Isolation of the over 70s

[trevor]

Only for the first month of the 4 month period

 

[need_my_wedge]

a little follow on from Brian's excellent post -

- the virus survives on metal for >12 hrs, & on fabric for 6-12 hrs

So it won;t just be the guy in the group behind that will be affected

There are reports that suggest up to 72 hours... no confirmation as yet, but who wants to be the first to find out for sure.

https://www.livescience.com/how-long-coronavirus-last-surfaces.html

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

So to be clear, Covid 19 could last up to 72 hours (based on studies of similar but not the same virus). However, as stated, it's not clear whether people do catch it from touching surfaces.

So for the scenario to work, someone in the group in front needs to have caught Covid-19 (which currently is a tiny percentage of the population), but not be in the stages of showing signs (so reducing the tiny odds further). That person would need to touch things on the golf course which may or may not leave Covid-19.

The following person would then need to touch the same spot on the golf course (which has to be a fairly minute chance), potentially picking up the Covid-19 germs, before then touching themselves on the face in advance of washing their hands (again reducing odds even further)

That person then may or may not actually catch Covid-19. Are also likely to have mild symptoms with very extreme cases of death. It also assumes the person wouldn't have caught it from other sources.



I appreciate that post will be a red rag to a bull for a lot of people and suggest I'm not taking an issue seriously. I am, i follow all protocol and taking care around my social interaction particularly with parents. What I'm trying to do is put it in context. I would expect a lot more activities in life carry a higher risk than the chances of catching Covid 19 from a golfer in the group in front from touching the flag in the same place.

We should be extra viliglante but let's listen to the guidance given by the top scientists in this field as and when they introduce the protocols to fight such an issue. Panic will not help them deal with it, nor will it help with the fallout a lot of individuals and businesses will need to contend with even if they didn't suffer bad symptoms from catching it.

 

[Robster59]

To be honest, we are keeping my Father in Law indoors as much as possible. He's 87 with vascular dementia, heart and other medical issues. No point in taking any chances.

 

[Mel Smooth]

To be honest, we are keeping my Father in Law indoors as much as possible. He's 87 with vascular dementia, heart and other medical issues. No point in taking any chances.

Absolutely. You'll know that your father in law is in the most endangered group. I do sense an degree of flippancy from some people still on this matter, but it so important everybody does everything they can to keep people like your father in law safe.

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

To be honest, we are keeping my Father in Law indoors as much as possible. He's 87 with vascular dementia, heart and other medical issues. No point in taking any chances.

Which seems sensible given underlying health issues. I'm just suggesting people put it in perspective.

For my dad, 70, no underlying health issues, i would suggest not criticising him for playing golf once a week (not using clubhouse) with sensible protcols may be sensible given the mental and health benefits, particularly if that release allows him to appropriately isolate for 4 months for the rest of the time. As opposed to going full out now, isolating in full and getting frustrated/cabin fever in a month, then abolishing all self isolation at a time when it will be significantly higher up the peak of how many people are carrying it. 4 months of isolation will be seriously difficult and take a mental toll.

 

[Grant85]

Surely this proposal is OTT. What risk is there going to the first tee without visiting the clubhouse, playing 18, then going straight home. Unless it's made mandatory I won't be doing it. With no golf I'd be more likely to be killed by my wife.!

These measures will be put in place to help the healthcare system.

As it is the virus affects elderly people far more seriously than younger people. Some stats from Italy after around 1,500 deaths were that 97% of deaths were people aged 60 and over with only 1 death in the age range of under 40.

Ultimately it is likely that the vast majority of people suffering the virus can survive, other than those with existing health conditions. However it is likely that a number will require hospital treatment and they simply won't have the staff, beds or ventilator machines to keep people going. hence the strategy seems to be focused on 'flattening the curve'.

If this order is given, as it seems it will be at some point, it would be pretty selfish to flaunt it simply because 'there's not much risk' as it is impossible to say what will happen or how / when you could be affected. I doubt it will be made mandatory by law as they probably wouldn't spend the time putting the legislation through - but it will more likely be guidance / recommendations.

 

[rosecott]

You can still touch it accidentally with the back/side of your hand getting the ball out best to be safe rather than risk a further spread. Thanks for the concern/advice though.

?

My pleasure.

 

[Russ_D]

My parents are both 75, fairly fit and healthy but I still worry. They look after my kids after school on a friday as I cant pick them up and my wife is a teacher so cant get them either, and the youngest on another day when he isn't at the schools pre-school. I am more bothered however on the mental effect of not seeing their grandson's for an extended period.
Sure, it would mean I have to take a day unpaid and 2 hours unpaid friday but sure its a small price to pay.

 

[Grant85]

I can't see how isolation for the over 70's will work. They still need to go out and get medication and food and that age group in particular won't all have a support network to help them

My understanding in Italy is that you are only allowed to go out for groceries or medication.
So it's not isolation as in being absolutely house bound for weeks at a time. Just rapidly minimising the number of people that are out and about and coming into contact with each other.

i.e. no socialising, working, commuting, sports etc.

Seems to be that there is a real community feel about it and people are sticking to the guidance. Also given the lack of other business and events going on, police are able to patrol and that is enough to put any would be rebels off being out of their house.

I think there is a realisation in government that you can only ask people to do this once and it will only be effective for a week or two before people feel it is too draconian and lose faith in the advice.

 

[SasquatchSQ]

The following person would then need to touch the same spot on the golf course (which has to be a fairly minute chance), potentially picking up the Covid-19 germs, before then touching themselves on the face in advance of washing their hands (again reducing odds even further)

The prediction is for 60% of the population getting it, so very soon the chances won't be tiny.

If we keep everything as normal, then >100 people might touch i.e. a flag pole in a day. 60% of people having it, and all of those will have a window where they are contagious of likely a couple of days.

We may be able to adapt i.e. by not having flags, or having handwash on every green, and dropping out of bunkers, but with lives at stake, it may well not be worth the risk.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

[


They will be allowed out of the house. You're just not meant to go within 6 feet of people. So they would keep walking their dog, but if for example they need to open a gate on their route, they should use hand sanitizer.

Wearing gloves is better, but best is walking a route where you touch nothing.
And only long enough for the dog to poo etc.
I'm not suggesting you would but people should not ignore the object of the exercise, it is not to get around the requirement.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Obviously, no need to follow advice. Experts know nothing. It’s all blown out of proportion, no one is really that ill.

The Spanish ignored advice, just like the UK is now. 2000 new cases and more than 100 new deaths in the last 24 hours.

At least it will be the stupid people who die.

What a hideous post, it’s pretty much guaranteed that most of us are going to get it at some point.

Those that die will mostly be the old and infirm, they are not stupid, just in the wrong place at the wrong point in time.
I hope that nobody you care about gets it badly and if they do, would you still call them “stupid”

 

[jim8flog]

On a bit of a tangent, our subs are due at the end of this month. We have a fair number of over 70s, would imagine quite a few of them are thinking twice about renewing if they are not allowed out the house for months on end.

Same sort of discussion in our club this morning.

 

[robinthehood]

What a hideous post, it’s pretty much guaranteed that most of us are going to get it at some point.

Those that die will mostly be the old and infirm, they are not stupid, just in the wrong place at the wrong point in time.
I hope that nobody you care about gets it badly and if they do, would you still call them “stupid”

I think you missed the point here.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Ok so explain it to me.

 

[jim8flog]

If you are 70 or or over and go out of the house with no ID how is anybody going to know how old you are.

 

[jim8flog]

It was interesting.

The groups I play with were going through everybody ages, out of the 30 or so only 4 of us were under 70. Looks like golf may become a pretty lonely affair.

 

[ferenezejohn]

So if your only 69 and 11 months you'll be fine

Just like me?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Ok so explain it to me.

You didn’t go to the moderator’s sarcasm seminar I see...explains a lot ?