I find this terrifying: Many older Americans think the coronavirus crisis is overblown.

[rainin]

12. My 85-year-old mom said she was ready to go, she'd had a long life

I tried to describe to her what that might look like.

She'd get incredibly sick, someone will take her to the hospital. She has heart problems and lung problems, so she likely will be struggling to breathe (Very scary).

There may be so many people there who are equally sick that there is a shortage of space, caregivers, and equipment. She may spend hours in the waiting room before they even have an open bed.

No one can go with her, her family has to stay away from the hospital, she'll be alone.

They may be forced to choose to treat a younger person with kids, rather than her because of her advanced age (choices must be made). She could be there, in severe pain, with no measures taken to comfort her until she dies from lack of oxygen, a very slow, painful death.

Or, she can stay at home for a few weeks and quarantine with us, I'll bring her meals, she can read and watch her faux news all day, and we'll try to get through this.

So far, she's staying home voluntarily. She hasn't noticed that I've taken her keys. Since she lives with us, I can't have her spreading it to all of us.