Allow over 70’s to have as much freedom as 60’s if in good health

Over 70’s should not be discriminated against just because of their age. Lots of my friends are over 70 and are all fit and well belonging to walking groups and gym classes with no overall health problems.

Why the contribution is important

Age discrimination can seriously damage their mental health and where these people are presently very active they may never return to their present fitness again.

by Norm1 on May 05, 2020 at 07:46PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.4
Based on: 24 votes

Comments

  • Posted by mg68 May 05, 2020 at 19:58

    Otherwise what is life about, shielding & isolation is not living.

  • Posted by davemc May 05, 2020 at 20:07

    This is a no-brainer. Discrimination based on age has no place in modern Scotland - even at a time of coronavirus. Shielding and protection should be based on need, not on age.

  • Posted by mikecon May 05, 2020 at 20:14

    Completely agree .Being over 70 should in itself not be used as a yardstick. If the person is fit, not in the shielded categories or has any major underlying health conditions and keeps to social distancing and all of the other elements they should not be treated any differently

  • Posted by richardandgilliankingslake May 05, 2020 at 20:15

    This comment has been removed by a moderator.

  • Posted by Robbie2005 May 05, 2020 at 20:46

    Agree. Stop this arbitrary age discrimination.

  • Posted by Jane4 May 05, 2020 at 21:04

    To be fair this was a recommendation not legislation. I see many over 70s out and about. I do agree that the arbitrary over 70 statement that has been bandied about is not helpful.

  • Posted by Caledonian May 05, 2020 at 21:22

    There is a fundamental dilemma here , how do you allow for personal freedoms of healthy over 70’s when medical and scientific evidence indicates that in this group a’s immunosuppressant ability has declined with age. ?
    This the basis of the strategy to protect the vulnerable whether they are fit or have underlying heath issues.
     In balance medical and scientific trumps our desire for personal freedoms if it saves lives.

  • Posted by Salsagran May 05, 2020 at 21:22

    Fully agree with comments above. We are all adults and know the risks without being silly. It's up to me whether I want to go out. I take loads of exercise and eat healthily.
    Lockdown on age is not acceptable as plenty younger people get ill too.

  • Posted by colin546326 May 05, 2020 at 22:03

    Fully agree..I am in that group and I am used to golf, cycling and hill walking some of which I can still do but being forced to stay is not good for overall health especially when these activities are usually 2m form anyone else

  • Posted by goldenoldie May 05, 2020 at 23:05

    We are not all in care homes, nor isolating due to underlying health problems. We are both well over 70, but we are members of three curling clubs, ski twice a year, take 8-mile walks, attend our local gym regularly. We represent a large group of fit, active, but older people for whom the prospect of lock-down until next January is too depressing to contemplate.

    The opportunity to leave the house more than twice a day but still to be limited to walking round our local pavements would be of little help to our mental well-being. To be able to drive to extend our very limited horizons is becoming essential.

    Please consider all those like us when drawing up the plans for the next step. We, too, need some staged freedoms; e.g. to use our car to look at and walk in the nearby countryside - say within a 25 mile radius of our house - or to visit family.

  • Posted by JenDee81 May 06, 2020 at 07:42

    Obesity seems to be a far bigger risk factor, but there is no intention to lock up obese people arbitrarily. My parents are 70+ and go to the gym 3/4 times a week (normally) and are incredibly fit and healthy with good, Mediterranean diets. It is outrageous to say they must be kept in, but a 40 year old who is obese and does no exercise is allowed to come out of lock-down.

  • Posted by WSR May 06, 2020 at 20:07

    Let over 70s evaluate any risks for themsleves, just like smokers make it their own choice to smoke - something that might kill them.

  • Posted by Bibliotec May 08, 2020 at 07:31

    There are now thousands of over 70s who haven't been out for 6 or 7 weeks, are getting their shopping done and can't see friends in a similar situation. Surely those in this category could drive and see friends in a similar situation, there would be no risk as they would be isolated in their cars. Having to use public transport would be a different matter. Also they could even just go out for a short drive to get some mental stimulation, for example people with dementia need this stimulation otherwise they just begin to shut down at home. Keeping people who know they haven't been in contact with the wider world for ages isn't good for their mental health.
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