Like the song says, “It ain’t more than however.” In reality, the Globe Wellness Organization warned Monday, that “the worst is yet to come,” referring to the coronavirus pandemic.

Six months considering that the new coronavirus outbreak, and the death toll has surpassed 500,000 with the quantity of confirmed infections topping ten million. Here in the U.S., many states recorded record highs this week, like exactly where I reside right here in California as effectively as in Florida and Texas. In a June 23 hearing ahead of the Residence Power and Commerce Committee, Anthony Fauci, a member of the White Residence coronavirus job force, named the subsequent couple of weeks “critical” for controlling the spread.

Baby boomers need to have to spend focus. Though, details about COVID-19 keeps evolving, a single factor hasn’t changed. Older adults are at higher threat of serious illness and death from the coronavirus. Take note: Eight out of ten COVID-19-associated deaths reported in the United States have been amongst adults aged 65 years and older, according to the CDC.

With all of this in thoughts, you could want to contemplate some of the most recent CDC updates for older adults:

* If you are under 65 and feel you are out of the woods, assume once more. The Centers for Disease Handle and Prevention (CDC) in June expanded its warning of who is most at danger for extreme illness from COVID-19, dropping 65 as the age-distinct threshold for when risk increases in adults. To put it just, as you age, your danger for serious illness from COVID-19 increases. Although those 85 and older are at the greatest danger, persons in their 50s are typically at higher risk for severe illness than men and women in their 40s. And individuals in their 60s or 70s are at greater danger for severe illness than men and women in their 50s.

* The CDC has updated its official list of COVID-19 symptoms. Warning signs of the illness include: fever or chills cough shortness of breath or difficulty breathing fatigue muscle or body aches headache new loss of taste or smell sore throat congestion or runny nose nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms that demand immediate health-related attention incorporate: problems breathing persistent discomfort or stress in the chest new confusion inability to wake or remain awake and bluish lips or face. Hold in thoughts, in older adults (aged 65 and older), normal body temperature can be reduced than in younger adults. For this purpose, fever temperatures can also be reduced in older adults which suggests it may perhaps be less noticeable.

* The CDC also clarified which underlying conditions are most linked with COVID-19 hospitalizations and death. On the expanded list: chronic kidney illness, chronic obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD), obesity (BMI of 30 or higher), a weakened immune program, type 2 diabetes, sickle cell illness and heart situations, such as heart failure, coronary artery illness or cardiomyopathies. Thus far, the prime 3 underlying well being conditions among coronavirus sufferers are cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

* With the increasing price of infections, let’s talk masks. They have some cool looking cloth face coverings these days, but which provide the ideal protection? One particular of the most significant functions you need to have are various layers of fabric, which are superior than only one, Richard Wenzel, M.D., infectious ailments epidemiologist and emeritus professor of internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. states in an short article for Shoppers Reports. Mayo Clinic agrees that “cloth masks should really consist of multiple layers of fabric.” A general rule of thumb is that thicker, denser fabrics will do a much better job than thinner, far more loosely woven ones. Flannel pajama material, for instance, which has a tight weave, may well be a fantastic alternative, Wenzel adds. If you strategy to buy a mask on the web make confident it is created with tightly woven fabric and fits snugly, completely covering your mouth and nose, wrapping below your chin as an anchor.

* Staying healthy is constantly vital, but even a lot more so during this pandemic. The CDC recommends that older adults receive advised flu and pneumonia vaccinations, eat healthy, remain active, stay away from excessive alcohol use, and get a lot of sleep. It really is also crucial to study to cope with the tension that comes from a pandemic in a healthier way. Take breaks from the news, embrace your spirituality, keep connected with loved ones, take time to unwind and do a thing you take pleasure in, and practice deep breathing.

* Federal well being officials are bracing for the fall, when the flu and COVID-19 will be circulating at the similar time. Final week, the CDC’s Redfield urged the public to be prepared and “to embrace” the flu vaccine. “This single act will save lives,” he said. The CDC is also creating a test that can simultaneously test for flu and COVID-19.

So, are we getting any exciting however?

Yes, I recognize. MedCare is challenging. We miss our grandchildren, concerts in the park, consuming out, and gatherings with friends. The additional relaxed, devil-may possibly-care attitude lots of are displaying correct now can be contagious. Nonetheless, we boomers ought to be extra vigilant.

The CDC recommends avoiding activities exactly where taking protective measures may be complicated, such as activities exactly where social distancing can’t be maintained. “In common, the far more people today you interact with, the a lot more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the greater your threat of having and spreading COVID-19,” their website states.