For Seniors and Those Who Love and Care for Them: Trusted Information and Preparation
Trusted Information on COVID-19
Federal resources:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Official government website with information about the outbreak.
CDC Respiratory Illness (Flu, COVID-19 and RSV) information with county/state trend. NEW!
CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance. NEW!
CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker - Hospitalization of Patients with confirmed COVID-19. As of May 1, 2024 hospitals no longer have to report patients with COVID-19.
COVID-19 current wastewater viral activity level collected by the National Wastewater Surveillance System - map based on data reported from wastewater treatment plants within each state or territory. NEW!
General Information on Community Respirator and Masks from the CDC.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Find out how the FDA is protecting public health in the area of COVID-19 diagnostic testing, biologics, PPE, medical devices, vaccines, and therapeutics.
List of FDA approved At-Home COVID-19 tests and their updated expiration dates.
Airnow.gov - Find out the air quality in your neighborhood. AirNow is your one-stop source for air quality data. NEW!
Medicare.gov - The source for your Medicare questions about COVID-19.
Information about the 2022 MPX (Mpox) Outbreak from the CDC.
State resources:
New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) - Latest COVID-19 information.
New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Information - Get the facts on who is eligible and how to schedule a vaccine.
Dashboard for the New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network - This website is where all the wastewater surveillance data collected by participating counties is reported. NEW!
NYS Excelsior Pass Plus - As of July 28, 2023, the Excelsior Pass Plus (EPP) and the NYS Wallet Apps will no longer be available.
New York State COVID-19 testing tracker - test results data come from the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS), a NYSDOH database that contains results reported from all labs testing samples from New York State residents. (Self-administered home tests reported to counties are not included in these data.) NEW!
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Air Quality Index Forecast for New York State. NEW!
County resources:
Rockland County Coronavirus COVID-19 and vaccine information.
Information from the Rockland County Department of Health about MPX (Monkeypox) including where to get vaccinated.
Information from the Rockland County Department of Health about Polio.
Resources from AARP:
AARP Coronavirus webpage - latest coronavirus news from the AARP.
Vaccines for the Fall - What to Know About Getting the RSV, Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines.
AARP article on myths about the coronavirus vaccine.
If you had COVID, it may increase your risk for Shingles.
You Tested Positive for COVID: Should You Take Paxlovid?
Paxlovid Rebound: When COVID Symptoms Return After Pills Are Gone.
Information From Other Authoritative Sites:
13 Things to Know About Paxlovid (including possible side effects) from Yale Medicine.
EWG Tap Water Database - The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization, maintains a tap water database that you can search for learn about the contamination levels in your drinking water.
Shopping for Necessities
Many supermarkets and stores offer delivery service or have partnered with
delivery services like Instacart.
Meal Delivery Service for Rockland Seniors meeting certain criteria.
Rockland Community Against Hunger: Find list of organizations or map of them by clicking "Find Food" on the menu bar.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) - See if you are eligible and how to apply.
Public Transportation
Transportation schedule and procedural changes for TOR, ferry, Metro-North, Harlem, New Haven lines, Rockland Coaches, BEE-LINE, Clarkstown Mini-Trans, Monsey Trails, Shortline, Hudson Link, NJ Transit (Pascack Valley & Port Jervis) can be found on the Rockland County Public Transportation Page.
Complete A Care Plan Form
Be prepared with a Care Plan. Everyone, not just seniors, should make a document available with all health care information such as:
- Your medical condition(s)
- Your health care provider(s)
- Medications you are taking and dosages
- Health insurance provider(s)
- Preferred hospital
- Advanced care planning
- Emergency contacts.
The CDC offers a Care Plan form that facilitates this process.
Mental Health
There is no longer a need for "social distancing" for most people, so leave your home and meet with family and friends! For seniors and especially those with health concerns, keeping up-to-date with CDC recommended vaccinations/ boosters and/or wearing a protective respirator/mask cuts your risk of getting a respiratory virus. Knowing the respiratory virus activity level of the location you will be socializing in can help you decide what to do. You can still be "social" via phone or video calls, texts, emails, and/or regular mail. Courses and programs are still being offered virtually. So make it a point to catch up with friends and family, learn a new skill, and/or meet others now.
Some fun activities on our Activities page may help create a new routine from the usual activities you are missing. Here are some resources available to you if you need help coping:
- Need to schedule a friendly call from an AARP volunteer? AARP Friendly Voice program offers phone calls from their trained volunteers.
- Try this meditation video that is set outdoors compliments of The New York Times. (You may need to adjust your volume to hear the gentle sounds.)
- Rockland County Department of Mental Health Resources
- New York State Crisis Prevention and Hotline Information
Valley Cottage Library Adult Services Librarians
The VCL Adult Services Librarians created this resource for the seniors in our community who we miss seeing during this unprecedented time. Our hope is that the information we provided will help you stay curious, inspired and connected!
Stay well,
Sean, Anya, Megan, Katrina, Mary, Holly, Kat, Adrienne, Cara, and Nancy