U.S. Surgeon General: Average Age of People Dying from Coronavirus Is 80 Plus
MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you about- I mean, it- it seems that nursing homes in particular are very vulnerable. Older people are being advised, as you heard from Dr. Fauci there, to reconsider putting themselves in certain circumstances. Would you tell someone over the age of what, 55, 60- I mean, what’s the age group that you’re saying should not get on a plane or get on a cruise ship?
DR. ADAMS: Well, great question. And we’re- we’ve gotten new data emerging. We know that the average age of people who are dying from coronavirus is 80 plus. We know that the average age of people who are needing medical care and advanced medical care is 60 plus. And so what we’re telling folks is that if you’re in an at-risk group, meaning you’re elderly and or you have comorbidities: heart disease, lung disease, you’re immunosuppressed for whatever reason, that you should be taking extra precautions not to put yourself in a situation where you may be exposed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What if you’re pregnant?
DR. ADAMS: Again, if you’re pregnant, I would advise taking extra precautions. But that said, no one under the age of 30 has died of the coronavirus in- in South Korea. No one under the age of 50 has died of coronavirus in Japan. There’s something about being younger that is protective. But if you are in one of those higher risk groups, we suggest you avoid crowded spaces. We suggest you avoid potentially going on a cruise or taking a long haul flight because most people are going to be fine, but we want those folks who we know are at higher risk for complications to protect themselves.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But New York state declared an emergency and they have said you can’t have visitors until further notice. I mean, should other states be doing this? Would you advise other states to do this?
DR. ADAMS: Well, that’s one of the reasons the vice president and I have been going around the country. We’ve spoken with three- I’ve spoken with three governors in the past week saying you need to be having these conversations right now. And I would encourage folks to go to CDC.gov. There is specific guidance for audiences, businesses, schools. I met with the National Association of Evangelicals, faith leaders. We want them to be thinking now about what their triggers would be. But the risk is gonna be different in different places. What you’re gonna do in Seattle is going to be different than what you’re going to do in Jackson, Mississippi, for instance.
