COVID-19 Q & A
At a recent AARP town hall meeting, participants were able to ask questions from Dr. Jay Butler, MD, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases at the CDC.
Q: Would the flu vaccine or Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine help prevent COVID-19?
A: It is encouraged to get the flu shot because there is a lot of influenza going around. The Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine works against a bacterial pneumonia. As COVID-19 is a virus it will not help prevent it.
Q: How can seniors who live in apartment complexes socially distance? Is it recommended to move?
A: Seniors living in apartment buildings should follow practices of social distancing, as well as follow stringent protocols of hand washing as the virus can live on surfaces for some time. It is recommended to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds upon re-entering the house from things like taking out the trash or touching the mailbox or elevator. A hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is also useful.
Whether or not to move depends on your situation and where you are moving to. While families can provide a lot of care it is important to think about social distancing while you are there. Also think about how you will get there. It is recommended for older adults and those at higher risk not travel by airplane.
Q: I’m a homebound senior and I am having trouble getting food. The local food bank I usually go to has closed. Where can I get help?
A: The quickest way to tie in to local services is to tie into Elder Services via their phone number (1-800-677-1116), who can connect you to local resources.
Q: How long would it take for symptoms to appear if I became infected?
A: It could be between 2-14 days, but if there is a discrete source of exposure it could be between 4-7 days. If you think you may have been exposed, it is recommended that you self-isolate for at least 14 days after the last exposure. Contact your healthcare provider for support and next steps.
Q: Should I be wearing masks?
A: While COVID-19 is transmittable via air droplets (like someone coughing or sneezing), it does not seem to commonly be transmitted via airborne transmission. Airborne transmittable viruses, like measles, can stay in the air and be transmitted over longer distances. COVID-19 does not seem to be doing this at this commonly at this time. COVID-19 can be transmitted from someone coughing and sneezing and releasing droplets into the air which can go a range of 5-6 feet. Most masks may not be effective in filtering the air but may help prevent your coughs and sneezes from transmitting to someone else.
Q: Any advice for at home family caregivers?
A: Minimize contact as much as possible, especially with people who are symptomatic, but realize that shared households will have exposure. It is important to clean surfaces once daily.
Q: Will warmer weather bring an end to the Corona virus?
A: At this time we really don’t know. We will just have to wait and see how it responds as the weather continues to warm. We should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
Q: I’m worried about my parents being vulnerable to scams. What can I do?
A: Its important that you have that conversation with your parents. If they are receiving these calls or emails out of the blue they should be wary. The FTC has a great email list about identified scams, which you can sign up for at ftc.org/subscribe
Q: Are we at risk of contacting the disease from the mail?
A: The risk of catching COVID-19 through mail is extremely rare, even from products that are coming from China. What we have seen is transmission from people who were traveling abroad from China and other countries, then came home and became ill. Mail is an entirely appropriate way to connect with a loved one who is in an assisted living center.