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Roughly two months after the first case of the coronavirus was reported in the United States, many older residents in Central Texas are finding their access to food limited and their social isolation worsened.

View the latest information and articles from AARP Texas.

With the economic downturn and the temporary closure of many places that serve group meals to older adults, the coronavirus pandemic is making food even harder to access for many.

The toll COVID-19 has on humans has been widely reported, but what about your pets. Can they catch this virus? Dr. Karen Wu, a Zoonosis Veterinarian at the Veterinary Public Health Division and Harris County Animal Shelter said that the CDC has not reported any cases of pets, livestock, or wildlife that have been sick with COVID-19, but a type of the virus does exist in animals.

The words “social isolation” has taken on a whole new feeling… yes, I said feeling. Sure, we know it means to isolate yourself, but for many, it has taken on a feeling as well. Some of us are feeling anxious, sad, and uneasy. Many of us have turned those feelings into an opportunity to channel our inner Julia Child, Rachel Ray, Gordon Ramsey, Aaron Sanchez, or Eddie Huang.

Social distancing is a phrase we’re all too familiar with today and part of our new normal in this time of Covid-19. As we socially distance ourselves to prevent spreading the virus, you should look for ways to avoid loneliness without risking our health.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 31 order extending social distancing guidelines through the end of April means the Lone Star State will be operating in its new normal for at least one more month.

The nation's estimated 140 million households are receiving their 2020 Census invitations. The forms are easy to fill out and you can submit them online, by mail and by phone. To keep everyone safe, the Census Bureau has suspended all field operations for now. The idea is to take a break to slow the spread of Covid-19.

With the world’s current situation, we are all being advised to stay home and practice social distancing. This means we should avoid crowded places. While you may have the necessities, how will you keep yourself entertained? Binge-watching online media like movies and shows could be your solution but it isn’t the only thing you can do. Staying at home does not have to feel like complete isolation. If you need some suggestions, we at AARP Texas are here to help.

At AARP, we have been promoting the health and well-being of older Americans for more than 60 years. We are monitoring developments related to Covid-19 and are working feverishly to keep you informed by providing you information and resources to help older people and caregivers protect themselves from the virus and prevent its spread. One of the issues that accompany crisis situations is the issue of price gouging. Unfortunately, Texans are not immune to this type of illegal practice. Texans were told to be on the lookout for scams after Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide Coronavirus disaster declaration on March 13.