Since the pandemic erupted in early March, the CDC said elderly people are the most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Reatha Flowers, an 81-year-old woman, has health issues ranging from asthma to diabetes which puts her at high risk of the coronavirus. Her doctors advise her to “stay home”.
As a result, she attends many of her doctors’ appointments virtually. Furthermore, in order to stay busy, she may walk in her backyard at times or play with her four dogs.
“It’s not much I can do,” Flowers said.
Nursing homes have been flooded with confirmed cases and deaths from the vicious virus. According to the Miami Herald, a total of 390 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Florida have at least one confirmed case of coronavirus among residents or staff as of Monday.
A nursing home administrator said the nursing home where she works has no confirmed cases of COVID 19 right now but it may not stay that way.
“It’s just a matter of time,” she said.
With hopes of this pandemic ending soon, Dr. Neena Gupta hopes the government gets more testing and a fast-track vaccine.