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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,063 posts)
Sun Jun 21, 2020, 09:44 PM Jun 2020

Older Americans face another pandemic risk: Most can't work remotely despite COVID-19

Mari Madlem says she has plenty of worries about going back to work during the coronavirus pandemic.

But the 69-year-old from Portland, Oregon, doesn’t have the option of telecommuting since she works as a cosmetics saleswoman at an upscale department store.

“I really have a lot of contact with people,” she says, adding that she’s anxious about whether co-workers and customers will take precautions like wearing masks. “If I don't go back, I'm out of work.”

Despite her fears, Madlem is planning on returning because her monthly Social Security benefit of $1,240 isn’t enough to live on. Although her employer hasn’t given her a return date, she expects to be back at the store later this summer.

And Madlem isn’t alone in her dilemma: Many of the nation’s 10.5 million workers over 65 are facing questions as businesses reopen and states lift their “stay-at-home” orders.

Older workers are less likely than younger ones to have jobs that can be done remotely, according to an analysis from the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank. Almost 8 in 10 workers over 65 can’t telecommute, compared with about 6 in 10 between 35 to 44, the analysis found.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/older-americans-face-another-pandemic-risk-most-cant-work-remotely-despite-covid-19/ar-BB15HO5m?li=BBnbfcN&ocid=DELLDHP

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Older Americans face another pandemic risk: Most can't work remotely despite COVID-19 (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2020 OP
I am in that boat. 58, but still, watching a lot in 50's having a tough time. I am throwing out apps LizBeth Jun 2020 #1
K&R for visibility. crickets Jun 2020 #2

LizBeth

(9,946 posts)
1. I am in that boat. 58, but still, watching a lot in 50's having a tough time. I am throwing out apps
Sun Jun 21, 2020, 10:12 PM
Jun 2020

in businesses that are lower risk. Right now, I am in a high risk, customers in my face kinda job.

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