Northwest Prime Time June 2020

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Dr. Anthony Fauci ...page 2

Northwest

Prime Time

SERVING THE PUGET SOUND REGION SINCE 1986

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VOL. 20 NO. 3 JUNE 2020

Message Before Coronavirus: Afrom Gov. How Seattle handled the Spanish flu Over a century ago, my grandmother nearly died from the pandemic. Her doctor wasn't so lucky.

Jay Inslee

...by Knute Berger, Crosscut

Gov. Jay Inslee

Stewart and Holmes Wholesale Drug Co. employees on 3rd Avenue during the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic. (University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, submitted by Nicolette Bromberg, Special Collections Visual Materials Curator)

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perhaps by soldiers and sailors exposed to those returning from service in World War I. It first cropped up in Seattle among Navy cadets at the University of Washington, soldiers at Camp Lewis near Tacoma and among shipyard workers in the Bremerton Navy yards. These were also populations that often operated in close quarters, which could have contributed to the spread of disease.

During the six months it spread This deadly version of influenza through a bustling, burgeoning killed an estimated 50 million to 100 urban Seattle, the virus killed some million people worldwide. Some 25 1,400 to 1,600 people, despite million Americans came down with public health officials trying to it. An incredible 675,000 died as a tamp it down by prohibiting result. public gatherings including church It was likely brought to Puget services, vaudeville shows, pool Sound through military connections, halls and charity fundraisers.

Various tactics were This article is applied: A serum courtesy of Knute was developed Berger and Crosscut. Knute and dispensed to “Mossback” Berger shipyard workers is Crosscut’s Editorhelping the war at-Large and host effort. For a of the Mossback’s Northwest TV series time, masks were on KCTS 9. He has required in public written two books, spaces including “Pugetopolis” and “Space Needle, Spirit on Seattle’s public of Seattle.” Email transit. The city’s him at knute.berger@ schools were crosscut.com Photo intermittently credit: Matt M. McKnight/Crosscut. closed. People were

eattle has seen a killer flu before. The Spanish Flu pandemic hit the region hard in the fall of 1918 in a slow-rolling wave that didn’t peter out until March of the following year.

encouraged to stay home or to go to the hospital for treatment. The authorities sent mixed signals and received pushback from churches, theater owners and the public who often insisted on milling about on downtown streets if they couldn’t go see a movie or performance. To the confusion of many, people were advised to get fresh air and stay indoors.

An “Influenza Squad” of Seattle police was formed to break up crowds, be they in saloons or soda fountains, and to enforce a ban on spitting by arresting expectorating miscreants. The public was sometimes compliant.

One big problem was that folks who had mild cases continued to go about their business spreading the flu to people who would often suffer severe consequences, like pneumonia.

Public health officials and politicians were often overly optimistic about containing the disease. It would seem to fade, then pop up again with renewed fervor. Quarantining sick people seemed to be the most effective action. University of Puget Sound professor Nancy Bristow, who authored the book American Pandemic about the national crisis continued on page 18

Greetings from Olympia and a happy June to you all. It is hard to believe 2020 is almost halfway over, but it has been one of the busiest and most challenging periods in my two terms as your governor.

We do not yet know how the spread of COVID-19 will continue to affect our region, but I want you to know my office and state agencies are working around the clock with both local officials and the federal government to keep it contained.

You can learn more about our efforts, as well as resources for you and your family, at coronavirus.wa.gov. The website specifically includes links to resources for older adults struggling as a result of COVID-19, including information on how to screen yourself for potential COVID-19 symptoms. At that website we also have available all of the data the state is using to track the spread of this virus and to try to contain it.

You know, I have our older Washingtonians in mind every day since this crisis began, and not just because I’m 69 years old myself. Roughly 90 percent of the deaths from COVID-19 in our state have occurred among residents over the age of 60.

The unfortunate fact is many of our generation and older are feeling isolated right now. I know this time has been excruciatingly challenging for our older residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, some of which have been hard hit

by COVID-19 and where many have gone a long time without in-person visits out of a need for caution. continued on page 2

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

June 2020

How Anthony Fauci Became America’s Doctor

example, Fauci worked with activists to increase the number of patients eligible for experimental treatments.

His actions saved countless lives.

Specter believes that Fauci brought a similar forward-thinking approach to his work on Ebola, and now again with COVID-19. Specter says: “He wants to make a difference.”

Dr. Fauci has been offered the head job to be the director of the National Institutes of Health several times. But he always turns it down. “He turns it down for a couple reasons,” says Specter.

“He has a lab and he cares about keeping his lab. He cares about seeing patients, and, even now, still does. But I think more importantly, he’s figured out that you can be more persuasive sometimes without having the top job — you have more room to maneuver.”

In his USA Today article, Cava speculates that perhaps Fauci’s recipe for success can be found his remarks to the 2016 graduating class at Ohio State University: “Fauci laid out five credos to live by: Be a perpetual student, expect the unexpected, embrace public service, lead by example and, finally, pursue happiness...Find your source of joy and embrace it.”

Cava concludes: As prescriptions go, Fauci has taken his own medicine. ❖

2

“Perhaps not since the late actor Jack Palance did one-armed push-ups at the 1991 Oscars at age 73 has the nation been this seduced by a senior citizen,” writes USA Dr. Anthony Fauci Today’s Marco della Cava.

Millions of American’s have been introduced to Dr. Anthony Fauci through the White House’s briefings on COVID-19. Dr. Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; most recently, he has been front and center as part of the nation’s coronavirus task force.

But, as Cava notes, Anthony Stephen Fauci didn’t grow up wanting to be famous.

“Mostly he just wanted to make a difference.” Still, he adds, Fauci is likely to go down as one of the few scientists to become household names. On top of everything else, at age 79, Dr. Fauci has a bobble-head

in his honor and was parodied by Brad Pitt on Saturday Night Live.

Cava describes Dr. Fauci as a man dedicated to hard work, interspersed with power walks with his wife, scientist Christine Grady, and his three accomplished daughters. He loves to invite guests over for his famous pasta Bolognese (“the secret is in the simmering.”)

The article paints a picture of Dr. Fauci’s hard-working background. He grew up in Brooklyn making bicycle deliveries for his parents who ran a pharmacy.

He commuted to high school for hours on buses and subways. A lifelong Catholic, Fauci attended the Jesuit college Holy Cross in Massachusetts while working construction jobs in the summer. In addition to science classes, he spent much of his time studying Latin and Greek, romance languages and philosophy. But his academic ways didn’t stop him from being a star athlete. During his school years, it has been said that Fauci regretted his 5-foot-7-inch stature,

which prevented him from pursuing dreams of a basketball career.

It was just as well because it seems that serving others through medicine is Dr. Fauci’s true calling.

Cava quotes Eric Goosby, professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco: “Tony was deeply affected by exposure to the Jesuit order, which fostered in him a selfexpectation of service. This guy goes to sleep and wakes up asking, ‘Have I done everything I can do?’

It’s in his DNA.” New Yorker writer Michael Specter has known Dr Fauci for decades, covering his work through six different U.S. presidents and the AIDS epidemic. Specter’s April 10, 2020 New Yorker article is entitled, “How Anthony Fauci Became America’s Doctor.”

In the 1970s, Dr. Fauci worked with his mentor, Sheldon Wolff, to bring together two different medical disciplines to develop a cure for vasculitis, which—up until that point—was usually a death sentence for anyone suffering from the painful condition. “He’s always taken an openminded approach to the problems that he’s faced,” Specter told Dave Davies on NPR’s Fresh Air program. During the height of the AIDS epidemic, for

This article contains excerpts from Marco della Cava’s May 3 USA Today article and an interview about Dr. Anthony Fauci by Dave Davies on NPR’s Fresh Air program

A Message from Gov. Jay Inslee ...continued from page 1

There are resources for people who feel alone as well.

The national Institute on Aging provides a 24-hour toll free friendship line at 1-800-9710016.

While I still encourage you to stay home and use technology to communicate with your grandkids, community groups and friends, I know this can never replace the joy of being with others in person. I love my 103-year-old mother-in-law, but the risk is too much for us to visit her until we have this highly infectious disease more under control.

As this crisis continues to unfold, do not hesitate to contact my Constituent Services office with any questions or concerns at 360-902-4111.

There is also more contact information at governor.wa.gov.

We want everyone to live full and energetic lives regardless of age. When we do things for our seniors in Washington state, we’re standing behind this belief system: That we value each other enough to take care of one another.

Stay healthy, and wash your hands. --Gov. Jay Inslee.

June 2020

INDEX ARTFUL AGING

Writing & Poetry Corners.............. 16 A Letter from Ariele Huff................16

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Dear Readers,

COMMUNITY

A Message from Gov. Jay Inslee...... 1 A Letter to Readers.......................... 3 Tell Your Coronavirus Story.............. 4 Tips on Combatting Loneliness......... 4 Video Chatting 101........................ 5 KCLS is Still Here for You!................ 5 Boost Your Morale by Helping......... 8 Encouragement from Advertisers...10-11 Where in the Northwest?.............. 13 Making a Difference.....................16

HEALTH MATTERS

Publishers Michelle Roedell (Editor) and Chris Mitchell (Ad Manager) with their assistant Bijou

How Anthony Fauci Became America’s Doctor......................... 2 Lockdown in Long-Term Care........... 6 Social Distancing, Not Isolation....... 6 Caregiving in the Era of COVID...... 7 Boosting Your Immune System.......... 8 Staying Active During COVID-19...13

HUMOR & PUZZLES

LIFE PERSPECTIVES

How Seattle handled the Spanish flu...1 Protecting Your Finances.................. 9 Earth Day Reflections.................... 19

OUT & ABOUT

Sneaking Out Safely.....................12 Around the World.........................12 Washington State Parks are Open!.. 13 LET’S GO! Calendar.....................17

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Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13647 Seattle, Washington 98198 (206) 824-8600 Fax (206) 824-8606 www.northwestprimetime.com Publishers: M. Roedell and C. Mitchell Advertising Manager: Chris Mitchell Editor: Michelle Roedell Production Manager: Jason Reynolds Production Coordinator: Rachel Binford Subscription Mailing: Sophia Watterson & Mason Watterson Contact Northwest Prime Time: editor@northwestprimetime.com or P.O. Box 13647 Seattle, Washington 98198 Northwest Prime Time, published 10 times per year, is for vital men and women over 50 who are curious, passionate, and engaged with the world they live in; who know that these years are the prime time of their lives.

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The staff at Northwest Prime Time wishes you and your family all the best during these challenging times.

This special edition is dedicated to providing personal perspectives of living during the time of coronavirus, as well as resources to turn to as the virus and social distancing move into the future. You will hear from experts in the community, our regular contributors, special messages from our advertisers and articles by our spring quarter intern, Maddie Smith, who is finishing up her Journalism degree from Western Washington University.

We sincerely hope the “curve” of new cases continues to turn down. But, like you, we are planning for life that may contain more waves of new cases until a vaccine and reliable therapeutics are discovered. With this in mind, we want to provide some ideas of what you can expect from Northwest Prime Time.

Dedicated readers will have noticed that, due to the lockdown, we did not publish a May/June edition as originally planned because many of our distribution locations have been shut down. Our June edition is relying on the many traditional distribution outlets that are still open and on new locations—including newspaper boxes scattered throughout our readership area. In time, when our traditional locations reopen, we hope to return to all the usual distribution sites you’ve come to rely on to find Northwest Prime Time.

As always, our most recent publication is posted on our website: www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com, where you will also find content not published in the printed version of our paper.

We plan to continue publishing Northwest Prime Time six times a year, so look for us again when our July/August issue comes out in early July, and every two months after that.

However—because of the uncertainty of finding reliable distribution outlets should the pandemic return—in the long term we are considering moving toward a more subscription-based publication while still including free pick-up locations. If you are interested in subscribing to Northwest Prime Time for $20 a year, join our survey and let us know by emailing editor@ northwestprimetime.com, by calling 206824-8600 or drop us a note at PO Box 13647, Seattle WA 98198. NOTE: We hope to find an organization to subsidize

subscriptions for those on a limited income but who would still like to receive the paper. Just let us know—our aim is to be available to every interested reader.

We may attempt to become more of an online publication at some point. We would need our tech-savvy readers to invite us to email them each month with a link to our new online edition and other new content. If we build a high enough list of online readers to brag to our advertisers about, we can continue to publish well into the future. This model could be a combination of online readers and those who still pick up the print copies.

Even if someday we had to move to an entirely online publication, we are exploring ways to provide a paper version of Northwest Prime Time for those who like the feel of holding a newspaper in their hands while reading the printed page.

Most importantly, no matter what happens with Northwest Prime Time, we want you to stay safe, stay well and continue demonstrating our motto: to be curious, passionate individuals engaged with the world, to know that living past age 50 means that you are living in the prime time of your lives.

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June 2020

Tell Your Coronavirus Story Tips on Combatting Loneliness Margaret screenshots of

Wetherbee hit the ground running at the Washington State Historical Society, joining the organization days after its buildings closed due to safety protocols around the coronavirus pandemic. “My first day included developing a remote working plan for the Research Center team,� said Wetherbee. “Now, I’m reaching out to citizens across the state to ask for their participation in documenting this historic event for the Historical Society’s collections. We want to capture what you’re going through right now as it unfolds, because this is an extraordinary time in our history. We will continue to collect as we experience the impacts over the coming years.�

Washington’s coronavirus history will be notable as one of the first pandemic hot spots in the United States. The Historical Society’s director, Jennifer Kilmer, remarked, “Future Washingtonians will research these days, asking how we coped with the suddenly vacated office buildings, curtailed services and medical supply shortages.

They’ll want to know how this event impacted our lives on a personal level.

Just as we are now looking to the 1918 flu epidemic for insight into our present experience, folks in the future will want to know about our Stay Home/Stay Healthy protocol, and how we managed to come together to help one another.�

With this in mind, the Washington State Historical Society wants to hear from you. “You are living through a historic event and we want to caption your stories,� proclaims the Society’s website (www.washingtonhistory.org/ research/collections/yourCOVIDstory/). “The COVID-19 pandemic is generating world-wide impacts and will have enduring repercussions. Help capture this event as it unfolds. Each person’s story adds a unique thread in recording this global event.� You can play a part in documenting COVID-19 history for the future.

The Historical Society can accept digital input now, like digital photographs, audio and video clips,

social media posts, reports, correspondence, observations and anecdotes about the pandemic.

They eventually want to collect physical objects and ephemera (home-made masks, coronavirus closure notices, decals, diaries, letters, etc.), but are asking that you gather and save objects until their Research Center reopens.

For details, see WashingtonHistory.org / yourCOVID19story “At Washington State Historical Society, I will work to preserve the diverse stories of my home state, and ensure we are moving the collection forward through digitization while also collecting in new ways as we are doing during this pandemic,� Wetherbee said, inviting all Washingtonians to contribute to the collections and offer ideas about what the Historical Society should collect by emailing DigitalArchive@wshs.wa.gov. �

F.Y.I. Voices of the Pandemic Other organizations are also working to gather stories of the pandemic. KUOW 94.9FM, the Seattle area public radio station, has set up a new program just for this purpose. “The coronavirus pandemic has forced all of us to reconsider the most basic elements of how we live and move around,� states their website. “It's tested us in ways we are only beginning to understand, and it's taught us things about ourselves we might not have expected.� In KUOW’s new series, you can hear from those at the front lines fighting this disease, as well as the many people impacted by the crisis in so many ways. And they want to hear your story. What have you learned?

What decisions have you faced? How are you thinking differently about your future? Most of all, how are you surviving?

You can listen to others tell their coronavirus stories—or share your own stories—at https://kuow.org/series/ voices.

There are some easy ways to feel connected to others, even if you’re not seeing them in person, says Dr. Doug Nemecek, Cigna chief medical office for behavioral health.

He offers these tips for combatting loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic. • Reach out. Contact people from your social circle to let them know you want to stay in touch during these difficult times. Reach out to your loved ones to let them know you’re feeling lonely. • Join a virtual club or group. There are plenty of resources available to find virtual book clubs, craft communities or even fitness challenges. You can start a new hobby, learn a skill or find others who are interested in the same things are you, remotely.

Once the guidelines for social distancing are lifted, you’ll have new friends you can meet in person. • Spend time outdoors.

Simply leaving your house to take a walk around your neighborhood can improve your spirits, refreshing you for the day. Offering other walkers in the neighborhood a friendly hello and wave from a safe distance can give you a boost. • Ask those you reach out to how they are really doing.

People tend to feel less lonely when connecting on a deeper level. When talking on the phone or video chatting with friends, be genuinely interested in their most honest response when you ask how they’re doing. Everyone will likely feel better for it. • Use technology...but not too much. For the technologically savvy folks, social media is a favorite and easy way to stay connected to family and friends.

But studies show that too much social media use can leave you

feeling lonely. Balance technology use with disconnecting and taking time for yourself. Use real-time interactions with others, like video chats or phone calls, and limit time spent passively scrolling social media like Facebook posts. Read a book, take a walk or do a puzzle after screen time. These offline activities can offer respite from too much screen time. â?– --Courtesy StatePoint Media

F.Y.I. Coping During Social Isolation ...by Kim Eckart, University of Washington News

Before word got around of graduate student Adam Kuczynski’s social distancing study, he and his advisor, Jonathan Kanter, had hoped a couple hundred people would sign up.

The study, focused on how King County residents spend their time during COVID-19 physical isolation, drew 500 participants.

And very quickly, a theme emerged. “The response from the public and the media to our first survey was overwhelming,� said Kanter, a research associate professor of psychology at the University of Washington. “The main question we heard over and over again was, what should someone do to best cope with the crisis?�

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June 2020 COVID Coping Study were at least 18 years old, living in the United States and had a smartphone to receive text messages. Kanter and his team then launched a new study in partnership with Bastyr University, aimed at a national audience, to test whether a motivational, mental health tip each day changes participants’ behavior during social distancing and improves their mental and relational health.

Like the original social distancing study, which will continue to check in on participants for several months, the new research relies on people’s use of smartphones to take a survey each night about their mood and activity throughout the day. The new research will follow the same process each day for a month, but for two of the weeks, half of participants will be sent daily text messages with suggestions about how to cope – breathing exercises, for instance, tips for reaching out to friends and family, or audio clips or links with more detailed information, like how to have helpful conversations with others.

“The first month of our research suggests that, while many of us are coping well and adapting to our new normal, others are suffering in different ways. Social interaction has decreased substantially, loneliness is high and substance use has increased for a substantial portion of our sample. We are concerned and want to help,” Kuczynski said.

All the advice is evidencebased, and the tips are meant to be easy to do, said Kanter, who runs the Center for the Science of Social Connection at the UW. At the end of the study, the other half of participants will receive the full package of tips.

“Many of us right now are overwhelmed and are trying to sort through all the opinions, advice and suggestions that are flooding social and news media.

We are hoping that our tips will cut through all that noise,” Kanter said.

“We know a great deal from psychological science about how to help people with stress, anxiety and depression, as well as how to help people connect and overcome loneliness, but we don’t really know how to put all that into practice, or how best to deliver that information to the public in a situation like the current crisis.”

Kanter and his lab hope their work will inform public health authorities about how people are coping, offer help to participants in their study and add to the science on how to effectively and quickly disseminate public health tools in times of need.

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 5

Video Chatting 101 Staying Connected During Social Isolation During these times of social distancing, being unable to spend time with others in-person may cause many people to feel lonely.

But there are ways to help lessen those feelings during these challenging times, including video chatting.

Elderwise, a Seattle program that creates programs for seniors, said that since regular groups could no longer meet in person, they started a virtual Tea Time—connecting by video chatting through the internet.

Participants were able to share how they were doing and what they were doing to cope. “We were so heartened to see each other’s faces, to laugh and even to send virtual hugs,” reported the Elderwise spring newsletter.

Many tech savvy seniors have become pros at video chatting, perhaps by joining a work meeting remotely or connecting with grandchildren from afar. But for seniors new to the technology, the idea of video chatting can seem challenging.

Pat Scott, a volunteer teacher helping seniors connect to technology, suggests starting with video chatting options that may already be installed on your device. For Apple products, like iPhones, iPads or MacBooks, she recommends FaceTime. If you have an Android phone or device, look for Skype or Google Duo, she says.

The free app Zoom has become highly popular as a way for families and interest groups to connect, or now even telehealth conferences (virtual doctor’s appointments). Scott says to take extra precautions to make sure your Zoom chat isn’t “invaded” by unwelcome users. Only share the meeting link with those you want to chat with, allow only signed-in users to join the meeting and then “lock” the meeting to others before you start. If your healthcare system is advising a telehealth appointment, they will take charge of the setup and guide you through the process.

For personal video chatting, do you have people in your life to help you set up your first video chat? Children, grandchildren or staff at your residence may be able to help. If you don’t have someone to help you in person, perhaps someone can walk you through it via a phone call. Scott says that when she is helping someone remotely, she has the same device in front of her that the person on the other end of the phone is using so that she can describe the buttons and settings, doing the same thing on her end as the senior is doing on their end.

“I talk on the phone with them and do what I am telling them to do, carefully telling them where to look, what to click on, etc.,” said Scott. She also makes use of screenshots. “You can send screenshots of what the family

Library Corner

KCLS is Still Here for You!

member should be seeing as you try to ...by Wendy Pender talk them through it.” If none of that What a challenging works, Scott says time. In so many that you can allow a ways, our lives are highly trusted person, unrecognizable from just such as your son or several months ago. daughter, to remotely The challenges take control of your computer through Wendy Pender present opportunities, a free tool like Team Viewer. This however. The King allows users to see exactly what is on County Library System has adapted in the screen from afar.

When it is time to begin your chat, response to public health mandates and has ramped up its digital offerings.

AARP offers these tips: We miss seeing people in person.

• If you have the choice, use the best device, which are laptops or tablets But by focusing on online content, we ensure that people remain safely with stands rather than smartphones connected to library programs, services, or desktop computers because they are resources—and to each other. Our easy to move to ideal filming locations website offers an entire world of and will stand up on their own. education and entertainment, all • Get the right angle. Point the accessible by computer or smartphone. camera down slightly — no one wants There has been a lot to learn and to look up a person’s nose. Use a laptop even relearn with respect to digital stand, stack of books or yoga blocks to literacy and technology skills. Yet align your device with the top of your one positive outcome is the progress head. Then angle the camera toward so many of you have made. You may your eyes. have “attended” your faith community • Check your background – it services or your homeowners’ is what the people on the other end association meetings online or enjoyed will see (people may want to avoid a cluttered background or something that FaceTime or Skype with friends and family members. You are participating shows personal items or paperwork).

• Avoid backlit glare from windows in book groups via online platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and taking and harsh lights, which will cast you advantage of digital classes. as a shadowy silhouette. Also, avoid If the online world is new to you, walking around with your device. It can the Library System can help. Our be disorienting to the viewer. telephone service, Ask KCLS, is • Improve your sound. Consider open seven days a week from 12-5pm using earphones with a built-in mic to to assist you; call 425-462-9600 or help your voice carry more clearly and 1-800-462-9600. You also can chat also to block out background noise so with a librarian via our website at you can hear better. www.kcls.org.

• If the call is with a group, To meet other needs during this advanced planning will help. Before a pandemic, KCLS has: group call, designate someone to lead, • Extended all due dates for and consider using hand raising to existing check-outs at least through control the conversation. Avoid the July 15. urge to jump in; it muddles the sound.

• Paused all holds. You will not To reduce noise, ask participants to put lose your place in line when we reopen. themselves on mute when they’re not • Purchased more materials in speaking. ❖ eBook and downloadable audio formats More information can be found at www.aarp. to give more people access while our org/home-family/personal-technology/infoprint materials are unavailable.

2020/connecting-through-video-chat.html • Redesigned our website to continued on page 11

The dementia journey isn’t easy.

Reaching us is.

You’re not alone. We’re here day or night — whenever you need us — offering reliable information and support.

1.800.272.3900 | alzwa.org

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Lockdown in Long-Term Care ...by Maddie Smith

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way of life for almost everyone. There is plenty of news in the media about the medical and Maddie Smith economic effects of the pandemic, but what does it mean for personal and familial relationships?

People who live in long-term care facilities are particularly vulnerable.

Most care facilities went under lockdown, meaning residents are not allowed to have any visitors or to leave their room.

I sat down with my grandmother, whom I call Baba, to chat about her experience in a long-term care facility under lockdown.

The facility was quick to take action against COVID-10: staff members in the facility were strict about social distancing, careful in their cleaning practices and wore personal protective equipment.

“They wore masks, which is confusing for [some] older people,” said Baba.

Baba described her daily routine at her facility as monotonous. For most people living there, eating daily meals in the dining room and socializing with other residents were the highlights of

June 2020

Social Distancing, Not Social Isolation

provided hallway their day. After entertainment for the lockdown the residents. This was enforced, all included hallway meals were brought bingo where staff directly to the Staying connected members would residents as they call out numbers were not allowed with loved ones from the hallway to leave their at long-term care and residents rooms. The daily facilities during would call out rhythm for residents “Bingo” from revolved around COVID 19 their rooms. The employees bringing facility also offered them a tray of food ...by Patricia Hunter, Washington State entertainment to three times per day.

Long-Term Care Ombuds try to keep up the Around 6am, a residents’ spirits. staff member would “They had Immediately come into each people going up after the outbreak room and check Maddie’s grandmother, “Baba” and her and down the of COVID-19 the vital signs of the cat Rosie at her new home. hall playing the at Life Care residents, including guitar asking you to sing along,” of Kirkland, monitoring temperature to ensure said Baba. most long-term that the residents were not developing Crossword puzzles were brought in care facilities fevers—one of the symptoms of to keep the residents’ minds stimulated in Washington COVID-19. in isolation.

State went into After that, they would be Patricia Hunter “They just tried their best to keep “lockdown.” transferred to their wheelchairs to get folks happy,” she said.

Meaning, no visitors have been allowed ready to eat the breakfast that was Despite the efforts from the staff to into the facilities, and no residents have delivered to each room. For the rest keep the residents entertained, this new been allowed out. Governor Inslee of the morning, Baba would sit in her way of living was a difficult adjustment. and public health officials proclaimed wheelchair and wait until her lunch Before the lockdown, the residents the need to restrict visitors in nursing was delivered. Extra servings of desserts had plenty of opportunities to socialize homes and similar facilities to only were provided as a treat during the with each other. Besides gathering in “compassionate visitation.” lockdown. Occasionally she would What is “compassionate watch the television in her room or talk the dining room for meals, the days visitation”? inside the facility were broken up on the phone.

The Centers for Medicaid and In the afternoons, the care facility continued on page 10 Medicare (CMS), which is in charge of the quality of care for all nursing homes, did not define “compassionate care.” However, they indicated that it should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the individual. Many experts believe that when your loved one is very ill or dying, CMS intended to make exceptions. If your facility will still not allow visits under compassionate visitations, contact the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at www.waombudsman.org or by calling 1-800-562-6028 for assistance.

Staying connected: Despite the lockdown, facilities must help residents exercise their rights. Facilities must help residents communicate by any means necessary, including phone, video chats, email and postal mail. Residents still have the right to meet privately with their family and friends, their lawyer, doctor and their long-term care ombudsman.

Facility social workers, life enrichment or activities staff and nurses should be assessing residents’ needs for stimulation, activities to reduce boredom, anxiety and loneliness.

Here are some ideas to stay connected: 1. Request the staff to facilitate phone calls or video chats between you and your loved one.

2. Drop off food and snacks for loved ones. There are no known restrictions by CMS or the CDC on food provided from outside of the facility.

3. Send handwritten letters and cards to residents. According to the

June 2020 CDC, there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 spreads through the mail.

4. “Visit” through a window or glass door.

5. Send care packages with DVDs, video streaming subscriptions, music, reading materials and games.

6. Use free online resources to access music performances or visit museums through virtual tours or subscribe to a lecture series.

7. Think of creative ways to bring entertainers into the facility. Ask local musicians, actors or dancers to perform outdoors.

8. Do sitting exercises over the intercom or by using Zoom.

9. Subscribe to your local public library to order free books, music and DVDs. 10. Don’t forget about spiritual counseling. Many churches are offering services online. Consider contacting a local chaplain for spiritual guidance.

If you run into any difficulty in staying connected with your loved one, contact the ombudsman program. You can find us at www.waombudsman.org or by calling 1-800-562-6028. All contact is free, confidential and residentcentered. ❖ The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program advocates for residents of nursing homes, adult family homes and assisted living communities. The program relies on trained volunteers, and works to protect and promote the rights that residents are guaranteed under state and federal law.

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Caregiving in the Era of COVID-19 ...by AARP Washington State Director Doug Shadel

they get sick or their loved one does.

Our recommendations include: • Pull Together a Team.

Even in Develop a list of family and friends ordinary times, who can perform daily caregiving the more than tasks. If available, identify local 840,000 unpaid caregiving services who may offer a family caregivers respite for family and friends. in Washington • Identify Local Services.

State face a In response to the virus, many daunting set restaurants and pharmacies are of daily tasks. adding or increasing their delivery Doug Shadel Oftentimes with services. The federal government’s little or no training, they may be Eldercare Locator can help you responsible for wound care, tube find support services in your area, feedings, dressing, managing the and can be contacted by calling finances and medical bills of their 1-800-677-1116 or online at www. loved ones, transportation and more. eldercare.acl.gov. The new online Of course, these are no ordinary “AARP Community Connections” times. enables people to enter their zip The coronavirus pandemic codes and find informal groups of has complicated the lives of family neighbors and friends offering help caregivers, especially those with right in their own communities older loved ones who are most (www.aarpcommunityconnections. susceptible to COVID-19, the org). disease caused by the virus. It has • Inventory Essential Items. added fear, anxiety and isolation to Determine how much food, an already-stressful situation. Here medication and basic supplies your in Washington, routines have been care recipient has on hand. We upended as communities cope with recommend a two-week supply of this disease. Governor Inslee has food, water, household cleaning issued a “Stay at Home” order and supplies and medical materials and many adult living facilities are closed equipment. to visitors.

• Get Prescriptions in Order.

Since the outbreak of the virus, Make sure you have a list of AARP has been urging family medications, medical contacts and caregivers to develop a plan in case important information about your

loved one, such as drug allergies. If there are upcoming routine medical appointments, reschedule those or, if possible, switch to a virtual visit. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends having an extra 30day supply of essential medications on hand. Don’t forget over-thecounter medications such as cough suppressants and fever reducing drugs like acetaminophen.

• Stay Connected. Isolation is a big issue as we all follow the social distancing guidance from the CDC. However, social distancing doesn’t have to lead to social disconnection. Develop a communication plan and identify times when members of the care team will check in on your loved one. Skype, Zoom and Facetime are useful digital apps that can help, but so are lower-tech options like email and telephone calling. To help fight the isolation, encourage people to send cards, letters, magazines, puzzles or other items a loved one would be happy to receive.

• Protect Yourself. Like they tell you on an airplane, “Put your own mask on first.” Now more than ever, it is important for family caregivers to take care of themselves. Follow the CDC guidelines of washing hands frequently, avoiding crowds, practice social distancing and, by all means, if you feel sick stay home. If you develop the virus, you will be of little use to those who are counting on you.

To help caregivers, AARP has a dedicated, toll-free family caregiving line for people looking after a loved one. Agents are available to take calls MondayFriday, 7am to 11pm (Eastern Time) at 877-333-5885. AARP also has a Facebook group where caregivers get tips from experts, share their own stories and sometimes just get a little encouragement from others in a similar situation. You can also find answers to many of your questions online at the AARP Caregiver Resource Center aarp. org/caregiving.

For more information on taking care of yourself and your loved ones during the coronavirus crisis, visit www.aarp.org/coronavirus or www.aarp.org/wa. You can also call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800525-0127. Phone lines are currently staffed from 6am to 10pm seven days a week.

You do not need to be an AARP member to access our caregiving resources. The information and services are available to everyone.

Our founder, Ethel Percy Andrus, said, “What we do, we do for all.” That has never been more important than in the face of this coronavirus as we all pull together to find our way through it. ❖

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Naturally Healthy

Boosting Your Immune System Follow these tips to boost your body’s immune system.

• Eat a healthy diet A diet rich in antioxidants is essential to supporting your immune system. Abundant in many fruits and vegetables, antioxidants combat free radicals—chemical byproducts known to damage DNA and suppress the immune system.

VeryWellHealth.com reports that foods with vitamin C include citrus fruits, kiwi, red peppers, broccoli and strawberries.

Vitamin E, found in wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and peanut butter, is another powerful antioxidant.

Zinc is an essential mineral involved in the production of certain immune cells. The National Institute of Health cautions that even mildly low levels of zinc may impair your

immune function.

Some food sources of zinc include oysters, baked beans, cashews, raisin bran and chickpeas.

Carotenoids, another nutrient that helps to regulate the immune system, can be found in carrots, kale, apricots, papaya, mango, sweet potato, spinach and collard greens. For an additional immune boost, try adding garlic (shown to fight viruses and bacteria) and ginger (a natural antiinflammatory) to your meals.

Choosing healthy fats, such as the omega-3 fatty acids available in oily fish, walnuts, flax and chia seeds, and algae/seaweed supplements is recommended by health authorities. In addition to being healthy, unlike saturated fats—which can raise cholesterol and contribute to heart disease, healthy fats help increase your body’s production of compounds involved in regulating immunity.

Proper hydration is also a vital element in the immune response as it helps cells operate efficiently and allows your body to process food and eliminate waste. Probiotics and fiber can help keep your gut healthy. Some experts say that 80% of our immune system is regulated by the gut. Yogurt, kombucha and other sources of helpful bacteria like raw, traditionally fermented sauerkraut can easily be added to your diet. And don’t forget to eat a enough dietary fiber.

• Exercise The good news is that regular moderate exercise provides several benefits to the immune system and can help the body defend itself against pathogens and cancer cell growth. Those who exercise regularly have fewer illnesses and less systemic inflammation.

Exercise may also protect the immune system from the effects of aging. Intense, vigorous activities like running may temporarily weaken your immune function and leave you more susceptible to viral infections.

Mango Ginger Green Smoothie • Stress Reduction Chronic stress can have a SimpleGreenSmothies.com offers this immunity-boosting negative impact on immunity, smoothie recipe. “Looking for a simple way to boost your according to numerous scientific immune system naturally? Enjoy this fresh mango ginger green studies. While short-term smoothie chock full of green vegetables and herbs, with a touch exposure to stressors can rev of mango for natural sweetness to get you strong and vibrant!” up your immune defense in a –Jen Hansard fight or flight type response, Ingredients: prolonged stress may wear down Instructions: the immune system and increase • 3/4 cups spinach Blend celery, parsley and your vulnerability to illness.

• 2 tablespoons celery water until smooth. Next add Addressing chronic stress is • 2 tablespoons parsley (fresh) the remaining ingredients and something you can take action • 1 cup water blend again. on. To keep your stress in check, • 1/2 cucumber (peeled) incorporate a relaxing practice • ¼ inch ginger (fresh) like meditation, yoga or deep • 1-½ cups mango, frozen breathing into your daily routine.

• ½ lemon (peeled and seeded) Exercise, social bonding and other pleasant activities can also help to reduce stress.

• Get Enough Sleep Another healthy habit vital to preventing illness is getting enough hours of restful sleep our mission , guided our caring ffsta each night. A proper night’s sleep Northaven Independent and Northaven Assisted helps to regulate the immune and shapedaffordable our friend ly community Living is a vibrant, non-profit, housing function—studies show that those forthe over 40 years. community located in heart of Seattle’s Northgate who sleep less than six hours per neighborhood. night or who have a sleep disorder Come live with us. are more likely to develop viral and respiratory infections.

Dignity, respect, compassion, generosity ... values Dignity, respect,guided compassion, that have inspired our mission, our generosity...values caring Dignity, respect, compassion, generosity...values thatstaff have that have • Hygiene inspired our mission, guided caring sta and shaped Simply washing your hands and shaped our friendly community for over 40 years. inspired our mission, guided our caring staourand shaped frequently (and not touching your our friendlyfor community our friendly community 40 years. for 40 years. face between washes) is one of the best ways to ward off illness, Come Come live with us. live with us. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Make sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds using warm water and soap before preparing www.northavenseniorliving.com food or eating, as well as after coughing, sneezing, using the 206.365.3020 – Independent Living www.northaven.com/nwpt www.northaven.com/nwpt (206) 365-3020 bathroom or touching public (206) 365-3020 206.362.8077 – Assisted Living surfaces. ❖

Northaven Senior Living

Come live with us.

June 2020

Boost Your Morale by Helping Others ...by John Schieszer

John Schieszer

Never before has sewing mattered so much in our lifetime.

Just as the sewing of quilts during the AIDS pandemic helped grieving families and raised awareness and money, now sewing facemasks is playing a similar vital role. However, this time facemasks are needed in a much more urgent way and in some situations may be lifesaving. For this very reason I am volunteering for Sewstrong, a Seattle-based volunteer organization. I deliver fabric and help with other odd jobs. What I know about sewing would fit in a thimble, but I knew I wanted to help and be part of the solution.

Dr. Elinor A. Graham, Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, said face masks are playing such a critical role because of the way COVID-19 is transmitted. It can be easily transmitted from people who have the infection but show no symptoms. “You can’t tell by looking at someone whether or not they are infected. The infected water droplets that they spread into the air with coughing, sneezing, singing or yelling can spread at least six feet. If they land on your hands and you put your hands in your mouth or nose, the virus can find its way to your lungs and cause you to become sick,” said Dr. Graham.

The mask not only prevents the infected person from spreading water droplets, but it keeps you from putting your fingers in your mouth and nose, which is very important, according to Dr. Graham. “Additionally, disposable masks are not a reasonable option for the general public because they should be replaced after one use and will fill up our already overloaded landfills with potentially infectious items,” said Dr. Graham. “Reusable cloth masks that can be washed daily and being reused makes sense, especially as this epidemic will persist for many months.”

In the coming weeks and months as more people return to their jobs, there will be an enormous need to use facemasks and for social distancing in the work setting. Dr. Graham said another issue is that there are still many essential workers, such

June 2020 as the over 50,000 unionized home health care workers in Washington State, who have not received priority for standard personal protective equipment.

“Providing high quality reusable cloth masks for these workers and the vulnerable clients they care for can decrease preventable infection and deaths in the future,” added Dr. Graham, who also is on the steering committee and part of the medical advisory team for Sewstrong.

There are some basic considerations in making good quality facemasks that have the best promise of preventing infection transmission. They include using tightly woven cotton material (quilting fabric is good, while flannel is too loose) and using multiple layers of material may be best (three to four). “Include one layer of a non-woven material, such as a fusible interfacing that provides both a barrier to water droplets and keeps the shape of the mask through multiple washings,” said Dr. Graham.

Using breathable materials is also important so people can wear them for an hour or more and not have them get wet from their breathe. Moisture increases the chance of the virus penetrating the mask. It is best if the design doesn’t leave any gaps on the sides and fully covers the nose and mouth. “Elastic bands that go around the ears are easiest for the general population to use, but people who wear hearing aids often find they pull out when the mask is removed,” said Dr. Graham.

The demand for reusable cloth masks in low-risk health and community settings, where social distancing cannot be consistently maintained, has greatly expanded in the past several weeks. “We need more people who can sew. Sewing masks, helping distribute supplies and coordinating delivery of masks to users are all wonderful ways we can contribute to helping contain the spread of this virus. We can all be active agents for change in the world by these simple acts through donating our skills, supplies, time and just spreading our love and caring at a time when many are suffering and fearful,” said Dr. Graham. ❖ Sewstrong volunteers have mobilized for one mission only: To get reusable cloth masks and face shields into the hands of people who need them ASAP. Sewstrong came together to address the current crisis in the healthcare industry and community settings surrounding protection from COVID-19 infection.

Sewstrong fills requests from healthcare facilities and other community organizations. Our products are provided free of charge, are produced in their own homes by people who sew and craft. Volunteer to sew or deliver masks by contacting Volunteer@Sewstrong. org. More information is available at www.sewstrong.org.

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 9

Protecting Your Finances Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, health officials have been clear and consistent in their message to seniors: While anyone can fall victim to COVID-19, those who are 65 and older are in an especially high-risk group.

That’s why older Americans need to be especially careful and—in the case of the very elderly—family members may need to step in to make sure they are taking the right precautions (or the elderly may need to remind their relatives to take proper precautions when visiting), says Chris Orestis, president of LifeCare Xchange. He offers a few tips on things seniors and their families can do to protect finances during these challenging times: • Know what financial resources are available. “We’ve experienced a stock market drop, but It is important at times like this to not ‘panic sell’ and lock in your losses,” Orestis says. He points out there are still safety nets and even financial opportunities that can help seniors. For example, the federal government is pumping trillions into the economy. Social Security income, Medicare and Medicaid remain unchanged. Income from annuities remains guaranteed.

• For owners of permanent life insurance policies, Orestis says, there are a couple of options to get liquidity from this asset. If the owner wants to keep the policy in force, they can take out a policy loan for upwards of 90% of the cash surrender value. If the policy owner wants to stop paying premiums, they could use a life settlement to sell the policy under tax-favorable conditions to receive a percentage of their death benefit as a lump-sum today.

• Beware of scams. Seniors often are prime targets of scams and, with their heightened level of distress, could be even more susceptible than usual, Orestis says. “Be on the lookout for such things as emails from imposters of the CDC asking you to open a link or download a list telling you where positive cases are in your area.” Be cautious of any unsolicited emails or calls from unknown sources.

• Vet your news sources. The coronavirus is getting round-the-clock news coverage. But mixed into the information coming from reliable sources is a flood of misinformation.

“Fact-check information by reading statistics from the websites of reliable medical resources and verified news organizations,” Orestis says. “The danger is people can be lulled into underestimating the danger and let their guard down.” Since seniors are especially susceptible to the virus, they should be especially careful.

• Tax Time During Coronavirus.

Retirement and the effects of aging come with a lot of changes, but at least one thing remains constant: every year, Uncle Sam wants to make sure you’re paying any taxes you might owe him, and that’s true whether you are retired or not. That said, though, there are tax rules that are specific to older Americans, so it’s important to be

aware of the different ways you might be able to reduce your tax bill that weren’t available to you when you were younger. Normally, of course, April 15 is the deadline to file your tax returns.

But this year, because of the disruption caused by the coronavirus, the deadline has been extended to July 15. Remember also, if you currently receive Social Security and don’t file taxes anymore, you may have already received a government stimulus check (or auto-deposit) of $1,200 automatically without filing any additional paperwork. Meanwhile, that tax deadline extension means you’ve got extra time to explore some of those rules that seniors can take advantage of.

Orestis offers the following tax considerations: • You may qualify for a larger standard deduction. For many, there may be no reason to itemize your deductions anymore because the standard deduction is so high – $12,200 for a single person and $24,400 for a married couple filing jointly. But you can get an even higher standard deduction if either you or your spouse is 65 or older, and a still higher deduction if either of you is blind. If you aren’t itemizing, then you want to make sure you’re getting the maximum standard deduction allowed because that’s going to impact how much of your income is taxed.

• Yes, your Social Security benefit may be taxed. The rules for how much – if any – of your Social Security benefit is taxed can be tricky, so you want to be extra careful with that. According to the Social Security Administration, if you’re filing as an individual, and your Social Security benefit plus any other taxable income you have is between $25,000 and $34,000, you may be taxed on up to 50 percent of your benefit. If your combined income is more than $34,000 then up to 85 percent of the benefit may be taxable. For married couples filing jointly, if the combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have to pay tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits. If your

income is more than $44,000 then up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.

• You may be able to deduct long-term care insurance premiums. Owners of longterm care policies can take tax deductions on premiums they pay for qualified plans – as well as other reimbursed medical expenses such as Medicare premiums – as long as the premiums are greater than 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income.

• Selling your life insurance policy has advantages. There can be significant tax benefits for people who sell their life insurance policy through what is called a “life settlement.”

Under HIPAA, the proceeds from a life settlement are fully exempt from federal taxes if the policy owner is terminally or chronically ill. Those who are not terminally or chronically ill do pay capital-gain taxes on the proceeds from the sale, minus the amount in premiums the policyholder paid over the life of the policy.

• You may want to increase contributions to your retirement accounts. Of course, many seniors aren’t adding anything to their IRAs or 401(k)s. Instead, they are regularly withdrawing money to pay for monthly living expenses. But if you’re still working, you can increase your contributions, which can both reduce your tax bill now and give you an even larger nest egg when you do retire. The IRS limits how much you can contribute each year, but that limit increases once you turn 50.

“No one is sure how long this crisis will last or what the outcome could be,” Orestis says. “But the most vulnerable members of our population can protect themselves by following smart health practices, avoiding unwise financial decisions, taking advantage of financial safety-nets and being on the lookout for scams and bad information. And when it comes to taxes, the important thing to remember is that you may have options at tax time that you hadn’t thought about. Knowing the tax rules and how they apply to your personal situation, and seeking professional advice, can make a huge difference.” ❖

JOIN OUR RESEARCH!

Benaroya Research Institute is recruiting Seattle-area men to study healthy immune systems to better understand disease. ● ● ● ● ●

2 year study Ages 25 – 35 and 55 – 65 Provide health, diet and activity information In-person visits and blood draws Stipend for participating

Visit SoundLifeProject.org today!

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Des Moines/Normandy Park Activity Center Many of us are feeling anxious and are concerned for those most vulnerable: people over age 60 and individuals with underlying health conditions. Remember, it is important to stay socially connected even though we are asked to stay home. Feeling isolated or need a phone friend to chat with? Our Activity Center staff is available to call you periodically to check in and provide support via telephone.

Food insecurity can be challenging during these difficult times. Let us help! We continue to provide a hot ‘grab-and-go’ lunch from noon to 12:30pm Monday through Thursday. Please practice social distancing by staying six feet apart from others. Let’s make it positive even under this pandemic. Keep smiling, it helps you and others. 206-878-1642. desmoineswa.gov/Seniors

Evergreen Speech & Hearing Clinic During these uncertain times, there is one fact that has prevailed - the power of human connection. Near or far, we understand how important communication is for your mental and physical health. For the past 40 years we have been working with the greater Seattle-area to keep those with speech and hearing needs connected to the ones you love. Over the past few months we have quickly adapted, offering tele-speech therapy and tele-audiology with virtual hearing aid programming. We continue to remain committed to keeping you connected and safe.

425-882-4347 | everhear.com Living Under Lockdown ...continued from page 6

by activities like movie nights, craft projects, storytelling groups and visits from friends and family.

After the lockdown, Baba got in her wheelchair and went down the hall to the physical therapy gym to see her family members through the window. I was able to pay her a visit through the window. A few days after our visit, the facility closed down the gym because it was dangerous to have multiple people in the room at once. Since her room was facing the enclosed courtyard instead of the parking lot where the gym window was, she could not even see visitors through the window.

June 2020

Words of Enc from our A Alzheimer's Association Washington State Chapter To family caregivers supporting someone with dementia, THANK YOU. We admire your strength and resilience, and we acknowledge the sacrifices you’ve made to keep yourself and your loved one safe and healthy during this difficult time. You’ve been quietly on the front line of this pandemic, providing loving care, often at home and without the usual resources, supports and respite you rely on. It is an honor to serve you, whether we do so in-person, by phone or online.

Please know we are here whenever you need us: alzwa. org or 1-800-272-3900.

Retirement Living at Its Best

TM

Foundation House at Northgate As we calibrate our ‘new normal’ in the wake of COVID-19, Foundation House at Northgate has taken every precaution in our community to make your loved one safe by implementing protocols that meet and exceed CDC guidelines. We are protecting our residents with heightened sanitation practices, using masks, maintaining social distancing and more. In addition, with the stay-at-home orders in place, we have developed virtual tools to provide your family with a tour of our community. Please call Lynn at 206-361-2758 and visit www.FoundationHouseNG.com to learn more.

Harbor Place at Cottesmore “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”

Wishing you and your family health and happiness during the COVID storm – At Harbor Place we’re creating new ways to “dance!” Please call if we can help you or your loved ones, we have a couple availabilities in independent retirement or assisted living. We’re honored to serve you!

Harbor Place at Cottesmore 253.853.3354 www.HarborPlaceRetirement.com

Hashtag Cannabis Following the CDC's recommendation to wear cloth masks increases our safety when we shop or work at Hashtag Cannabis. That said, we may ask you to briefly remove your mask when we check your ID so we can fully verify your identity and age.

Please order online at fremont. seattlehashtag.com or redmond. seattlehashtag.com, wait until we text you that your order is ready, and wear a cloth mask when you visit us. Plus, we’re giving back, with 20% off for all essential and service workers. Read more here, www. seattlehashtag.com/essential-serviceworkers-discount. 206-946-8157

Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) is an independent nonprofit whose mission is scientific discovery related to how the immune system works.

Questions being addressed include how the immune system works to protect the body from disease – including viruses such as COVID-19 – and ways the immune system can go awry, resulting in autoimmune disease, asthma and allergy. Together with researchers, clinicians and volunteers across the Puget Sound, we’re ushering in an era of medical treatments and future cures for immune system diseases that affect millions and impact everyone.

At BRI, we’re learning more every day, thanks to those who support our work and those who volunteer for research.

Whether you are living with a disease or care about someone affected by one, we hope you will consider joining us. 206-342-6500, www. benaroyaresearch.org

Even though her window visits were short-lived, other residents were not so lucky. Baba said that she was one out of only a few of the residents who got window visitors. There were many people who did not have a close relationship with family members or were not physically able to leave their bed to go down the hall to the physical therapy room.

It was hard staying positive during the lockdown, but Baba gained some hope from the kind and patient nursing staff who cared for her each day she lived in the facility. The nurses and nursing assistants kept Baba company during long days of physical and emotional isolation. She got along particularly well with a young nursing

assistant, so well that they engaged in a teaching exchange of languages.

Baba learned some Spanish words and phrases and she taught him the same in Russian.

Another break from the monotony of the lockdown was Baba’s weekly visit to the doctor’s office. She liked this visit because she got to ride in the van with the friendly driver who would stop at a drive-through Starbucks on the way back to the assisted living facility.

Baba was released from the assisted living facility several weeks ago. Her two daughters took on the roles of the nursing and kitchen staff inside her new rental home. Despite the precautions taken by the staff of the assisted living facility, Baba feels safer

in her new house because she is only in contact with family. Her daughters are vigilant in preventing the spread of the virus through cleaning and social distancing.

After she was admitted to the assisted living facility, Baba had to leave her elderly cat Rosie in her condominium. Rosie was alone in the condo for three months while Baba was living at the care facility, aside from drop-ins by family to refill her food and water bowls. Baba and Rosie were reunited once she moved into her rental home. The cat jumped all over Baba, meowing with joy once the two saw each other.

“She very rarely leaves my side now,” said Baba ❖

June 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 11

couragement Advertisers Mt. Olivet Cemetery

Northaven Senior Living We are working hard to keep our community well and healthy and we’ve had no Covid-19 cases to date. Very early we closed our doors to non-essential visitors, including family. Group programing has stopped. The isolation is stressful, yet there are bright moments of joy and community as we manage this crisis together.

Residents sew face masks; one resident goes floor to floor playing her harp or people play bingo from their doorways. Weekly, special treats, puzzles and games are hung on residents’ doors, including note cards to send to friends, family and neighbors. Donors have arrived with masks, gloves, sanitizer and generous giving. Supporters deliver lunch to devoted staff. We thank all of the family, community supporters and staff for their continued efforts as we navigate this difficult time for everyone. Together we will get through this.

Independent Living: 206-365-3020 Assisted Living: 206-360-8077. northavenseniorliving.com.

Historic Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Crematory & Funeral Home The coronavirus continues to impact our day-to-day lives, and everyday we take in more news--good and bad--that can leave us feeling a mix of emotions. It can feel like a roller coaster at times. We are assisting many families who are going through the most difficult experiences in their lives. There is one thing we all should remember, that is "Hope is a renewable option: if you run out of it at the end of your day, you get to start over again in the morning" We can't all feel positive all the time, and that's OK. We can try , though, to find Hope in small things each day to help get us through to the end of this pandemic. We hope you find these words encouraging.We are all in this together, reach out to those who matter in your lives, let them know how much you care. Stay safe. Share the love. The Staff: Natalie, Stan, Jim, Hope, Blake, David and the entire crew, visit us at: americanmemorial.org, mtolivet. co or call 800-248-1745

Wesley Homes With social distancing, be open-minded and flexible about new activities. Wesley communities suggests these creative ways to get social: • SAY HELLO with a phone call or through a video chat service.

• HOST A VIRTUAL PARTY using a video and audio-based conference communications platform.

• Use an app store to PLAY GAMES for a virtual twist on classic games.

• GO OLD SCHOOL and send a card or letter. Just remember to not lick the envelope.

• TAKE A CLASS online or one that social distances outdoors to stay mentally and physically positive.

Visit WesleyChoice.org for exercise tips and more to brighten your day!

Des Moines 206-824-5000.

Auburn 253-876-6000.

Puyallup 253-435-8100.

Bonney Lake 253-466-2720.

KCLS is Still Here for You! ...continued from page 5

make digital materials easier to access.

• Increased virtual programming, including the arts, Wisdom Cafes and informational resources ranging from gardening to phone-in sessions about Medicare. All are free.

• Redesigned our Older Adults webpage (kcls.org/older-adults) to make it easier to find relevant resources and programs.

• Made Wi-Fi available in the parking lots of our buildings.

SHIBA’s still here to help with all your Medicare questions!

Whether you’re already enrolled in Medicare or you’ll be turning age 65 soon and have questions about enrollment and your Medicare options, the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program is here to help! Just like everyone, under the current world situation, we’ve put new procedures in place to keep our clients, staff and volunteers safe. We’ve 100% moved to phone counseling only.

If you would like to make an appointment for help, please call your local SHIBA office: • Sound Generations (King County): 206-727-6221 • Sound Outreach (Pierce County): 253-212-3519 • Homage Senior Services (Snohomish County): 425-290-1276 SHIBA is a free, unbiased service of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

KCLS also has a Facebook page and many of our community libraries and Friends of the Library groups have their own pages. You can connect with us there, as well as on Instagram and Twitter.

While our buildings are currently closed to the public, be assured that KCLS is working hard planning a phased return to library services when safe to do so.

Until we meet again, Wendy Pender, Older Adults Program Coordinator, King County Library System, wgpender@kcls.org ❖

Feeling lonely? Need a hot lunch?

If you are or know someone 60 years and older who could use a meal, social connection and direction to health and social resources, please call our office, (206) 878-1642, and let us know.

In partnership with Catholic Community Services, we are serving hot, grab-and-go lunches at the Center front door from 12noon to 12:30pm Monday through Thursday. Please practice physical distancing by staying six feet away from those around you as you wait to get a lunch.

We understand these are unprecedented times and we continue to move forward day by day, being mindful of how we can best support you.

We exist because of you!

Keep smiling, it helps you and others. Stay safe!

With love and care, the Activity Center Staff

Des Moines/Normandy Park Senior Activity Center 206-878-1642 • desmoineswa.gov/Seniors

Keeping you connected since 1979

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Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

The Great Outdoors

Sneaking Out Safely

And other words of wisdom from a nature lover

June 2020

Around the World While Staying Home ...by Victor Block

Hop aboard the fabled Orient Express train.

Pedal the route of I have been safely the famous Tour sneaking out on de France bicycle wilderness outings. race. Explore the I’ve been able to colorful canals pick asparagus and and history-rich morel mushrooms streets of Venice. (an essential annual Okay, so you outing for me) can’t make these Contributor Victor Block recommends some outstanding travel while enjoying the inviting journeys books that will immerse you in the sights and sounds of places wildflowers as they right now. But you around the world while you’re staying home and staying safe begin to bloom and can take virtual watching wildlife trips that immerse you in the sights, that cover the world in scope. The come out for the sounds and other appeals of those latest edition of 1,000 Places to See new spring grass. and other places by reading about Before You Die by Patricia Schultz During my secret them. takes almost 500 pages illustrated by getaways, there has Roger and Linda Urbaniak The books described below are some 1,100 photographs to highlight been no problem with rated among the most outstanding what the author considers to be maintaining social travel writing in recent years. Let the earth’s “must-see” attractions.

READING, WRITING & distancing. your eyes do the walking and your They cover the gamut from the BUSINESS REPORTS: Taxes I have also been active imagination can lead you.

Cappadocia region of Turkey—a take lots of time each year, and painting the outside of my house Around the World in 80 Trains by geologically moonscaped area of staying at home has allowed me and putting a coat of reflective rock towers, cones and caves, to to catch up with getting my taxes Monisha Rajesh describes a globematerial on my roof. I’ve split straddling rail journey through cheetahs hunting for prey in Kenya ready for my CPA. Linda and I over one cord of wood, waxed North America, Europe and Asia. to the rugged Huangshan Mountains kept travel journals for the many both cars and worked in our It includes a high-altitude ride in in China. years we toured the country in garden.

Tibet, a trans-Canadian journey, and While only 25 destinations are our VW Eurovan. Now we get I am running out of home experiencing the luxurious Venice highlighted in Hidden Places by Sarah a chance to read them to each projects, though, and need to Simplon Orient-Express. In addition Baxter, they live up to the book’s other by the fireplace and decide continue getting outdoors where to descriptions of train trips and name in terms of both obscurity and whether we had a good time I am the happiest. I’m anxious destinations, the author brings to life appeal. Included are little-known during our travels. to start fishing and gathering fascinating people she encounters citadels that are reachable only on MAINTAINING SOCIAL shellfish again. along the way. foot, jungle-blanketed remains of CONTACTS: Without home Many of us are looking for Pedal power is the mode of the great Mayan civilization and ways to keep from going stir crazy. dinner parties or eating out with transportation that moves author underwater ruins buried deep in the friends, contact these days is mostly Since I enjoy being busy and Tim Moore (French Revolutions: Pacific Ocean. by internet and telephone. But this feeling productive, I’m always Cycling the Tour de France) as he More accessible sites are trying to think up new things that contact is probably more important attempts to cover the entire course previewed in the 2020 edition of have not been forbidden. Here are now than before. By staying in touch of the legendary French bike race.

Lonely Planet’s Best Travel Destinations. and finding out that some have lost a few of my ideas: Moore is one of the select writers This 15th annual collation of “hot employment, closed businesses, had STAYING FIT My normal of comic travelogues and his words spots” ranks the Top 10 countries routine had been to play pickleball health or economic setbacks, I can make enjoyable reading for everyone (#1 is Bhutan), cities (Salzburg, at least give them some comfort, or tennis three to four times a from serious bikers to those who Austria) and best value destinations even if only to say “I understand.” week. With fitness clubs and have never set foot on a pedal.

(Indonesia). Other “Best” ratings Getting my friends to talk about sports fields closed, I rely on In The Journey Matters: include top value destinations, their problems helps lighten activities around home to stay Twentieth-Century Travel in the True new places to stay and new food their load simply by sharing their fit. Fortunately, I have a rowing Style by Jonathan Glancey, the experiences. The book places a strong circumstances. The process renews machine and stationary bike that, author brings to life the “Golden emphasis upon sustainability for and enhances our friendship. after a little dusting off, proved the environment, local people and THIS TOO SHALL PASS: The Age of Travel,” when getting to to be workable. Together with a destination was as important travelers themselves. situation is not going to last forever. splitting firewood and walking and enjoyable as being there. He Those who prefer to combine When it ends, I hope to return to a the dog, I am at least slowing the augments accounts of journeys he a bit of intrigue with their travel weight gain until I can get back to full, active life. I look forward to new reading are likely to find The Falcon experiences in the weeks, months and took—like crossing the Atlantic on tennis and my health club. the SS Normandie and flying from Thief by Joshua Hammer to be a years to come. My bucket list is longer SPRING CLEANING now than it was five years ago, despite England to Singapore with England’s page-turner. It is, as the jacket tells Knowing that it did not have to Imperial Airways, a British airline us, “A True Tale of Adventure, completing several wish-list items. be done all at once, I surveyed that operated from 1924 to 1939— Treachery, and the Search for the None of us knows how long we have our house and identified the with equally intriguing stories by Perfect Bird.” The story is a facton earth, and I have resolved not to many jobs that could be done fictionalized narrators. based crime adventure about a waste my remaining time (as I was to make our home more livable.

When it comes to books about wildlife detective (yes, they exist) guilty of doing in my youth). Yes, Getting rid of things that destinations, seldom, if ever, has seeking to apprehend a globeI like being active, but when I get have not been used in at least the essence of a city been better trotting smuggler who spent two tired of doing, I simply jump in the 10 years frees up living space decades capturing rare birds and car and go for a drive. With summer described than in Venice by Jan and can be used for reducing Morris.

This award-winning tome their eggs. The story whisks readers around the corner, relaxing in nature taxes if donated to charity is not a guide or history book, but from the Matobo National Park in lifts my spirits. and receipts kept. Go room by rather one that absorbs the reader Zimbabwe and the deserts of Dubai Let me know if you have other room so the job doesn’t seem into the character and life of that to the volcanoes of Patagonia and suggestions that I can try. ❖ overwhelming. Straightening magnificent city.

Venice comes alive frigid tundra near the Arctic Circle. out a room and rearranging it almost as if the reader were there That virtual whirlwind tour of Roger Urbaniak can be reached at brings an immediate feeling of enjoying its architecture, canals, exotic destinations, combined with urbaniakr@comcast.net or send him a satisfaction. Cleaning up in the curiosities and, above all, its people. the stirring story, offers appeal to a note via Northwest Prime Time, PO yard and garden is part of spring Then there are those books variety of readers. ❖ Box 13647, Seattle WA 98198 chores too. …by Roger Urbaniak

June 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 13

Washington State Parks are Open!

Out & About

Staying Active During COVID-19 ...by Paige Bartlett, Public Information Specialist, de Tornyay for Health Aging, UW School of Nursing

In the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are feeling stuck in our homes, disconnected from loved ones and can’t access many of our usual resources. Thrown out of our routine, it’s easy to let physical activity fall by the wayside, especially if we use walking groups, gyms or exercise classes to get moving.

As we create new routines in our homes in this uncertain time, it’s important to try and incorporate some level of physical activity. Exercise helps us stay strong, reduces fall risk and improves our health. Studies have also shown it improves mood and may help prevent depression.

If it seems daunting to try to figure out a new exercise routine, remember, every little bit makes a difference. Even remembering to take breaks from sitting to stand up or walk around the house gets our muscles moving.

Basia Belza, Professor in Aging at the UW School of Nursing and director of the de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging, has studied physical activity like walking in retail malls. She advises, “One of the components of being physically active is selecting an activity that is fun.” In research by the de Tornyay School for Healthy Aging completed prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we learned that mall walkers enjoyed the venue, companionship and making new friends. “So,” suggests Belza, “in selecting an activity when you are sheltering in place, select [one] that is fun for you and consider doing it together with another friend while they too are sheltering in place.”

Even while stuck in your home, you can use exercise sessions as an opportunity to socialize with friends and family. Set up a time to go through

an exercise routine while on speakerphone or video. Go on a walk together while talking on the phone, as long as you won’t find it too distracting from your surroundings [be aware of traffic hazards and pay enough attention to avoid a stumble!]

Several local groups run online exercise classes for their members, some tailored specifically to older adults, such as the Stroum Jewish Community Center and the YMCA. Also, Lifelong Fitness and the National Center on Aging both offer free exercise videos on YouTube. If you don’t have a computer, you can practice exercises you already know, or go on walks around the house or in your neighborhood.

If you live near parks or green spaces where you can safely keep six or more feet between you and others, that can be a great way to get active and get some fresh air. Beyond the benefits of exercise, being in nature has also been shown to reduce stress and improve our health. To avoid crowds, consider going out earlier before most people are out and about, and sticking to wider paths.

For anyone concerned about falling when exercising indoors, Belza recommends using a “sturdy piece of furniture at your side for support. Start doing exercises sitting. And gradually move to standing.” You can also call your health care provider’s office and ask if they are offering telehealth visits, where you could consult with your health care provider on the computer or over the phone and see what may be safest for you.

Above all, be safe. If you are feeling sick, focus on resting over physical activity until you get better, and contact your health care provider for advice. ❖

Senior Fitness Tip

with the ‘Stay at Home’ order by taking fitness-related online courses.

I exercise and get lots of rest. When it is nice outside, I enjoy walks in the neighborhood. My best advice is to find something that you enjoy doing at home, like reading, watching a good movie, exercising or phone and online chatting with friends or family.

Staying busy helps you to stay happy, and it can also help to relax you—try not to worry. When you leave the home and are around other people, always protect yourself by wearing a mask and gloves and staying six feet away from each other. Wash your hands thoroughly. Stay safe everyone.”

Staying Home/ Staying Active ...by Mark Bryant

When Northwest Prime Time’s Senior Fitness columnist was asked how he is faring during the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” orders, Mark Bryant he replied, “What I miss the most is eating out in my favorite restaurants. I am dealing

March 25 marked the closure of state parks and most county parks along with the stay-at-home order.

Neighborhoods have bustled as residents run, walk and bike from home at a safe distance. But now that state parks reopened on May 5, many are looking farther afield.

The parks department urges parkgoers to limit park visits to day trips that are close to home. Camping and all other overnight accommodations remain closed for the time being and park visits now come with a list of social distancing requirements including: • Visit parks alone or with other members of your household • Bring your own toilet paper, hand sanitizer, water and mask with you.

Some facilities such as restrooms may still be closed.

• Avoid crowded parks. If the park

looks too crowded to remain six feet away from other park-goers, turn around and come up with a different plan.

• Pack it in, pack it out. Any garbage you bring into the park including disposable gloves or masks should go with you when you leave.

Although most state parks did reopen on May 5, some remained closed until further notice such as beach parks on the coast and on the Columbia River Gorge. For a full list of parks that are now open and parks that are still closed, visit www.parks.wa.gov or call 360-9028844. It is important to note that the reopening process takes time, especially with limited staff.

King, Pierce and Snohomish County Parks opened back up in early May with similar social distancing guidelines as state parks.

--Submitted by Maddie Smith

Win $25 Where in the Northwest?

Can you identify the location of this photo?

Photos are taken from or adjacent to Washington State highways in our readership area: King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Mail your answer to Northwest Prime Time, PO Box 13647, Seattle WA 98198 or email editor@northwestprimetime.com.

Answers should include enough of a description so that it is clear you know the spot. The winner will be drawn at random from the correct answers submitted by the deadline. If no correct answer is received, the $25 prize will

transfer to the following contest, which will then be worth $50. Submissions for the contest must be postmarked by June 10, or received via email by the same date: editor@northwestprimetime.com.

Kathy Swanson was the winner of the March/April contest (drawn at random from the winning entries).

The photo was taken on 19th Street at Highway N. 527, with Silver Lake on the left and Silver Lake Plaza on right.

Farmers Markets are Back Farmers Markets are a popular and important place for communities across the state to buy fresh, healthy, locally grown foods. Farmers markets and produce stands are considered essential businesses, which means they can operate with proper safety measures designed to keep customers and workers safe: stay physically distant from others, wear a face mask or covering, stay only long enough to purchase essential items.

• The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides low-income seniors with Farmers Market vouchers to purchase fresh produce at participating markets and farm stores. This year, SFMNP will be conducted by mail and email only—

first come, first-served.

Request an application at your local Area Agency on Aging (King 206684-0660; Snohomish 425-388-7377; Pierce 253-798-4600) or visit www. doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/WIC/ FarmersMarket.

Lunch at Senior Centers As of this writing, senior centers are closed at part of the state’s Stay-atHome orders. However, check with your local senior center to learn if they are offering meals. Many senior center programs are serving take-away meals during the closure; some are even offering hot take-out lunch. Donations are welcome.

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The Funny Side of Life

Reflections …by Sy Rosen

have to say so myself.

I searched all over the city for masks and couldn’t find any. One sales clerk told me they weren’t getting any—they were being sent to hospitals. “Oh yeah,” I answered, “That’s how it should be.” I felt very noble, but my inside voice was yelling, “I want a mask! I want a mask!”

They say that doctors may soon have to choose between people who get ventilators—a young child or a senior citizen. If it came to that, I hope I would say, “Give the ventilator to a youngster. I’ve had a great life and now it’s their turn.” (But I still want a mask.)

I asked the man who mows our lawn where he got his mask. He told me that the store was all sold out.

About an hour later he knocked on my door and gave me two masks, one for me and one for Wanda. I offered to pay him, but he wouldn’t accept any money. This was a wonderful act of kindness and if it wasn’t for social distancing, I would have hugged him.

I am not too keen on hearing comments about the good that has come from the pandemic: more family time, more nap time, more realizing what’s important, etc. I know there are people who are always looking for the silver lining, but right now it really doesn’t work for me. However, it does remind me of an old joke—if you’ve heard it before I apologize: These parents had two young twins, one boy was a happy optimist and the other was always pessimistic.

The parents decided they had to do something to change their twins’ outlooks on life. So for Christmas they gave the pessimist several very expensive toys and they gave the optimist a large pile of poo (yes, I said poo). Anyway, the pessimistic child sat sadly by his new toys grumbling, “I know they are going to break.” Meanwhile the optimistic boy was happily playing with his poo (yes, I again said poo), digging away. His parents asked him why he was so happy and the ecstatic child said, “I know there’s a pony in here somewhere.” Okay, right now I have not seen anything near a pony in all this mess—all I see is the poo (yes, this virus deserves three poos). ❖

Wanda and I are now hunkered down, alone together in our home.

Everything is going okay— we’ve hidden the knives.

Anyway, here Sy Rosen are a few of my observations during this pandemic.

Maybe it’s a little too soon for humor and if I offend anyone I apologize.

Actually, it’s the horrible, awful, terrible virus that should apologize.

I used to say that I just didn’t have enough time to fix things around the house, clean out my closet, sort out my paperwork and write my novel. I now realize I need another excuse.

At my local grocery store seniors are allowed to move to the front of the line. I guess that’s a good thing but I’m a little upset that they didn’t ask for proof that I’m a senior.

I bought a box of disposable gloves and chose the X-Large size. It made me feel manly. When I got home, I tried on the gloves—they are too big and it’s hard to grasp things. I now feel manly and dumb.

I am getting a lot of email scams—how to beat the coronavirus mixed with scams on how to make my sex life better. The sex life scams are more fun to read.

I saw this posted on the internet: “Girl with toilet paper seeking man with hand sanitizer.”

Since our seclusion, I’ve become engrossed with the Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Kim K. controversy.

What’s become of me?

Now when I lie on the couch eating potato chips and watching TV, I don’t feel guilty. I am a good citizen following national guidelines.

They now say that everyone should wear masks— and handmade To go to the grocery cloth ones are okay. store, they said a mask I borrowed one of and gloves were Wanda’s scarves and enough. They lied. made a mask. I look Everyone else had very stylish if I do say so clothes on! myself. Unfortunately, in today’s world I do

Plan your day, your way.

Call today for your move-in special!

June 2020 Look for “The ongoing life-affirming adventures of Rose and Dawn” to continue in our next issue. In the meantime, Rose and Dawn’s creator, Diana Couture, has this to say about being Home in the Time of COVID.

Home in the Time of COVID …by Diana Couture

Having been in the work world for over 50 years, I have always felt a little, ‘home starved.’

I believe most of my Diana Couture generation has that feeling.

We’ve been chasing the American dream for so long: extended work hours, working a second job to make ends meet, studying for an advanced degree, business travel.

After early retirement, I thought I’d found Shangri-La in my new-found homeliness. It all came to a screeching halt with something called a recession in 2008. So, back to work I went. Full bore, full time. Now it’s been 12 years since I started working—again.

I had just negotiated a part-time gig at my job when virus-related news started appearing. I was thrilled to be working only three days per week instead of five. Then the ball dropped.

I was considered high risk due to age and underlying health issues. WOW! Stay home, they said. It’ll save lives, they said. And so, I did.

At first, I was thrilled. So much time to fill and the ability, no, the permission to waste time. This is a dream come true. I did a few things around the house that I’d been putting off because of lack of energy after a full day’s work. I worked in the garden when the weather was nice.

Reading is one of my passions. I have a wall of books and I attacked that wall with vigor. I read some of the classics, again. I read all my Sherlock Holmes for the fourth or fifth time. I will say, with the layered writing of Conan Doyle, I always learn something new from a reread.

I also found the guilty pleasure of binge watching. I didn’t even know that I had Netflix. I must be signed up on my daughter’s service. Well, once that flower opened up, I

was hooked on the forbidden aroma of sitting on the sofa with remote in hand being entertained by star-studded Hollywood works, starting over coffee at 7am and ending at 5pm to catch the latest news. There were breaks during the day for lunch and tea and cookies, but mostly it was just me and the dog on the sofa with the latest murder mystery series.

What a magic mushroom this sofasitting is. But be careful, my friends.

This is a lethal mushroom if you indulge yourself too much. I noticed my back started feeling tight, my knees were stiffer and I forgot to brush my teeth one day. What?

So, even though the sofa-sitting is my go-to favorite experience of the 2020 Covid Lockdown, I found that if I didn’t get moving, I was going to seize up…not a pretty sight.

I have now found a happy balance.

Moving and working during the morning hours and limiting my binge sitting/watching to only the afternoon.

When the news comes on at 5, I spend a certain amount of time watching and fretting, but the rest of the evening is devoted to preparing dinner and sitting at the table to eat it. (I had getting a little feral with my eating habits…another negative side effect of too much TV watching.)

Evenings have always been my favorite reading time, so I continue with that habit. Full disclosure—I like a cocktail before dinner and a glass of port wine while reading before going to bed.

There. I feel better. I think this assignment has been a good release of some of my guilt around the laziness that sometimes comes with imposed isolation. Alas, I’m afraid that the pounds added to my body weight cannot be diminished with just a cathartic rambling. Stuff about the time at home gets real when the scale stares at you in the morning.

[As of this writing in May], I’ve heard an upcoming release of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” campaign.

I, for one, will weigh the current information and decide when it’s safe to go back to the grind of day-to-day working. I want to go back to work, but I have my murder mystery series addiction to think about too. ❖

June 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 15

Rhyme Time ...by Len Elliott

Across 1. Bravery 6. Dog doctors, in short 10. Word on a door 14. “Hi!” and “Bye!” in HI 15. Kind of collar 16. “Off We Go ____ the Wild Blue Yonder” 17. Weaving devices 18. Fancy festivity 19. Graduate, briefly 20. “____, a mouse!”

21. PEKE 24. New York island for immigrants, once 26. Hard, as a problem 27. Mate of a flashy fowl 29. Immense, as a desert 31. Constellation named after an instrument 32. “Exodus” author Leon 34. Certain poetic feet 39. Morays, e.g.

40. Shipping hazard 42. Gambling game 43. ____ dust (arid): 2 wds.

45. Admiral Zumwalt 46. Approve, as a request 47. Swedish superstore 49. Sainted “Mother” 51. Acid’s opposite

55. On the briny: 2 wds.

56. PEAK 59. Raptors and Hawks are in it: abbr.

62. ____ Domini 63. Stir up 64. “____ We Trust”: 2 wds.

66. Tree house 67. One-time Peruvian 68. Like Stephen King novels 69. Funny man Johnson 70. Endings for sugars 71. Arthur Conan ____ Down 1. Location of the “little brown church” of song 2. Soothing substance 3. PEEK 4. Unit of resistance 5. Grapple, backwoods-style 6. “Strip” city, for short 7. And others: 2 wd. abbr.

8. Ring, as a bell 9. Between meal ingestions 10. Elton John’s instrument 11. Dark 12. Action movie feat 13. Comfortable, as an abode 22. Subtraction sign 23. One against 25. Tibet’s capital 27. Said “Not guilty” 28. One who looks 29. String quartet instrument 30. “____ I” (ditto): 2 wds.

A Letter from the Crossword Guy

Len Elliott

Dear Readers, My wife and I are managing quite well during the stay-at-home order.

I work several crossword puzzles each day and continue

to create crosswords (I tell people that I am working from home and that puzzle construction is an essential business).

Yardwork always lurks and some clutter removal is occurring.

I go shopping early Tuesday morning at the Auburn Safeway during “senior hours.” The pharmacy is open early, too, which is very convenient. The only other trips are to medical situations that

JOIN OUR FAMILY OF FRIENDS IN 2020!

33. Syngman of Korea 35. Prior to, to a poet 36. PIQUE 37. Bikini tops 38. Tofu base 41. Ticket to riches, maybe 44. Stream sediment 48. Korean car: 2 wds.

50. Looked at 51. Appliance maker

solution on page 18

52. Solitary man or woman 53. Art: Ger. 54. “…____ that follows sol…”: 2 wds.

55. Book of maps 57. Charged particles 58. Kind to everyone 60. Pasta recipe verb 61. Ending for chick 65. Prefix for con or phyte DISINFECTION

A NEW STRIPE

The beauty salons have been shuttered for weeks, No color, no highlights, no bright purple streaks.

The law of the land will allow no disputes So ladies, we’re all going back to our roots.

can’t be handled over the phone and the occasional post office visit.

We are fortunate in that we are retired and in good shape financially.

A lady, let’s call her Ramona Was terrified of the Corona, When she entered a room With her Lysol perfume, Her essence surpassed her persona.

-- Pat D’Amico

Because of our age and health conditions, we cannot help the pandemic situation except by staying continued on page 18

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206-243-0300

2805 S. 125th Street, Burien, WA 98168 www.boulevardparkplace.com

16

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Making a Difference ...by Christina Clem, AARP Washington

Do you know a volunteer over the age of 50 who’s made a significant impact in your community?

We are always grateful for volunteerism, thankful to those who give a little extra of themselves to help others.

Especially during this pandemic, so many people have stepped up to take care of our fellow humans.

Fred Rogers once said, “When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

Now’s your chance to recognize one of these extraordinary helpers by nominating them for AARP Washington’s 2020 Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors a 50+ individual or couple who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.

Nominations are accepted until July 15, 2020, and the winner will receive the opportunity to donate $2,000 to an eligible non-profit of his or her choosing.

“AARP is excited to shine a light on 50+ Washingtonians who are using what they’ve learned in life to make a difference in the lives around them,” said Doug Shadel, AARP Washington State Director.

AARP Washington Andrus Award for Community Service nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements: • Nominee must be 50 years or older.

• The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay.

• The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must reflect AARP’s vision and mission.

• Married couples or domestic partners who perform service together are also eligible; however, teams are not eligible.

• The recipient must live in the awarding state.

• This is not a posthumous award.

Please contact AARP Washington at 206-399-2106 for further information or to have a nomination form mailed to you.

Nominations will be evaluated based on how the volunteer’s work has improved the community, supported AARP’s vision and mission and inspired other volunteers. The award recipient will be announced in early fall 2020.

For more information about the 2020 Andrus Award for Community Service, please call 206-399-2106 or visit: www.aarp. org/andrus ❖ The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual awards program developed to honor individuals whose service is a unique and valuable contribution to society. Last year, AARP recognized 50 outstanding individuals and couples from around the country.

A Letter from Ariele Huff When asked where My Dear she is looking forward to Readers, I think visiting again when travel of you often in restrictions loosen, Ariele my Aberdeen responded: quarantine. I hope Northwest area you have some destinations: #1) I love people/animals Port Townsend. When I who help you was doing a lot of travel feel connected. writing as editor of travel Humor is our best magazines, we stayed respite. Hubby and at The Old Consulate I are reading aloud Inn. (The best one in books by Betty Ariele and her husband, Brad, town.) #2) Palouse Falls MacDonald and Jean Shepherd. The dancing it up in matching outfits in Eastern Washington is gorgeous and not far from the Palouse movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

River Canyon—Washington’s “little cheers and comforts me. My Missouri grandmother sang some of those songs grand canyon.” We drove by those each time we visited the 1895 house to me. Writing and working with we almost bought in Dayton. #3) We online clients and students are my both love the Hoh Rain Forest (in best mental escapes. My favorite new Olympic National Park). Note that obsession is participating in a weekly you can’t walk dogs along the trails. (I conference call writing group. This period accents the vital importance of stayed in the car with our dog the time we had him along.) others in my life.

June 2020

Writing Corner

Fun & Rescue …by Ariele M. Huff

Hello, my friends. If you are like me, you’re needing a bit of reassurance, some help making it through quarantining, Ariele M. Huff maybe with some physical health issues that are too minor for doctors to give time to.

So, first: Fun is a documented great way to feel better emotionally and physically. I’m collecting submissions for an anthology called FUN (a Candy Bar Book) and would love to hear how you have fun and maybe how you define it. What I’m seeing in submissions is that pleasure can often come from 1. an unexpected experience—something nicer or something we haven’t yet learned about previously. Good surprises can bump up our mood and attitudes. Form an agreement with someone—you’ll plan surprises for each other.

Unexpected delivery of flowers, a card, an extra phone call, a YouTube or video card.

2. upping your dosage—of something you really like. More warm showers or baths, for example. In a workshop I lead, I ask people what they’d do if they won a million dollars. A high percentage say that a long hot shower would be their first luxury. I send them all home to have one. A little excess can make life more worth living.

An extra two cookies works. An extra ten, nope.

3. playing music that makes you feel good—cheery, excited, soothed, sleepy, romantic— whatever floats your boat, or some of each.

4. indulging in humor— books, movies, television. I

Poetry Corner “In Spite of Technology”

I passed a stranger on the dog walk path.

Her cell phone at her ear, she turned blinking into the sun as we mouthed “hello.”

Our simian teeth glinting in open jaws— tribal tribute: We both love dogs.

--Ariele M. Huff

once read that a fellow with a dire diagnosis gorged himself on comedic movies and thought they were responsible for his return of health. If nothing else, it’s common medical info that laughter energizes and relaxes the body. If you email me (ariele@comcast.net) and ask for it, I’ll send you one of my favorite humorous graphic stories (comic book is the oldfashioned name for it.) It’s called The Year Kenny Loggins Ruined Christmas.

Rescue: 1. Find do-it-yourself ways to feel better physically. My workshop/online class on that topic is Ancient Healing Tools for Modern Stress. If you email me (ariele@comcast.net) and request it, I’ll send you the Morning and Evening Questions from Stress, Anxiety & Insomnia

by Michael T. Murray, N.D. I find them helpful.

2. My book, Making Mud Angels: Winning Strategies for Tough Times, gives several ways to address difficulties. Many of them are apropos at this time of so much change and the privations that are going along with that for most of us now. If you email me (ariele@comcast. net) and request it, I’ll send you the email version of this book. (Or you can get it as an inexpensive eBook or paperback at Amazon.com.)

3. Keep a “gains” book. Write down all the things that go right, even those that could have gone “righter.” Choose to feel good.

Feelings are always a choice. Note how differently people handle the same kinds of situations.

4. Ask me for the lyrics to “Never Surrender.” (ariele@ comcast.net) 5. Loving thoughts to you. ❖

“SPRING MOON”

Icy memory on grade school monkey bars, surrendered a long-ago tongue-shaped stain.

Blow a kiss to tell winter goodbye.

Welcome spring—learning eventful news.

A super worm moon greets the equinox, harmonizing day and night. Nocturnal concerts awaken spring-tuned daffodils, declaring high-pitched greetings… heard only by dogs and wolves, howling at giant celestial worm-hole craters.

The moon has become a colossal cosmic apple.

I celebrate in awe.

--April Ryan

Send poetry to ariele@comcast.net or Northwest Prime Time. Pieces may be excerpted, edited or used online in Sharing Stories.

June 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 17

Looking for the Calendar?

As of this writing, Washington State is moving into Phase 2 reopening. Perhaps by the time you read this, there will be talk of Phase 3. Whether you are venturing out or not, the bottom line is to stay safe, especially for the vulnerable populations over age 60 and those with underlying health conditions.

But if you are tech-savvy (or have a tech-savvy helper), there are unlimited opportunities. Check the websites of your local library, senior and educational organizations, favorite museum, arts, theater or music organizations—they are

probably busier than you think during the lockdown. The King County Library System is offering online Wisdom Cafes (discussion groups on issues surrounding aging). The June 9 Wisdom Café will be a discussion on what summers were like when you were a child. KCLS also provides daily online arts activities and offers free online classes such as how to use genealogy software. Every Wednesday at 1:30pm, KCLS has a social call for folks feeling isolated. For more information on KCLS activities, visit www.kcls.org or call 425-462-9600 (12-5pm, 7 days a week).

Track and Field: A lifelong sport.

Five years ago, at the age of 61, I was hauled off by ambulance with a heart attack. While being in good shape, my family has a history of David E. Ortman strokes and heart attacks. But a stent and a short recovery later put me back on track. One year later, I won the Masters (age 60 to 64) 200-meter race at the National Masters Indoor meet in New Mexico. In 2018, I won the National Masters Outdoor Pentathlon in Cheney, Wash. and the World Masters Athletes (ages 65-69) 300m Hurdles in Malaga, Spain. Last year, I won the National Masters Indoor

Pentathlon in Winston-Salem, NC, and the National Masters Outdoor 300m Hurdles in Iowa. This year, the Covid-19 pandemic has cancelled upcoming Masters meets. Bummer.

If the COVID-19 pandemic allows older athletes to return to competition, there is tentative local summer schedule: July 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19 at the stadium in Shoreline. Check first: www. clubnorthwest.org/all-comers.

In 2021 (every other year), the National Senior Games (50+) will be held in Florida November 5-18. Learn how to qualify at https://nsga.com/2021fort-lauderdale.

The 2022 National Masters Indoor Championships are likely coming to Spokane! ❖ --submitted by David E. Ortman of Seattle

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Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

Before Coronavirus: How Seattle handled the Spanish flu

influenza it must have been mild.”

My grandfather could be a rather stern Scandinavian papa, ...continued from page 1 so the image of the two of them sitting vigil over my granny — with of the influenza outbreak, concludes a physical sign of affection to boot that “social distancing,” though — underscores the severity of the very difficult situation. to enforce, Dad’s was the most account effective tool brings to authorities mind a had at their couple disposal in of other 1918. By things. The the end of city health February officials 1919, the encouraged pandemic was people to largely over. go to the Three soldiers at Fort Lewis in 1918.

Courtesy of The crisis hospital University of Washington Libraries, submitted impacted my the if sick,

by Nicolette Bromberg, Special Collections Visual father and but later Materials Curator his parents, encouraged immigrants who were struggling in them to stay home to be cared for the growing city. My grandfather, by family members so that more a mechanical engineer from severe cases could be tended by Norway, had to go far afield for professionals. One problem with work in Alaskan canneries while the stay-at-home approach was that my Scottish granny took care of it probably caused an undercount of my father back in Seattle. They flu cases. It’s sobering to realize the were poor in those early days. crisis grew so large that health care A family story has it that my was rationed. grandparents used to fight over a I’m struck that poor folk like single hardboiled egg for breakfast, my grandparents could afford to each insisting the other have it. have a doctor make a house call, My father suffered some lifelong which suggests they were luckier conditions as a result of poor than many. The doctor was not childhood nutrition. alone. Bristow says that “hundreds The Spanish flu preyed on and hundreds” of American everyone, but, unlike today, it doctors and nurses died during the wasn’t mostly the old and sick outbreak. who suffered so much as the Holding on to such memories young — half of those who died is important, Bristow says. The were between ages 20 and 40. My 1918-1919 epidemic was largely grandparents, in their 20s during forgotten, subsumed, she says, in 1918, were in that demographic the story of World War I. She too sweet spot. lost family (her great-grandparents) My father dictated an oral to the epidemic but did not find history of his childhood years out how they died until some 70 before he died in 1990. It’s very years later. In the event of a new incomplete, but I will let him tell pandemic we need to have the his flu story, what he remembered capacity to remember, she says, “so from when he was about four years that we’re conscious of those who old. My guess is this took place in have suffered losses” and can tend late 1918 or early 1919: to their long-term healing.

“When dad returned from Bristow believes the current Alaska, we moved to a basement coronavirus situation should also apartment in the University be a reminder of the inequities District. … People were wearing of access to health care. Because masks over their faces because of records were not kept, it is the flu epidemic, and Mother nearly unknown whether Spanish flu died. I remember the doctor coming killed more or fewer Americans by to see her. She was dry and very race, class or immigrant groups, but flushed with fever, and breathing it’s a good bet care was not equal, badly and [the doctor] apparently then or now. gave my father some bad news My father went on to become because my dad put his arm around a physician and by all accounts me and we sat in the bedroom for had a great bedside manner with a long time. He put me to bed and patients. He was very moved by I cried, because I knew something the self-sacrifice of his mother’s bad was going to happen. doctor, a nameless physician “But she was still with us the whose sacrifice has had an impact next morning, and the day after down through the generations of that, and the day after that, and we my family. Thanks to my dad’s were so glad. memory, I won’t forget how much “I was told later that two days it meant to us. ❖ after Mother’s crisis the doctor himself had collapsed and died, Other articles by Knute Berger on the apparently sick with pneumonia pandemic can be found at crosscut.com, while still tending the sick as including “Meet the Anthony Fauci of best he could. If my dad and I got 1918 Washington.”

A letter from the Crossword Guy ...continued from page 15

home and sending extra donations to the Auburn Food Bank. Our Road Scholar cruise in the Adriatic in late May was cancelled (we got all our money back including the travel insurance). We were looking forward to a week on Lake Chelan in early May, but the stay-at-home order plus health considerations prevented us from doing that.

We keep busy reading (I even got into eBooks after I had gone through my and my wife’s library books), listening to classical music, watching some of the many options on Amazon Prime and other sources for series and movies, sitting in the backyard enjoying the Green River and watching the birds. Of particular interest is the bald eagle nest across the river – watching the adults flying around, sometimes with some food clutched in their talons, sometimes carrying “just the right” branch to beef up their nest. It sounds like there are eaglets in the nest, but we have yet to see them. These past few weeks, we have thoroughly enjoyed gazing at the camellia, rhody, apple and cherry blossoms. We are talking much more often with our two daughters—they are concerned about us and we about them.

Wishing you and yours the best during this time.

When asked what road trips he looks forward to when travel restrictions ease, Len said: Two road trips that we enjoyed: After I was laid off from Boeing (almost 50 years ago), we drove around the Olympic Peninsula, staying one night at Lake Ozette Resort. We took a long day trip from Lake Chelan one year. A very long day behind the wheel, but the day created lots of memories. ❖ Earth Day Reflections ...continued from page 19

Hayes said that Friday would have been dedicated to “The poor of the world but also the unborn. Talking about those folks who have no voice at all in climate decisions who are the most at risk and affected by it.”

Hayes got emotional about the cancellation of in-person events scheduled for the landmark anniversary of the holiday he has been organizing since 1970.

“It was two years of work kind of flushed down the toilet,” he lamented.

Instead of large gatherings across the globe, the world tuned in for the digital celebration of the holiday from every time zone.

Despite the loss of in-person events, “They tried to have something for everyone,” said Hayes of the digital event that replaced the original schedule.

For Hayes, the sentiment of Earth Day shifts with each year. The air surrounding the holiday organized to protect the climate changes along with the political climate.

Voting, organizing voter registration drives and working toward highlighting

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environmental issues are key actions people can take for the future of our climate.

Besides political advocacy, there are personal actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

“If you’re going to be effective in this area, as in most any area, you have to walk your talk,” he said. Actions like driving a sports car, taking flights and eating steak are not consistent with a low-carbon future.

“Use this opportunity at home to do some home improvements. Put in some better windows. This is an opportunity to insulate your attic if you haven’t done it before,” said Hayes.

Personal actions are helpful in reducing the carbon footprint when multiplied by a large population, but the most effective action people can take is to advocate for environmentally friendly politics, advises Hayes. ❖ In a nod to his future retirement, Dennis Hayes has moved to working part-time from his longtime role of leading The Bullitt Foundation. He is also Board Chair Emeritus of EarthDay.org, whose mission is the build the world’s largest environmental movement. More information about Earth Day can be found at www.earthday.org

June 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 19

Earth Day Reflections

bold action,” said Hayes. “The focus was effectively a green new deal.”

The one-week advocating for an issue long anniversary would ever, said Hayes. “Our have its three-day long aspirations were a billion finale beginning on people on the streets in Wednesday, April 22. nearly 200 countries.”

This day was scheduled Hayes had roughly to focus on global climate 150 staff members working Denis Hayes is best known for organizing the first Earth solutions. Thursday, on events for the 50th April 23 was to be put Day, which is now recognized in 192 countries and is considered the world’s largest observed secular holiday. anniversary of the largest on by the environmental Denis has headed Seattle’s Bullitt Foundation since 1992. secular holiday celebrated Photo courtesy the Bullitt Foundation. organization 350 and worldwide. Staffers were would have centered hard at work advocating for policy and regulations that around standing up against the financial institutions protect the climate. that support the fossil fuel industry. Climate justice was “The crisis now is sufficiently great and to be the emphasis for the next day, Friday, April 24. sufficiently urgent and imminent and we need

From the Streets to the Screens ...by Maddie Smith

Readers may remember Denis Hayes’ smiling face on the cover of Northwest Prime Time’s March/April issue. Hayes organized the first Earth Day in 1970.

April 22 marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, but there was a lull in the air as stay-at-home orders across the world were instated. In-person Earth Day events had to be cancelled.

Hayes, a Washington local, goes over the original plans for Earth Day’s 50th, the digital event that took place in lieu of the face-to-face activities and actions individuals can take to protect the earth.

The original plan for the 50th anniversary was to put together the largest global coalition of people

continued on page 18

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