American experts: 'Stay home for coronavirus'

The elderly and sick should stay at home as much as possible to avoid contamination with the COVID-19 virus. That is the advice of the American Center for Infectious Disease Control CDC. Such advice does not apply in the Netherlands.

Please note: the situation surrounding the coronavirus changes daily. For the most up-to-date information, visit the RIVM website.

It U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises older adults and to stay at home as much as possible. People with a chronic condition such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes also receive this advice. So no going to the movies, shopping on a busy Saturday, going to church or getting on a plane. The CDC also advises that you have enough medicines and food at home, so that you do not have to leave the house for that. The reason is that the elderly are about twice as likely to become seriously ill from the virus, according to the CDC. In young people or people without a chronic illness, the infection usually goes unnoticed or with mild symptoms. In fact, two leading infectiologists believe that all people over 60 should avoid crowds, adds news channel CNN.

Not necessary

In the Netherlands, two groups of people are advised to stay at home. Group 1: people with a roommate who is infected with COVID-19, or group 2: people who have been in an area where the coronavirus is prevalent and who have cold complaints or a fever. So certainly not all elderly people or people with a chronic illness. One in four Plus readers (27%) is currently staying at home as much as possible for fear of becoming infected with the coronavirus outside. This is evident from a poll among more than 3,200 readers on this site. “I bought food for a few weeks,” responds a 72-year-old Plus reader.