Another ageist day

We seem to have to repeat our information campaigns time and time again, as the same ageism reappears. Now the govt is floating special lock down measures for the over 50s, when the NHS and the BMA made it clear age should not be the sole basis for special measures - 50 year old women for example are less at risk than younger people with health conditions. We need properly researched and nuanced research into who the severe at risk groups are,so those seniors who are less at risk can return to full social, employment and volunteering involvement, as long as we are all being protected by the government. This is why we need to demand masks are compulsory inside buildings where there is close contact, social distancing has to be respected and hand washing continued - but for all.

The next little piece of bad news is that it is being reported by fellow members of EngAge Net - the national network of age forums- that volunteers wishing to return to work in charity shops ( and pensioners are the mainstay of much volunteering) are being refused on the grounds of their age

Then another report comes in that someone who has had Covid and recovered has taken up the government request to offer her blood plasma and it was rejected on the grounds of being over 70, with no medical reason giving.

we must fight for health, scientific and medical expertise to be at the forefront of decisions at a local and national level