6 Die as Coronavirus Races Through Upscale Retirement Community in N.Y.
Source: New York Times
The first sign appeared two weeks ago, when an employee tested positive for coronavirus. By Wednesday, Peconic Landing, an upscale elder community on the North Shore of Long Island, announced its sixth death from the virus, sparking fears of an even bigger outbreak among a vulnerable, confined population.
What was a peaceful waterfront resort by the shores of Long Island Sound has become a scene emergency crews in hazmat suits. Employees worked double shifts to cover for missing workers; when one threw out her mask to go on break, her supervisor reprimanded her for not reusing it.
Visitors trying to check in with parents were turned away at the gates, and families were advised that removing their relatives was even riskier than keeping them there. “I’m 90 years old, I’d like to die naturally,” one resident told her son. “But I don’t want to die for this.”
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Nursing homes and other group residences for older adults are particularly susceptible to the pandemic, because residents are in close contact with one another and with the workers, and because many residents already have other health problems and weakened immune systems.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/nyregion/coronavirus-peconic-landing-nursing-home.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Even though I am old myself, I've never personally faced the challenges of long term care for aging parents, both of mine died suddenly though years apart.
My heart goes out to everyone who is or who has loved ones in these facilities. This virus seems designed to target people in places where we thought they would be most well cared for.
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I lost three parents... mom, dad, and MIL within 1yr of each other in 2018 and 2019. They were in various nursing facilities with many extreme health issues. I never thought that I would be glad that they are gone, but I cannot imagine what these folks and their families are going through now. The mental anguish must be unbearable.
After this is all over there is going to be a massive outbreak of PTSD that will be very difficult to deal with. We all need to pace ourselves mentally so that we are in a position to help others in our families that will need a steady emotional support system.
