HEALTH
Dave & Dujanovic: Coronavirus and caring for seniors
Mar 16, 2020, 7:52 PM
FILE -- Rep. John Curtis speaks to reporters at KSL Broadcast house. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News File)
(Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News File)
SALT LAKE CITY — You’re doing your part to stay healthy (e.g. hand washing, social distancing) during the COVID-19 pandemic, but what are you doing to keep seniors like your aging parents healthy during the coronavirus outbreak?
According to the CDC (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), older adults and persons with severe underlying health conditions are at increased risk for severe illness and complications from COVID-19.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday requested that all senior citizens and those with chronic conditions isolate themselves at home.
Seniors and coronavirus
Debbie said she asked her parents, who are in their 70s and enjoy dining out and going to the movies, to self-quarantine.
“How did that go over?” Dave asked.
“Really, really well,” Deb said.
“Really?” Dave said.
“She [Mom] said, ‘you know, Deb, I’ve already talked to your dad. He’s got to find a hobby.'”
Utah Rep. John Curtis joined Dave and Deb to talk about the importance of keeping track of, and staying in contact with, the seniors in our lives, especially in light of coronavirus.
“Is it as catastrophic as we make it [the coronavirus pandemic] feel?”
“I do feel like we’re quickly moving to the panic mode,” Curtis said. “I don’t think that is in our best interest. But as sad as it is and as difficult as it is, it’s not catastrophic.”
Seniors may not be the only coronavirus concern, he said.
What’s next?
“I heard Murray School District is closing. I think you’re just going to see mass closings, which is what we’re seeing here in Washington, D.C.,” Curtis said.
Dave asked the lawmaker if he was going to follow through with his upcoming town halls in Utah.
“Twenty-four hours ago, we were considering following through with those. In the last 24 hours, it has become abundantly clear that that would be a bad idea,” he said.
Curtis said the live town halls would be converted to their virtual equivalent: tele-town halls.
Debbie pointed out that the day before, she was having lunch with her daughter and, “There wasn’t anybody in the restaurant.”
D.C. at a standstill
“What’s it like back in D.C. right now, just out and about?” she asked.
“This is shifting at a breakneck speed. The White House tours, the Capitol tours have stopped. We just heard the Library of Congress is closed. I suspect the museums are right behind that.
“It’s changing by the minute. The flights out of D.C. are pretty full. The flights into D.C. are nearly empty,” he said.
“We’ve pulled through 9/11, our hearts are heavy, but we found our way out. We are tough, and we’re going to pull through this,” Debbie said.
Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play.
How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus is transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
- Get a flu shot.
Local resources
State of Utah: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
