Forum Topic

Coronavirus - Can You Catch It Twice?

If not, as one of the over 60s apparently to be denied treatment by the NHS if it becomes prevalent in the UK, is it perhaps best that I try to catch it now when I would no doubt receive exemplary care and first class treatment?Just a thought.

Philip Coe ● 2438d14 Comments

You're the second person in two days to mention that over-60s won't be treated. Where is this coming from? Sounds like fake news to me.

Susan Kelly ● 2437d

Particularly as they're asking retired NHS staff to return.

Micki Hawkes ● 2437d

I dont think it is, or indeed will ever be declared as, official Government policy but it was a scenario put forward if the NHS became overwhelmed and might lead tohospital bosses denying older and weaker patients treatment in favour of those with best chance of recovering.Doomsday planning could see an overwhelmed NHS call on a "Three Wise Men" protocol — where three senior doctors choose who gets precious beds and treatment. (Three?  This, to me, seems a waste of medical resource)And I am slightly embarrassed to reveal my source as being yesterday's edition of "Loose Women" but I recall they quoted it from a tabloid newspaper......

Philip Coe ● 2437d

A friend of mine who returned from the NHS just over a year ago, having done 47 years as a nurse, thinks that asking the retired staff to return will kill them off and save paying their pensions! On another note I have contacted the nursing director at the WMUH about nursing staff wearing their uniforms to and from work, a no no under normal circumstances, bloody stupid now I would think.

Vanessa Smith ● 2437d

I read somewhere that people who worked in the Spice Docks during the 1918 flu epidemic  had a much lower incidence of  the flu. Putting loads of cinnamon  and ginger on my prorridge and yoghurt .

Susan Jacques ● 2437d

Okay, there's a world of difference between not treating some very old and/or sick patients if the NHS can't cope and a blanket 'no over-60s' policy. Apart from anything else, 60 is nothing these days.

Susan Kelly ● 2437d

Turmeric is another excellent spice. You can add it to almost anything.

Brian Coyle ● 2437d

Just look on the bright side: if all us over-sixties pop our clogs, that'll be the deficit gone and the National Debt paid off in a few years.

Susan Kelly ● 2437d

Why would newly retired staff want to return with the way that they have been overworked due to staff shortages in their working lives?

Philippa Bond ● 2436d

I don't suppose they will want to but will be guilt-tripped into doing so.

Susan Kelly ● 2436d

That's arrogant and shameful.  That's why many are still there.  Perhaps they should be dealing with the ordinary emergencies.

Philippa Bond ● 2436d

When there are overwhelming numbers of casualties, you split them 3 ways: 1) you send home the ones who will probably survive anyway; if there's enough to go round they're given medicine/bandages, otherwise not 2) the ones who will probably die are not treated; if time permits they're made comfortable3) all medical efforts are concentrated on saving those who would probably die without treatment, but might survive if treated It kinda makes sense. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

James Tickell ● 2435d

I think that there's something we re not being told about this virus.In the normal way, we all accept that there's a good number of us oldies who will be killed off by flue (the statistics are there, after all), but for flu we don't get warned that crematoria might have to stay open 24 hours a day to cope with 50,000 extra deaths per week in the worst-case scenario, with funeral services shortened to allow for more cremations per hour; that a "limited choice of types and sixes of coffins" could be offered to "ensure manufacturers can supply to demand"; that mechanical diggers could be used to dig multiple graves at the same time in anticipation of increased need: temporary mortuaries including refrigerated shipping containers.All this is from the Government's Coronav-irus Action Plan,as reported in this morning's Daily Telegraph, which is not a newspaper noted for its shock-horror plan.No wonder toilet paper is running out in the shops. I am hoping that Avery's Of Bristol don't run out of my favourite Rioja.

Roger Talbot ● 2435d

James is right. This is the sort of triage we normally see in battlefield situations, but if it comes to that then it's the right approach.The government is envisaging a worst case scenario which will probably not happen but needs to be prepared for just in case.Hysteria will not help. Talk of 'old people being left to die' will not help.

Susan Kelly ● 2435d