Loose Women call WHO chief 'discriminatory' for urging coronavirus curfew for over 60s

The World Health Organisation (WHO)'s chief has said everyone aged 60+ should stay away from crowded areas and isolate themselves to avoid catching the coronavirus - sparking outrage, particularly amongst older presenters of ITV's Loose Women.

As the coronavirus, named COVID-19, spreads throughout the world, the WHO has urged those aged 60+ to avoid trains, buses, supermarkets and stop going to their routine appointments at GP surgeries and hospitals.

WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told his Twitter followers people over 60 should "try to avoid crowded areas or places where you might interact with people who are sick."

If you are 60+, or have an underlying condition like cardiovascular disease, a respiratory condition or diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing severe #COVID19. Try to avoid crowded areas, or places where you might interact with people who are sick. #coronavirus

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 29, 2020

‘Makes my blood boil’

In response, the ITV show ‘Loose Women’ (broadcast on 2 March) asked: ‘Do the over 60s need a coronavirus curfew?’

Loose Women presenters Carol McGiffin and Denise Welch, who are both over 60-years-old, attacked the idea of such a curfew.

Presenter Carol McGiffin said: “It makes my blood boil and it makes me shake with anger because it’s so incredibly discriminatory. I can’t believe they’ve actually said it.”

Fellow presenter Denise Welch said: “Keep calm and carry on during this coronavirus I say”. Her comment sparked a round of applause from the show’s studio audience. The WHO director’s tweet created a Twitter storm with David Rainer @daverain calling the WHO chief’s comments ageist.

The topic on loose women today is, "should there be an over 60s curfew". That is disgusting, why even discuss this. Ageism at its sickest. How would that stop the virus from spreading.

— David Rainer ??? #IStandWithJoanne (@daverain) March 2, 2020

A WHO spokeswoman Dr Margaret Harris said everyone aged 60+ must consider changing their daily routines to avoid catching the virus. This includes staying off the underground, trains, buses, avoiding football matches, crowded shops and supermarkets.

The Loose Women also criticised reports that a new NHS policy would prioritise patients most likely to survive - namely people younger than 60 - putting the elderly at further risk.

There is currently no vaccine for coronavirus. Symptoms of COVID-19 infection are a fever, a cough and difficulty in breathing.

Off sick care staff could lead to reduction in care workforce by 220,000

If the government’s prediction that one fifth of the population could be off sick due to the coronavirus, the care sector's workforce could be reduced by about 220,000 workers.

The government is looking to bring retired nurses and doctors, many of whom are aged over 60 themselves, back to work (if the virus spreads to pandemic levels) to help the NHS treat people with the coronavirus.

A nurse, using the Twitter handle @Dickersondene, tweeted: "They are now saying nurses like me, also doctors retired should help out. I’m 64, no pension, living off savings but over 60 are at greater risk from virus, is this a way to kill us off never to receive pension."

Health secretary says more home care needed

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said more home care will be required to treat people with the coronavirus. More volunteers are being considered to support and care for people.

Fresh from an emergency COBRA meeting about COVID-19, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a major UK-wide action plan with emergency legislation to tackle the coronavirus had been agreed.

Boris Johnson said: "We have agreed a plan so that if and when it starts to spread, as I'm afraid it looks likely it will, we are in a position to take the steps necessary to... contain the spread of the disease as far as we can, and to protect the most vulnerable."

To read the government's guidance about COVID-19 for care providers click here.

To read the Department of Health and Social Care's action plan click here.

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