quote:
how is the oldest group continuing to contract this at a similar rate, assuming by this point most are retired and (presumably) remaining somewhat sheltered, isolated, etc.?

Every covid patient I've answered in the last month has been over 60. I think it's a combination of things.

First, in my very humble opinion, is that they're just more likely to catch any kind of bug.

Second, they can't be isolated completely. One of the patients had not been off his property in 6 months. The only people that had been in his house were his wife, kids, and home health provider - all people he completely trusts but one of them gave it to him.

Third, there's a group of them who understand they're at the point in life where making vacation plans for next summer was an exercise in optimism even before covid came around. After months of being shut it, they've decided the risk of missing the chance to do something they love right now is greater than the risk of catching and dying from covid. My father falls into this category. He's in his late 70s, has diabetes, and has been fighting a years-long battle with skin and prostate cancer. He straight up says he knows if he goes out and catches it, he will likely die from it - but he also straight out says avoiding that risk isn't as important to him as worshiping in person so he goes to church (with a mask and distanced). I worry about him, but I understand and respect his point.

This post was edited on 8/24/20 at 11:40 am