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Some Seniors Aren't Thrilled With Call To 'Self-Isolate'
A man uses an exercise machine alongside other elderly participants at a pensioners' playground in Hyde Park in London on May 19, 2010. Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images
One part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s new executive order to slow the spread of the coronavirus calls on people who are 65 and older to stay home. It takes 5.3 million Californians out of public spaces in an effort to curb the pandemic and to protect seniors, who have a higher death rate if infected.
One senior is not impressed with the governor's stay-home order.
"I think they got their panties in a bunch," said Tom Blum, who was walking around the path outside Pasadena's Rose Bowl shortly after the governor's announcement Sunday.
Blum is 82, and retired from running marathons. But he played basketball a few hours earlier and was taking a brisk walk when he spoke with us. He says he knows plenty of active seniors who won't want to stay indoors.
"I think he's making a judgment based on age," Blum said of the governor.
Newsom’s announcement calling for home isolation echoes an earlier recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control. At this point, Newsom is calling it “guidance” — and asking for voluntary compliance.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
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