Six Propositions against Ageism in the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

The risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 and of dying from it increases with age. This statistical association has led to numerous highly problematic policy suggestions and comments revealing underlying ageist attitudes and promoting age discrimination. Such attitudes are based on negative stereotypes on the health and functioning of older adults. As a result, the lives of older people are disvalued, including in possible triage situations and in the potential limitation of some measures against the spread of the pandemic to older adults. These outcomes are unjustified and unethical. We develop six propositions against the ageism underlying these suggestions to spur a more adequate response to the current pandemic in which the needs and dignity of older people are respected.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• ageism
• ethics of aging
• triage
• social distancing
• digitalization

Key Points

• Some measures suggested as reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate underlying ageist attitudes.

• We develop six propositions against this ageism to illustrate what more adequate responses to the pandemic would look like.

• We outline what lessons can be learned to improve the situation of older adults after the pandemic

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest to report.