Coronavirus, The Elderly And Hotels Advice Please

[barry1010]

My frail, elderly parents are due to go on holiday to a large hotel that has several hundred guests and lots of staff within the UK in a week's time. Should they cancel?

[ummmm]

What is their health like in general?

[barry1010]

Dad has a heart disease, a type of blood cancer and severe COPD. Mum has diabetes and asthma.

[Jordyboy9]

If it was me,we are elderly but not frail,I would not take the chance of catching something,cancel and they can go later when this is over.

[Old_Geezer]

Only if they want to. The odds of catching anything let alone Coronavirus, are slim. But you never know. Personally I'd want to enjoy what I can out of life while I was here rather than worry about minor chance risks which stop me doing so. (Besides, is the deposit refundable ?)

[barry1010]

They aren't the sort to worry about money, OG

[rowanwitch]

No one can tell you what to do, the official advice for over 60s is avoid crowds. The trade off and it might be worth considering, how many chances to have a nice holiday still remain. My mum is 87 and frail, the virus would finish her off I am sure she would want to go... My sister would say no, I would be on the fence,bearing in mind what I said above. Things are changing rapidly so relatively safe today is far worse by next week. Talk to them make sure they have all the facts but be prepared to bite your nails to the quick if they decide to go.

[barry1010]

Thank you all for your thoughts. Of course it will be their decision (or the hotel's; as most of their guests are senior citizens they may well cancel) but I know they will ask my advice.

[KARL]

I think you are absolutely right to let them decide for themselves. Consider this: If they go to Tesco's and use a trolley or a basket, steady themselves with a hand on anything anywhere, or even just go to the doctor's, dentist's or in fact anywhere outside their own home, the chances of acquiring covid19 are very likely as high or higher than at the hotel. As others have indicated, life is for living and not for cowering in fear in a corner somewhere. Be scrupulous about sanitising hands before touching any point on the face and that is about the best precaution anyone can take.

[Apc2604]

I agree that they should make their own decision. Frail and elderly they may be, but this doesn't mean that they need advice unless they have asked for it, or unless they have mental health issues.

[ladybirder]

Barry with them having COPD, Diabetes and Asthma all of which are on the WHO warning list, do not tell them to go because if they went and did get it you would never forgive yourself.

[woofgang]

I think you could say something like "you have to decide, but If I was in your place I would do xxx" If I was in their place, I would cancel.

[tellboy]

I see no point in being in a Hotel worrying about it..what if it got a lockdown ?....just do something else.