We live in a different world today. We are living in a world where a virus has taken over. We are living in a world where this virus is controlling our day to day lives. It is the year 2020 and it seems like we are reliving a modern version of the Spanish flu of 1918 or the Third Plague Pandemic of 1855. It is 2020 and we are living in the global pandemic of the coronavirus.
Although many of us are disappointed that we had to leave school, and forced to go back home, where many find themselves developing new hobbies or strengthening skill sets in order to pass the time where we are quarantined back home, the elderly are facing greater issues than ones of boredom. In addition to battling their current age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and Type 2 diabetes just to name a few, the elderly also have to be extremely cautious of the coronavirus. The CDC found that older adults, especially ones who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease, or diabetes are at a higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19. In many cases, older adults who test positive for COVID-19 do not recover and end up losing their lives to the disease. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10 deaths reported in the U.S. have been of adults age 65 or older. Because of this, older adults must take greater precautions in order to not contract this virus. In many cases, the coronavirus has been known to infect the inhabitants of whole senior homes. So if one person in the care facility gets COVID-19, it is almost inevitable that the rest of the residents in the house get it as well, and often do not survive. Another issue the elderly population must deal with includes that of financial burdens. While many older adults have to pay for treatment of age-related diseases, they also must pay for extra care in order to prevent the contraction of the coronavirus and must also pay for additional supplies they need during this quarantine.
During this time, it is our job to do our role in helping protect the older adult population the best we can. This means covering our mouths and wearing protective face masks and gloves. It means washing our hands and using disinfectant as much as necessary. It means staying at least six feet away from each other and following social distancing guidelines and staying at home as much as possible. This is not a time for us to go out and see our friends and exchange germs. We need to all stay at home and respect the general rule of social distancing and self-isolation. Our grandparents and older loved ones have taken care of us when we were too young and foolish to know what we were doing. Now it’s our turn. We need to stay at home and be mindful about the spreading of the virus. What you are able to recover from could end the lives of older adults. Now, more than ever, we, as the younger generation need to respect the rules and be careful. If not for ourselves, then for our grandparents of the older generation. Please, stay at home, and stay safe.
Works Cited
“Older Adults.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 Apr. 2020, http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html.
