How do I convince my elderly parents in the deep south to come to DC?

[Anonymous]

My parents in their 70s with underlying health conditions are in the deep south in an area that has a skyrocketing rate of COVID-19. They are fine so far but I want them to come up here before it gets really bad. Is anyone else in the same boat? How do I convince them to leave?

[Anonymous]

Are they quarantining? Because it might be better to let them stay, in their house, with food deliveries etc. than try to get them to travel where they would have to be out and about.

[Anonymous]

With the exception of Texas and maybe Arkansas, every other southern State has seen decreasing cases for the last 10 days to two weeks. What's the point now? The time to leave would have been mid-June. I would call any single state there now "skyrocketing."

[Anonymous]

Nope. The travel is risky. Everyone stays where they are. They have their groceries delivered, and only go out for fresh air and essential appointments, with masks. No socializing in person.

You can guide them through everything and even order masks and gloves and hand sanitizer for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the exception of Texas and maybe Arkansas, every other southern State has seen decreasing cases for the last 10 days to two weeks. What's the point now? The time to leave would have been mid-June. I would call any single state there now "skyrocketing."

*wouldn't

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Nope. The travel is risky. Everyone stays where they are. They have their groceries delivered, and only go out for fresh air and essential appointments, with masks. No socializing in person.

You can guide them through everything and even order masks and gloves and hand sanitizer for them.

"Guide them through...?" You millennials need to have a little more faith in your parents. They're in their 70s, not 2-year-olds. You are not their parents, teachers, or superiors.

[Anonymous]

Better to stay where they are and have things delivered. The only reason I would leave to come to DC is if they live in any area with no delivery or grocery pickup services.

It you could set it up.foe them and pay for it, if they can't or refuse to do it themselves because of cost, it would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Nope. The travel is risky. Everyone stays where they are. They have their groceries delivered, and only go out for fresh air and essential appointments, with masks. No socializing in person.

You can guide them through everything and even order masks and gloves and hand sanitizer for them.

"Guide them through...?" You millennials need to have a little more faith in your parents. They're in their 70s, not 2-year-olds. You are not their parents, teachers, or superiors.

PP you replied to. DH and I are doctors and scientists and have guided our parents through the procedures to avoid viral transmission. It does actually take thought if you're going to do every gesture in a safe manner, and the majority of the public needed to be educated at the beginning of the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

I'd leave them be if they want to stay in their home and are managing, but I think it's really great of you to want them to come stay with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Nope. The travel is risky. Everyone stays where they are. They have their groceries delivered, and only go out for fresh air and essential appointments, with masks. No socializing in person.

You can guide them through everything and even order masks and gloves and hand sanitizer for them.

"Guide them through...?" You millennials need to have a little more faith in your parents. They're in their 70s, not 2-year-olds. You are not their parents, teachers, or superiors.

Do millennials have parents in their 70s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Nope. The travel is risky. Everyone stays where they are. They have their groceries delivered, and only go out for fresh air and essential appointments, with masks. No socializing in person.

You can guide them through everything and even order masks and gloves and hand sanitizer for them.

"Guide them through...?" You millennials need to have a little more faith in your parents. They're in their 70s, not 2-year-olds. You are not their parents, teachers, or superiors.

PP you replied to. DH and I are doctors and scientists and have guided our parents through the procedures to avoid viral transmission. It does actually take thought if you're going to do every gesture in a safe manner, and the majority of the public needed to be educated at the beginning of the pandemic.

New poster. The doctor/scientist couple is right. People of all ages do need guidance and it's not condescending to say so, or to help our parents navigate this.

To the OP -- Are your parents already staying home, getting everything delivered, etc.? Or are they (like several friends' parents in their 70s and 80s) saying, "Things are reopening now so it's fine to go out" and they're eating in restaurants, going to Target and Wal-Mart and the grocery store, taking the car down to the garage and hanging out there while a it's serviced--??

If they're already doing the right things, reinforce that every day. If you need to, offer to get on the phone or FaceTime (or whatever platform they'll use) and "shop" with them virtually. It's easy now to purchase things including all groceries online in one place and have it delivered to someone many states away.

If they are doing the latter and going out and about -- they are likely to think they will do the same if they came up here to you, frankly. I hate to say it but if you have children, I would hesitate to move mom and dad to your place because they are likely to put the kids at risk as well as you. Yes, that's harsh, but it's reality right now.

It's been distressing to see my friends trying to deal with elderly parents who are FAR likelier to feel they just have to "get out of the house" than their adult children do. One friend is just waiting for her dad to end up in the hospital. He wears masks everywhere, yes, and he "distances" by staying (he thinks) six feet from maskless friends but then he's with those friends all day long some days, sitting outside and chatting for hours, then going to eat indoors at restaurants because it's allowed in their area, and then he just has to get to the garden center for something....

[Anonymous]

travel is risky and as a DC resident, I'm not in favor of you bringing your elderly parents to my home city where they may very well take up limited hospital beds and resources. Sorry. that's the truth. They are your parents. You love them. So you do what you think is best for them. but strangers don't need to feel that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:travel is risky and as a DC resident, I'm not in favor of you bringing your elderly parents to my home city where they may very well take up limited hospital beds and resources. Sorry. that's the truth. They are your parents. You love them. So you do what you think is best for them. but strangers don't need to feel that way.

It is irrelevant if you are not ok. She didn’t ask for permission. Please answer the question and do not make this about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the exception of Texas and maybe Arkansas, every other southern State has seen decreasing cases for the last 10 days to two weeks. What's the point now? The time to leave would have been mid-June. I would call any single state there now "skyrocketing."

Unless they're in a county along the Texas/Mexico border, they're not skyrocketing in Texas, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With the exception of Texas and maybe Arkansas, every other southern State has seen decreasing cases for the last 10 days to two weeks. What's the point now? The time to leave would have been mid-June. I would call any single state there now "skyrocketing."

Unless they're in a county along the Texas/Mexico border, they're not skyrocketing in Texas, either.

This is incorrect. Two weeks ago, Georgia set a record for new cases:
https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN24B2QI

Mississippi and Alabama positivity rates on the rise:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN24S2KI

Op, you don’t need a justification of wanting your parents near you. I want my elderly parents with me too. I miss them and want to protect them.