84-y-o not worried about COVID-19

Senior citizens have a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19) because their immune systems have weakened, making it harder to fight off diseases and infections.

But 84-year-old Alveda Johnson, a retired nurse, is not worried one bit as she is doing everything to keep herself outside the virus' reach.

"I am not worried. I am not too bad at all. I have my soap and hand sanitisers. I don't use Lysol ... I'm surprised people with asthma and sinus are buying and using those things," the Goshen, St Elizabeth, resident told THE STAR.

Johnson, who was a nurse at St Elizabeth Technical High School, says she has been following the suggestions given by the health ministry.

"I have been washing my hands very often. From I was growing up, I know that people should cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough. When I go to the supermarket and buy stuff, nothing gets into the fridge unless they are washed off. Those things have been all about, so I have to wash them, and I wash my hands all day long," she said.

Johnson ensures that she eats healthy to build her immune system. She has been doing this long before the coronavirus outbreak.

"I cook for myself. I don't eat meat. I don't take any medication either. I stay healthy with the help of the Lord, because without him, I'm nothing. I eat vegetables, I eat fruits and foods like rice and peas and yam. I eat what I know will help my body. I eat a lot of ground provision," Johnson said. "I don't take vitamins. My vitamins come from what I eat. I know that I am going to die one day, but that don't mean I must call it early."

Living alone without children or any family member, she does everything herself - and she doesn't have a problem with that.

"I do all my chores and shopping myself. When I come back home, I do what I have to do. I wash my hands when I come of the road. If I ask somebody to go, what's the difference? I'm sending them to mix up with the same people," she said.

"I'm the last one of the family tree. All of my other 11 siblings have died. The last two died last year. I have never been married and I have no children ... it was not the Lord's will," she said.