Maryann Spanos
March 2021. It has been a difficult year for everyone but we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It has been especially difficult for older adults who have been on lockdown for a year, unable to interact with family or friends for fear of catching the virus. You have good reason to be afraid. COVID -19 has disproportionally killed more older adults than any other age group. 39,000 people have died in New York State from complications of COVID -19 and 138 of those are from right here in Chautauqua County. Close to 90% of those who died were over the age of 60. That is a lot of families who are left without a grandparent, husband, or wife. Our deepest condolences go out to all who lost a family member this year. I am especially heartbroken about two older adults I personally spoke to in January who were desperate for a vaccine but died from COVID before receiving one.