Confusion about my social isolation rules

I am over 65 and have a pre-existing health issue. In 2019 I had chronic bronchitis for several months. It was misdiagnosed twice as being a bacterial infection. A new doctor finally diagnosed it as allergy induced asthma and put me on a nebulizer with corticosteroids twice a day.

Then Covid 19 hit! I live alone and am totally isolated without friends or family nearby. If I got Covid 19 I think...I really think I would probably die...as at the moment my lungs are still compromised.

In light of all this I am wondering if I need to spend 100 per cent time indoors in my apartment.

I am wondering if I should not go out for walks. I don't know about this. I have to go through several locked doors to get in and out of my building. I guess I could wear gloves and a mask but I would feel kind of weird walking around in that get up.

My mental health is starting to suffer. I was already very isolated when I had bronchitis in 2019...and vowed to break out of isolation in 2020. To me this is like a very bad cosmic joke. I was already at the breaking point from social isolation.

I am feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes I call a crisis hotline to have someone to talk to. Most of the time everyone I talk to comments that I sound very calm and grounded...so no one really believes I am feeling overwhelmed.

I am sorry to hear all this. It’s so tough isn’t it? Yes you might want to limit getting out. I think

Do you have an opportunity to get food and medication delivered? I know it’s tough but maybe you could check?

Do you use nextdoor.com or their app? I’ve been using it quite a lot lately finding places who need donations etc . My local one also has messages from people who would be willing to deliver groceries and meds and other stuff to people. For free. You can also post a message that you need stuff delivered and people would reply and be willing to help, at least here they do

Are you on disability? Retired? Work (well not now maybe if you aren’t essential)? Would disability services have something arranged for people if you are on it? Could you ask?

AARP has community connection link finding volunteers to help people out. Can you check that? Or call them?

Where I am they tell us to go outside and exercise, but stay 6 feet away from people. I think using gloves to open the doors sounds like a good idea. Many people are getting groceries delivered, good idea, and it keeps you out of the germs from people in the store. Some people are wiping down the groceries with alcohol before bringing them in the house. I’m not. I can’t bring myself to try that hard. But you have medical reasons to be more careful.

Thanks for replying. I don't want to go into my financial situation but I am financially not making it. So there is that. Too overwhelming to discuss. I ordered grocery stuff from Amazon and now have supplies for a few weeks. I get my medications by mail and have several months worth...if I can get down to the lobby to collect my mail! I called around and there is only paid grocery delivery options in my community. And they are scheduled out a few weeks.

From what I have discovered...help in my community only starts once you are homeless! If you aren't homeless it is assumed you will find a way. I tried to get help with groceries and am not eligible...for things such as local food bank. It is an eye-opener. I called Meals-on-Wheels and they were kind of off-putting. Said they had a full caseload and kind of encouraged me to look elsewhere.

I will keep calling around but I really need work. I was applying for part-time and three-quarter-time jobs when Covid 19 hit.

I am doing a bit of freelance work.

Mostly I guess I am...concerned about how to handle total self-isolation. The places I used to go to "get out" ...movies, library, cafe etc. are no longer available.

Well I guess it doesn't really matter if I quietly go crazy. I guess I will either get through this or I won't. Life is kind of meaningless at this point. I feel pretty broken by social isolation. But I don't want to die from Covid 19 either...and take up a hospital bed...so I guess I will just abide by tightened up rules.

I had groceries delivered by Amazon today and and really carefully wiped everything down, discarded outside boxes. I now have supplies for a few weeks.

I really don't think I am going to be able to stay locked up in a 550 square ft apartment until April 30th. I used to go out a lot...that's what you have to do for sanity when living in such a small confined space. I might try getting out for a walk very late or very early morning. I guess if Diane Keaton can wear a mask and gloves while out walking so can I.

Really I am just feeling pretty anxious and overwhelmed. Looks like I will be calling my local crisis hotline. This is probably the greatest service my community offers for mental health care.

I think you should be ok going for a walk and staying away from people as long as you wear gloves for opening and closing doors. Social isolation is tough It’s shocking you can’t get food from a food bank. Here they don’t ask for any kind of proof that you need it. You are over 60 and have no job and no family. What else do they want as proof?

I just checked what our local senior services are currently offering. There are several things. If you need help locating resources in your area you can PM me where you live and I’ll try to find stuff for you. It’s not always official channels, could be random volunteers willing to help.

Thanks. I view you as a "voice of reason" kind of person...so I appreciate your suggestion. I haven't been out much so I don't know how many people here are walking around. From my balcony the streets look empty.

I was shocked, too, about the food bank. My doctor had a community outreach person contact me and this person told me in my county there wasn't much and that housing was the main killer. Like she should tell me. All my money goes into rent. There's no affordable housing. My plan for 2020 was to work, save money and get the hell out of this too-expensive state. But now Covid 19.

I think it is essential I keep my wits about me. Being 100 per cent isolated and alone...it is really untenable. I have to keep looking to the future...beyond Covid 19.

Thanks for helping me here.

Everyone on this thread has good ideas.

I also live in a tiny apartment and am used to being isolated. I have family, but they live in other cities and are on lock down, too.

Please know that you have every reason to feel frightened and painfully isolated...but you are not alone.

In these critical times I not only think that wearing gloves and a mask does not look foolish. What I think is foolish is for someone with your health issues going outside without a mask and gloves.

My community is heavy on programs for the homeless. I know this because I have called around. This is a very wealthy town so the homeless flock here. There is a whole population of middle income and university students...ignored. Yet homeless programs keep expanding for a population that doesn't pay taxes, uses all public spaces as day shelters, and has no respect for property. It is so bad I moved outside of town and so that is why I think I can walk in my neighborhood...less people here...and without buses running as often I don't think the homeless will come out here. I know it is not correct to talk about the homeless negatively but all they have brought to my town is drugs, drugs, and more drugs. I am so tired of this place. I have to figure out a way to get out of here. (I was a volunteer and worked with the homeless back when they just drank. They didn't do drugs like meth)

Okay. THanks. Mask and gloves it is. Yeah, I mean I can't take chances because if I got infected it could be bad.

I saw people with masks and gloves or faces half covered with scarfs. You got to do what needs to be done. I think getting fresh air is a good idea and there are people walking. Just keep the distance. Hang in there

I keep reading back and forth things about wearing masks. I have a supply because I have asthma and wear them when I am cleaning house.


Of course it would be easier to go out walking if I was living with a partner. I find it difficult to do things alone.


All I know is that staying in 24/7 is starting to have a very negative effect on my nerves.


I will go out later...probably after dinner when most people will be settled in and watching tv.

Hi Dechan,

So I work within the transplant community (not a doctor but I prepare patient education communications). We are advising patients who have chronic conditions that make them immunocompromised to not go outside. If you are in a rural area it may not be so bad. The concern is that you have a higher chance of getting sick should you pass by someone who is sick and coughs or sneezes in the air, or touch something that they just touched.

If you live in a less populous area, if you wore gloves and a mask, made sure to stay 6 feet from people, do not touch your face at all, and go at less peak times for walks, you will have less risk.

But the advice is for immunocompromised patients or patients with other chronic illnesses to stay indoors regardless right now. Obviously I don't know your situation, nor do I want this to be misconstrued as any kind of medical advice. I'm just saying what we are advising patients right now in our area.

Here are some credible resources you may find useful to answer questions: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center - Healthwise

Hope this helps. Stay safe.

Thanks for this. From what I read about asthma, people with asthma don't get the virus any easier than the general population, but once they do get infected it is WAY MORE SERIOUS. I am taking a corticosteroid but as it is inhaled directly into the lungs there is less chance of being immunocompromised. This is what my research revealed. Having said that I am over 65 and my lungs are not in good shape and I can't be in denial about that because it is fact.


I understand the guidelines. But I live alone in a small apartment and I have already been isolated for a few weeks except for two short visits to the grocery store. I don't have friends or family nearby. I don't have phone calls for days on end.


I can feel my mental health taking a big dip. I mean I guess I wouldn't be posting here if that wasn't an issue.


I do live in a less populated area.


I guess I need to call my health care provider and also leave a message for my doctor.


For me social isolation is beginning to cause a lot of distress.

Thanks everyone. I feel like I am kind of in a crisis or something. It isn't like this happened overnight. I have been disconnected...and have desperately been trying to get reconnected and spent 2019 trying to do that. I guess I failed. Now I am not faring well because of lack of resources.

It isn't just a matter of having a volunteer deliver groceries or sneaking out for a late evening walk. It is more about...this is not working for me on any level.

I feel like I am having a sort of slow breakdown so talking with all of you helped. Thanks so much.

I understand. I don't want to go out either as I want to keep my risk low, but if I don't go out and walk a few times a day, well first my dogs would not be happy, and I would get very depressed as well.

I think it's a call you have to make on your own. Weigh the risks, take precautions, and do what you need to.

Thanks so much. What an interesting job you have. I think I need to check in with my doctor. What really scares me is reading about these people who appeared to be perfectly healthy...then within a week they are intubated...then dead. I can't wrap my head around it. I don't understand it.

Damn I think I am just in denial.

Before I turned 65 I had no health problems. Now I do. I am at risk. It is fact.

I need to realize that. I think I won't go out until I get a message to my doctor. She's a family practitioner but she specialized in infectious diseases during her residency. I haven't wanted to bother her as I am sure she is busy. But I guess I will.

I know your dogs are like part of your family so for you and them a walk is essential. Take care.

It’s a great idea to call your doctor and ask if it’s a good idea to go outside.

A good friend of mine is over 60 and recently retired. She has zero family, no kids, no partners, no one. We cannot see each other now for obvious reasons and she is not working anymore. So it’s isolating and lonely now

She does go out to walk once a day and she says it make her feel better to just see people from a far and maybe even wave at them. It helps her to feel less isolated. If your doctor approves it, it might help you feel less alone. But of course if doctor thinks otherwise it’s different

DechanDawa, I have asthma, fibro and CFS. Any respiratory bug that comes along grabs hold of me. I also battle depression. So I have an idea what you are dealing with. I don't believe misery loves company, but know you are not alone. I would be climbing the walls if I had to stay in a tiny apartment.

Your idea of checking with you doc to see if it is safe to go out sounds wise. If you do go out I doubt you will be the only one wearing a mask and gloves.

I have been sort of voluntarily retired from age 61 until now, I am 66, and I am DONE with it. It is by far the worst period of my life. It is difficult if one does not have those "ordinary" placements such as spouse, grandkids etc. But I am really done with this. I didn't plan on getting sick and I didn't plan on Covid 19 but it has been a lesson. Social isolation is a tough nut. Look at your friend. She doesn't have the usual "placements" and it puts her in a sad place. Some of us might be too passive and accepting. I think it is kind of ironic that I have been feeling suicidally depressed...and now I am fighting to stay alive. My son lives thousands of miles away and all I really want is to move closer to where he lives. But to do that I have to survive Covid 19.


I can't believe I am fighting so hard to be able to take a freaking walk...when in truth I hate walking alone. It is sooooooo lonely to walk alone without a dog.

I need a new life and I think it has to include a dog. But first just to get through Covid 19. This is like living in a war. I am also going to work because I hate the word retirement and never again want to be "retired" from life.