SAVE OUR ELDERLY
What are the coronavirus lockdown rules for over-70s?
ELDERLY Brits are among those hit hardest by coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Brits to stay at home on January 5 as he plunged England into a third nationwide lockdown.
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The Prime Minister announced a raft of new measures in a bid to drive down surging coronavirus infections caused by the mutant strain.
The new lockdown measures came into force last night and will remain in place until the middle of February.
This is the third national shutdown following the four-week lockdown which came into force on November 5.
Mr Johnson warned: "It’s both frustrating and alarming to see the speed that the new variant is spreading.
"It’s clear we need to do more together to bring the new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out. In England, we must therefore go into a national lockdown."
A strict stay-at-home message is in force and Brits have been urged to work from home unless they are unable to.
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He continued: "People over 70 might feel there is something excessive about these measures.
"I believe they are overwhelmingly worth it to slow the spread of the disease reduce the peak save life minimise suffering and give our NHS the chance to cope."
Medics say the elderly are more at risk of the bug as their immune systems are weaker - meaning their bodies are less able to fight Covid-19.
In fact, evidence from China, where the deadly virus originated, shows one in seven of those over 80 known to have contracted coronavirus have died.
Under the new restrictions, Brits can only leave home for limited reasons.
Mr Johnson said people will only be allowed out of their homes to buy essential food and medicine supplies, attend medical appointments, and exercise.
Brits can go to work if it cannot be done from home, provide care for a vulnerable person and attend education if eligible.
Anyone over the age of 70 is now eligible to chase up with the NHS, as they should be covered by their first doses as soon as possible.
Matt Hancock has told people to encourage their grandparents to book a jab if they have not yet received it.
What does self-isolation mean for pensioners?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says self-isolation is currently “the most effective way” of preventing the deadly bug from spreading.
Pensioners will have to remain in their homes, except for getting medical care, and not go to work, school or public areas.
Experts also say people who are self-isolating need to separate themselves from other people in their home and stay in a well-ventilated room with a window to the outside that can be opened.
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They will need to ask for help if they require any shopping or medications - and call ahead before visiting a doctor.
Despite this, according to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the elderly will still be able to go out and walk their dogs during months of self-isolation.
Mr Shapps told Radio 4's Today programme: "We will ask people to do that as and when the moment is right.
"As I said to my mum, it is the case that people will be able to go out and walk your dog.
"It's about being sensible without going and mixing in crowds."
How can you help the elderly cope with isolation?
One of the best things to do is to encourage elderly people to shop online so they keep stocks of food and supplies.
But if they do not have access to the internet or are not handy with a computer, Age UK recommend that healthy, more active people help with running errands like picking up bits of shopping.
The Government is in talks with major retailers to ensure the elderly and vulnerable can still get access to supplies, such as through a telephone hotline where they can place orders.
However, older people are increasingly getting online – data from the Office for National Statistics show that 83 per cent of people aged 65 to 74 had used the internet in 2019, up from 52 per cent in 2011.
It may be worth ensuring that the older people in your life are set up with online shopping accounts now, are able to access social media to stay in touch with other or have been introduced to streaming services such as Netflix.
On top of this, part of the mental battle of isolation is remaining as active as possible - even if this means standing up ten times in one hour and walking between rooms in the house.
If the elderly person you are helping has a garden, encourage them to walk around it - and make sure they are not immobile for long periods of time, watching television for long periods or remaining bed bound. Anyone who visits an older person should wash their hands before and after they visit.
Ensure carers in homes or those doing regular home visits do not attend if they are sick or displaying symptoms of coronavirus.
A number of pharmacies around the UK are making plans to deliver medication to elderly people in the event of self isolation.
Why are the elderly more susceptible to Covid-19?
It's older adults - aged 60 and upwards - who are more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus.
Medics say it's because our immune systems weaken with age, meaning an older person's body is less able to fight Covid-19.
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More on coronavirus
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Clinical Director of told The Sun: "We know that as you get older, your immune system becomes less efficient – that’s why older people are at higher risk of serious complications of coronavirus infection.
"If your immune system isn’t strong, it’s more likely that the virus can multiply deep inside your lung, causing inflammation and scarring.
"Your immune system will try and fight it off, and will often destroy healthy lung tissue in the process.
"This makes you more prone to get ‘secondary’ infections like pneumococcal pneumonia."
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