Among other things, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the “CDC”) have noted that:
“Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself”.
The CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ provides information on how the virus spreads, symptoms, steps to prevent illness, what to do if you are sick along with additional information and answers to frequently asked questions “FAQs”. Go to the CDC’s website regularly for updated information.
The CDC advises that the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another. Given this, until the CDC provides information that suggests otherwise, Associations, especially Age Restricted Communities, would be wise to minimize and avoid in-person gatherings. Association meetings may be held via teleconference and similar arrangements. These arrangements allow for remote participation by upwards of 1,000 people, far fewer than the typical Association meeting attendance.
Panic is never the answer, but Association members and managers must keep themselves informed. Reasonable measures will allow Associations to continue to function while mitigating risk and perhaps assisting in fighting the virus.