By Dr. Marcy Adelman–
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that people with mild cases of COVID-19—the disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus—recover in about two weeks; others can take anywhere from three to six weeks. Most people will have flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, fever, cough and labored breathing. Older adults and those with chronic medical conditions, like heart and lung diseases, are more at risk of a severe illness. It is too soon to know the fatality risk until more people are tested for the virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person between people who are within 6 feet of one another, and through respiratory airborne droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Wearing a mask is most effective in reducing the spread of the virus by people who are already infected.
A less likely transfer of the virus may occur from touching a surface that has the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. To be on the side of caution, the CDC suggests that you refrain from touching your face.
Check in with your friends and neighbors. Let people know how you are doing and if you need any assistance. Remember, we are all in this together.
And check out the information and updates, telling you more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones, at https://www.sf72.org/
Dr. Marcy Adelman, a psychologist and LGBTQ+ longevity advocate and policy adviser, oversees the Aging in Community column. She serves on the California Commission on Aging, the Governor’s Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force, the Board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California, and the San Francisco Dignity Fund Oversight and Advisory Committee. She is the Co-Founder of Openhouse, the only San Francisco nonprofit exclusively focused on the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ older adults.
Published on March 12, 2020
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