If there was ever a time to be surrounded by the people you love most in the world, it’s now. These three elderly ladies based in the United Kingdom have decided to move in together to prevent loneliness during self-isolation, and this is probably the best thing anyone could do right now [1].

The coronavirus outbreak has the world slowly shutting down to contain/control the spread, and people are being advised (or mandated) to stay at home unless they provide essential services. It’s unclear how long these protocols would be in place, but these lovely ladies in their 70s are not about to spend possibly several months all alone. Health authorities advise that the elderly be especially protected from contracting the virus since they usually have more severe symptoms (well, COVID-19 is not a death sentence for the elderly. Even centenarians have recovered and are doing well, but prevention is always the better option) [2].

Doreen Burns, Carol Spark, and Dotty Robinson who live in Salford, Greater Manchester have been best friends for 40 years and they’ve seen each other through the best and worst of life. While in a video call at Carol’s home, the ladies told BBC Breakfast that the only issue they currently have is whose home they’d be living in until the pandemic blows over.

“[We’ll spend] a week in our own homes in self-isolation and if we were still fit and well then we would decide which house to go and live in, because we’ve all got the same amount of rooms – bedrooms et cetera – we’re alright,” Doreen said.

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Everyone’s home has something to offer

Of course, each of the ladies wants the merry party to convene at her home and they’ve all got something unique to offer.

According to Doreen: “Dotty’s got a lovely long back garden which would be great for exercising. I’ve got no garden but I do have a yarden.” Carol’s home also has a lovely back garden. However, Doreen feels her home is the best bet since she has a cool front room and a Netflix subscription, so the ladies can get to cozy up and all binge-watch their favorite series. The idea of a garden sounds great but who wouldn’t want to watch The Crown every day with her besties?

Well, at least they’ve agreed on one thing – they can’t run out of wine in these uncertain times, and they jokingly said it’s the only thing they’d be hoarding while brandishing the wine bottles they’ve already got.

Read: 101-year-old man who survived 1918 flu beats coronavirus, too

We all need somebody during these dark times 

Last Monday, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, placed an unprecedented three-week lockdown on the country [3]. This means that stores selling and providing non-essential goods and services have been forced to shut down. People who do not provide essential services are not allowed to be outside their homes except to purchase food or medications. Schools were closed down as of March 20 except for vulnerable children, especially those whose parents are key workers and front-liners. The latest statistics show that the UK has 17,089 cases so far, with 1,019 deaths and 135 recoveries [4]. 

Later during the video chat, the ladies expressed their worries over the heavy toll the pandemic would most likely take on their community and the country at large.

“We’ve seen each other through divorces and loss – we go on holiday together, we look after each other. We feel sorry for those who are going to be out of work. The cafes are closing, the theatres – we should have been at the theatre on Friday. What’s going to happen to these people?”

Well, no one really knows, but in the words of Mr. Johnson [5]: “I know that, as they have in the past so many times, the people of this country will rise to that challenge. And we will come through it stronger than ever. We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together. And therefore I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.”

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The post 3 Elderly Best Friends are Moving in Together During the Coronavirus Outbreak because They Don’t Want to Self-isolate Alone appeared first on The Hearty Soul.