Carmel, CA Estate Planning In A Coronavirus World : By Derek Baine

A jar of coins with the word retirement written on it.


AARP Bulletin in their November 2020 issue (page 22) had an interesting article about more and more couples looking at estate planning now that the coronavirus is making the future outlook uncertain.  Keep in mind that you can write a will at any time, even if you are sick in the hospital.  Most estate planners recommend setting up a living trust, which gives you a lot of flexibility on how your assets are distributed following your death.  Experts warn that doing a joint will for a couple is a terrible idea—they aren’t even legal in some states.  Leaving more to one child than another almost guarantees that the will could be challenged.  Stepchildren aren’t automatically treated as children for legal purposes.  There are a lot of moving pieces in an estate plan so consult with your attorney.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of many viruses on a red background


There were only 23 new COVID-19 cases reported in Monterey County during the last five days, with just one new death.  Business owners are relieved that we were moved into the Yellow Tier yesterday, which means an increase in capacity for restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, the aquarium, etc.   Bars that do not serve food can reopen outdoors.  Nationwide, the numbers have also moderated significantly.  There were only 17,119 new cases reported today.  Over the past week, there have been only 96,911 new cases.  By comparison, just a couple of weeks ago we were reporting over 75K new cases per day.  Deaths over the past week have been fairly modest at 3,168.  The CDC released data on “breakthrough infections†which are people that get COVID-19 after being vaccinated.  There were only 9,245 breakthrough cases out of more than 95 million fully vaccinated Americans as of April 26.  Studies suggest immunocompromised people or those on medications that interrupt their immune system (such as those on chemo or who have had an organ transplant or are on dialysis) are less likely to be protected by the COVID-19 vaccine. In California, there were 10,114 new cases in the last week, versus 3,348 in just one day on May 14. Deaths over the last week were 356, which is still considered modest.  It sure looks like we are quickly coming out of the woods. Please, if you have not been vaccinated, do so right away!

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of the word coronavirus with an image of a virus


There were 49 new cases reported in Monterey County over the last two days for a total of 43,662 with no new fatalities.  Nationwide, the number of new cases rose by 74,072 during the same time frame to 32.9 million, while deaths rose by 1,628 to 583,990.  In California, there were 3,348 new cases for a total of 3.8 million, while deaths rose by 210 to 62,572.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of a cell with viruses inside


There were 62 new cases reported in Monterey County for a total of 43,601, with one new fatality during the same time-frame.  While the number of new cases over the last week rose only slightly, the California Department of Public Health today raised Monterey County’s tier score from 1.9 to 2.6, ensuring we will remain in the Orange Tier for at least two weeks.  Nationwide, the number of new cases rose by 39,124 to 32.8 million, while deaths rose by 650 to 581,676.  In California, there were 1,857 new cases for a total of 3.8 million, while deaths rose by 53 to 62,331.  Although almost half of the country has been vaccinated, the number of new cases is still alarming.  Please stay home as much as possible and stay safe.

Pacific Grove, CA Aging At Home Is Now In Vogue : Assisted Living On The Outs

A nurse is smiling next to an older woman.


COVID-19 has made aging at home in vogue.  The Wall Street Journal recently wrote an article on how coronavirus is changing the way Americans face retirement by “accelerating developments already under way,†physician Bill Thomas said to the reporter.  “It’s going to make people rethink retirement altogether,†Laura Carstensen, director of Stanford University’s Center on Longevity said.  Most people will age at home, and remain independent, she said.  I believe that her view is true.  With roughly 40% of COVID-19 being staff and residents of nursing homes, nobody wants to go into a facility these days.  We have been getting a number of calls from fearful children who want to get their parents out of assisted living and back home, where they can reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure.  Although COVID-19 will eventually be wiped out, there will clearly be more devastating diseases in the future which makes these facilities dangerous.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-covid-19-will-change-aging-and-retirement-11605452401

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of the word coronavirus with an image of a virus


There were only 32 new cases reported over the past two days in Monterey County, with no new fatalities during the same time-frame.  In the U.S., about 43% of the population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose (according to the CDC), with more than 29% of Americans fully vaccinated.  New cases rose by 58,730 for a total of 32.316 million, while there were 840 new deaths, for a total of 574,791.  Governor Gavin Newsome said the COVID-19 case rate is now the lowest in the country, with just 4.7 positive castes per 100K residents.  In our state, there were 1,732 new cases for a total of 3.740 million, while deaths rose by 96 for a cume total of 61,661.

Carmel, CA Aging At Home Is Now In Vogue : Assisted Living On The Outs


COVID-19 has made aging at home in vogue.  The Wall Street Journal recently wrote an article on how coronavirus is changing the way Americans face retirement by “accelerating developments already under way,†physician Bill Thomas said to the reporter.  “It’s going to make people rethink retirement altogether,†Laura Carstensen, director of Stanford University’s Center on Longevity said.  Most people will age at home, and remain independent, she said.  I believe that her view is true.  With roughly 40% of COVID-19 being staff and residents of nursing homes, nobody wants to go into a facility these days.  We have been getting a number of calls from fearful children who want to get their parents out of assisted living and back home, where they can reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure.  Although COVID-19 will eventually be wiped out, there will clearly be more devastating diseases in the future which makes these facilities dangerous.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-covid-19-will-change-aging-and-retirement-11605452401

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of a cell with viruses inside


There were 65 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 46.366 cases, with 16 new deaths reported for a total of 380. If you haven’t gotten your first dose of the vaccine yet, Montage Health in Marina (2920 2nd Avenue) are now doing walk-tin vaccinations.  The schedule is as follows: Monday April 26 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. for Pfizer, Tuesday, April 27 1:00 to 3:30 for Moderna, Wednesday, April 28 noon to 8:00 p.m. for Moderna, and Thursday April 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Pfizer.  If you want to make an appointment, go to www.myturn.ca.gov or call Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital at 771-3385.  Nationwide, cases rose by 61,931 for a cume total of 31.890 million.  Deaths rose by 1,744 to 569,875.  California has the lowest coronavirus case rate per capita in the nation now!  Please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of the word coronavirus with an image of a virus


There were 41 new cases of coronavirus reported in Monterey County today over the last five days, bringing the total to 43,260 cases, with 12 new deaths reported for a total of 364. The agriculture industry remains hardest hit in our county. Globally, the number of deaths has surpassed 3 million for the first time, with 138 million cases in total. Nationwide, cases rose by 61,943 for a cume total of 31.823 million. Deaths rose by 768 to 568,131. Although senior citizens are the most vaccinated age group in America, about 20% have yet to get their shots. In California, there were 2,358 new cases, for a total of 3.723 million, while deaths rose by 82 to 61,083.  Please stay home and stay safe as much as possible

Centenarian Beats COVID-19 Twice

Two people in a hospital room with masks on


It never amazes me that when seniors have the will to live, they can surmount many health hurdles.  Those with little social interaction and regular hobbies and activities often quickly fade away.  Congratulations go out to Carmen Hernandez who, at 104 years old, who survived COVID-19 not once, but twice.  She was first diagnosed last June and then again on March 8, and was discharged after spending 21 days in the hospital.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/04/07/104-year-old-woman-beats-covid-19-twice-colombia/7123189002/