[News] Eduardo Gotuzzo: "The elderly have not been neglected, those who have been neglected are their children and grandchildren"

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The infectious disease doctor Eduardo Gotuzzo, a member of the COVID-19 Committee of Experts, welcomed the recent decision of the Government to change the prohibition of restrictions on the elderly in the framework of the health emergency due to COVID-19 by "recommendations".

In an interview with RPP Noticias, the specialist explained the importance of seniors going out for a walk to avoid other types of diseases. In addition, he recalled that the rate of infections in this sector is due to the fact that they have been infected by their younger relatives.

"The elderly must be evaluated as such, and I agree that there must be greater prevention. One of the messages is that the elderly have not been neglected, those who have been neglected are their children and grandchildren, then the message it must be profound to that generation, "he said.

After reiterating that the message should not only be addressed to the elderly, but to their families, the infectious disease doctor insisted that people who are more active have a better quality of life. He added that in the country, when a standard is given, its characteristics must be taken into account.

"When a person goes out for a walk, not only does his blood pressure go down, his diabetes is better controlled, his digestive and pulmonary system works better, but also his state of mind (...) I think all these situations have to be known and done. division between the elder who cannot move to help him, but the other group that is active cannot be managed in the same way. What the districts must do is insist, "he explained.

 

The Government changed the prohibition of restrictions on the elderly in the framework of the health emergency due to COVID-19 by "recommendations". This was announced by President Martim Vizcarra this afternoon after calling on the population to maintain prevention measures and remember that this disease has a high fatality rate in this group.

At a press conference, he stressed that "week by week" there is a decrease in the curve of infections and deaths from COVID-19; However, he asked to avoid triumphalism and to understand that, despite this new trend, special measures should be taken for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children, even though these are "unpopular."

"Of the total number of people who have been infected, only 17% are older adults; but, nevertheless, of the total deaths, 70% are older adults. That is, out of every 10 people who have died from COVID, 7 they are older adults. How not to take care of them, how not to pay special attention, "he said.

The head of state recalled that, in order to protect the health of this sector of the population, the Executive was forced to adopt measures to restrict their freedoms and try not to generate an increase in the rate of infections of the new coronavirus.

For her part, the Minister of Health, Pilar Mazzetti, shared statistical information in which it is evidenced that, although the greatest number of infections occurs in people between 30 and 59 years old, the fatality rate increases considerably in older adults, with more than eight times the risk of death.

After mentioning that these measures have been made more flexible in recent weeks, Vizcarra pointed out that the Council of Ministers decided "to change the prohibition by recommendation" and call on the population to maintain prevention measures.

"Let's make the effort together, not with a radical prohibition on our part, but with a joint work, a recommendation, but since those are the figures, given that out of 100%, 70% of the deceased are older adults, please a lot responsibility in the behavior of all citizens, especially older adults "