Time For Baby Boomers to Take Coronavirus Seriously

I recognize many of us child boomers feel younger and invincible, however, I urge you to please live safe throughout this pandemic. Although all people can get coronavirus, it is us child boomers - especially the ones ages 60 and older - who are much more likely to come to be seriously sick from the disease. If you have underlying situations such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, you'll want to be more careful.

Like many boomers, I felt young and healthy and wasn't overly worried when this whole thing started.

After all, our era considers ourselves to be extra tough. Aren't we the technology that survived consuming water out of a hose and automobiles without seat belts? To think about all the germs we were exposed to as we played in the dust digging for earthworms and ate meals dropped on the floor earlier than germaphobia kicked in - and we have been just fine.

Besides, take a look at the age of the ones walking the country. President Donald Trump is 73, Nancy Pelosi is 79, and the two closing applicants for the Democratic nomination, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, are 77 and 78, respectively. They had been all still going strong. My father, 87, changed into never the less walking around despite all of the warnings.

The merciless nickname, "Boomer Remover," referencing the better mortality fee among older human beings inflamed with coronavirus began trending on Twitter. The Washington Post became associated with the trending term by highlighting boomers who have unnoticed recommendations from the CDC and refused to make any changes to their lifestyle. On a Facebook web page for "The Villages," a Florida retirement community, most of the residents seemed to agree that the pandemic was "being overblown."

Now, I'm not advising that we boomers begin panicking, but I suppose it's time for a mindset adjustment for a number of us skeptical boomers who have felt invincible to this point.

We're now not.

It's crucial to remember that this disease would not care how antique you look and sense. Look at boomers Tom Hank and Rita Wilson, each 63, who clearly sense young-at-coronary heart however tested superb for the virus.

Here in California wherein I live, there have been greater than 300 instances of coronavirus. Schools in our region have been shut down. Bars and breweries have been asked to close and restaurants to reduce their capability in half. Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newson advised all residents over the age of 65 to self-quarantine of their homes.

"We recognize that social isolation for tens of millions of Californians is anxiety-inducing," he stated. But, "we want to fulfill this second head-on, and lean in and own this moment... And take moves we assume are commensurate with the need to shield the maximum prone Californians."

Now, President Donald Trump has issued tips urging Americans to keep away from social gatherings of more than 10 people.

It seems like I'm living in an episode of Twilight Zone.

So, it is time to start taking this severely my fellow boomers. My husband is 60 and I will turn 60 later this year, so I'm paying attention to all of the hints. Let me be clear, I am now not a medical professional, however, I'll share some of my research for specific precautions older adults are recommended to take to protect their health. But remember: Recommendations for coronavirus can also exchange as officials learn more, so monitor your local health department and the CDC for updates.

Here are some recommendations for the ones over the age of 60 primarily based on a recommendation from the CDC:

* Stock up on elements which include groceries, family items, and over-the-counter medications you'll need in case you come to be sick. Contact your health practitioner approximately obtaining greater prescription medicines you want to have available if self-quarantined.

* Social distancing is the new phrase for 2020. Stay six ft away from other people - think about the period of an average eating room table or a couple of skis. Avoid crowds and non-important travel, especially cruises.

* You've already heard this, however, wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds. The health secretary Matt Hancock cautioned washing hands whilst singing Happy Birthday twice, but other songs will work as well. For example, the chorus of Staying Alive will do the trick: "Whether you are a brother or whether you are a mother/ You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive/ Feel the town breakin' and everyone 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 conventional country song Jolene: "Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / I'm begging of you please do not take my man / Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / Please do not take him simply because you may." If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

* Avoid touching your face and frequently touched surfaces in public places - mild switches, elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with humans, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cowl your hand in case you should contact something. At home, clean and disinfect often in particular surfaces that are often touched like countertops, tables, door handles, mild switches, toilets, faucets, sinks - and recall your cell phone.

In addition to those precautions, maintain a cautious eye out for signs and symptoms that can consist of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you're developing symptoms, stay home and make contact with your doctor. Be positive and tell them which you have or may additionally have coronavirus (COVID-19) so they can shield others from getting sick. Ask your healthcare company for scientific advice. If you have to go moderate signs and aren't sick sufficient to be hospitalized, you could possibly recover at home. If this is the case, the CDC's advises you get clinical interest immediately in case you develop emergency warning symptoms such as:

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
* New confusion or inability to arouse
* Bluish lips or face

This list isn't always all-inclusive and the CDC recommends which you seek advice from your scientific provider for any other symptoms that are "severe or concerning."

So my fellow boomers, stay safe but continue to be calm and effective.

Personally, I'm taking precautions, however, nonetheless using my bike and taking hikes outdoors whilst retaining my distance from others. If self-quarantined, make sure and live in contact with your loved ones thru texts, email, social media, Skype or FaceTime so that you don't feel isolated.

As Tom Hanks said to his followers: "Remember, despite all the modern-day events, there may be no crying in baseball."

Julie A. Gorges is an award-winning author and journalist writing about life after 50. Her blog, BabyBoomerBliss.Net, becomes decided on as one in all the top 50 infant boomer blogs to follow in 2019 with the aid of Feedspot.