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Whether you agree with the timing or not, many countries - including the United States - are gradually moving towards reopening their economies and reducing some of their stricter social distancing recommendations in order to stave off even worse economic damage.
It is expected, however, that doing so will increase the transmission of COVID-19, although the models (and decision makers) disagree over just how much.While most people under the age of 50 will handle a COVID-19 illness reasonably well - and the majority will recover at home without medical intervention - we've seen younger adults, and even some children (see Update On Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome) end up in ICUs around the world. So no age group is truly immune.
But older people - and anyone with significant comorbidities - are at greatest risk of serious illness or death. If we are to re-open society without heavy losses, these groups will need to take extra precautions for the foreseeable future.One of the things I have promoted for more than a dozen years, during a pandemic or any severe flu season - is to get, and become - a `Flu Buddy' (see Time To Line Up A `Flu Buddy').
Someone you can call if you get sick, who will then check on you every day (by phone, social media, or in person), make sure you have the food and medicines you need (including fetching prescriptions if appropriate), help care for you if needed, or who can call for medical help if your condition deteriorates.We've also talked about the necessity of having extra food, household supplies, and any essential medicines on hand (see An Appropriate Level Of Personal Preparedness For COVID-19) during any emergency.
Six week ago, the CDC released an interim Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Checklist For Older Persons. Last Friday, they updated their advice.Due to its length, I've only reproduced the first 2 (of 5) sections. Follow the link for the full guidance.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Checklist: Older Persons
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If a COVID-19 outbreak happens in your community, it could last for a long time. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, public health officials might recommend community actions to reduce exposures to COVID-19. These actions can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the impact of disease.
If you are an older adult or someone who has severe chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, or diabetes, you are at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. It is very important for you to take steps to stay healthy.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Stay informed and up to date with your local news for COVID-19 updates.
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Take everyday actions before, during, and after the event to protect yourself and others:
- Stay home when sick.
- Avoid crowds and people who are sick.
- Delay all travel, including plane trips, and especially avoid going on any type of cruise.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Then wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If you don’t have soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean AND THEN disinfect surfaces and things you touch often, such as tables, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, handrails, countertops, remote controls, shared electronic equipment, shared exercise equipment, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- Keep your homes cleaned and disinfected by following these instructions.
GET READY IN CASE YOU GET COVID-19
Make a plan for if you get sick:
- Call your doctor about checking for symptoms that might be COVID-19.
- Stay in touch with others by phone or e-mail. You might need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, etc. if you become sick.
- Seek out a “buddy” who will check on and help care for you if you become sick.
- Have an emergency contact list.
- Have a list of your daily medication and time of day you take them, so a caregiver will be able to help you if you get sick.
- Determine who can provide you with care if your caregiver gets sick.
- Make sure you have enough supplies
- Contact your doctor to ask about getting extra medications (at least a 30 day supply) to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and you need to stay home for a few weeks.
- If you cannot pick up extra medications, consider using mail-order.
- Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (e.g., tissues) to treat fever and other symptoms. Many older adults will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.
- Have enough household items and groceries so that you will be comfortable staying home for a few weeks.
Continue to take everyday steps to stay healthy: wash your hands often, do not touch your face, avoid sick people and crowds, and disinfect surfaces.
Stay home as much as possible. Avoid crowds as much as possible.
Consider steps you can take to stay away from other people. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.(Continue . . . )
There are three more sections to this checklist (see headings below), along with a link to a printer friendly version.
- IF THERE IS A COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN YOUR COMMUNITY
- IF YOU GET SICK AND THINK YOU HAVE COVID-19
- CAREGIVERS, GET READY
Given the uncertainty surrounding the possible rebound in COVID-19 transmission, now is the time for those at greatest risk to take steps to protect themselves in the months to come.
