Senior Citizen services and store hours in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The threat of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 is a scary one for all people, especially the more vulnerable citizens of the community including senior citizens.

The South Lake Tahoe Senior Center is closed but nutrition services are being provided on a "to go" basis. Those 60 and older can stop by Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and get a hot meal to go for a $3 suggested donation. Their Meals on Wheels program serves about 80 seniors with hot meals delivered Monday through Friday.

Many local grocery stores are opening early for seniors:

Whole Foods - Offering those who are 60 and over the chance to shop daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., an hour before the store opens to the general public.

Smart & Final - Open at 7:30 a.m. daily for those 65 and older or with disabilities, and open for the general public at 8:00 a.m.

Safeway - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. for disabled and seniors 65 and over.

Managing Anxiety and Stress:

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Some people may be fearful or anxious about COVID-19. Taking care of yourself, your friends and family can help you cope. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger. These things can help you support yourself:

Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories, including social media. Repeatedly hearing about COVID-19 can be upsetting.
Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row
Other self-care tips - https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp

The best ways to protect yourself and others from any virus, including seasonal flu and coronaviruses, are:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
Stay home from work or school if you're sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes
If you have mild symptoms, you may not need to go to a medical facility to see a doctor
If you're sick enough to seek medical care and think you have any respiratory illness, including COVID-19, it's important to call the medical facility before arriving and follow directives to avoid exposing others
Primary care doctors are the point of contact for COVID-19 testing. Your doctor will make the decision about whether to test. It's important to remember that not every person with symptoms needs to be tested.