Easter April 12
SCCCA RESIDENTS, SEE PAGES 11 TO 13 FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION
of Sun City Center & South County News Line: 813.938.7441 • Ad Line: 813.938.8721 • www.soco.news • April 2020
COVID-19 Community Update
Review this important information about COVID-19 responses from local, state, and federal agencies. Subject to change as official response shifts. At press time, several counties and municipalities around the state had enacted some version of a “safer at home” or “stay at home” order. From Hillsborough County Emergency Management Hillsborough County has issued a “Safer-At-Home” order to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This applies to all residents within Hillsborough County. Residents do not require a pass or a letter to show to authorities. All residents are directed to stay at home as much as possible, except in those circumstances outlined below. Under this order, residents may: Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store. Commute to and from work if your employer is an essential business or has ensured you can maintain at least 6 feet from your co-workers or customers. Go to the pharmacy or other medical establishments
to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities. Go to medical appointments. Go to a restaurant for take-out or drivethru. Care for or support a friend or family member in need. Take a walk, run, or exercise outside, just remember to practice social distancing. Walk your pets or take them to the vet. There are some additional exceptions to the order. For more information, visit “www.hillsboroughcounty. org” and search keyword “Safer at home” Hillsborough County Schools Remain closed until at least April 15. Florida Department of Health The Florida Department of Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor the current outbreak of COVID-19 and is working to ensure the most up-to-date CDC guidance is disseminated to the public. Please visit their COVID-19 webpage “FloridaHealth.gov/ COVID-19”. This remains the best and most up-to-date resource
COVID-19 continued on page 7.
Important Information from the CDC
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself. If You Are Sick If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. There are some rumors going around saying, if you have symptoms, it’s “already too late.” THIS IS FALSE! If you have symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: • Fever • Cough • Shortness of breath. Prevention & Protection The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Take steps to protect yourself Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Wear a facemask if you are sick. If you are not sick, you do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick. For suggestions on disinfecting, prevention, protection, and ways to make your own cleaner if name brands are sold out, visit “www.cdc.gov/coronavirus”.
“Don’t Give Them One Red Cent!” Highlights of the Elder Care Summit
By Bob Sanchez On March 2, about 350 people heard Attorney General William Barr and other federal and state officials speak about the protection of senior citizens. “Cold-blooded fraudsters” constantly look for new ways to prey on the unsuspecting, Barr said, with fraud increasing exponentially since 2013. In 2019, the Justice Department conducted the largest elder care sweep ever and caught over 400 defendants. Because “money mules” take your money and transfer it overseas, the
Protect Yourself!
Federal and state officials addressed a large crowd in Community Hall at the recent Elder Summit.
Attorney General William Barr.
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Administration’s Transnational Strike Force uses criminal and civil tools to stop them. Barr announced a National Nursing Home Initiative to end physical abuse in places like nursing homes. The goal is to “bring justice, shame and embarrassment” to anyone who harms or cheats the elderly. Presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway spoke about the 2018 Senior Safe Act, designed to ferret out fraud and abuse and make it easier to freeze or seize fraudsters’ assets. Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt said that the Department of Justice has shut down carriers for many robocallers, who easily create spoof phone numbers and emails, whose goal is so
often to rob people of their life savings. Stating that many seniors are “sitting ducks for scammers that want to take your money,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody stressed the need for a cyber fraud team in Florida. If anyone asks you to pay an alleged debt only via credit card or gift cards, never do it. If you see anyone else buying gift cards in bulk, speak up. Someone is cheating them. A panel discussion brought matters to a deeply personal level. A fraud victim named Donny Cato spoke in detail about his loss. When he tried to sell his five timeshares, an attorney called him to say he was being cheated and should file a
Don’t hang on, hang up! See www.fcc.gov/spoofing Stop unwanted robocalls: www.fcc.gov/robocalls Seniors vs Crime: 1-800-203-3099 Seniorsvscrime.com Report abuse: 1-800-96-ABUSE Florida long-term care Ombudsman: ombudsman.myflorida.com Find help or report abuse: Elderjustice.gov Victim Connect Hotline: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846) National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311 lawsuit, but the attorney himself was the criminal. Presented with official-looking false documents, smooth talk, and the illusion that the attorney had other colleagues, Cato failed to check the man ’s credentials. The legal work would be free, but the lawyer said Cato just had to pay court costs. He was frequently told that if he didn’t pay more, he’d lose everything. Cato was going to receive a $517,000 settlement. At the end, he’d paid $449,000 in fees and lost everything he owned. “I was a fool,” he said. “Man, I don’t have nothing left except God, my wife, and my children… Know who you’re doing business with and don’t give them one red cent” until you do.