These Seniors Are Thriving Amid The Pandemic

How Risky Are Small Gatherings?

Shots Lesley McClurg/KQED These Seniors Can’t Be Stopped By A Pandemic Despite age and multiple health problems, many seniors are coping better than their younger cohorts with the isolation of COVID-19, recent studies suggest. Maybe it’s because they’ve faced adversity before. Diane Evans, a 74-year old resident of a senior center in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, suffers from depression and other health issues. These days, she is largely alone in her room, deprived of the communal meals and classes that were the norm before the pandemic. But she’s taking it in stride. "If adverse situations beat you down, there wouldn't be an African American in this country," says Evans. "You do what you have to do to survive." And what Evans does is use technology. She has Zoom calls with her family nearly every day and streams the radio and Hulu on her phone. She’s learned how to text. Technology is not a panacea, but it does seem to be helping to address the loneliness, experts say. Read on to find out how other seniors are finding ways to cope with life during COVID. BONUS: How to deal with uncertainty, from those who’ve been there. Newsletter continues after sponsor message mathisworks/Getty Images How Much Are Small Gatherings Driving The Surge? For weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, public health messages emphasized the dangers of small social gatherings. There's no question that with the high level of coronavirus cases throughout the country, it's risky to spend time indoors with anyone outside your household.  But hanging out with a friends may not be a major driver of infections, argues Ellie Murray, an epidemiologist at Boston University's School of Public Health. To truly turn around the current surge in cases she says governments need to do more than just order people not to see friends and family. In fact, places like meatpacking plants and warehouses, institutional settings like prisons and retirement communities, and businesses like restaurants and bars, are bigger culprits. Read more about what makes some gatherings riskier and what's driving the spread. BONUS: How families stayed connected this Thanksgiving. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Why Scotland Is Making Period Products Free Half the population has to manage monthly menstruation for about half of their lives. And biology doesn’t care whether you’re poor or you just ran out of the house without tampons. Soon, products like tampons and pads will be provided free of charge -- at least in Scotland.  A new law requires local authorities to ensure that period products are generally obtainable free of charge, including at schools and colleges, and designated public places.  The law comes after years of effort, including those of Celtic soccer fans who pushed for free products to be available in stadium lavatories. In a world where womens’ periods are rarely a topic of public conversation, the two-hour debate in the Scottish parliament was remarkable, notes NPR’s Laurel Wamsley. "That's right, Scotland has become the first country in the world to make period products free for all," the country's official account tweeted. "Because in Scotland, we believe it's fundamental to dignity, equality and human rights." Read on to find out why Scotland takes pride in this first. More of this week's health stories from NPR Why a COVID-19 vaccine for kids is still far away. How one family fought a $19,000 bill for a bike accident. How do we stop the coronavirus surge? Here's what experts say will help. A community garden that helps fight racial inequities. We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of NPR's health journalism on Shots and follow us on Twitter at @NPRHealth. Your guest Shots editor, April Fulton   Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: shots@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy