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Comment by metb | Hacker News Reader

As a caring child of old parents, you should get your parents to NL where you can provide the best possible care for them, instead of letting them die in a place where they can't even get a COVID test done.

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If OP’s parents are anything like my dad, they have zero interest in trading their warm homeland with its familiar language and culture for cold northern Europe. My dad would rather die in Texas than live in Germany, much as he enjoyed spending a week here this summer meeting his grandson.

Older people have attachments other than their grown-up children.

This. My parents have zero interest in spending their older years in a region that doesn’t speak the language they know, colder, and has simply a different way of life than theirs not to mention their social circle.

I wholeheartedly agree with their choice, and will do my best to help them where they are.

When millions are dying around them helplessly for want of good care, it seems cruel to let them fend for themselves in their old age, where they are scared to consult a doctor. If they are not willing to come to you, shouldn't you visit, and take care of them in these difficult times?

I have been also wondering about this. My impression is that Tamil Nadu is much better in terms of health care compared to many Indian states. So, its strange that the parents are refusing to get tested. I am thinking that the parents are afraid to take public transport, and they don't want to burden their NRI son/daughter, so are making up excuses.

Tamil Nadu, Kerala are significantly ahead in many key social and public health metrics. Were they not been compensated for by BIMARU (roughly, Bihar, MP, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) states India would be competitive with first world standards. Unfortunately, the BIMARU states are the most populous and consequently controls the political fate of the rest of the country.

The issue needs more context. It's not that they are fending for themselves in their old age. They are retiring in a village with a social circle they are comfortable with, and near a temple that they consider as pilgrimage, and have my sister who can reach them in couple of hours should there be a dire need.

I'd visit if it would be of any help.

> instead of letting them die in a place where they can't even get a COVID test done.

I find it hard to believe that they are unable to get tests. During the peaks, it may have been true. Outside of that, there was no shortage. And we don't even need to go to hospitals for covid tests, there are plenty of independent labs. So, if their parents don't trust hospitals, they can go to those testing centers instead. Many in my family did that, that too 2-3 times (since they have to show negative RT PCR result for travel).

> I find it hard to believe that they are unable to get tests.

Yes, he is probably just dissing his country to earn some "brownie points".

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