COVID-19 Who’s more at risk While anyone with COVID-19 can get sick, some people are more likely to experience more severe disease or serious outcomes because of their age or medical conditions. People at risk include: • Older adults (the risk increases every 10 years, especially if you’re over 60). • People with chronic medical conditions, including lung and heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, dementia or stroke. • People who are immunocompromised, including those with an underlying medical condition such as cancer, or who are taking medication that weakens the immune system (such as chemotherapy). • People living with obesity (BMI higher than 40). Since even healthy seniors are at higher risk, it’s definitely worth taking preventive measures such as limiting close contact to your immediate household, practising social distancing and wearing masks, whether you stay at home or travel. If you’re infected, you should also stay alert for signs that your COVID-19 is getting more serious (see “COVID 411” and “COVID 911” on page 39). Planning ahead Are you sick of hearing how to avoid catching COVID-19? Good, because we’re going to focus on what to do if you do get infected – including how to be ready in case you become sick. Put on your survivalist hat. Stay informed and be sure that you’re ready, by: • Visiting national, state andmunicipal websites for the latest details on COVID-19 and risk levels in your community. • Talking with your health-care provider about how to minimize your infection risk and ensure that you have enough medication and medical supplies at home to last for a few weeks. • Researching where you can get tested for COVID-19. • Identifying which hospital you should visit if you need medical help. (Your health-care provider may be able to provide some advice.) • Making sure that your pantry has everything you would need if you were confined to your home for a few weeks: dry, tinned and frozen food; paper products; pet food (if you have a pet); and cleaning and disinfecting supplies. • Organizing a few people to help you (buying groceries, picking upmedications) if you can’t leave your home. • Learning which services are available to deliver groceries, medications and medical supplies. • Getting to know Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet (or, if you’re ambitious, all three!). If you are stuck at home in isolation, you’ll be able to see your friends, even if you can’t visit in person. • Monitoring yourself for symptoms. Have health kit, will travel You can start preparing for COVID-19 even before you leave home by putting together a travel health kit. In addition to the usual contents of a first aid kit, you should pack supplies that youmay need on hand if you think that youmay be infected. These include a thermometer, plenty of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, disposable latex or vinyl gloves, disinfecting spray such as hydrogen peroxide, disinfecting wipes and a supply of disposable masks. 36 | www.snowbirds.org
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