According to the CDC, older people – ages 60 and older – and people of all ages with severe chronic medical conditions – for example, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes – seem to be at higher risk of developing COVID-19.
Those who have a higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19 or any other respiratory infection should follow the good hygiene recommendations, provided by Dr. Andrew Duxbury, a geriatrician with the University of Alabama at Birmingham division of gerontology, geriatrics and palliative care:
• Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching the nose, eyes, mouth and face with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid crowds and non-essential airline and cruise travel.
• Stay home from work or class when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow if no tissue is available, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Getting a flu shot will not prevent COVID-19, but can help keep you well during this flu season, and can keep you out of doctors offices and hospitals where you could be exposed to others who are sick.
• Should an outbreak occur in your community – which it has – you should stay at home as much as possible to reduce the risk of acquiring infection.
Long-term Care Facilities
Those who have loved ones residing in long-term care facilities, or are residents themselves, consider the following advice:
• If you are sick (even if you don’t have COVID-19), you should stay away from any care facilities, such as nursing homes, retirement homes and hospitals. Even if you are not sick with COVID-19, if you make someone who already has a suppressed immune system sick, then you are already making them more vulnerable to other illnesses like COVID-19.
• Residents in assisted living facilities should stay in their rooms and make arrangements for their meals to be delivered to them, rather than participating in congregant dining.
—Emily Williams
