Seattle urges people over 60 to stay home 'as much as possible' due to coronavirus

[left-of-center2012]

Source: The Hill

Officials from King County in Washington state are urging elderly people, pregnant women and others at higher risk from the coronavirus to stay home and avoid large gatherings as much as possible. The response is meant to slow and mitigate the spread of the virus and represent a new phase of action in the United States to fight it.

Public Health Seattle & King County officials said Wednesday that “people at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible.”

People at higher risk are classified as people age 60 and older, people with underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease or diabetes, people with weakened immune systems and people who are pregnant.

“We understand these actions will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people in our community,” the public health department for Seattle and King County said in a statement. “We are making these recommendations in consultation with CDC based on the best information we have currently to protect the public's health.”

Officials said the steps are not mandatory but they are recommended to keep people safe.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/486020-seattle-urges-people-over-60-to-stay-home-as-much-as-possible-due-to

[getagrip_already]

1. At what point does this become mandatory?

Let me guess. November 3rd, but only in high risk areas like areas with a lot of poc.

Just saying.

[MiniMe]

12. They'll become mandatory for democrats at that point

Don't go vote, you will be in danger

[moriah]

2. The guidance from the guy who is tracking the Seattle outbreak, Trevor Bedford:

Some ways to implement non-pharmaceutical interventions include:

* Practicing social distancing, such as limiting attendance at events with large groups of people
* Working from home, if your job and employer allows it
* Staying home if you are feeling ill
* Take your temperature daily, if you develop a fever, self-isolate and call your doctor
* Implementing good hand washing practices - it is extremely important to wash hands regularly
* Covering coughs and sneezes in your elbow or tissue
* Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
* Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs
* Beginning some preparations in anticipation of social distancing or supply chain shortages, such as ensuring you have sufficient supplies of prescription medicines and ensuring you have about a 2 week supply of food and other necessary household goods.

With these preparation in mind, it is important to not panic buy. Panic buying unnecessarily increases strain on supply chains and can make it difficult to ensure that everyone is able to get supplies that they need.

Unfortunately not everyone can do this even in just one city -- especially people whose jobs don't offer paid sick leave.

[defacto7]

3. And how will this protect them/us?

No one can live in a sealed bubble. If there is no vaccine it will eventually get to all of us. The only logic is that we are trying to stay well long enough to be inoculated. Other than that it makes no sense and we're putting off the inevitable. If you can stand being isolated and you can actually pull it off, which I doubt, then try I guess. I'd lose my mind.

[getagrip_already]

13. Well, if we can delay the propagation, it will reduce pressure on hospitals......

Projections show up to 70% of americans will be impacted. Many won't even know what it is, so they potentially can be spreading it for weeks.

But if you can slow the rate of new infections, you can spread out the impacts, and also if you can get past flu season, there will be more beds available.

This bugger is as infectious as the common cold and has 3 times the mortality of the flu. Not a good combination.

[defacto7]

14. I never thought of it that way.

Spreading out the impact is a good argument. At least it seems like a plan that could help in a crush though we can't predict what that curve will be. We could actually cause the very crush we're trying to avoid by manipulating it. The idea makes some sense but there could be a downside to it.

[McKim]

15. I am isolating

I am isolating and my husband does the grocery shopping as infrequently as he can. I have had two long term viruses this winter and this exacerbated my asthma. At 74 I am isolating. I am cleaning out the basement, painting rooms, pressure washing, scraping and painting our large picket fence, outside chores. Sure I had to cancel my classes, my trips, my special events but I am giving myself a chance to live to see my granddaughter grow up.

I recommend an additional precaution. Everything that is brought home from the grocery store gets gone over with water and bleach.

Remember some town in Colorado quarantined itself in 1918 from the Spanish F;u and no one died. This is a solution from the Middle Ages and it works.

[defacto7]

16. Good luck and good health to you.

Having a plan and a goal is better than fear or apathy.

[Grasswire2]

17. how are you doing that?

I considered using a washcloth dipped in bleach/water solution. Just did a stockup shopping and also ordered from amazon. I thought about leaving everything outside until needed, but it already came in dammit.

What about your maiL? Could also be contaminated.

I asked my doctor to re-prescribe my rx for 90 day supplies and she did. I spose I'll have to wipe those bottles down, too.

It's a full-time job!

[milestogo]

4. So now 60 is elderly?

[yaesu]

6. I knew I was old when I started to get the senior discount. ;o) nt

[appalachiablue]

7. It's the on the 'young old' side, lol. Reminds me of hearing in the 80s

that AARP was targeting the younger, fit, healthy and active 'seniors' for their image--not the old, frail, unhealthy ones.

[LisaL]

10. Yet not old enough for retirement.

How are you going to stay home if you have to work?

[wolfie001]

11. Yeah!!! I thought 60 was the new 40!

I just turned 60 by the way.

[yaesu]

5. Being 60 myself I went shopping today expecting a crowd, a run on stores but to my amazement

I was the only person in the entire store which was nice because it had the health & food supplies I needed but was a little strange because the store is usually busy. I don't live in Seattle but figured I better get it done before it gets crazy where I am at.

[Pobeka]

8. Good move. Considering it's been going on for 2 months in China...

[captain queeg]

9. It's not too bad for 60-69 (assuming good health) really jumps up each decade afterwards

[nitpicker]

18. That's silly.

Even if you got things delivered to your home, besides the delivery fees you are exposing yourself to whatever the gig deliverers were exposed to.

Condensing the shopping trips in a week (e.g. hit four grocery stores in one day) may make sense. It IS possible to live on granola, nuts or peanut butter on your plate, and cans (as I did in college), but if you look at the sodium contents in the cans... not a good long-term solution for those who shouldn't be wolfing down the salt.

[truthisfreedom]

19. I went to Costco and bought six bags of organic frozen veggies at 5 lbs each

Brought them home and divided them up into single portions using a 3/4 cup measure, sealing them in vacuum-sealed bags so they'l last at least a year. I got 22 bags out of each of the 6, for a total of 132 portions, enough for two meals a day for over 2 months. Screw canned goods, except for Kuner's refried black beans (MMM!) or other items that can't be stored another way. I also got several large bags of dehydrated refried beans, pinto beans, and 45 lbs of white rice (brown rice will go rancid in about a year). I stocked up on meat that I vacuum sealed and stowed away in the freezer. Everything I bought is stuff I eat anyway so no matter what happens, I'm set!

Also, I bought a bunch of N95-N100 respirators and swimming goggles and a full face mask respirator before things got crazy as well as anti-bacterial wipes and five boxes of nitrile gloves. I'm not taking any chances. And I live in the middle of nowhere... closest town is population 52, 1.1 miles away, and every other town is at least 10 miles away. Farm country. I'm on a cliff 200 feet up. I knew this would come in handy. Great view too... can't wait for spring. Super warm ending to winter happening soon!