The coronavirus pandemic has turned life upside down for just about everyone, preventing people throughout the world from working, socializing, and performing everyday activities. Older adults — at a higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19 —are more likely to restrict their activities significantly to reduce their chances of contracting coronavirus.
When it comes to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, older people are especially vulnerable to severe illness. Research is showing that adults 60 and older, especially those with preexisting medical conditions, especially heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or cancer are more likely to have severe — even deadly — coronavirus infection than other age groups.
Are precautions of the sort the CDC has endorsed really necessary, even in areas where the new coronavirus doesn’t yet appear to be circulating widely? What about disease-free adults in their 60s and 70s? Do they need to worry about going to a restaurant or a friend’s house for dinner? Are all outside activities ill-advised?
Exercise at any age is important. But for elderly people [...]
