Covid: Why my sympathies are with younger people about the pandemic – Helen Martin

But as I’m heading (in about six weeks) to “celebrate” my 68th birthday, it seems that most of those around about my age are suffering less than others.

We’re retired. For many of us, our mortgage is paid off. We’re settled. We have pensions. Staying in the house most of the time isn’t such a frustrating issue for us.

Singles approaching 70 are not desperately looking for partners, and those of us who are married and quite happy are advantaged not to be alone.

My sympathy goes to teenagers who expect their lives to become more exciting as they reach maturity. Instead, it’s boring and limited now.

For those in 20s, 30s and over, a major urge might be finding a partner. Yes, there are online dating apps but where and how in lockdown is dating possible with masks, social distancing, and no pubs or restaurants?

I feel very sorry for those who have lost their jobs as businesses are either shut down or have permanently closed down. How are they supposed to cope with rents, mortgages and debts or find another job if their sector is reducing?

There must be thousands who have worked in call centres which have also closed down because of distancing, and customer services have moved online. The same can be said for massive retail closures.

Throughout younger life, there’s a permanent attitude of ambitions and imagining what good or exciting things might happen in future whether that’s love, work, income, a new home or moving abroad.

Now that’s still the case but most aspects and dreams could be frozen for even longer.

My son has his own art/graphic design studio and used to have many clients involved in pubs, restaurants, retail and tourism. Jobs dropped off. But with an amazing piece of luck he has acquired and built up on animated work contracts from both South Asia and the US. But what about others whose jobs have disappeared with this pandemic?

I admire those who have kept their job, have a family and a still reasonable income, and are able to work from home, even if it’s not quite as good as spending working days with their team.

But, despite keeping their jobs, nurses and doctors and everyone working in the NHS are enduring overwork, stress, exhaustion, deaths, sadness and severe risks of virus transmission.

With Brexit there are additional nightmares for those such as fishermen, export and import drivers and many other who are facing even more disasters as well as the pandemic. Very sad.

It’s true that the majority of deaths from this deadly virus have hit older people. Their families are grieving. But even worse are the deaths of younger people, men or women who have partners, children and who would have had no likelihood to die if it wasn’t for the foul pandemic.

Summing it all up, I feel society gives more sympathy for older people who are more likely to face fatality.

But older people (including me) would rather pass on than have children or grandchildren lose their lives.

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