Older Americans Must Remain Cautious as States Reopen Businesses

Experts are recommending that older Americans practice caution as states reopen businesses with the easing of coronavirus lockdowns, reports Fox 17 . Florida Atlantic University Professor Joseph Ouslander, for one, thinks older people should refrain from patronizing restaurants, gyms, bars, barber shops, and beauty salons. He also warned that older Americans may be more susceptible to the virus depending on their living situations or socioeconomic status. The American Geriatrics Society is urging a revamped public health system that includes an expanded workforce, more concentration on the needs of aging Americans, scaled-up production of personal protective equipment, and widespread testing for COVID-19. "You can be asymptomatic and have the virus and not know it, and transmit it," said Ouslander. "The only way to protect older people is to repeatedly test people." Ouslander, who wants to see more consistent messaging across governments, is also calling for persistence with measures that have helped so far.