Will you comply?

greenbee

I suspect that may be why all the delivery slots are closed, and I can see why those groups need prioritising. It's also worth remembering that not all elderly are incapable of using technology - after my dad died my mum realised that she couldn't do big shops on her own, so got to grips with the tech and now does her supermarket shops and bulk orders online. She'd managed clothes shopping online for a while beforehand which helped   I've just spent 15 minutes setting her up on zoom so we can have a family call later this morning - she pointed out that while I may think she's a bit slow (my frustration is with her password recording system which makes it impossible to find the right userID and password for anything!) she spends a lot of time giving her friends tech support over the phone.

What we do need to work out is how those in isolation will get groceries etc. Particularly those who tend to budget week to week so don't have stocks built up to get them through or who can't afford the minimum order/delivery charge. Obviously those in long-term isolation will be listed as vulnerable (how are we going to check who is elderly/vulnerable/key worker so it isn't abused), but those in short-term isolation won't be. 

skogar

On one of the sites I went on yesterday (ieland I think) it does ask if you are vunerable - I was trying to get a delivery slot for my OH's parents. However even after you have gone through this there are still none available.

skogar

Many thanks for the suggestons on the ebooks. I do have an old kindle which we could possibly load some books onto and post or take it across. We had thought of that but the difficulty is getting it there and back as we don't live locally.

They don't have internet so can't use the library services for ebooks.

Thought I had found one with 3G but looks like thee may have been discontinued. 

Gers

skogar said:

Many thanks for the suggestons on the ebooks. I do have an old kindle which we could possibly load some books onto and post or take it across. We had thought of that but the difficulty is getting it there and back as we don't live locally.

They don't have internet so can't use the library services for ebooks.

Thought I had found one with 3G but looks like thee may have been discontinued. 

Can you organise a dongle - if they have a laptop or desktop? I suppose if they don't have internet then they don't have a laptop so it's probably no help.

https://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/guides/mobile-broadband/dongles

I'm sure there will be a solution, best place to ask is over in the Techie Board. Someone there will have an answer.

BTW - love the link you shared earlier, it gives a very clear explanation.  Thanks.

skogar

Hi Gers,

Many thanks for the dongle idea. I will look into it. They did have a laptop year ago for photos but have spoken to OH and he says it is much too old and "would be virused in seconds". However we may be able to find something suitable for them to use.

Annoyingly - they were just coming round to the idea that they were going to need the internet as so many things can now only be done online. Also they love their opera and I have just found out that the Met have started streaming an opera every day for free - would have been perfect for them. 

Sayschezza

Can you not buy used paperbacks from Amazon pretty cheap

Blue_Doggy

If you have a car, and will be under age-related self isolation (12 weeks), will you be driving it regularly to keep everything operating properly? I have an indistinct memory of there being a limit to the length of time a car can stand idle without the tyres deteriorating and the various fluids draining or thickening. Can anyone clarify/advise? I am worried I may have to do the 12 week isolation stint, and would hope to be able to use the car afterwards.

KxMx

At the moment stringent social distancing is recommended for the over 70's.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Shielding (minimum 12 week isolation) is for those of any age with specific serious health problems.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Ellieduval

My husband is 68 and in the at risk group,we are in week 2 of isolation.
To be honest I'm enjoying it .
I never realised there were so many things I could find to do that I had put off as I always had to be somewhere else.
I'm going to have the most organised loft/cupboards/garden shed.
All of the alterations I wanted to do on my clothing will be done.
I have time to actually try all the recipes I clipped out of magazines instead of just hoarding them in a recipe box for endless years.
My garden will be spruced up ready for summer with everything freshly painted and cleaned.
All those box sets and Netflix films I wanted to watch will be seen.
If it wasn't for the reason we are having to self isolate being so tragic this would be what I describe as heaven.
I wish everyone well and please keep safe everyone.

Chrystal

I think there may be quite a lot of people who feel the way you do.  Being forcibly distanced from social pressure, and being in just your own space, makes you realise what a rat race life has become and how much you have actually been missing out on.
I don't think this is going to have a quick fix, and there will be a lot of heartache, but hopefully peoples lives will have changed for the better when it's over.