checking if I am the only one

[abakan]

I keep hearing the states are opening and people over 60 are at risk. As a person over 65 I do not feel I am disposable and refuse to allow the trump stupidity to kill me. To that end and the reason for this OP is; I am terrified to leave my house. So terrified I declined to go to my son's house for Mothers day. I have seen my son three times since I have been locked down but he is the only one and every time after I went into quarantine for two weeks. I can see him because he is the air I breath but one is not six and six would be at his house. I fear I may not ever be able to go there again.
How will we know when it is safe? Who can we believe? Do you trust this government to tell you the truth about your safety? My answer to these questions is a resounding no.
I don't know I can risk it and I don't know when I can. My family thinks this is no big deal and act accordingly. The kids hang out with their friends and my daughter-in-law is a trumper even though she is not a citizen and as far as I'm concerned she has no creedence and is playing with fire. I told her, I hope her refusal to pay attention does not harm her family but I can't be around them.
So I'm asking when and how will you go out?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. That people over 60 are automatically at risk isn't exactly true.

A lot depends on your personal health situation.

If you have at least one underlying health conditions, you might want to be cautious. But if your health is excellent, and your son has no reason to think he's been exposed, then you might consider visiting. Since being in somewhat confined spaces with someone who is shedding the virus seems to be a huge problem, perhaps if the weather is good you can simply meet out doors.

But it does sound as if that family is being rather cavalier about all this, so perhaps staying home and exchanging emails or phone calls would be just fine.

[abakan]

6. I am not in good health

I have diabetes, high blood pressure, and a few other ailments. I am at risk.
Thanks for your response.

[Oppaloopa]

36. Please do not go there I love my neice but talk to her thru a car window

My live in friend died Feb 26th after being in hospice for 2 days having a virus he caught right after open heart surgery. It is a horrible horrible way to die. They expect a lot of people to die in Florida by August . I am sure you want to see them this Christmas so please stay away.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

47. I am sincerely sorry.

I apologize for any insensitivity on my part.

[abakan]

49. nothing to be sorry for

It did not cause me any heartburn. I'm made of tougher stuff than that. Have a good night

[jberryhill]

2. You can only make decisions for yourself

But, I think we need some sensible definitions around words like "lockdown".

"I have seen my son three times since I have been locked down but he is the only one and every time after I went into quarantine for two weeks."

Like sex, if you are getting close to someone, you are getting close to everyone they've been close to for the last two weeks (or maybe longer). It doesn't matter if you limit contact to "only one person" if that one person is not limiting their contact solely to you. You going into isolation for two weeks afterward doesn't do you any good, really, since that would only be helpful if you wanted to avoid spreading the disease to someone else after you already contracted it.

"I can see him because he is the air I breath but one is not six and six would be at his house."

If he is breathing air with five other people, and those other people are also seeing other people, then when you are breathing that air with him, he is as potentially infected as the five other people in his house.

But, like the title says, you can only make decisions for yourself.

[cry baby]

3. I'm not going out for a long time.

The current govt is wanting to throw us older folks to the wolves. They’re bored and ready to move on no matter who dies. We no longer have value in their eyes, if we ever did.

You’re not alone. You’re survival instinct is normal.

[Newest Reality]

4. It is good to be cautious...

I would suggest that, instead of being terrified to go out, shift that to the idea of being able to stay inside and comfortable. Why? You are doing the right thing for yourself and even others and maybe that is a reason to feel good about your choices. Remember the old saying that fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Risk management is a pragmatic way to look at this, no fear required.

Some of us don't have the luxury of staying indoors because we have no place to do that. People who live in tents have no running water or bathrooms and hardly enough room to move around. Going out is necessary and unavoidable. So, I guess that's my answer to your last question.

We will know when it is "safer" if we avoid the manipulative propaganda that is cracking the whip and trying to push us into danger. There are sources for better information, of course. I am glad you don't trust the current Administration, it would be foolhardy to do so. Consider that another fortunate thing to celebrate.

Do consider the possibility that the risk will remain for a protracted period of time. That may be something to consider and contemplate as far as how you will deal with the implications. Look at the 1918 Spanish Flu for instance.

[abakan]

9. you are correct.

I am lucky, I have a comfortable home and can have everything I need delivered. It is easy to forget some are not so lucky.
I too want to go out but my will to live will not let me at this time. I just want to know, what metric others will use to determine it is safe to go out.

[Newest Reality]

13. Great!

Yes. That's nice. I am glad you do. Enjoy the showers, hot water, kitchen, all of that while you have it. If you don't take the commonplace for granted, it will be much more enjoyable for you and uplifting, too.

Be at peace with yourself and use the time for something you value, a new hobby or even some contemplation and insight.

Be Well!

[hurple]

16. My guideline

When there is a medicine that will alleviate the symptoms which are causing the deaths.

Or in other words when they can treat the worst cases with a pill or a shot and not with a ventilator, because, pretty much, when they hook you to a ventilator, you're dead.

[leftieNanner]

5. Here is an article that can give you good information about the virus

It talks about the transmission process and circumstances that are more or less dangerous. Being inside isn't so great. Any chance you could go over to your son's house and sit outside on the patio and keep your distance? We have a neighbor who has come over a few times (he lives alone) for a BYO coffee visit. He comes through our side gate and we sit on the back deck to chat. You will have to make your own decision about what makes you feel comfortable. I'm not willing to sacrifice myself either.

https://erinbromage.wixsite.com/covid19/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them?fbclid=IwAR0bqA_wTJZpTZ5UCfSxXJ3gJrLvmWBsfbSMK-62tlT6hbreVG9XvNiNmZo

[LuvNewcastle]

7. I'll be doing things the same as I have been

since this whole thing got started. I go visit my parents every week or two. They're careful just like I am, so I don't feel at risk doing that. I usually do my shopping at Wal-Mart, but I order my items online beforehand and they bring them all out to my car when I drive up. When I go anywhere else, like doctor visits, I wear a bandanna over my mouth and nose. I'll keep doing things the same way until they find a vaccine, most likely. Due to my health, I can't afford to get sick.

[bigtree]

8. no one knows the extent of the virus infections in their state

...no state is adequetly testing, opting instead for a kind of Russian roulette, a crap shoot.

Without adequate testing it's just whack-a-mole with this virus. Lifting the stays is calculated risk, and you can be sure you're little more than a number in that equation. Keep protecting yourself, don't trust politicians and businesses to make the right decisions for you.

[jmg257]

10. You explained the perfect reasons why you should remain

Cautious - because the people you discussed do not give a shit! It is way too easy to become careless in a social setting, and even more so if they are not taking the risks seriously.

Do not die because of stupid! YOU make the decisions based on plenty of info that is available.


I go out if I have to - and visiting people ain’t essential. I assume everyone who doesn’t live with me has it, so I avoid everyone as much as possible when I do go out (for food only).

I went to Walmart yesterday and it was mobbed - as were
Most other places I passed...ie Home Depot..clearly people are taking it upon themselves to decide what is “essential” and too many are too stupid or too selfish...people do not take it seriously, so YOU have to.

[The empressof all]

11. I am in the same situation....

I haven't been out except for brief car rides since the end of Feb. I live a few miles from the nursing home in Kirkland so was very aware of the dangers of community spread early on. It makes me anxious even when my spouse goes for a daily walk with the dog. He works in the schools and I'm terrified of September coming....If the schools don't open we probably lose our health insurance and if they do he runs a high risk of bringing it home. He is not as careful as I am but he complies with my sanitation needs when I'm around. I don't trust that he will be as careful out of my view. I also don't know if what will be available at the school will be enough precautions. It's hard to enforce distance with elementary students and each kid is coming from homes that could have infected family members.

I visit with my daughter at a safe distance outside my home. I let no one in other than the husband and the dog. I am very lucky to have multiple delivery resources and my kid is good at dropping off what I forget. She does a shopping twice a week as she has small kitchen. She is working from home as is her husband.


I don't trust the federal government with my safety. I have a little more faith in Jay Inslee my Governor who has been slow and cautious in opening things up. I wish he would be more cautious...

Anyway, I think we will know within the next month to 6 weeks the impact of all these states opening things. I don't trust the federal governments reporting numbers especially now that they are silencing the CDC. I'm counting on information leaking. I also will look at the numbers from overseas to get a ball park on how things are moving.

So for me there is no one answer to how will I know it's safe. I'm not sure there are measurable criteria that I will trust. I believe I may feel more comfortable when international recreational travel opens up. Personally, I believe my own life will never return to what it was. My world has gotten much smaller. I will be more reluctant to fly or stay in hotels. I will be more selective in choosing where I go for recreation. I probably won't be going to crowded events like festivals or concerts...Especially indoors. Public bathrooms terrify me so I'm going to need to figure that out in time.

[Mossfern]

12. At seventy one

I know that eventually I will be able to see my four children and my grandchildren. If we visit now, even if carefully and I come down with Covid 19, my kids would feel guilty as hell. So for my sake and their sake we limit our communication to texting, phone and Duo or Zoom. One day I'll be able to hug and cuddle all of them, but for now we'll leave it there with blown kisses on line.

[Raven]

14. When there is a vaccine that works and that isn't Trump's.

[erronis]

33. Or related to the dump's family or friends or golf buddies or paying partners or putin...

The slime mold of trump and the (r)epuglicon's greed extend across much of the US and the world.

They don't care about any of us as a person. They slightly care about us as a "customer", even in death. And then they don't care about our dead bodies.

[SoonerPride]

15. I expect to only go shopping for necessities for a couple of years

This is our now

[abqtommy]

17. I'm 71. I've said from the outset that I'm sure COVID-19 is survivable but I'm not so sure

about any of us surviving tRUMP. So far so good. I want to be around to see how this all ends and I don't want to miss anything...

[BComplex]

18. Went to the grocery store today w/ gloves & mask.

The place was packed. Maybe 4 other people had on masks, two others had on gloves. Almost nobody was obeying the "one way" signs, nor the 6' social distancing signs. Families with their whole litter of kids, walking around touching everything. There aren't any hall monitors at my grocery store.

[mercuryblues]

19. Due to some pretty big events for my kids

They all descended on my house last week. I know 2 of them have been in self isolation. My other kid and his wife, not so much, as they have essential jobs. I call them my weakest links.

Am I worried now that they are all gone. Yes. But as I watched them all sitting around the dinning room table, laughing and reminiscing, I realized it would be a long time until we are all together again as a family. I relish that moment.

So invite your son to drop by Saturday for some coffee and social distancing.

[virgogal]

20. I "cancelled" Mother's Day the way we had to cancel Easter..I jokingly

told my kids they will owe me,big time. Do what you feel is right for you.

[abakan]

23. I guess I cancelled mothers day too

My son is coming to see me Sunday, we always keep a distance between us.
But I must see him, this is our second mothers day since he found me, I have to see him.

[abakan]

55. Yes I had him when I was 17

He search for 18 years for me. I was found through Ancestry DNA.

[peacebuzzard]

21. 1x week to pick up groceries using the park&pick up

Use mask/gloves to do post office.
Not looking forward to work, I am on leave right now. (I travel for my job)

[panader0]

22. I'm 69. I have lived on my land for 40 years.

I retired a few years ago. No going out to work (construction) every day.
I rarely went out before the covid hit the fan, to the supermarket once a week,
maybe to lunch or dinner with Jeannie once a week. So now it's only the market
every other week. My main get-togethers were with band buddies every Sunday
at my band shed. It's been three months for that fun.
My 72 year old neighbor was complaining about being cooped up and I asked
him "where did you go before?" "nowhere" "all right then."
Sometimes it's just the idea that you can't do something that makes you want to do it more.

[Tink41]

24. Same questions.

Mid 50's 2 risk factors with one of them increasing every week from the anxiety. I haven't left my home since sometime in February. All my groceries, household things are delivered. No chance of going back to work til the fall. I don't plan on coming out til I absolutely have to. I visit on the patio 1x a week with my adult child. I open the gate, I shut it. She touches nothing I touch. She is out, exposed, and working. I fear for her everyday.
I am not going to be pressured to get back to normal. What kind of normal could it be w a virus lurking around and how you will react o it is unknown. For all of us. No treatment, no vaccine, no thanks. You must remind yourself if the people around you do not take it seriously YOU are at greater risk of exposure due to their lack of protecting themselves. If visiting w family, it's outside w masks on. No touching, distance.

[lunatica]

25. It will probably take a long time

because this first wave is going to take longer than it needed to because of opening business prematurely. And then it will come back, like the cold virus comes back every year.

What I will wait for in order to feel safer is for the medical labs and scientists to come up with something that ameliorates the effects of the virus, like the pneumonia that is the killer right now, so it can be stopped from killing. Perhaps some medicine will be found or invented that shortens or eliminates the pneumonia.

Right now they know that soap and water washes away the outer layer of the virus which kills it or stops it from being able to go into the lung walls which is where they multiply. That’s why washing your hands and your clothes and utensils works. If ordinary soap can do it then they can find something that works like soap once the virus enters the body.

So then if anyone gets the virus it can be treated. Death won’t be the automatic outcome at that point. The medical field all over the world are working on this.

They’re looking for this as well as getting a vaccine.

And they’ll also find a quick way to see who has the virus. Some gadget that can detect the virus. Right now they have hand held thermometers that a person can aim at another person to detect if they have a temperature. If UV light kills the virus they’ll come up with a home version that people can install at the entrance which will scan or shine on people as they walk into the house. This would also kill the virus on packages or anything brought into the house.

Don’t despair. There are tons of great minds working on this. We’ll be safe again.

[enough]

26. My husband and I are 76. We assume there is no useful direction, information, or help

from the federal government. We’re planning to stay isolated until there’s some evidence that things have changed enough to change what we’re doing. We’re lucky to live in a place that has endless work to be done outside now through late fall, so we have a lot to do. Also our adult daughters agree with us about the seriousness of the pandemic, so no deep family conflict.

In the United States of America right now, we each have to believe in our own ability to see reality and take care of ourselves and others as best we can. We’re living in a predatory anarchy and we need to understand that now.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

45. Predatory anarchy...that's a good name for what we've got.

We need to stay rational and do the best we can to take care of ourselves and respect our vulnerabilities. For our own sake and the rest of our communities.

Or that’s what I’m doing, until there’s a reliable treatment widely available.

[Hobo]

27. No you are not

I am 61 I had pacemaker installed a year ago. While I have been lucky enough to be able to work from home, I have not seen a single person in six weeks. Lucky the trash chute is 30 feet from my door. I go the the mail room once week and only if no one else is around. I planned to live through this and no orange anus is going to kill me. I plan to stay right where I am.

Hobo

[tazkcmo]

28. I have to.

To work for money. If not for the need of money I would not leave my home nor allow any guests with the only exception being to save a life, even if it's not mine.

Stay safe and good luck.

[Tumbulu]

29. You are not the only one!

I am 64 and have a farm. I have been doing as much as I can by myself as much as possible. Unfortunately I have to go get parts and things fixed and go to the post office and the grocery store. So, twice a week I tend to leave the farm. And when I do I am terrified and wear a mask and gloves and coveralls, and wash all those when I return and shower and wash hair. No shoes in the house.

Two weekends in a row required helpers (sheep shearing and planting). We all wore masks, we stayed as far away from each other as possible. But I am still terrified and resent that my business is "essential" and what really can I do? Let all the sheep die of heat stroke by not getting them shorn before the real heat sets in? Am I not supposed to plant? I cannot stay inside and take care of all these plants and animals and the infrastructure that supports their health and well being. And I cannot do everything all by myself. Much of it I do do by myself, I was going to hire two helpers this month, but I am so so scared as the young people around here are all working essential jobs (farmer's market stands, etc) for the other older farmer's. So, they are really exposed!

Everyone around here is planning on sheltering in place indefinitely. Until there is an actual successful treatment in place, I do not trust going out for anything that is not absolutely essential.

[stillcool]

30. I am not going to let my guard down.

the virus is here, and easily transmitted, and I don't want it.

[BellaBarnes]

31. You are not alone

I am fortunate that I don't HAVE to go anywhere and can stay at home by myself. I have everything delivered and just go for a drive once a week to keep the battery charged in my car. I don't plan on changing anytime soon. I told my sister that I hoped to survive at least until November to vote. If Trump wins-well, the world won't be worth living in. If he loses, my job is done. That is my goal for right now. I just live one day at a time. I am so glad that I found DU. I keep informed, laugh hysterically at some of the posts and feel a little less lonely.

[not fooled]

44. Welcome

There are so many smart people and good information here.

[Marrah_Goodman]

32. I plan on opening gifts on facetime

I made my mother a facebook and today we had a dry run and a good chat. Sunday she can see all her grandkids on facetime. She will open her gifts from me and I will open my gifts from my daughter, twice, once with mom, once with daughter.

My brothers are going to flip when they found out she actually learned to video chat

[Generic Brad]

34. I have no idea when I will get out again

My wife and I do go for long walks in our city park as often as we can. But outside of that we haven need to go anywhere.

My company takes this very seriously and it seems like my team and I will work remotely until there is a vaccine. One of my team members is a traditionalist (we value her experience and contributions and are so lucky to have her) and none of us want to expose her to any potential harm.

Our daughter lives far away, so it's just my wife and I. We're adapting.

[erronis]

35. I'm out delivering Meals On Wheels. Lots of common-sense precautions.

Many of the folks that I deliver to are very cautious - staying behind their doors until the food is delivered and I'm well away.

Some really want some human connection. And that's part of what we do - check in on our neighbors.

I'm in a very rural area of the US so my methods of interaction wouldn't work in a more urban/congested area.

Everyone - do what you can to stay safe and to not transmit anything (not just COVID-19) to vulnerable people

[ancianita]

37. I will go out two weeks after I get the vaccine. Which might be never.

Last edited Fri May 8, 2020, 11:28 PM - Edit history (1)

And I might not ever see my children and grandchildren again, except on screens.

We accept that, although, being younger, they're more hopeful than I.

I accept that I might never go out, except in my car. I already take precautions for going out twice a month. That's how I'll go out.

That said, if I keep in touch with the world, learn as broadly as I can, listen to music, read the stack of exciting books I've bought, watch uplifting movies, I think I can avoid stressing myself about what/who I miss and make it over the next year.

DU is a big tent of sane, smart, fact-based, informed and informative, hilarious, creative and loving people. I'm grateful that I can experience the DU world every day. Just knowing, daily, such people, that they're out there and doing their best for themselves, family, party and country, is a source of peace for me.

Take each day one day at a time, abakan.

[fierywoman]

38. My gut feelings have NEVER let me down or betrayed me. The only time major &$&*-ups in my life

occurred were when I let social pressure override my gut feelings. Your gut feelings are telling you to stay quarantined. (My gut feelings felt the need to tell your gut feelings to be brave!)

[abakan]

48. LOL

Thank you fterywoman. I needed that.

[Boomer]

39. We're settling in for the long-haul

I'm assuming at least two years of isolating, but leaving the exact exit date blank.

My wife and I are both in our late 60s, with health problems, so the prudent course is to limit our interactions as much as possible. We don't have family or friends in the area, so socializing isn't an issue -- we wouldn't do it normally, so this is no different. But we're still trying to find the balance in going out for essentials. We wear mask and gloves for our outings, but don't go into a cleaning frenzy. We're cautious rather than afraid, and maybe a little more fear would be useful for motivation, but we're just not wired that way.

I'm blessed in that I'm still working full-time from home, so income isn't an issue so far. The company I work for is solvent and is doing its best to avoid layoffs, but if it comes to that, I'm retirement age so I just leave gracefully.

When would we feel comfortable breaking our isolation? When there's a reliable vaccine. I have too many health issues to take much comfort in a treatment, which could probably help a healthy person recover, but not necessarily someone with only one lung.

[rasputin1952]

40. abakan

As a former Medical Plt Sgt, I followed this as much as anyone and have read "Tropical Diseases" three times.

I've also seen the fear in people's eyes when they think a wound or some other trauma has afflicted them. Some I couldn't
help, but most were treatable. COVID-19 does not come with a calendar, while most of us in our 60's may be more "vulnerable",
we are not targets. Those of us who've lived an active life have used our lungs, joints, muscles, et al, more than younger people.
We may be a little bit closer to catching things; think of all the air you've breathed over your lifetime, we come from a generation that has had the worst air pollution in human history, yet we are not dead.

What I'm getting around to is that COVID-19 is a fragile virus, it can't last long without a host. There is nothing that is going to home in on you and infect you. The basics are, wash your hands frequently, keep your hands away from your face and eyes. COVID-19 can only be transmitted by air and in some cases tear ducts. You will be fine to go outside, wear a good mask to protect yourself and others; stay
at least 6 feet from others.

DO NOT let COVID-19 ruin your life. Without human interaction, you will break down relatively quickly at n emotional level, (by your post, I'd say you are already having slight problems with friends and family. It is one thing to want to remain safe, something else entirely if you permit situations like this to control your human interactions.

Like so many other things, this to will pass. DO NOT listen to the news about this, pay attention to what officials have to say. You've had a long life, I'm a little older than you, my experiences most likely differ from yours, but we both know this earth can easily be enjoyed. The smell of roses and lilacs, watching trees grow from seedlings to 60+ plus beauties. Do not be afraid, but ensure you are protected, we can walk together through this and we will.

Be well, enjoy the riches of nature.

[alwaysinasnit]

41. FWIW. We have very limited visits. We sit in lawn chairs in the driveway with 6-8 feet separating

each person, and no physical contact. Visitors bring their own drinks/snacks and take their disposables home with them. Afterwards we head for the showers. Not very satisfying but it's the best we've come up with.

[tclambert]

42. We are going to do a drive-by on Mother's Day.

Her 99th birthday is the day after. Windows will stay up. We'll wave and see her as we go through the circular driveway. We turned down an offer of cupcakes from my sister.

[homegirl]

43. I am

85, and I am planning a family reunion for Thanksgiving. Meanwhile my nearby daughter and granddaughter supply what I cannot find on my once weekly shopping excursions.

Gloved, masked and hand sanitized, but out! My Mom always said it is a privilege to grow old.So, I am certainly very privileged!

[Alwaysna]

46. I'm 61 with an auto immune illness and I have left home 2x since January 1.

I still have 2 daughters at home ages 17 & 21. The girls order food from Walmart and pick it up curbside. My meds they pick up thru a drive thru window. Other than that, a home health nurse comes( she's very careful and same age as me) and another neighbor who stays home most of the time except banking and food.
Our county has had 8 reported cases with one death. Despite all this ,I still feel uneasy about leaving home. Fortunately. I live in a rural & wooded area and I walk around outside.

[Texin]

50. No, you're not alone.

I've been following the developments around Covid-19 since either late December (probably just before New Years Eve), and certainly in January. Based on the photos and videos people were sending out from China, I knew this virus was deadly. I began to curtail my outside errands and now only will go to a store with curbside touchless pickup or utilize delivery to my front door. I'm 66 and have asthma and hypertension, both of which require maintenance medications, but with multiple co-morbidities, I've got to be careful. I don't believe there is a too careful with this virus. I wash my hands so many times a day they're chapping. I also wipe down items purchased with disinfectant (actually, diluted bleach-detergent solution), along with raw fruits and vegetables, which I spray and let sit for at least 10 minutes before I rinse them under the faucet. I wipe down the countertops with the same mix. Luckily for me, I'm an introvert and would much rather be at home with a book than out mixing and mingling, and I'm not a joiner and haven't been in a church since the mid-90s (and what's the point since I'm no longer a "believer&quot .

[bluescribbler]

51. I will wait until the health experts say it is safe.

And even then I will continue to be cautious.

[CrispyQ]

52. You are smart.

We are staying in shelter and will continue. I can't even say for how long but much longer than most people, certainly longer than when governments start opening things. Possibly through the end of the year or into next year even. There will be a second wave, count on it. And I personally believe we'll see a third and even fourth wave, if the ignorance, arrogance, and stupidity continue to run amok.

[LittlePig-LittlePig]

53. nope

not alone

[McKim]

56. Staying in for the Duration

We are staying in for the duration. We are a Science family. We clean everything daily, order groceries and clean them well. don’t go out without a mask and take walks in an industrial area that is empty of people. We work out indoors, enjoy our garden and FaceTime for dinners with friends and family. We will go out two weeks after a vaccine that is approved in Europe is developed. In it for the long haul!

[lark]

57. I am going to my daughters' today. It's the first time I've been to her house since Feb.

It will just be me, hubby, her and her hubby so we are giving it a try. We're having take-out, not eating at a restaurant.

A filling fell out of my lower molar, and I'm hopefully getting that fixed if Medicare approves it. I can't take pain medicine, so really need to try to avoid any infection. I talked to the dentists' office and they are wearing masks and taking lots of precautions, so I am taking the risk.

[femmocrat]

58. I am disturbed that people think this is all over and they can get back to "normal."

I think it’s too early and people are being very foolish. I am immuno-compromised and I only go to my doctor appointments. I think the governors yielded to pressure and opened up too soon. JMO

[Aussie105]

59. Actually, as you get older . . .

the feeling of youthful invulnerability fades.

You become more aware of things that may shorten your life, like:

1. More frequent medical checkups.
2. More attention to self monitoring of medical conditions - in my case, diabetes type 2 and blood pressure.
3. Getting the flu vaccine early and every year.
4. Reducing/deleting certain habits - drinking, smoking, junk food consumption.
5. Greater care in driving.
6. Taking the lock down more seriously.
7. Generally more aware of what a healthy diet is.

Seriously OP, you are doing the right thing. Protect yourself, no one else will.
Be safe and be sure to be around next Mother's Day.

When will it be safe to go out again?

My personal approach, at 71 years of age: When three weeks passes with no reported new cases in my part of the world.

[LAS14]

60. We're 76 and 84 and haven't been in another building...

... except a super market (during old people's hours) since the 2nd week in March. And no visitors here at all. We expect to continue this way probably until there's a vaccine. Or, at least, a reliable anti-body test.

[Heartstrings]

61. I saw my 5 and 10 year old grandsons for the 1st time last Fri.

We all met up at a huge dog park, we kept our distances but the sun was shining and we got to see and hear each other in person. It had been since February and we are a hugging family but took no chances. It was glorious! My son keeps saying how weird this all is...Saturday they all dropped flowers, gifts and drawings the boys made to decorate my bathroom re-do. They did such a special job on the artwork, I so just wanted to hug them...hopefully soon, but not too soon. ☹️