By Laura Oldaker, The Gift of Caring

We hear it in the news, it’s all over social media, it comes up in casual conversation, everyone has heard of the new scary virus that came from China: The CoronaVirus;  and it's making its way around the world. The most recent news reports state 27 countries have been affected, including the United States. 

People who have been affected with the virus look and report having flu-like symptoms, ranging from more minor ailments — like a sore throat, fatigue, coughing, and a runny nose — to more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing. About 14,000 people worldwide have been infected, and 305 have died from it. 

While this virus is definitely a health concern, especially for individuals with compromised immune systems such as older adults and those with chronic conditions like COPD and diabetes, before we run out the door to our local pharmacy to buy their whole stock of hand sanitizer and face masks,...