HEALTH

Wear (designer) masks, watch for viral fraud

Do we need more who went on to drama in 2020? become scientists,

Nope, I’m good, chemists, and thank you. doctors, who will

At the onset save our fannies on of COVID-19, this COVID-19 mess. formerly known The pandemic as the coronavirus, also brought to light formerly known as the fantastic job “That Flu Thing,” we said, “Boy, those STAY SAFE nurses, techs, and other hospital staff Chinese have a real Steve Rose is a retired do each day. They problem over there.” Pretty soon it was, Sandy Springs Police Captain, veteran Fulton County police officer and are truly deserving of our admiration “Uh, oh, my trip to freelance writer. He is the and respect. Instead Italy doesn’t look so good,” and then, author the book “Why Do My Mystic Journeys Always Lead to the Waffle of going into what you already know, “No baseball? What House?” and the column courtesy of the the &#%$* is going on “View from a Cop.” nightly media here??!!” broadcasts of doom

I have a great admiration and gloom, let’s switch gears for those nerds in school that and look at … the upside? wore the plaid shirts, pocket First, masks. Who knew protectors, and geeky glasses, masks would be a thing?

Need to hear a friendly voice?

Our One Good Deed program has volunteers that provide friendly phone visits with senior loved ones during this time of isolation. Let us connect with you. 770.677.9489 | jfcsatl.org/OGD

Aviv Older Adult Services Jewish Family & Career Services Designer masks? Of course. I can’t wait for the Oscars when Giuliana Rancic, covering the Red Carpet, asks, “Who did your mask?” I hope they suggest that we all don lab coats so we can wear the mask, gloves, and coats. We’ll all look like Doctor Kildare. (If you don’t know who that is, stop reading.)

Mask envy. Those looks you get at the grocery store when you strap on your disposable mask and have to stand six feet from the lady with the multicolored, multidesigned custom mask she got online a week ago. Don’t think I didn’t notice the snobby look.

I have to be honest about the six-foot-distance thing. I like it. It eliminates the personalspace problem some people have. Some still do have it— the guy in your face, talking about whatever non-interesting topic he’s going off on. Now, instead of stretching your spine backwards to avoid it, you simply say “Six feet pal.”

Elbow greeting? Jury is still out on that.

I will say that food delivery has picked it up a notch. Even those restaurants who once shunned delivery now embrace it and, happily, improved it. Thanks to food-delivery services, you now have access to a $20 meal that now costs $45, but they bring it to you. Win, win. No need to change out of your sweats.

We need to prepare for the future. Depending on who you ask, in nine months I’m predicting an increase in babies, rehab, and divorce. I’ve done numbers one and three, so…

What did we learn? I think we’ll all take hygiene and caution more seriously even after we overcome COVID-19. You cannot help but see how this could have severe, as in world-ending, effects if we don’t continue the work to prevent it, or the next one.

Growing up in the 1960’s, we were taught the end of the world would be by nuclear devastation, but soon realized we’d survive it if we could just get under our school desks. Realistically, a pandemic a hundred times worse than COVID-19 is scary stuff and conceivably have the ability to wipe us out, desk or no desk, if we don’t do those little things each day.

That said, we need to

Listen to podcasts on personal safety with steve rose atlantaseniorlife.com

remember that there are those who are using the pandemic for personal and illegal gain so let’s not let our guard down. According to a USA Today article, the FTC reported that so far in 2020, COVID-19-related fraud has reached the $13 million mark.

Here are some of the scams that have surfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic: 1. The sale of blood and (gross) saliva from survivors to bolster your body against COVID-19.

It’s a hoax. Don’t fall for it. 2. Promising expedited stimulus checks. Don’t fall for the claim and don’t respond to unsolicited emails or calls from the

IRS regarding the checks and tax. The IRS won’t call you or email you out of the blue to request your

Social-Security number or other personal info.

Don’t open these emails and don’t click on links associated with them. 3. Fake checks. The tipoff is the requirement that you pay a small fee in order to cash the check, or that the sender will purposefully send a check for more than the intended amount, with instructions to deposit the check and then send the additional balance to a separate account.

Remember that being politely skeptical is a good quality, so scrutinize those emails. Also remember that we will get past this mess, so wash your hands, clean your personal areas, and, when you’re not feeling well, wear your Gucci mask.

And, for all you nerds out there, keep nerding. We need you.

www.SterlingEstates.com

Why Settle For Less? Come Live a Sterling Life!

Voted 2020 & 2019 Best Retirement Community & Assisted Living Community in Cobb County Beautifully Designed Neighborhoods on 10+ and 30+ Acres Cottages and Apartments, Independent or Assisted Robust Social & Residential Activities Large Wellness Centers Indoor Heated Saltwater Therapeutic Pools Variety of Fine Dining Options - Taste of East Cobb Winner 2019, 2018, 2016 Cottage Floor Plans: All on One Level The Grande Memory Care Now Open in West Cobb

EAST COBB 4200 Lower Roswell Rd Marietta, GA 30068 678-946-4454

WEST COBB 3165 Dallas Hwy Marietta, GA 30064 770-255-7000