New CDC guidance says older adults should 'stay at home as much as possible' due to coronavirus

[Duncan Grant]

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]

1. Well, I'm a few months short of 74.

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]

10. I do 100% of my banking online

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]

13. I bank online

But I need to get some cash to have on hand.

[customerserviceguy]

14. Well, wipe down the keypad/screen

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]

15. I pay everything online

But thought I should have some cash on hand.
Who know what the future holds.

[customerserviceguy]

16. Good point

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]

19. "We could see the end of this soon"

I am more pessimistic.

[customerserviceguy]

20. It all depends on the meaning of the word "soon"

I'm planning for a two-month hunkering down period.

[Chemisse]

36. Yeah, I think a few months is more realistic.

Even after the wave of illness passes, it will take time to pick up the pieces and return to normalcy.

[customerserviceguy]

43. When the first wave passes

it will be time to restock.

[LibinMo]

26. I used to get cash from the drive through ATM at my bank

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]

30. Cash Money is Very Very Dirty!

I have handled cash bills in large numbers, after a half hour your hands get filthy. Avoid cash or wash it!

[radical noodle]

32. Don't forget that the cash itself

can be contaminated.

[zanana1]

51. How do you wash cash?

[DonaldsRump]

54. Ask Trump...he excels at it. n/t

[Bluepinky]

56. Doesn't he use Russians to wash his cash?

If people over 60 are encouraged to stay home now, that includes Trump as well. No more rallies. Yeah😀

[radical noodle]

55. Good question...

maybe alcohol?

[musette_sf]

2. aaaaand....

that's my work-from-home pass for the immediate whatever.

[yaesu]

3. I already stay home as much as possible so what's new? nt

[llmart]

4. I live in a mostly senior community.

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]

11. The bill signed today

includes money for Medicare to implement telemedicine. Good luck getting a majority of seniors to go along with that.

[llmart]

17. OMG!

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]

18. While COVID-19 is sweeping the country

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]

28. My best friend is 55 and without me would have no

clue whatsoever.

[Sgent]

22. I don't have a direct link

but the number of deaths per hospital admission in China spiked up significantly after 59 -- like 10X.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

33. What really matters is if you have health issues that make

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]

5. If this plays out like 1918

in three waves, it could take 18 months to clear. Ready as I can be.

[luvs2sing]

6. I'm 62, and my husband is 67.

We’re in relatively good health, no heart disease or breathing issues. I’m 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]

37. My thoughts: The elections must go on, but scrap the travel plans and choir practice.

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]

7. Well, a lot of us old people gotta work.

[LovingA2andMI]

29. And this is sad...

But true. Not every Elderly person can "just stay home". It's not feasible.

[central scrutinizer]

8. I'm 69

But I seem to have a pretty strong immune system. I rarely get colds and usually fight them off in a couple days. I’m leaving for Japan on Monday on a trip I’ve planned for six months. I’ve 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 don’t want to regret not taking this opportunity to experience another culture. I’ve become very close to a Japanese family and I will be staying with them much of the time. I’ve 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]

21. Oh, please just go ahead and go on your trip.

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.

[Danmel]

23. Yup

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]

24. Please consider the fact that YOU could be a carrier of an illness, yet not be symptomatic.

In that case, you could be a vector by which other people are infected.

Please consider that for a moment. Please.

[central scrutinizer]

27. I plan on wearing a mask

Whenever I’m in public. I know it won’t protect me but it will minimize the chances that I will infect others if I’m asymptomatic. And of course, if I test positive, I will strictly self quarantine. I’ll be a guest in Japan and I want to show my hosts concern and respect. Not be an ugly American.

[central scrutinizer]

25. I'm definitely going

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. We seem to have much in common. Enjoy your trip!

[Chemisse]

38. Great advice. I could not have said it better. n/t

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

34. Go.

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]

40. Have a wonderful time!

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]

9. Then according

to this, Trump shouldn’t be traveling all over the country for rallies or anything else!

[CountAllVotes]

12. and we certainly cannot be voting!

There can be long lines and crowds when you go to vote!

[FrodosNewPet]

49. I'm worried they may take you seriously

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]

50. I thought of that, too.

It would be the best way for Trump to stay in office. Then again, we could vote online.

[paleotn]

35. Let him. As many as he likes.

Lots of close contact with his magats. hint. hint.

[Bayard]

31. Older adults should 'stay at home as much as possible'

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]

45. Every single state should institute vote by mail NOW!

Plenty of time to prepare before November.

[Bayard]

48. Agreed

But rethuglicans know larger turnout favors Dems, so they may just cheer for the virus.

[Raphael8]

39. Coronavirus: Advice for people with health conditions

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]

58. Coronavirus: Advice for people with health conditions

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]

41. I'm not changing anything

Not because I disagree with the advice, but because I already live that way. Have since I retired.

[Vinca]

42. Spring is coming and I'm going to try to spend more time outside puttering in the

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]

44. I'd venture to guess most do

But you have to get out now and then for groceries and other items.

[RussBLib]

46. here I am thinking Trump will declare a national emergency and....

...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]

47. Will we issued sufficient supplies at gummint expense? NT

[underpants]

52. I don't think my in-laws will be coming up from Georgia next month

My wife has thought her brother would pull something to stop them but now it just doesn’t look like a good idea.

[dewsgirl]

53. My DIL's mother was flying out of Seattle to FL in April

for the birth of our granddaughter. She is now not coming, she didn't want to take the chance of bringing it here.

[Tracer]

57. Oh swell.

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.