Crikey is calling for first-hand experiences of the pandemic from readers in their 70s and beyond. To contribute, write to us at boss@crikey.com.au with “Missing Voices” in the subject line. Today, retired GP Hein Vandenbergh shares his experience.
Until fairly recently I was an older but fit and healthy GP, working at the medical frontline in a rural region.
Unfortunately, I was, earlier this year, diagnosed with a rare progressive autoimmune pulmonary disorder. This caused my “premature” — at age 73 — retirement, and places me at HUGE risk should I contract COVID-19.
I am immeasurably grateful to all those younger Australians who sacrifice so much, sacrifices of which we, older citizens, are the main beneficiaries.
I am not sure that this gratitude has been publicly and clearly expressed.
We stand in your debt, and personally I shall be very prepared to accept a lower living standard, post-COVID-19, to facilitate the economic recovery of the younger generations of my fellow Australians.
Thank you all, your efforts and sacrifices are noted every day.
Wow, what a wonderful letter. This warms my heart. I agree, a lot of younger Australians are doing all they can to protect their older relatives and our elderly citizens more generally. An expression of gratitude is an act of sweetness and magnanimity.
This is once again a one-sided view of the pandemic. Older people do not owe younger folks more than anybody else. Let us remember that there are very long term chronic consequences of even mild covid-19 infection and these consequences impact the young even more because being so unwell as to not have the ability to work or study is detrimental to the young and the greater economy. It is therefore imperative that young people take covid-19 as seriously as older folks.
I know many professionals who are in their 70s who are still working and contributing to the training of the up-coming generation. It is a great loss to the young to loose these professionals who feel that they need to withdraw from practicing their craft due to the risk of covid-19.
There are is no ‘privileged’ generation in this pandemic. No group is making greater sacrifices than any other. We are all in this together. We owe it to each other, regardless of age, to look out for each other.
Oh blue tongue, get on board. Of course the older generation owe a debt of gratitude to the young.
The young are already making the big sacrifices, so that the elderly don’t have to make the ultimate sacrifice. And the debilitating nature of the disease for many who recover are also skewed, though not exclusively, to the older generations (Over 40s).
The young will make an ongoing sacrifice in terms of education and employment, overwhelmingly more affected by lockdowns, actual stats show it.
They aren’t all entitled ingrates, the elderly, in fact most aren’t. Just some noisy few.
Go well Dr Vandenbergh.