Coronavirus: Three elderly lifelong friends discuss decision to self-isolate together

Trio say they’ll ‘have a supply of wine in’ while spending time together in self-isolation

Three elderly women who share a lifelong friendship have spoken about their decision to self-isolate together, stating that they’ll be spending their time exercising in the garden and watching The Crown on Netflix.

The close friends, Doreen, Dotty and Carol, appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about their domestic situation.

According to guidance outlined by the government, members of the public who are at least 70 years old should take particular care to practise social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This means taking measures including avoiding contact with people showing symptoms for Covid-19, avoiding gatherings and limiting face-to-face contact with friends and family.

While taking part in a video chat with the BBC’s Jayne McCubbin, Doreen explained that the trio’s plan was to first spend a week in their own homes in isolation

Then, if the women were “still fit and well”, they would “decide which house we’re going to go and live in”.

Doreen outlined that they each have the same number of rooms in their homes, so “for bedrooms etc we’re alright”.

“We’re in Carol’s at the moment,” Doreen stated, gesturing to her friend who was seated.

“Dotty’s got a lovely long back garden, which would be great for exercising.”​​​

Doreen added that she has considered what the women can do if start to get annoyed with one another while living in the same household.

“I have got a front room, in case we get tetchy with each other,” she said. “That might be handy. And I’ve got Netflix so we could watch The Crown.”

Dotty, who was standing behind Carol in the video, then stated that they will have a “supply of wine” in “for when we’ve finished”.

This declaration prompted the women to hold up glasses and a wine bottle as they toasted one another.​

Several social media users expressed their admiration for the three women and their friendship, which has involved them seeing one another through loss and divorce.

“Ultimate girl gang,” one person said.

“What fabulous ladies. I want to be in their gang when I grow up,” another commented.

If you have any coronavirus symptoms, contact the online NHS 111 service and do not visit your GP or hospital.