We mustn’t write off our elders as the collateral damage of Covid
The well-meaning pragmatism of learning to live with the virus is ageist
29 December 2020 • 7:08pm
It seems like only yesterday that I sent a fan letter to Ricky Nelson and did handstands against the playground wall. Then, I turned my back for five minutes and suddenly, my children have children of their own. Apparently, I now get free prescriptions, and inside my purse has mysteriously appeared a Senior Railcard. How did that get there?
Age creeps up on you as stealthily as a Japanese bullet train, and while I’m not yet old enough to be called first for the Covid vaccine, I’m very aware of the ‘ageist’ attitudes that have seeped into the national conversation, even if some come from simple thoughtlessness, or well meaning pragmatism. In particular, the trend towards discussing the ‘elderly’ (horrible word) as if they were collateral damage – an homogenous mass who should ‘take their chance’
MALDON MP John Whittingdale says the decision to impose Tier 4 restrictions on the district less than a week before Christmas will be “difficult” for families, but the surge in coronavirus cases was “frightening”. Mr Whittingdale admitted it was distressing for families to find out the news, which has affected London and some of the Home Counties. He also said the withdrawal of the five-day Christmas relaxation rule was “another huge blow” to families who have been unable to see each other for several months. He said: “No-one in Government wanted to have to take this decision, especially given the assurances by ministers a few days earlier that the Christmas bubble measures could go ahead.
MALDON MP John Whittingdale says the decision to impose Tier 4 restrictions on the district less than a week before Christmas will be “difficult” for families, but the surge in coronavirus cases was “frightening”. Mr Whittingdale admitted it was distressing for families to find out the news, which has affected London and some of the Home Counties. He also said the withdrawal of the five-day Christmas relaxation rule was “another huge blow” to families who have been unable to see each other for several months. He said: “No-one in Government wanted to have to take this decision, especially given the assurances by ministers a few days earlier that the Christmas bubble measures could go ahead.
The Danbury Coronavirus Volunteer Group is delivering more than 50 hampers to residents in the area. And on Christmas Day, 26 hot meals will be delivered to those facing the day alone. The initiative has been spearheaded by volunteer Stephanie Smith as part of her Loved By Danbury project.
Danbury Coronavirus Volunteer Group with their Christmas hampers ready to deliver Project manager Liz Hiscock said: “We’ve just realised, in our village, there is such a strong desire to help support other people in need. “Personally, I have made a lot of new friends as a result. “We’ve formed a very tight-knit volunteer support group of 40-50 regulars and there is just such enthusiasm for it.
The Danbury Coronavirus Volunteer Group is delivering more than 50 hampers to residents in the area. And on Christmas Day, 26 hot meals will be delivered to those facing the day alone. The initiative has been spearheaded by volunteer Stephanie Smith as part of her Loved By Danbury project.
Danbury Coronavirus Volunteer Group with their Christmas hampers ready to deliver Project manager Liz Hiscock said: “We’ve just realised, in our village, there is such a strong desire to help support other people in need. “Personally, I have made a lot of new friends as a result. “We’ve formed a very tight-knit volunteer support group of 40-50 regulars and there is just such enthusiasm for it.