For Your Information!

Spring has sprung, but stay at home!

Welcome to the March Newsletter - For Your Information - for The Androscoggin Retired Teachers Association. We have made a few changes with this publication. 

Welcome to AREA -

Androscoggin Retired Educators Association

Newsletter Notes!

I hope you like the format, and will feel free to contribute to your newsletter.  You can send contributions to me by emailing them to - area@mainenet.org  or  rfuller@mainenet.org

To Your Health -

Coronavirus and Older Adults: Your Questions Answered

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/cdc-covid-19.html?intcmp=AE-HP-BB-LL1

As the coronavirus spreads in the U.S. and across the globe, it’s becoming more apparent that older adults and people with underlying health conditions are being hit hardest by the illness it causes. AARP asked Nancy Messonnier, M.D., an internist and director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases an internist and director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, to give us her most up-to-date insights on the coronavirus and how it’s impacting older adults.

What’s your best advice for people over 65 in dealing with the outbreak?

The greatest risk of infection is among those who are in close contact with people who have COVID-19. This includes family members and health care workers who care for people who are infected. If you’re 65 and older and live where cases have been reported, take action to reduce your exposure. Know what’s going on locally. Pay attention to recommendations from your local public health department. Also, make sure you have adequate supplies of routine medications, like medicine for blood pressure and diabetes, and household supplies in case you need to remain at home. 

Is it true that older adults face an elevated risk from the virus?

Older people and people with underlying health conditions appear to be about twice as likely to develop serious outcomes versus otherwise younger, healthier people. CDC is particularly concerned about these people, given the growing number of cases in the United States. 

Older adults experience a gradual deterioration of their immune system, making it harder for their body to fight off diseases and infection. Many are also more likely to have underlying conditions that hinder the body’s ability to cope and recover from illness. People with health conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes need to be especially careful to avoid exposure to COVID-19.

What should older adults in assisted living or retirement communities do?

Right now, we still judge the general risk to the American public to be low. However, those who are older and medically fragile would be at higher risk if there was spread in a community. There are general, commonsense measures that we ask long-term care facilities to do to make sure to protect their residents, and they are the same things that we’ve been talking about—washing hands, identifying people who are sick early to make sure that they get appropriate medical care. And when somebody is sick, trying to keep them from infecting others.

SHOULD YOU CANCEL YOUR VACATION?

Here is a good bit of advice about cancelling a vacation due to the coronavirus -

https://www.aarp.org/travel/travel-tips/safety/info-2020/coronavirus-and-travel.html?cmp=EMC-DSO-NLC-RSS-TRAVEL--CTRL-022820-P1-4400813&ET_CID=4400813&ET_RID=16492968&encparam=KwPSD1irZtO26ksZiZsm6Nghg2G2aXl05XcP HmGycOI%3d

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

March 2020 State Scam Alerts

Corona Scams - Hang up on robocalls. Do not press any numbers for “information.” These calls will pitch things like coronavirus treatments (there are none) to false work-at-home schemes. These scammers claim to have for sale hard to get medical and cleaning and disinfecting supplies when in fact they do not. There are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges, other over-the-counter products or prescription drugs.

For more information -  https://ftc.gov/coronavirus to check for updates

Do not respond to texts and e-mails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you that they can get you money now is a scammer. To know the facts about the government checks go to: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/checks-government

Census Scam - Beginning in May, representatives of the Census Bureau will begin to visit homes that have not responded to the census. If someone visits your home for the 2020 census do the following to verify their identity – make sure the person has a valid ID badge with a clear photograph and a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and a clear expiration date. If you still have a question about their identity and suspect fraud, do not let them into your home. Call your local police and call 1-844-330-2020 and ask to speak with a representative of the Census Bureau.

Travel Scam - Despite what the Groundhog says, winter isn’t going away anytime soon. That fact has many of us looking for a warm getaway this spring, but beware scammers could be lurking on the other end of that sweetheart spring break deal. These three tips will help you spot a potential travel scam. First, be wary of any deal that is dramatically lower than what else is available at your destination. Next, verify the legitimacy of online travel sites by looking closely at the web address – scammers often “spoof” legitimate hotels and third party booking sites. Finally, don’t trust anyone who requests a wire transfer or prepaid gift card to pay for your getaway – these are the payment forms preferred by today’s scammers.

Tax Scam - Everyone is guilty of procrastinating from time to time, but one place where it doesn’t pay to wait is doing your taxes. Scammers take full advantage of opportunities during tax filing season to make a fast buck. They commit tax identity theft by filing a phony tax return using victims’ personal information to get a refund. To protect yourself against this scam, file your return as early as possible, use a secure Internet connection if you file electronically, or mail your tax return directly from the post office.

Imposter Scam -The numbers are in. The Federal Trade Commission released its report of fraud complaints from 2019, and scams show no sign of abating. Reported losses amounted to almost $2 billion – and older victims report losing more than younger victims. Impostor scams topped the list – where scammers pretend to be someone they are not to convince you to hand over personal information or money. In fact, government impostor scam reports are up by 50% over 2018. Here’s a tip: that message from the Social Security Administration saying your account has been suspended? It’s a scam. So is the one from your county court saying you face a fine for missing jury duty.

Census Scam - It’s that season again. The once-every-decade time when we all try and remember how the decennial census count works. It’s no surprise that there is confusion surrounding the census, but that confusion is something scammers are banking on. Here are a few tips to avoiding census scams. The Census Bureau will NOT send you an email with a link to complete the questionnaire online – if you get such an email, it is a scam. The Census Bureau will never ask you to for sensitive information, like your full Social Security number, bank account number or your mother’s maiden name. Finally, when you do get a mailing from Census to tell you how you can complete your questionnaire, look for the official return address of Jeffersonville, Indiana. Any other address is a scam.

Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 1-877-908-3360 and speak to trained staff or volunteers for help with a fraud encounter.

Many many thanks to AARP and their monthly scam alerts.  For more information, consult AARP Fraud Watch Network

Contact

Harrison Quidort | AARP Maine
Communications Intern
53 Baxter Blvd, Suite 202
Portland, ME 04101
W: 207-776-6310
E: hquidort@aarp.org

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

AREA MEETING

March 11, 2020 Lotus Restaurant 279 Center St., Auburn

Hosts: Yvonne and Richard Gross

10:30 Business Meeting

11:30 Speaker: TBA

12:15 Lunch

April 8, 2020 Sixth Street Congregational Church 109 Sixth St., Auburn

Hosts: Beth and Bruce Bell

10:30 Annual Meeting with Special Reports

11:30 Speaker: TBA

12:15 Lunch

Please note - this meeting has been canceled.

May 7, 2020 MEA-R STATE CONVENTION - AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Reminders -

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Quick Bruschetta Chicken Bake

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/132127/quick-bruschetta-chicken-bake/?did=490341-20200213&utm_campaign=alrcom-daily-dish_newsletter&utm_source=allrecipes.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=021320&cid=490341&mid=29691803026

Ingredients

Changes to the Newsletter - FYI

So, we've made a few changes. 

You will receive a newsletter in the middle of every month, except December and January. 

Crystal Ward will write a column on Legislative Updates.

Mona Ervin will write a column on SCAM Alerts and AARP Updates.

Sue Cornelius will write the Ritter Newsletter.

Roger Fuller will write a column on To Your Health and Recipes.

In this way, you get news and updates once a month.

Bulletins are important and timely updates and will be sent as needed.