New CDC guidance says older adults should 'stay at home as much as possible' due to coronavirus
Source: CNN Health
Amid a coronavirus outbreak in the United States, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging older people and people with severe chronic medical conditions to "stay at home as much as possible."
This advice is on a CDC website that was posted Thursday, according to a CDC spokeswoman.
Early data suggests older people are twice as likely to have serious illness from the novel coronavirus, according to the CDC.
A Trump administration official tells CNN that the US Department of Health and Human Services "is in the process of doing targeted outreach to the elderly community and those that have serious underlying health conditions."
The CDC guidance comes as two top infectious disease experts with ties to the federal government have advised people over 60 and those with underlying health problems to strongly consider avoiding activities that involve large crowds, such as traveling by airplane, going to movie theaters or concerts, attending family events, shopping at crowded malls, and going to religious services.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/06/health/coronavirus-older-people-social-distancing/index.html
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Got heart problems, diabetes, etc.
I'm pretty much a hermit now.
Get my groceries and prescriptions delivered, but I do have to get out tomorrow to the bank.
If anyone sneezes or coughs near me,
I'll brain 'em with my cane!
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)I will get cash from an ATM, but since I'm staying put for the duration, I won't need any more of that. It was my mother, 72 at the time, who is now 86 who shamed me into banking online like she (still) does.
And, it's much kinder to ram them with your walker.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)But I need to get some cash to have on hand.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)And take out enough to get you through for awhile. Consider switching who you pay in cash to some electronic form of payment.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)But thought I should have some cash on hand.
Who know what the future holds.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)We could see the end of this soon, but things might be out of whack for a few weeks after that. It was like that with Hurricane Sandy when I was working in NJ and living in NY. The storm passed, but it took awhile for everything in the greater NYC area to get back to normal.
It was then I decided to by my hybrid Hyundai Sonata, I figured that I could get gasoline just before another hurricane, and still have enough to get back and forth to work for a couple of weeks on a full tank of gas.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)I am more pessimistic.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)I'm planning for a two-month hunkering down period.
Chemisse
(30,817 posts)Even after the wave of illness passes, it will take time to pick up the pieces and return to normalcy.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)it will be time to restock.
LibinMo
(533 posts)Then last year I tried to withdraw $500 and the ATM malfunctioned. It charged my checking account but didn't give me any money. I thought the bank could straighten it out then and there-or at least by the next day-but no. They said only the ATM people could. It would take ten days to two weeks before they would credit my account. They finally did, but I had a lot of anxiety before it was resolved.
I still use the drive through to get my monthly expense money. But now I cash a personal check. I'll never use the ATM again.
McKim
(2,412 posts)I have handled cash bills in large numbers, after a half hour your hands get filthy. Avoid cash or wash it!
radical noodle
(8,013 posts)can be contaminated.
zanana1
(6,135 posts)DonaldsRump
(7,715 posts)Bluepinky
(2,276 posts)If people over 60 are encouraged to stay home now, that includes Trump as well. No more rallies. Yeah😀
radical noodle
(8,013 posts)maybe alcohol?
musette_sf
(10,206 posts)that's my work-from-home pass for the immediate whatever.
yaesu
(8,020 posts)llmart
(15,556 posts)A lot of the seniors have doctor's appointments for various ailments every single week. Are doctors going to start making housecalls?
Also, anyone over 60? 60 seems a bit young to me to ask them to stay home. If they're immuno-compromised maybe, but many 60-year olds still work full time.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)includes money for Medicare to implement telemedicine. Good luck getting a majority of seniors to go along with that.
llmart
(15,556 posts)I hadn't heard that. For some of my neighbors, going to the doctors is the only thing that gets them out in the world for a bit. Plus, some of them have cell phones - even the expensive I phones but no clue how to use most of the functions. Maybe the ones that are closer to 60 but not those that are 80+.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)getting out in the world a bit is just the thing that older folks don't need to do. My 86 year old Mom only goes to doctor appointments, and she's resigned that this is going to take a pause.
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)clue whatsoever.
Sgent
(5,857 posts)but the number of deaths per hospital admission in China spiked up significantly after 59 -- like 10X.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,908 posts)staying home, if possible, sensible.
Your question, Are doctors going to start making housecalls? is important. Because they probably won't, for lots of reasons. Not the least of which is that housecalls disappeared some 70 years ago, more or less. The economics of housecalls is crappy. That is not going to change.
Perhaps some kind of system could be worked out where travelling nurses can go to senior centers and do a lot of basic stuff. But there's an essential connection between a patient and the doctor that will be missing here. And even if the corona virus turns out to be totally overblown and hardly a threat at all, a shut down in seniors being able to be seen by their doctors is Not a Good Thing. Perhaps no on in your community will die because of this, but their health will be at least somewhat compromised.
This is an example (along the lines of the shortage of respirators) of how there is a lack of flexibility in the system.
Heck, even during a normal flu season, hospitals can quickly be overwhelmed. That's because hospitals are geared up to take care of some fixed number of patients on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Ideally, most beds are full most of the time. Throw in seasonal flu or a plane crash at the local airport, and all bets are off.
bucolic_frolic
(43,356 posts)in three waves, it could take 18 months to clear. Ready as I can be.
luvs2sing
(2,220 posts)Were in relatively good health, no heart disease or breathing issues. Im supposed to be a poll worker in our primary on the 17th and travel to Dallas the first of April to attend a small trade show. I sing in a 500-person choir that rehearses every week. My husband works for a large corporation in downtown Columbus and takes public transportation.
And here we sit..trying to decide where that fine line between smart and crazy is..
Chemisse
(30,817 posts)The job is a tough call. Can he wear gloves and a face mask (to prevent face touching) en route?
But either way, the statistics so far are on your side.
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)But true. Not every Elderly person can "just stay home". It's not feasible.
central scrutinizer
(11,663 posts)But I seem to have a pretty strong immune system. I rarely get colds and usually fight them off in a couple days. Im leaving for Japan on Monday on a trip Ive planned for six months. Ive had a good run, my daughter is a strong, independent, brilliant engineer. My wife died three years ago. My affairs are in order. My only regret is that I appear to be going against science and doing what the orange shitstain wants us to do. But I dont want to regret not taking this opportunity to experience another culture. Ive become very close to a Japanese family and I will be staying with them much of the time. Ive become like a grandpa to their two kids, ages 2 and 5. The kids really want me to come with them. Wish me luck.
llmart
(15,556 posts)Enjoy the heck out of it. Each and every one of us, from the day we're born, are faced every single day with things that could happen to us. Like you, I rarely get sick. I've always felt like I must have a tough immune system, but then I'm a pretty tough cookie in most ways. I wouldn't be still standing if I hadn't been.
Life is for living. Risk is a part of life. I'm 70 and I feel I've had a really good life and lived it to the fullest. I've pretty much done what I set out to do in life and I have two wonderful, extremely successful adult children that I feel comfortable knowing that if I left this world tomorrow they'd be just fine. My affairs are in order also. I live a rather minimalist life - my choice, and they know exactly what my wishes are, what I own, and where all the important papers are kept.
I doubt I'll kick off any time soon, but there are some things we have no control over and trying to cover all the contingencies would be exhausting mentally.
I have a vacation planned in a couple weeks also and I have no intention of not going. I hope you go and have an amazing time and experiences/memories you'll have for the rest of your life.
When my husband was in high school he had a friend whose father was killed by the garbage truck as he put the cans down at the curb. On his own driveway. You can't hide from life. Dont be reckless but li e your life.
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)In that case, you could be a vector by which other people are infected.
Please consider that for a moment. Please.
central scrutinizer
(11,663 posts)Whenever Im in public. I know it wont protect me but it will minimize the chances that I will infect others if Im asymptomatic. And of course, if I test positive, I will strictly self quarantine. Ill be a guest in Japan and I want to show my hosts concern and respect. Not be an ugly American.
central scrutinizer
(11,663 posts)Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. We seem to have much in common. Enjoy your trip!
Chemisse
(30,817 posts)PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,908 posts)I'm 71 and I'm currently on a cruise ship. We dock in Kona, Hawaii tomorrow. I am completely unconcerned.
We did have to fill out a brief health questionnaire before boarding, and I had to fill out another similar one before taking the Behind the Scenes tour of the ship. Given that most passengers here are older than I am, none of us seem remotely worried. Several shipmates have reported friends who cancelled this trip out of concerns for the corona virus, and the consensus among the rest of us is that they are nuts.
llmart
(15,556 posts)I refuse to spend the rest of my life worrying about everything that could happen to me and I'm so glad I don't spend my days worrying. Worry does absolutely nothing to lengthen your years on earth and in fact, makes for poor mental health which in turn can affect your physical health.
I, too, am completely unconcerned about taking my trip two weeks from now. I'm looking forward to it.
Rebl2
(13,572 posts)to this, Trump shouldnt be traveling all over the country for rallies or anything else!
CountAllVotes
(20,878 posts)There can be long lines and crowds when you go to vote!
FrodosNewPet
(495 posts)They may see an inevitable defeat, and completely shut down the November 2020 election. That's a scenario that I have feared since November 2016.
And a health emergency is the easiest to justify.
zanana1
(6,135 posts)It would be the best way for Trump to stay in office. Then again, we could vote online.
paleotn
(17,989 posts)Lots of close contact with his magats. hint. hint.
Bayard
(22,179 posts)Think they'll still be telling us that in November? Seniors are the biggest, most reliable voting block.
Voting by mail is sounding better all the time, and I bet this year it will be overwhelming.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,221 posts)Plenty of time to prepare before November.
Bayard
(22,179 posts)But rethuglicans know larger turnout favors Dems, so they may just cheer for the virus.
Raphael8
(9 posts)Yeah, we should raise our level of awareness regarding the heightening threat of the new coronavirus. People who are already suffering from any other illness need to be extra cautious. Here I found some worthy information: Advice for people with health conditions.
hasanbajwa
(6 posts)I have read this article but according to a new survey. The people who are living in cold weather countries need more extra cautious. The immune system is weaker as compared to the hot weather countries. Here I found some worthy information: New Survey on Coronavirus in European and Asian countries on MSNBC Live. Kindly read this article because nowadays things are changed rapidly.
RoadRunner
(4,495 posts)Not because I disagree with the advice, but because I already live that way. Have since I retired.
Vinca
(50,318 posts)yard and garden and less time in stores or other people-populated spaces. I take more offense at falling into the "elderly" category than anything else. LOL.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,288 posts)But you have to get out now and then for groceries and other items.
RussBLib
(9,044 posts)...I didn't say cancel the elections, but I'll bet the thought has crossed his mind.
I am happy to stay home as much as possible. The wife and I are both 60+ and retired, so it's not that hard.
I went to a CVS today and a grocery store and both were sold out of throat lozenges with zinc, and neither had any gloves left on the shelves.
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,661 posts)underpants
(182,942 posts)My wife has thought her brother would pull something to stop them but now it just doesnt look like a good idea.
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)for the birth of our granddaughter. She is now not coming, she didn't want to take the chance of bringing it here.
Tracer
(2,769 posts)I'm planning to go to a concert this coming Saturday -- and I'm not going to stay home and miss it.
I think my chances of getting CV are very low.