What truly worries me, about the coronavirus is the predicted inability of the NHS to cope with a full blown pandemic. Reading that hospitals will operate a “three wise men” protocol, where three senior consultants will decide which patients will receive the fullest support (oxygen and other curative treatment) and which ones (the weakest and most vulnerable) will be left to survive or die, with minimal support, scares me, as my wife will probably fall in the second category.
I'd be concerned having done my three score years and having, albeit much improved, COPD. We live in the Hague, and the healthcare has been excellent. How any country is going to cope with a full blown pandemic is difficult to say. Best follow instructions re personal hygiene and possible exposure. Good luck both with staying clear of problems!
This situation has certainly made us more aware of the need to enjoy life to the full. Unfortunately the weather isn't playing ball today, more museum than beach the forecast not to bright either so it's take the Norwegian approach and say there's no such thing as bad weather only bad clothes.
They are saying that 60 is elderly and that is plain ridiculous. Unless you have health issues (which let's face it could happen to anyone of any age) you are as fit at 60 as you are at 50. I'm nearly 70 and fit as a flea and many people in their sixties are still working. Quite rightly the NHS is preparing for worst case scenario...and sadly health workers are the most at risk due to exposure. However, for most of us it is a case of upping hygiene levels and carry on regardless. No point in living in fear...just stops you living.
Poor old newts, much maligned. https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-2007,00.html
Did you know that the word newt actually comes from the contraction of an ewt (ewt being a corruption of an Old English word for the little critter).
I see part of the government plan, for easing the coronavirus situation, would be getting retired doctors to come out of retirement. I guess many retire early, given their earnings over the years, but some of them could fall into the vulnerable age group, so hopefully common sense would prevail, but probably not based on current standards.
Many doctors retired early because of some issue with their pensions...not clear myself, but apparently something to do with them effectively working for nothing. Doctors volunteering to come out of retirement in a time of emergency is no different from ex-forces personnel being called up first in war.
Funnily enough, the opposite happened with adders, which were formerly known as nadders. Similarly, oranges were noranges, from the Spanish naranja.