We have been surprised these last few days by lines of worried customers at the cash desks then in front of the entrance to supermarkets. But they are “threads” of nothing at all compared to this line filmed by a motorist in Florida in the United States, country of excess. It seems truly without and stretches for a long time on the sidewalk, customers and their shopping trolley piling up as far as the eye can see.
Everything is uncertain because we do not know how it will end nor the level of seriousness that it will reach
Florida and its many worried retirees
With its palm trees, sunny climate and bingo evenings, Florida is one of the states with the highest number of seniors in the United States. But this population is particularly vulnerable to the epidemic of new coronavirus.
“Everything is uncertain because we do not know how it will end nor the level of seriousness that it will reach”, explains Anita Lammersdorf, an 81-year-old American-Lithuanian, former real estate agent.
She responds to AFP perched on the doorstep, surrounded by orchids, four meters from journalists, respecting the recommendations of health authorities.
Ms. Lammersdorf has a pacemaker but is not affected by other illnesses that could cause her concern if infected. “I hope to be strong enough to face this guy when he shows up”, she says, speaking of the coronavirus. She lives in Delray Beach, north of Miami, after having spent a large part of her life in the capital, Washington, and in Venezuela. Like her, many seniors in the United States and around the world settle in the + Sunshine State + for their retirement. Others, nicknamed “migratory birds”, come here four or five months a year to take advantage of the sun and dodge the northern winter. Florida usually has the highest proportion of seniors in the United States: 20.5% of its population is over 65, according to a study published in 2019 by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB).
This virus is particularly dangerous for the elderly, and the demographic situation in Florida is rather unique in this country.
Only Maine surpassed it last year with 20.6% of seniors among its 1.3 million inhabitants, but Florida, the third most populous state in the country, still has 1.1 million people. over 80 years.
Some are in retirement homes but the vast majority live independently in residential complexes reserved for the elderly with golf courses, tennis and bridge or bingo workshops.
“This virus is particularly dangerous for the elderly, and the demographic situation in Florida is rather unique in this country”, says Jeff Johnson, local director of the AARP association, which helps people over 50.
The Covid-19 epidemic, which has closed borders and contained millions of people around the world, is particularly lethal for people with health conditions, including heart and respiratory conditions, and for those over 60 years.
The death rate among people over 80 is 21.9%, according to a report by the World Health Organization, carried out in partnership with the Chinese authorities.
“Even if there are tens of thousands (of people) in retirement homes, there are millions of people in Florida who live very happily in their residential communities. Obviously we also have to pay attention to them”, adds Mr. Johnson.
Florida authorities have already urged residents to limit visits to retirement homes, and some residential complexes have taken social distancing measures, canceling group activities and favoring meetings between neighbors by phone.
In Pompano Beach, in a residential community for people over 55 years north of Miami, two Quebecers over 70 try to take things lightly.
“It will be long and serious, very serious,” recognizes Denise Bedard. “But we are in good health and we wash our hands properly,” she adds.
Florida has 216 confirmed cases of people infected with Covid-19, according to statistics from Johns-Hopkins University, and that number continues to climb rapidly.
For now, “all that remains is to hope. But I am worried. I am worried about everyone. I try to be as careful as possible,” explains Ms. Lammersdorf.
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