Opinion: When Did Elderly People Like Me Become Disposable?

48
An old Israeli woman walks in the Ir Ganim neighborhood in Jerusalem.

TORONTO (JTA) — The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 is shaking the world in disturbing ways.

Join our WhatsApp group

Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


As someone who is no longer young, I find one aspect of the crisis to be particularly unnerving: the attitude toward the elderly.

The media is filled with stories about the problem represented by the elderly. What will happen if there aren’t enough respirators for everyone? Should the elderly, who have lived their lives long enough, have the same right to medical care as young people who have their whole lives ahead of them?

There are cold, calculating cost-benefit analyses associated with this grim reaper scenario. One columnist came down on the side of “saving Grandma” only after weighing the pros and cons as if it were an accounting problem. Others have said that the elderly should sacrifice themselves for the good of the country.

But this is not the Jewish attitude. Psalm 92 proclaims that “in old age [the righteous] still produce fruit, they are full of sap and freshness.” In his Mishneh Torah, the great philosopher and doctor Maimonides states that “even a young scholar should rise before an old man distinguished in age.” In Guide for the Perplexed, he writes that “with the ancient is wisdom.”

I always thought that the psalmist’s plea “Do not cast me off in old age; when my strength fails, do not forsake me” was addressed to God. Now I understand that it is an appeal to our fellow men and women as well not to abandon the elderly when their “use” is no longer manifest.

It is heartbreaking to see so many deaths due to the virus and the personal stories associated with those losses. In many countries, a large proportion of the dead are in nursing homes where the elderly are warehoused with inadequate staffing and medical care. In Canada, otherwise a deeply caring society, over half the deaths have been in nursing homes where revelations of what goes on behind the doors of those institutions have shocked the nation. We can and we must do better than this for the elderly and for everyone.

When this crisis is finally over, and a semblance of normalcy resumes, we will need to answer many questions about the economy, health care, the appropriate political response to an extreme emergency and the nature of our global world.

But no less important is the question of the very nature of our society and its values. What lack within us gave rise to the discussion of the disposability of the elderly? This crisis has exposed a materialistic calculus, a coarsening of society’s discourse since the dismissal of the religious sensibility that built our system of values and ethics over millennia of civilization.

If we have, indeed, entered a post-Christian, post-religious society, a trauma such as the current one reveals its consequences. I would argue that we have seen the underbelly of a society that has forgotten its roots, no longer has a strong set of values and does not understand the importance of honoring all life. If ever there was a time to rethink the journey we have taken as a society and recalculate our direction, it is now.

What an irony it would be if we learned to preserve physical life infinitely better than previous generations only to abandon their more sophisticated search for truth and meaning in life.

What will it profit us to reestablish our economy, restructure our health care and solve our global problems if we ignore the human issues that underpin it all? What is the purpose of life if we fail to see the humanity in everyone around us?

PAUL SOCKEN-is a distinguished professor emeritus and founder of Jewish studies at the University of Waterloo.


Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


Connect with VINnews

Join our WhatsApp group


48 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Whatever
Whatever
3 years ago

“What is the purpose of life if we fail to see the humanity in everyone around us?”

WELL SAID!!!! It is not enough to stay alive, but to live lives of value as dictated by the Torah.

Shlomo
Shlomo
3 years ago

Dr. Socken:
You’re right about this on many levels. However, you didn’t address the reason why these discussions are taking place. How do you propose allocating resources during a disaster?
First come/first served? Bidding? Most good for the most people? Life-years saved? Chance of recovery?
There are huge ethical issues here but you avoided offering a solution to those of us in healthcare: what do you actually do in this situation? “Honoring all life” is a platitude, not a solution.

Elinor Grossman
Elinor Grossman
3 years ago

The whole economy grinds to a halt in order to protect the risk groups, first and foremost the elderly, and you say that people disregard the elderly?

Honest
Honest
3 years ago

The conclusion that this is the result of a post-religious society does not align with the spread of COVID-19 by religious groups who thought that their line to God would protect them. The other side about how to distribute medical resources when there is a shortage, well how about someone offer a religious perspective what to do when 2 people are wheeled into the ICU both needing vents. One is 35 and the other is 70. Which one do you give it to? It was not lack of concern for elderly that is driving this calculus but rather the difficult and miserable choices that some places were forced to make, because society decided that listening to the science early and taking action was too difficult (i.e. because kids need to be in school, people need to work, or God will save us). The author is right to be bitter and I put no blame on him, but the real travesty was not listening to the scientists and doctors in the first place and possibly having avoided this misery.

Elinor Grossman
Elinor Grossman
3 years ago

Perhaps you live in the UK… or in the USA… in countries, where the government failed their citizens and allowed unmitigated spread of the disease for 2 months.
In other countries, governments took measures to protect their citizens, especially the risk groups, first and foremost the elderly, like you.
The measures taken to protect you and other riks groups came to a huge cost to the economy. Personally, I had to stop working for almost two months now. Many restaurants are going out of business. Shops are closed. Cinemas, theaters, concert halls, artists, small businesses have lost 2 months worth of revenue, and more is to come.
This all was a gesture of solidarity towards you, the risk groups.
And you say we treat you as if you were disposable?
I have never seen such a lack of gratitude.

Rebbitzen Goldenpickanicerscreenname
Rebbitzen Goldenpickanicerscreenname
3 years ago

“In Guide for the Perplexed, he [Rambam] writes that “with the ancient is wisdom.” ”

The wisdom of the ancient is their acquired Torah knowledge, knowledge that brings them to serve Hashem with greater devotion in adhering to Mitzvos of the Torah.

One that is barren of Torah or Mtzvos is no more than a creature, like a mosquito; or as “science” believes the human is merely an accident of nature, at best, an evolved ape, that misbehaves, damages and destroys. A life without spiritual purpose is a quest for earthy pleasures and indulgences. An endless cycle of working to live and living to work.

Yet, for living even one more day of Torah and Mitzvos, to put on tefillin once more, keep another shabbos, eat a kosher meal, gives purpose to the creation of the entire Universe, as the Torah’s open words, “B’reishis” – “for the pupose of two “reishis” the world was created, Jews are called reishis and the Torah is calle reishis, for them the world was created”.

Boroch
Boroch
3 years ago

Unfortunately, we live in a youth oriented society; long before this pandemic struck, senior citizens have experienced being treated in a shabby and condescending manner, by younger members of society. For example, not once, but on numerous occasions, I’ve had to tell, store clerks, bank clerks, home maintenance repair personnel, medical personnel, etc. not to speak to me in a loud manner, as I am not deaf, and loud sound bothers me. They seem to assume that because someone is of a certain age, then that person is automatically hard of hearing. In fact, at a department store not too long ago, another shopper told me that she experienced the exact same phenomenon.
I’ve noticed several types of reactions, when I tell younger people to speak to me in a lower tone. Either they will be apologetic and lower their tone, or they will ignore my request, and still speak loudly; or, they will become hostile, and state that “they didn’t realize that they were speaking so loudly, or that is the way that they normally speak”. Also, has anyone ever noticed how younger people in a grocery store or other retail outlet will practically run older people over with their shopping carts, if in their view, they are not moving fast enough? One last thing, which really bother me. When I was young and growing up in Brooklyn, I would be called “son” “sonny” “fella” or “young man”. I never liked any of those terms. Of late, I’ve had younger people address me as “young man”, which is a flippant remark, and very disrespectful. I had a confrontation with some stranger a few months ago, when he used that term to me. I told him that I didn’t like that term when I was younger, and I certainly don’t like it now. He actually apologized, and stated that “he meant no disrespect”. Yeah, right.

Rebbitzen Goldenpickanicerscreenname
Rebbitzen Goldenpickanicerscreenname
3 years ago

A substantial issue ignored (the elephant in the room):

The issue raised, putting elders at the end of the line, has not been created by Covid-19, rather, it has been always applied in many areas of medicine.

Organ transplants are a prime example, but the same applies to many complex surgeries, cancer treatments etc. The medical community has customarily been more “aggressive” in the lifesaving treatment and procedures proposed for younger patients than for the elderly.

Let’s not buttonhole the issue strictly to the context of Covid-19 ventilators, when the issue is widespread throughout medical applications.

Excuses are given: The frailty of the elders, other conditions, quality of life, live out their remaining time peacefully among family at home…sometimes legitimately, but more often than not, decisions are made based on the year of birth.

A desperate small business owner who is happily in Hashem's loving hands.
A desperate small business owner who is happily in Hashem's loving hands.
3 years ago

I have to admit, I am quite insulted.
For a professor to show such a lack of wisdom and foresight is inexcusable!

Do you understand the trillions!!!! of dollars lost specifically because we love and cherish the elderly?

Do you understand the small business who are most effected by this, gave up their livelihood and potentially will pay for years to come ….for YOU!! to protect the elderly and predisposed.

I have a shoe store. Now we are left with our entire Pre Yom tov stock which is no longer valuable.

We are actually in discussions if we should close down as we don’t have the money to pay back for this inventory and buy more for next season.

We didn’t hesitate for a second to close our doors and the worst possible time for us, to say YOU!!!!

HOW DARE YOU?!?

I say shame on you.

Not to even discuss the deeply ethical question of how to allocate a limited supply of resources. Even according to Torah view. Especially the pressure on the doctors who have to make such horrific decisions. A doctor in NYC committed suicide from this situation.

Have you no shame?

An apology is in order.

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago

So you want the elderly to live at the expense of the young?

LetsGetReal
LetsGetReal
3 years ago

I’m writing an op ed titled “when did everyone else become disposable”. When did all the people who have brain tumors that can’t go get An X-ray and will ultimately die because of lack of knowledge of of it become disposable. When did all the people who have cancer that can’t go get an X-ray that will ultimately die from it because lack of knowledge become disposable. When did all the people who will grow up poor and ultimately fall into bad habits because of it become disposable. When did all the kids who go without normal school and will end up hanging around the wrong people And will end up becoming drug dealers and users become disposable. When did all the people who end up getting hooked on drugs because they’re so bored because there is nothing to do and will end up dying from those drugs become disposable? When did all the people who get hooked onto alchohol because of boredom and will end up killing themselves from it become disposable? When did all the older people who need other treatments and can’t get it and will end up dying from it become disposable? When did the guy with a heart attack who can’t get proper treatment become disposable? When did our military who’s falling apart because of the shut down and may end up costing us lives down the line become disposable? And most importantly When did HASHEMS Torah and tefilah btzibur that’s being affected by the shutdown become disposable?!?! And all that for the way under 1% chance that even if you get the virus you’ll die from it!! Please don’t play victim here. Just Be appreciative how much us young people care about you old people

Yoel Kanner
Yoel Kanner
3 years ago

You didnt close your shoe store because of the elderly. Your shoe store is still not closed because of the elderly. Thousands of businesses across the country are not shut because of the elderly. The medical infrastructure was not overwhelmed because of the elderly. The majority of covid-19 patients or victims are not elderly. The elderly are not out in the parks, making illegal minyanim, on spring break or grocery shopping while blatantly ignoring social distancing regulations and recommendations.

This is a pandemic. A highly contagious, rather vicious and deadly virus with no known cure. The medical community has less than 3 months of information on this virus (5 if you are ready to believe anything coming out of china).

aha
aha
3 years ago

“What should be done” Stop building a Wall nobady wants, stop sending money for Germanys defense. The federal Govt built 700 Hospitals in Iraq, 2000 schools etc. Here in the USA they are closing them because we have a clown running the USA who openly declared after firing the Pandemic experts. Its not a good business decision to keep people and wait for a Pandemic.

Boro parker
Boro parker
3 years ago

Here is really what’s happening.
The elderly non religious Jews suffer greatly in nursing homes and hospitals. Why. Because they raised their children without Torah. Now their kids live far off and are just waiting for them to die and inherent them. No one visits them because they have not too many kids and most f their kids are not living with values. They are suffering what they caused. This is the real tragedy going on all over. Assimilated old Jews suffer.

artofthedeal
artofthedeal
3 years ago

Really? Boro Park has the 2nd highest Coronavirus Death in NYS. Unfortunatly I agree with you that they (Boro Parkers) raised their Children the wrong TORAH WAY. Just read the shoe store owner above. Respect the elderly is in the Torah, Minyanim, Levayes, Shoe Stores in a Pandemic is not.

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago

Many people die at twenty five and they just aren’t buried until they are ninety five.