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Vol. 13, No. 15 – Apr 22 – May 5, 2020 – Opinion/Editorial

∙WOW, WOW, WOW! I am humbled by the overwhelming support for the Ventura Breeze from our wonderful readers. I cannot thank all of you enough for your financial contributions.

Community papers rely on local advertisers for survival. And, as we all know, our local businesses are fighting for their lives. Please continue to support them as best you can along with our current advertisers.

Unfortunately, community papers are closing in droves. The Burbank Leader, the Glendale News Press (published since 1905) and the La Canada Valley Sun and OC Weekly are just a few of them. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which was a daily paper, is now printing 3-days a week.

I’ll continue to do everything in my power to support our community by keeping the paper alive through this difficult period. Again, thank you for your support. With your help, we have a fighting chance.

Ventura County has opened up its golf courses, but golfers can’t use motorized carts. So, now they might actually get some exercise. Sorry golfers don’t mean to pick on you.

∙Trump fans were going to be proud of me because I was not going say one thing about him in this issue, but something is happening that I must comment on.

First let me say that I do not dislike all Republican presidents.

I didn’t dislike:

Warren G. Harding, Eisenhower, Ford, one of the Bushes and Reagan.

I didn’t like Nixon at all.

A reader said that I am a typical Democrat. I don’t think that there is a typical Democrat or a typical Republican or a typical Christian or a typical Jew. We are all individuals, and the last thing I’ve ever been called in my life is typical.

What is going on really scares me. And, if it doesn’t scare all Americans, that is even more frightening. A president encouraging riots and anarchy should be cause for concern for all Americans.

I did not write any of the following (it was simply a cut and paste).

Late last week, Trump cheered the effort to “LIBERATE” Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia – three states with Democratic governors. He defended those tweets Friday, saying that he thinks some states stay-at-home orders “are too tough,” adding he feels “very comfortable” with his tweets.

“These are people expressing their views,” he said. “I see where they are, and I see the way they’re working. They seem to be very responsible people to me, but it’s — you know, they’ve been treated a little bit rough.”

Governors across the country on Sunday criticized President Donald Trump’s expression of solidarity with those protesting various state issued stay-at-home orders, saying his comments are “dangerous” and “don’t make any sense.”

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, said, “I don’t know any other way to characterize it, when we have an order from governors, both Republicans and Democrats, that basically are designed to protect people’s health, literally their lives, to have a president of the United States basically encourage insubordination, to encourage illegal activity. To have an American president to encourage people to violate the law, I can’t remember any time during my time in America where we have seen such a thing.”

Inslee said Trump’s comments were “dangerous” because they “can inspire people to ignore things that actually can save their lives.” Trump’s promotion of the protesters was “hobbling our national efforts to protect people from this terrible virus.”

The protests have seen a large pro-Trump contingency, with demonstrators wearing and waving Make America Great Again gear, as well as “Don’t Tread on Me” flags. Some have even been seen waving Confederate flags at the rallies (and carrying rifles).

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, told CNN’s “State of the Union” his state is “doing everything we possibly can to reopen in a safe manner,” but “I don’t think it’s helpful to encourage demonstrations and encourage people to go against the president’s own policy. Trump is playing with fire.”

Just 24 hours after he told the nation’s governors, “You are going to call your own shots,” when it comes to reopening the economy, the President posted a series of incendiary messages on Twitter that seemed to incite his followers to revolt against the current orders to stay at home.

He issued similar tweets calling for the liberation of Minnesota and Virginia, including a disturbing addendum for loyalists to “save your great 2nd Amendment,” adding, “It is under siege!”

What exactly is Trump trying to do? This is not an out-of-range dog whistle. We can all hear it. Trump is calling for open revolt in three states – all of which are potentially competitive in 2020 and run by Democratic governors.

Even judged against Trump’s own record, these incendiary messages are beyond the pale for many reasons.

Anger and frustration lie just below the surface. It wouldn’t take much for peaceful protests to turn violent. Trump’s referral to gun rights makes the prospect of violence even more ominous.

Trump may discover that once he incites his supporters, he may not be able to rein them in should they decide to act. These are times unlike any we have experienced. Emotions are running high. That is a tempting canvas for a demagogue seeking to design his own version of reality, but there’s no guarantee Trump can control what he sets loose.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee accused the President of “fomenting domestic rebellion.” He wasn’t the only one who saw that as the message. After Trump’s string of tweets, right-wing extremists questioned whether the President was calling for a “boogaloo” – a term derived from 4chan that extremists use to describe an armed insurrection, which many far-right activists have been gearing up and advocating since last year.

Hogan, Maryland’s Republican governor, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” described the lack of testing as the biggest problem in the nation since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States.

Hogan is and chair of the National Governors Association. He once considered running against Trump for the 2020 Republican presidential nomination.

As always, we welcome (and encourage) Trump supporters/fans to provide us with some intelligent counter input as to why this is acceptable behavior for a President of The United States.

Ventura Church and 1918 flu Hospital should be honored.

The church was turned into a flu hospital.

by Richard Senate

1918 flu swept the world and with it took between 60 and 100 million souls, no one knows for sure.  It hit America hard, taking 450 Thousand Americans. It hit in three waves, each one terrible in its own right but in the first two Ventura County seemed spared with few infections and fewer death.  Ventura got cocky and elected to hold the County Fair, seeing as the death rate in Los Angeles had started to drop.

The fair was held in October that year and when it was done the full force of the pandemic hit Ventura County hard. Schools were closed into make-shift “Flu Hospitals” and volunteers came forward to treat the sick. Very young children were spared for the most part as were elderly people (they had immunity from the Russian flu that hit in the 19th Century).

The healthy, able bodied were taken out with a three-day sickness that ended for the unlucky in death. Fillmore was hit hardest in the county and some saw this as the end of the world. But, in a year the Spanish Flu, mutated into a less fatal form and it was over by 1919.

The only monuments were the many graves stones marked with the fatal date of 1918.  But there stands a building in Ventura that played an important part in that pandemic and perhaps a plaque should be placed upon it to recognize this event that took so many lives. Its a unique eight-sided building, the only one in Ventura. It stands on the south east corner of Main and Kalorama Street, its now a church as it was in 1918. The churches were closed as were all theaters and schools and the church was turned into a flu hospital.  Many who were sent there received the best care possible of that age and the death rate was about 20%.  Still it was a place of great sadness.

The Flu Hospital was staffed by Red Cross volunteers (many perished taking care of others in selfless acts of giving to friends and neighbors in need).  The building stands, just another historic oddity now but, in 1918 it was a beacon of hope and for that and the terrible time in 1918 it should be remembered and honored.

Vol. 13, No. 15 – Apr 22 – May 5, 2020 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

As we continue in shutdown mode and our town is a virtual ghost town at night (as it should be), I’ve reached out to a number of musicians to get their thoughts and updates on how they’re managing the stay home mandate.

Tommy Marsh of Crooked Eye Tommy

Pam: Are you still working your day job? 

Tommy: I was off for two weeks but I’m back to work now.

Pam: How’s the Covid-19 Stay Home order affecting you as a working musician?

Tommy: So far 20 shows have been cancelled totaling at least $3,500 in lost revenue. To date, the Ojai Blues Fest is still on for June 6th but that is subject to change. I also had to cancel my trips to both the Nashville and Cincinnati areas where I was booked in April. It’s been tough.

Pam: Is there any upside to it? 

Tommy: I have been blessed to spend time at home with Tammy which has been very nice, I’m usually so busy that it’s all a blur. I have been getting lots of sleep which is also elusive during a busy life of working and playing. I have been writing and that is always good.

Pam: What are you doing to fill the time?


Tommy: I’m working on the artwork for our new album, the theme is sort of a comic book style. We have also been getting things done around the house as well as planning our retirement to Tennessee. Plus, we’ve been watching lots of live music shows of our friends and supporting them with $ as we are able. We are so blessed, and I know many out there are not as lucky.

Pam: Tell me about the new record and when it will be released.

Hot Coffee & Pain is completed and will be released in August. It’s been a long time coming. I just got the masters and I’m VERY PLEASED and feel it is better on many fronts than Butterflies & Snakes; big guitars and big horns will be the hallmark of this one.

(Tommy Marsh and Crooked Eye Tommy are on most social media platforms as well as the official website for the band at CrookedEyeTommy.com)

Jodi Farrell, Singer/Songwriter and owner of Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio

Pam: How badly has the Stay Home mandate affected you economically?  Are you able to keep your students engaged with video music lessons?

Jodi: I consider myself one of the lucky ones to be able to continue working from home.

Although there have been a few students who have opted not to continue music lessons via Zoom, most of my students have welcomed this opportunity and are doing an amazing job adapting to this new format. I believe, just like me, they welcome any sense of normalcy and continuity in their lives during this unprecedented and upheavaled time. Being able to continue music lessons not only fulfills this desire, it also provides a sense of joy and happiness in a way only music can.

Pam: Are you doing anything to stay connected to the music scene? 

Jodi: Anytime I click on Facebook and come across someone sharing a song or streaming live music or posting a musical collaboration through Zoom, I feel uplifted. I’ve also posted videos singing songs with the intent to uplift  the community’s spirit. I am also pleased to see fellow musicians such as, Jerry Breiner and Colette Lovejoy (Déjà vu Too), Karen Eden, Mark Masson (Shaky Feeling), Shawn Jones, Alastair Greene, Jon Gindick, Kelly’s Lot, Polly Musicmuse, Karyn 805, Crooked Eye Tommy and so many others utilizing social media platforms to continue to share their music and talents with all of us.

Pam: Have you been inspired to write new music about this experience, or not so much?

Jodi: Funny you should ask, I am in the process of writing a melody to some lyrics given to me from another talented writer (and illustrator), Linda Silvestri.  It’s going to be a blues song that will make you smile. I look forward to recording and posting it upon its completion.

Pam: Would you like to add anything else?

Jodi: I would like to express my gratitude to you for all that you do in supporting live arts in Ventura. Even in this time, when no performance is able to occur in our local establishments around town, you are still working to inform, and bring the musical community together through articles such as these and in so many other ways. Together, and with music, we will get through this!

Pam: Aw shucks. ?

(Find out more about Jodi Farrell’s music studio on Facebook and on her official website JodiFarrell.com)


Jon Gindick, Singer/Songwriter, best-selling musical
instruction author, and owner/operator of the Blues Harmonica Jam Camp

Pam: Is the Covid-19 Stay Home order affecting you as a working musician?


Jon: I’ve had to cancel five gigs and postpone my five-day Mississippi Delta Blues Harmonica Jam Camp in April; it’s a small price to pay for defeating this virus.

Pam: Is there any upside to it?

Jon: Yes, short term, I feel released from my mundane responsibilities, free to develop new songs, and time to research and create new material. Long term, we shall see.

Pam: What are you doing to fill the time?

Jon: I’m giving lessons online, advertising my seminars, providing customer service,
playing music, creating videos, reaching out to old friends, and trying to figure what to do with myself next. Luckily, I have a good teaching and publishing business, so my finances have not been damaged.

(Find out more about Jon’s music and Harmonica Camp on most social media platforms and on his official website Gindick.myshopify.com)

Licity Collins, Singer/Songwriter

Pam: How badly has the Stay Home mandate affected you economically?

Licity: I have complex feelings about the stay-home mandates. We’ve all lost a lot. For many people the reasons might feel theoretical. For me it is not. One of my two best friends in the world contracted the novel coronavirus and came down with COVID-19. She is in one of the high-risk categories. So, my “stay home” time has included a harrowing two-week vigil of holding back tears every day worried for her life while she walked the slow intense path through a “mild case” of the illness which was actually quite brutal. I am grateful for her life today, knowing she has just recently recovered. Her voice has never sounded so sweet. I am happy to stay home so that as few people as possible must go through that illness or that vigil. 

I am also hoping that the powerful exposure of the massive flaws in the music economy will, in the end, benefit musicians. We all know that the industry was broken. We lost our ability to earn money through our recording sales in the MP3 transition, leaving only performance as our main way of making money. That system was also starting to fall apart, with smaller musicians expected to play too many shows for free, concert ticket prices getting so high, and major artist fees becoming unaffordable for even the largest festivals. It is my deepest hope that this challenge we are going through will shine a light on the devaluing of music— and correct it. I hope that musicians will begin to receive our true value for all we do. 

Pam: What are you doing to stay connected with the music scene?

Licity: I have been really focused on staying connected to my community of supporters and fans. I‘ve been sending frequent messages of love and inspiration to my email list and creating new intimate opportunities for them to connect with me and each other.

In asking for donations (which everyone is) I’ve made the decision to pass along 22% of my donations to working musicians in need. I know that many of lead artists have fan bases that we can turn to for support. But a lot of the amazing band members that make us sound like rock stars don’t have that kind of name recognition. I’ve been able to pass along a small amount, and I hope it has helped. 

Pam: Have you been inspired to write new music about this experience, or the opposite? 

Licity: I need a lot of mental space to write music. This time has been anything but that! In addition to worrying/trying not to worry about my friend and my income, I have been extremely busy creating new ways for people to connect to themselves, me and others, as a part of all I do as a music maker. I am very excited to announce those new projects in the coming weeks. 

Pam: Would you like to add anything else?

Licity: You know I’m a big advocate for love. This time is an opportunity for us to choose love, in every moment. Choosing love looks like so many different things, but this time there is a major focus on unselfishness, while understanding that we have to care for ourselves and our own needs. This is one of the greatest challenges of humanity—to understand both our individuality and interconnectedness.

(Find out more about Licity on social media and her official website LicityCollins.com)

Guy Martin, Singer/Songwriter and owner of BlackCouch Studio

Pam: Are you still working your day job?


Guy: Most definitely; my day job is a general contractor.

Pam: How’s the Covid-19 Stay Home order affecting you as a working musician?

Guy: Well for me, the timing of this pandemic hasn’t affected my gigs at all, simply because I have been focused on building the new BlackCouch Studio for the last 6 months.  I had done a few sit-ins and benefit performances in between, but lately I haven’t pushed any Guy Martin Band shows at all.  So, when Covid-19 hit, the only thing that really changed was the social interaction.

Pam: Is there any upside to it?

Guy: On a personal level, somewhat.  Now is the time to get those nagging little things done that I’ve never made the time to do before.  On a global level, there is definitely a silver lining in this dark cloud; the world has a common enemy that we are fighting together as one.  I do think that after the chaos is over, people around the world will have a renewed outlook on what is important in this life. The downside is I miss my immediate family and close friends.  I’m tired of having to use mobile devices and technology to communicate.  I would love to have a physical hang, and get together soon.  Nothing beats that.

Pam: What are you doing to fill the time?

Guy: I have a list of to-dos that I’m stoked to get done.  And BlackCouch Studio has a small list of things as well.  I just re-wired the BlackCouch Studio’s entire preamp section to exactly how I want it.  I have the time to analyze what my perfect workflow should be like in a recording session and make any necessary adjustments to accommodate that. I also now have the time to try and set up and record more social media content, both for Guy Martin Music and BlackCouch Studio.  Will it get done how I want?  Probably not, because I am my own worst critic and usually get in my own way.

(For more information go to GuyMartin.com and BlackCouchStudio.com as well as on most social media platforms)

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected]. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

A message from the Ventura County Area Agency On Aging

The County of Ventura remains in a health emergency. Gov. Gavin Newsom recommended that all individuals 65 and older isolate themselves from the public in an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This order makes VCAAA services and the services of our partnering agencies even more critical. Efforts have been heavily focused on ensuring that older adults in Ventura County have the food and supplies they need to stay healthy and safe. We have been promoting the Help Your Neighbors flyer and Have You Considered video, and encourage you to do the same via social media, e-mail, and in any public setting you deem fitting.

All operations at the County level will remain in place with some changes implemented to keep staff, clients, and the community as a whole as safe and healthy as possible. Those changes include:

Social distancing – asking all individuals to keep a 6-foot distance between themselves and others.
Requesting that all individuals experiencing any kind of illness stay home.
Canceling and/or postponing events that include 50 or more people.
Canceling and/or postponing any events, trainings, classes, etc. that are not time sensitive.
Identifying and establishing the option for staff to work remotely (when feasible) to lessen person-to-person contact.
Increasing the frequency of sanitization of offices.

The VCAAA is implementing all of the above-mentioned practices. Most VCAAA services remain operating at this time, with the exception of Fall Prevention Classes, SNAP-Ed classes, and in-person nutrition counseling. In addition, tax preparation services offered through AARP Tax Aide have been suspended indefinitely. Specific health and safety procedures for VCAAA programs include:

Fall Prevention Classes – all Fall Prevention Program classes have been canceled.

Senior Nutrition Counseling Services and Classes – In-person nutrition counseling and SNAP-Ed classes have been canceled, however counseling via telephone is available. For more information call (805) 477-7300.

Senior Nutrition Program Meal Sites – Please see below for information related to the Senior Nutrition Program meal sites.

Care Management Programs – The VCAAA is working to identify clients who are facing isolation due to the health emergency to ensure that they have the food, supplies, and necessary support.
AARP Tax Services – AARP tax services have been suspended at the VCAAA at this time.
VACE Classes at VCAAA Campus – All VACE classes have been canceled at this time.
Please be sure to emphasize to clients that while many community and senior centers, as well as other service sites, are temporarily closing, the VCAAA’s office will remain open and the Information & Assistance team will be on hand to answer calls and assist clients as they navigate these difficult times.

The VCAAA is now seeking volunteers who are interested in making food deliveries and/or working at the Agency’s Senior Nutrition Garden to help harvest produce that will be given to area residents. Interested parties can contact the VCAAA directly by emailing [email protected]. Please include name, phone number, and cities in which the volunteer can deliver and/or volunteer.

A COVID-19 hotline has been established for immediate concerns. That number is: 805-465-6650. There is a vast amount of information available through VCEmergency.com, including print resources, videos, guidelines, and additional facts and resources related to closures.

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to follow the County of Ventura and Ventura County Area Agency on Aging on social media for updates that are shareable with the community. These updates are also accessible to the public at www.vcaaa.org/news-events/.

Ventura Avenue Active Adult Center:  Closed indefinitely. Home delivered meal services are operating as usual. Congregate meal participants have the option to pick-up a frozen meal daily.  For more information call (805) 648-3035.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

by Bernice Detig Development Manager, Los Angeles & Ventura

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and I, along with Parkinson’s Foundation, California Chapter urge everyone in Southern California to join our community as we promote greater awareness of how Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects the one million Americans living with PD, and their families

Awareness is even more critical now during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure that we are reaching this vulnerable community to provide the tools and resources they need to better manage the disease from home or in the event of a hospital stay. These tools include the Parkinson’s Foundation Aware in Care hospital safety kit, medical alert card, a customizable medication schedule and more.

 

To get involved, individuals can take part in the Foundation’s many online programs, including Moving Day Virtual, an online event that encourages the Parkinson’s community to move and fundraise to support better research, care and resources. Additionally, PD Health @ Home offers virtual health and wellness programs to stay safe and healthy at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Community members can also share these online programs, their story or others’ stories on social media.

My uncle is affected by Parkinson’s Disease and daily takes life changing medications, exercises and lives his best life at home during this pandemic. Together, we can make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. I can be reached at 562-317-4866 [email protected]

If you have been diagnosed with or care for someone with Parkinson’s Disease, please know that you are not alone at the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group.

For more information and meeting dates please call Patty Jenkins at 805-766-6070 or email her at [email protected].

Increase funding for services and programs older adults

by National council On Aging (NCOA)

Congress is trying to agree on the content of more legislation to relieve the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. That means your voice matters more than ever.

To save lives and support older adults in crisis, Congress must include significant increases in funding for services and programs older adults and their caregivers depend on.

Contact your Representatives and Senators today and tell them these four things should be in any COVID-19 relief bills:

Give additional resources to Older Americans Act programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program so more older adults have food, in-home services, and caregiver support.

Make it easier to use Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services so vulnerable older adults can get the care they need at home.

Make essential health care and prescription drugs more affordable for low-income Medicare beneficiaries by increasing premium and cost-sharing assistance.

Help nonprofit charitable organizations maintain operations and meet rapidly growing demand by providing additional support.

Thank you for taking action! Please ask your friends and colleagues to join you. Every voice matters.

Grief Support during the Coronavirus Stay in Place Order

During this challenging time of COVID 19, Livingston Memorial’s Camarillo Hospice is committed to providing bereavement services to the community. Their highly skilled grief counselors and volunteer support group facilitators are providing tele-therapy during the stay in place order to those grieving the death of a loved one. If you, or someone you know is in need of grief support, please contact Stacia Sickle, Coordinator of Bereavement Counseling, at 805-389-6870 x452. For more information on Camarillo Hospice, visit LMVNA.org

Other support groups conducted through Tele-therapy at this time:

  • Young Widow and Widowers Support Group Tuesdays 5:30 to 7:00 pm
  • Widow and Widower’s Support Group Wednesdays 1:00 to 2:30 pm
  • Bereaved Mom’s Support Group: 2nd Thursday of every month 6-7:30 pm
  • Adult Loss of Parent Support Group: 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 6:00 to 7:30 pm
  • General Bereavement and Good Grief Club TBA

Education program on communication, behavior and self-care helps families facing Alzheimer’s

Individuals living with dementia often experience changes in behavior that can be confusing to friends and family. Behavior is a powerful form of communication often used by people living with dementia to express their needs. However, for some caregivers, learning effective communication and managing behaviors can be a challenge. The Alzheimer’s Association is offering the Savvy Caregiver Workshop to help nonprofessional caregivers communicate effectively with their person and manage behaviors.

The Savvy Caregiver Workshop teaches the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to handle the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Through an evidence-based curriculum, participants will learn techniques to:

  • Reduce caregiver distress
  • Communicate effectively with their person
  • Access community resources
  • Become more competent caregivers for their person

The Alzheimer’s Association® is offering this four-part workshop on May 5, 12, 19, and 26. In accordance with the statewide Stay at Home order, this workshop series will be conducted online in a virtual classroom.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the premier source of information and support for the five million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease. Through its national network of chapters, it offers a broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their families and caregivers and represents their interests on Alzheimer’s-related issues before federal, state and local government and with health and long term care providers.

To register for this workshop and to find information about other classes and support groups, call (800) 272-3900 or visit alz.org/CACentral.

Outbreaks can be stressful

Getting plenty of sleep can reduce stress.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include

  • Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
  • Changes in sleep or eating patterns
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Worsening of chronic health problems
  • Worsening of mental health conditions
  • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations

How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include

  • Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19
  • Children and teens
  • People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors, other health care providers, and first responders
  • People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use

Take care of yourself and your community

Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.

Ways to cope with stress

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Take care of your body.
  • Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
  • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
  • Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Older Adults

Non-essential air travel should be avoided.

Older adults, 65 years and older, are at higher risk for severe illness. We are learning more about COVID-19 every day.

What you can do

If you have a serious underlying medical condition:

  • Stay home if possible.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Avoid close contact (6 feet, which is about two arm lengths) with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
  • Avoid all cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
  • Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19 and your underlying condition or if you are sick.

For more information on steps you can take to protect yourself, see CDC’s How to Protect Yourself

Stress and coping

Older people are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 which may result in increased stress during a crisis.

Fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.

Things you can do to support yourself

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories and social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
  • Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call 911

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)