Coronavirus for the Elderly Motorhomer

[StuartO]

I have been following the coronavirus outbreak from the time it broke as news, initially because we were due to fly to New Zealand and then cruise back through the Far East to UK - but that was abandoned, so were still at home wondering what motorhoming options we're likely to have this year. For people in my age group (over 70) it's a serious business.

 

The outbreak is still developing in UK and Europe and the experts, of whom there seem to be rather a lot, are forecasting a prolonged outbreak of many months which they hope to delay into summer to mitigate its effect. For people under 60 the threat is of an unpleasant but short 'flu-like illness with only a small risk of dying but for older people it is much more threatening (mortality rate currently estimated at 15%) and our Government are said to getting close to advising all elderly people to self-isolate for several weeks to avoid catching the virus. Apparently we should all have a visit and a last hug before we do this from our family, in case we don't see them again except through the window when they deliver food fro us.

 

The risk is that about a week after contracting the infection, which you won't know has happened, the elderly develop viral pneumonia and need intensive care in a hospital, probably including the use of a ventilator, of which there will be a very limited supply. And motorhomes are no place in which to endure any serious illness, so the obvious thing to do during the self-isolation phase of the outbreak would appear to be to stay at home and self-isolate there.

 

I was hoping to go to the Peterborough Show in mid-April but I'm currently thinking that isn't going to be a good idea. My ususual Spring and Autumn European tours are looking pretty dodgy too. Will it be worth doing any motorhoming at all this year I wonder?

[hallii]

I am in much the same dilemma Stuart, I have "underlying conditions" and aged over 70 and as you say, Covid-19 will be a serious illness if we get it. My contacts in the NHS tell me there are not enough ventilators and blood oxygenising equipment as it is, so it might be a bit of a lottery as regards treatment. I believe that symptoms start like an ordinary cold, then flu-like symptoms set in followed by pneumonia.

 

World Health Organization, said that about 15% of people with COVID-19 have “severe disease with pneumonia that requires hospitalization” . The older you are the more likely you will need hospitalisation.

 

I think I will consider my options carefully, I was going to go to France regardless in about a month, I am going to review things now about 1 week from departure.

 

Geoff

[Will86]

For myself over 90 and Mrs Will almost there we accept whatever life throws at us, we don't hoard food or behave any differently. If we still had a Motorhome we would use it just the same but only locally. We always avoid ALL people.

 

All diseases run their course and have done throughout history we have to understand us humans are surplus beings. Its impossible trying to compete with bugs that self reproduce and can change sex according to their surroundings. Make the best of what you have !

 

Will

[Ninian]

Hi, I am over 70 and wife 68 we had a 10 week trip planned to the continent and just decided it wasn't worth the risk and just cancelled our ferry booking forfeiting the deposit. Looking forward to next year hopefully all will be better. We intend just motorhoming locally taking things as they come. Stay safe.!!!!!!!!!!!

[yoko8pups]

I have the opposite dilema, I live fairly remotely in Portugal and we have very few cases, I go once a week to the supermarket and market otherwise see nobody, I can't decide whether to use my (cheap) flight to UK

[StuartO]

yoko8pups - 2020-03-07 2:56 PM

 

I have the opposite dilema, I live fairly remotely in Portugal and we have very few cases, I go once a week to the supermarket and market otherwise see nobody, I can't decide whether to use my (cheap) flight to UK

 

I suppose that if you can hoard enough food you would be better staying where you are; an aeroplane is not the ideal place to spend any time if you want to avoid the virus. It just frustrates that when you can’t have that many more motorhome got seasons left in you, you have to waste one hiding away.

[colin]

StuartO - 2020-03-07 4:21 PM

 

yoko8pups - 2020-03-07 2:56 PM

 

I have the opposite dilema, I live fairly remotely in Portugal and we have very few cases, I go once a week to the supermarket and market otherwise see nobody, I can't decide whether to use my (cheap) flight to UK

 

I suppose that if you can hoard enough food you would be better staying where you are; an aeroplane is not the ideal place to spend any time if you want to avoid the virus. It just frustrates that when you can’t have that many more motorhome got seasons left in you, you have to waste one hiding away.

 

11 months ago I severely exacerbated the problem with my hip which has drastically curtailed my mobility, since Christmas I've not even been able to do my part time job. Just getting to the top of list for op when it looks like all 'routine' ops might be cancelled, it's increasingly likely that we will miss a second year of more distant touring. Beginning to wish I'd gone private.

[Bulletguy]

I think you made the right decision Stuart given how rapid and widespread this has now become. Another poster intending to tour Italy has cancelled his booking just as i expect many more will be now. It's not so much a matter of lessening the risk but more a matter if worst case scenario arose, where you'd prefer to be....in hospital in a foreign country, or here?

 

Until it's under control and a vaccine developed, the decision is a no brainer really.

[Conrad]

I'm still the right side of 70 (gosh, was only yesterday I'd say I was used the right side of 60!). Can understand correspondents being wary, and we've cancelled visits to family in urban south-east England. But - I can't help thinking that a safe place is in a probably half empty campsite field, with a motor home complete with a full fridge and wine cellar in a part of beautiful rural Britain. Not biased, but west or mid Wales springs to mind, or Dumfries and Galloway, Cairgorms, Highlands and islands.

 

[Billggski]

colin - 2020-03-07 5:33 PM

"11 months ago I severely exacerbated the problem with my hip which has drastically curtailed my mobility, since Christmas I've not even been able to do my part time job. Just getting to the top of list for op when it looks like all 'routine' ops might be cancelled, it's increasingly likely that we will miss a second year of more distant touring. Beginning to wish I'd gone private"

 

My friend went private and had his hip done three times until it was done properly on the NHS. Private hospitals can be an "old boys club" where retired surgeons go to earn extra money.

 

Bad luck with the hip, I'm still skiing after ten years,so fingers crossed it lasts a bit longer.

[Bulletguy]

Conrad - 2020-03-07 7:54 PM

 

I'm still the right side of 70 (gosh, was only yesterday I'd say I was used the right side of 60!). Can understand correspondents being wary, and we've cancelled visits to family in urban south-east England. But - I can't help thinking that a safe place is in a probably half empty campsite field, with a motor home complete with a full fridge and wine cellar in a part of beautiful rural Britain. Not biased, but west or mid Wales springs to mind, or Dumfries and Galloway, Cairgorms, Highlands and islands.

It's already got to Wales. First case last week in Swansea. However there is small comfort knowing Wales has set up the first drive-thru Coronavirus test centre you can get yourself checked out at! :D

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51766298

 

Eleven confirmed cases in Scotland. Maybe stay at home and seal the doors and windows! :-(

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51765401

[Fifo]

We’re currently on our way back to UK after a winter in Spain. I’ve just put in my usual big post- trip online order for a Tesco delivery on the day we get home. We empty fridge, freezer and cupboards before we go away so there’s not much left.

 

Much of what I have ordered comes up with “ This item is unavailable”.

 

What are we, over 75s so coming under the government expectation to self- isolate on our return, supposed to do ? Starve ? Bring back Mercadona pasta rather than wine ?

 

 

[mel wood]

You ask what you are supposed to do.

Are there no supermarkets at which you can stop on your way home?

[Bulletguy]

Fifo - 2020-03-07 8:58 PM

 

We’re currently on our way back to UK after a winter in Spain. I’ve just put in my usual big post- trip online order for a Tesco delivery on the day we get home. We empty fridge, freezer and cupboards before we go away so there’s not much left.

 

Much of what I have ordered comes up with “ This item is unavailable”.

 

What are we, over 75s so coming under the government expectation to self- isolate on our return, supposed to do ? Starve ? Bring back Mercadona pasta rather than wine ?

Morrisons, Asda and Iceland do online. Free next day delivery on orders of £35 or over from Iceland though you can choose any day you want.

 

You've had a lucky escape. My neighbours brother waiting for major heart surgery has had to go with another cardiologist as the surgeon due to do his op is now in quarantine after being infected with Covad whilst away in Spain!

[davidmac]

Hi I worked on building sites for 50 years, statistically not the safest of working environments, but I always thought the most dangerous thing I did each day was to drive to and from work. Five people die on our roads each day, does that put anyone off driving? Take care but enjoy today, next years problem might be worse than this years.

Regards David

[paulmold]

Fifo - 2020-03-07 8:58 PM

 

Much of what I have ordered comes up with “ This item is unavailable”.

 

 

 

We went to Tesco today, all pasta shelves empty as we're liquid soap dispenser shelves and paracetamol shelves.

ITV news tonight showed a 'supermarket' in Hampshire where customers were buying bulk packs of toilet rolls. It wasn't a 'supermarket' but a Costco type store where they only sell bulk packs. The media is to blame for panic buying, not the general public.

[phalange]

Plenty of vino on the shelves of mercadona :-D

[Geeco]

Stuart, on this side of the globe we motorhomers are considering the same options. We have just returned after a month away from our Sydney base. We went as far as around two hours north of Brisbane around 1200 klms away. In the most part we stayed on coastal caravan parks many of which were around 40% full. For us we will repeat that journey staying away from busy areas. No plans on OS trips this year despite the very tempting airfares.i am tempering my wife's advice (retired Virologist) with some street smart of my own by not mixing in crowded areas but not overreacting to the doomsayers. Hopefully the situation will calm down in time for me to attend the Sydney RV show in late April. As I write there is a massive run on toilet rolls at the supermarkets, that kind of histeria we do not need. Cheers,

[Muswell]

Billggski - 2020-03-07 8:01 PM

 

colin - 2020-03-07 5:33 PM

"11 months ago I severely exacerbated the problem with my hip which has drastically curtailed my mobility, since Christmas I've not even been able to do my part time job. Just getting to the top of list for op when it looks like all 'routine' ops might be cancelled, it's increasingly likely that we will miss a second year of more distant touring. Beginning to wish I'd gone private"

 

My friend went private and had his hip done three times until it was done properly on the NHS. Private hospitals can be an "old boys club" where retired surgeons go to earn extra money.

 

Bad luck with the hip, I'm still skiing after ten years,so fingers crossed it lasts a bit longer.

 

You need to do research. We paid for my wife's knee to get it done soon, and a definite date. The man who did it is one of the leaders in the field, The aftersales service was great too with frequent and regular physio as long as needed.

[StuartO]

Conrad - 2020-03-07 7:54 PM

 

I'm still the right side of 70 (gosh, was only yesterday I'd say I was used the right side of 60!). Can understand correspondents being wary, and we've cancelled visits to family in urban south-east England. But - I can't help thinking that a safe place is in a probably half empty campsite field, with a motor home complete with a full fridge and wine cellar in a part of beautiful rural Britain. Not biased, but west or mid Wales springs to mind, or Dumfries and Galloway, Cairgorms, Highlands and islands.

 

The problem with that solution, whicvh I encountered a couple of years ago when I got very ill while we were away in the MH, is that a space the size of your bathroom at home isn't big enough to self-isolate for long, or even to carry enogh hoarded food (or wine) so I think you are better off at home really. We did our stocking up a couple of weeks ago, without any difficulty at all, so we can now simply hunker down and hope for the best.

 

The idea that people are panic buying is rather silly when the Government has already announced the need to self-isolate; of course people are going to stockup. Fortunately the supermarkets are saying they can cope.

[StuartO]

colin - 2020-03-07 5:33 PM .... My friend went private and had his hip done three times until it was done properly on the NHS. Private hospitals can be an "old boys club" where retired surgeons go to earn extra money.

 

This is something of a diversion for this thread but since I have inside information to offer .......

 

Although there have been cases of (usually cosmetic surgery) when doctors who were not really qualified worked in private hospitals, which in some cases were not proper private hospitals at all; there was a famous case of a footballer's wife who sadly died after private surgery in one of these "second tier" private not really hospitals in Preston about 10 years ago.

 

Unless surgeons are still actively engaged as NHS consultants, they don't get to keep oerating rights in private hospitals these days. And quite a lot of cold orthopaedic surgery for the NHS takes place in these private hospitals too - quite a proportion of their overall trade in fact. And the standards are just the same (for private v NHS patients) the only difference when I was there being that NHS patients didn't get quite as wide a selection of sandwiches for lunch!

 

Private hospitals are effectively specialist centres for cold surgery and they gat to be very good at doing it. If, as an NHS paitient, you are offered a hip replacement in a private hosiptal take it - the operation will be done by the consultant personally, backed up by a well-practised team of nurse, physios etc. I've had two hips done this way and the experience was pretty good.

[StuartO]

Geeco - 2020-03-07 11:59 PM

 

Stuart, on this side of the globe we motorhomers are considering the same options. We have just returned after a month away from our Sydney base. We went as far as around two hours north of Brisbane around 1200 klms away. In the most part we stayed on coastal caravan parks many of which were around 40% full. For us we will repeat that journey staying away from busy areas. No plans on OS trips this year despite the very tempting airfares.i am tempering my wife's advice (retired Virologist) with some street smart of my own by not mixing in crowded areas but not overreacting to the doomsayers. Hopefully the situation will calm down in time for me to attend the Sydney RV show in late April. As I write there is a massive run on toilet rolls at the supermarkets, that kind of histeria we do not need. Cheers,

 

I suspect the lower population density and the climate difference will help to slow coronavirus down in Oz. Good luck!

[Barryd999]

Maybe do some shorter trips within perhaps a hundred miles of home. Stock enough food and essentials for a week or two and get out to some remote areas. Maybe wild camp or choose a remote CL or two. Not sure what we will do, last couple of years we have not gone far anyway. Just Flamborough Head, the Isle of Arran and the Lake District. Still in our early 50s but you just dont know I guess how bad you are going to get it.

[StuartO]

Barryd999 - 2020-03-08 9:42 AM

 

Maybe do some shorter trips within perhaps a hundred miles of home. Stock enough food and essentials for a week or two and get out to some remote areas. Maybe wild camp or choose a remote CL or two. Not sure what we will do, last couple of years we have not gone far anyway. Just Flamborough Head, the Isle of Arran and the Lake District. Still in our early 50s but you just dont know I guess how bad you are going to get it.

 

If we get stir crazy we'll think along those lines.

[Brock]

I'm with Barry.

 

I'm mid 60s and my wife is 60. We will carry on motorhoming in England with some minor changes. We may stay on more CLs, we may not use site toilet blocks, and we can rely on the CMC's 6m rule to keep away the infected from our pitch. We may ditch the planned trip to Saxmundham because of the distance. We tend to walk quite a bit, especially in urban areas, but we don't see that as a problem - yet - but we won't be going to large events until the scare is over. On the drive at home, the motorhome provides a useful isolation unit as it has all the facilities; the bedrooms in our house do not and three of us live in the house.

 

A motorhome offers isolation either at home or on most sites.

 

Added to all that, Arrowe Park Hospital, where they took the first group into isolation, is about a quarter of a mile away from us and the Liverpool hospital which take the serious cases, is 20 minutes by ambulance.

 

Best wishes, Stuart, whatever way you choose.