"I want to use my own mother as an example.. she is 86 years old whose raised 4 children.. she is full of life, active and in good health despite her age. She has been very careful over the past 9 months to not expose herself and my sister has been the main contact. The rest of her kids (including myself) have spent a lot of time on the phone:) The fact is, if she caught covid the odds of survival (for even someone of her age) would be in her favor. However, a significant percentage of those who are over 85 will succumb to the virus.
The reason I am stating this, is because we love our mom (as I am sure all of you love yours) and Covid targets our most vulnerable - those with underlining conditions and the elderly. This has the potential to become "personal" to many of us.. since each of us has someone in our lives who fit the criteria of "higher risk."
I don't care how you want to crunch the numbers.. this virus is VERY contagious.. and the RISK to my mother is very REAL.
You or a stranger, or a virus threatens (even hypothetically) my mother.. and I take it serious.
Period.
Eom."
Well said. I possess the same thinking. First time since I was born that I (we) haven't spent turkey day together. I'm one of eight- so every holiday gathering is large. My mother passed 7 yrs ago, just shy of 88. My father is 90-3/4 and has more energy than many half his age, and still twice the brain power.
He decided for himself that he would not pick and choose whose family to visit and celebrate with- not wanting to offend anyone, coupled with preferring not to have to quarantine upon return. Rather, he decided to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with a few friends and neighbors, prepared and provided in the retirement complex he's resided in for 18 years. His meal was followed with (another) an enjoyable zoom meeting with my wife and kids, as well as all of my siblings and their spouses and their children.
We each visit him on "the campus" from time to time and go for a walk outside. A big change from past visits, but it works, at least so far.
