I realize many of us baby boomers feel young and invincible, but I urge one to please stay safe in this pandemic. Although everyone can get coronavirus, it's us baby boomers - specifically those ages 60 and older - who are prone to become seriously ill from the disease. When you have underlying conditions such as for example heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, you'll must be extra careful.
Like many boomers, I felt young and healthy and wasn't overly concerned when this whole thing started.
After all, our generation considers ourselves to be extra tough. Aren't we the generation that survived drinking water out of a hose and cars without seat belts? To think of all the germs we were exposed to once we played in the mud digging for earthworms and ate food dropped on to the floor before germaphobia kicked in - and we were just fine.
Besides, go through the age of the running the country. President Donald Trump is 73, Nancy Pelosi is 79, and the 2 remaining candidates for the Democratic nomination, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, are 77 and 78, respectively. These were all still going strong. My dad, 87, was still walking around despite all the warnings.
The cruel nickname, "Boomer Remover," referencing the higher mortality rate among the elderly contaminated with coronavirus began trending on Twitter. The Washington Post became related to the trending term by highlighting boomers who have ignored advice from the CDC and refused to make any changes with their lifestyle. On a Facebook page for "The Villages," a Florida retirement community, most the residents did actually agree that the pandemic was "being overblown."
Now, I'm not advising that people boomers start panicking, but I think it's time for an attitude adjustment for many of us skeptical boomers that have felt invincible to High-Touch Surface Disinfection Services.
We're not.
It's important to remember that this disease doesn't care how old you look and feel. Look at boomers Tom Hank and Rita Wilson, both 63, who certainly feel young-at-heart but tested positive for the virus.
Here in California where I live, there has been more than 300 cases of coronavirus. Schools within our area have already been shut down. Bars and breweries have already been asked to close and restaurants to cut their capacity in half. Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newson urged all residents over the age of 65 to self-quarantine within their homes.
"We notice that social isolation for millions of Californians is anxiety-inducing," he said. But, "we have to meet this moment head on, and lean in and own this moment... and take actions we think are commensurate with the need to protect the most vulnerable Californians."
Now, President Donald Trump has issued guidelines urging Americans to prevent social gatherings in excess of 10 people.
It is like I'm surviving in an episode of Twilight Zone.
So, it's time and energy to start taking this seriously my fellow boomers. My husband is 60 and I'll turn 60 later in 2010, so I'm paying attention to all the guidelines. Allow me to be clear, I am not a medical professional, but I'll share a few of my research for specific precautions older adults are advised to take to protect their health. But remember: Recommendations for coronavirus may change as officials find out more, so monitor your local health department and the CDC for updates.
Here are a few techniques for those over the age of 60 predicated on advice from the CDC:
Stock on supplies including groceries, household items, and over-the-counter medications you may need if you become sick. Contact your physician about obtaining extra prescription medications you need to have on hand if self-quarantined.
Social distancing is the brand new phrase for 2020. Stay six feet from others - think of along the average dining area table or a pair of skis. Avoid crowds and non-essential travel, especially cruises.
You've already heard this, but wash the hands often with soap for at the very least 20 seconds. The health secretary Matt Hancock suggested washing hands while singing Happy Birthday twice, but other songs will work as well. For instance, the chorus of Staying Alive will do the trick: "Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother/ You're stayin'alive, stayin'alive/ Feel the city breakin'and everybody shakin'/ And we're stayin'alive, stayin'alive/ Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin'alive, stayin'alive/ Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin'alive." Prefer country? Try the chorus from Dolly Parton's classic country song Jolene: "Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / I'm begging of you please don't take my man / Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / Please don't take him just because you can." If soap and water are not available, make use of a hand sanitizer that contains at the very least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your face and frequently touched surfaces in public places - light switches, elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand if you must touch something. In the home, clean and disinfect often, especially surfaces that are often touched like countertops, tables, door handles, light switches, toilets, faucets, sinks - and don't forget your cell phone.
Along with these precautions, keep a careful eye out for symptoms that could include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Should you feel like you're developing symptoms, stay home and call your doctor. Be sure and inform them that you have or may have coronavirus (COVID-19) for them to protect others from getting sick. Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice. When you have mild symptoms and are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can probably recover at home. If this is the case, the CDC's advises you get medical attention immediately if you develop emergency warning signs such as for example:
This list is not all-inclusive and the CDC recommends that you consult your medical provider for any symptoms that are "severe or concerning."
So my fellow boomers, stay safe but remain calm and positive.
Personally, I'm taking precautions, but nevertheless riding my bike and taking hikes outdoors while keeping my distance from others. If self-quarantined, be sure and stay in touch with your family members through texts, email, social networking, Skype or FaceTime so that you don't feel isolated.
As Tom Hanks said to his followers: "Remember, despite all the present events, there is no crying in baseball."
