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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOlder 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, doesnt 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 shes 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 isnt enough to live on. Although her employer hasnt given her a return date, she expects to be back at the store later this summer.
And Madlem isnt alone in her dilemma: Many of the nations 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 cant 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
LizBeth
(9,946 posts)in businesses that are lower risk. Right now, I am in a high risk, customers in my face kinda job.