The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning to Americans over 60 to stock up on food, medication, and other supplies, and to avoid unnecessary travel amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease Dr. Nancy Messonnier during a media briefing on Monday said that “the highest risk is those who are older and with underlying health conditions” and that anyone “in one of those groups, separately or together,” should be “thinking towards what personal protections you want to take.”
"The reason to stock up now is to kind of stick close to home” said Messonnier.
"We use these broad categories of over 60 or over 65, but the data really says that as you get older the risk goes up," she added.
Messonnier also said that “many people in the U.S. will at some point in time this year or next be exposed to this virus, and there’s a good chance many will become sick.”
She did clearly state, however, that "based on what we know about this virus, we do not expect most people to develop serious illness."
While the news about elderly being highest at risk is nothing new, the media are carrying the information as confirmation of an impending apocalypse and “proof” that the Trump administration are downplaying the pandemic.
The same recommendations remain: wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, and call your doctor if you show any symptoms such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath.