For Older Americans, the Pandemic Is Not Over
Seniors are increasingly left to protect themselves as the rest of the country abandons precautions: “Americans do not agree about the duty to protect others.”
By Paula Span, The New York Times, Feb. 11, 2023
…
For older Americans, the pandemic still poses significant dangers. About three-quarters of Covid deaths have occurred in people over 65, with the greatest losses concentrated among those over 75.
In January, the number of Covid-related deaths fell after a holiday spike but nevertheless numbered about 2,100 among those ages 65 to 74, more than 3,500 among 75- to 84-year-olds and nearly 5,000 among those over 85. Those three groups accounted for about 90 percent of the nation’s Covid deaths last month.
Hospital admissions, which have also been dropping, remain more than five times as high for people over 70 than for those in their 50s…[end quote]
For the many METARs who are over age 65…
-
Get the bivalent Covid booster. (Also a flu shot.)
-
Order free Covid test kits from the government. COVID.gov/tests - Free at-home COVID-19 tests
-
If you are feeling sick, test for Covid right away.
-
If you test positive, take Paxlovid immediately. Paxlovid prevents Covid from getting its claws into you, preventing serious illness and possible hospitalization. A friend of mine took Paxlovid and she was better in two days.
-
Go to a “Test to Treat” location near you for Paxlovid. Test to Treat | HHS/ASPR
-
If your blood oxygen is under 90% go to the ER right away.
I am volunteering with AARP Tax Aide, which is again preparing tax returns free for older and lower-income people. After 2 Covid years working remotely, I enjoy working in person with taxpayers. I am wearing a mask. I insist on the taxpayers wearing a mask also.
Wendy