Britain, besieged by coronavirus, is no country for lonely old men trapped by politicians in a cycle of seemingly endless social isolation

Life in Britain, before coronavirus struck, was grim for those old men and women in Britain who lived in a state of chronic loneliness. According to 'Age UK,' more than 2 million people over the age of 75, in England alone, let alone those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, live alone and more than a million old people say they go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. For them, going by bus to the shops or the local library, was the only journey to places where they could relate to other people, albeit bus conductors, shop assistants and librarians. It was something to which they looked forward.

On Tuesday 17 March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that anyone aged 70 and over must self-isolate at home from for up to four months to prevent them from contracting the virus. He said : “People over 70 might feel there is something excessive about these measures. I believe they are overwhelmingly worth it to slow the spread of the disease, reduce the peak, save life, minimise suffering and give our NHS the chance to cope.” The news came as the death toll in Britain reached 71, with the total number of confirmed cases at 1,950 - a rise of 407 in 24 hours.

At the time, Jane Freeman, Health Secretary in Scotland, said the Government would be "asking" the elderly to reduce social contact. While the plan to force over-70s to stay at home for up to four months was described as a “very big ask” by Britain's Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, but the measure was intended for their own “self-protection”.

That was six weeks ago. Six weeks in which, in particular, the already isolated, lonely old men and women have endured a state of even greater isolation and loneliness.

Now, on May 1st, old men and women over the age of 70 in Britain are grappling with the possibility that they could face an extended coronavirus lockdown after general restrictions for the population at large are lifted, filling them with fear and frustration and, for the already lonely amongst, them the prospect is even grimmer.

It was clear that the Government is considering a “blanket ban” to prevent older people leaving their homes during the remainder of the coronavirus crisis when the Health Minister, Lord James Bethell, twice refused to deny that older people will be told to stay in extended lockdown in response to questions in the Lords on Wednesday. Lord David Blunkett said : “I was very concerned by the Government’s refusal to answer my question. Older people must not be subjected to arbitrary incarceration as well as isolation. The Government picked the arbitrary age of 70 out of the air back in March when they announced the initial lockdown based on age. Age is no longer a risk factor unless underlying health conditions are attached.”

Ros Altmann, the Former Pension Minister, said : “I have real fears that ministers are considering blanket bans to prevent older people leaving their homes during the current crisis. Ministerial responses suggest Government advisers may be seriously recommending using chronological age as a criterion for deciding whether people will be allowed to leave their homes. Such policies are normally the mark of authoritarian regimes, not a mature democracy. Collective punishment based on age should be no more acceptable than using gender, ethnicity or body mass index as defining factors. Blaming the virus is not a valid justification. These are conscious policy decisions. Isolating all older people, if others are allowed out, also risks damaging their physical and mental health.”

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said age alone should not determine people’s ability to go about their daily lives if the Government decides to begin easing some of the restrictions. She said : “An enforced lockdown of people beyond a certain age would undoubtedly create a sense of victimisation, unless there is really clear clinical evidence showing that advancing age in and of itself makes it more likely that a person will become seriously ill, regardless of their state of health and their resilience.” 

Her Charity has asked for the Government’s advice for the next stage of the coronavirus strategy to be 'advisory' and not 'compulsory'. She also warned of worsening mental health among the over-70s if they have to spend months away from friends and family, describing it as “unimaginably bleak". For the already lonely, it is likely to be this and more.