Keep Older Healthcare Staff Out of the Covid Frontline
Dear Editor,
Even with appropriate PPE, infections with Covid-19 will occur. It is very clear however that the greatest risk factor for serious illness and death comes with increasing age. Also it appears with being male (1).
Compared with those in their 20s or 30s, those of us in our 50s or 60s have a likelihood of death from Covid-19 that is an order of magnitude higher.
In Italy it is published that of 74 doctors who have died most were in their 60s, and only 4 were women (2).
In light of this evidence the NHS should endeavor to ensure that only younger doctors, nurses and other staff should be "patient facing". Older staff should recognise their inherent risks and be prepared to let the next generation take the frontline whenever possible.
Rapid Response:
Keep Older Healthcare Staff Out of the Covid Frontline
Dear Editor,
Even with appropriate PPE, infections with Covid-19 will occur. It is very clear however that the greatest risk factor for serious illness and death comes with increasing age. Also it appears with being male (1).
Compared with those in their 20s or 30s, those of us in our 50s or 60s have a likelihood of death from Covid-19 that is an order of magnitude higher.
In Italy it is published that of 74 doctors who have died most were in their 60s, and only 4 were women (2).
In light of this evidence the NHS should endeavor to ensure that only younger doctors, nurses and other staff should be "patient facing". Older staff should recognise their inherent risks and be prepared to let the next generation take the frontline whenever possible.
(1) https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sex-demographics/
(2) https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-italian-doctors-fatalities...
Competing interests: I am an older, male GP.