourself a cardio step routine - plenty of examples on YouTube.

I can feel a bit of weight loss coming on.

[saundra]

Thanks guys I actually thought self isolation meant never going out for 4months it's very confusing to say the least

[cromwell]

The British are a stroppy lot. I know some over 70's who will give a very short answer to self isolating themselves. Still, we'll see.
My 92 year old FiL can't self isolate. He has his meals delivered and has to have the help of his daughters to have a shower; and there are plenty more like him.
I'm not knocking what the government is trying to do btw. Delay the spread of the virus and keep it away from the most vulnerable, whilst hoping that an injection is developed to beat it.
One thing that has struck me is the tone of the British media, and in particular the appalling Daily Mail. They have been running screaming headline scare stories for the last three weeks, especially about panic buying. They have been encouraging it, imo. Whipping up hysteria. I have always defended the freedom of the British press, because itwas being threatened by celebs who had been caught with their trousers down (Hugh Grant, Max Moseley) or dirty politicians who want to control what is allowed to be reported.
But after the Mail's behaviour I think that it is a rag which should be shut down asap.
Apart from that, some very good advice from WM there.

[JoM]

Blimey Frank, if you've subscribed to Netflix we're not going to see much of you
BTW I think Britbox do a month's free trial and it's easy to cancel the subscription before you start paying.

[medsec222]

I am under the impression that self-isolation is not going out at all for four months. Hopefully the government will make this crystal clear one way or the other. Unless you have family nearby it will be incredibly difficult to rely on neighbours for daily needs such as milk and bread over such a long period of time.

I hope the over 70s will be allowed to go out. Rigorous hand washing, avoiding crowds, limiting the number of shopping trips, or very early or very late shops, etc. would seem a realistic plan for most healthy over 70s.

[Kaz]

According to Matt Hancock this morning, they are asking the over '70s to not go out, but don't want to enforce it yet. I know for a fact that D won't listen unless it's compulsory

[saundra]

I can't see how it can be e forced unless a police man,stands out side your doors us oldies are a very independent lot like kaz says and crommers it's the daily mail that's caused me this upset and I'm a very logical organised person by nature time will tell

[Workingman]

Peeps, those "don't go out" warnings are NHS guidelines if you have a high temperature above 37.8C (100F) and / or a new continuous cough or difficulty with breathing, iow, if you think you have the virus, but if you are self-isolating as a requested protective measure you can still go out if you are careful. That might change, but if it does I think many might go with Kaz's Auntie D and ignore it as it is impractical.

Jo, Jo, Jo, I am not ever going to pay for Britbox. I have already forked out once for what's on there and having seen it or given it a deliberate body swerve I am not going to fork out again. Netflix is in a different league.

[JoM]

I feel the same Frank but I had my month's freebie trial and cancelled