You’ve probably heard it by now in news stories, text messages and conversations with loved ones — most of the people getting the sickest and dying from COVID-19 are older, have an underlying medical issue, or both.

And it’s true.

If you are young and healthy you are not likely to get seriously ill.

“Age is the biggest risk factor, the older you are the greater the chance you’re going to get really sick, and even (of) dying,” said epidemiologist Jeff Kwong.

“And then second is having these chronic health conditions,” which can include cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and immunosuppression (whether because of a condition or drugs taken to treat a condition).

Very young, healthy people have a very low risk of dying but “as you get older there’s kind of an exponential increase,” he says.

If you get it and are over the age of 60 or have one of these health issues, it doesn’t mean you’re going to die or get a more severe illness. It’s just that death or a more serious case is more likely than for the general public.

But the group of people most at risk includes millions of Canadians: grandparents, parents, even the co-worker or friend you might not realize.

As you’re asked to make sacrifices and change your daily routine — from keeping your kids home from school to avoiding large events or cancelling a vacation — keep them in mind.

This is who you’re doing it for.

Name: Samantha Kemp-Jackson

Age: 54

Health condition: Kemp-Jackson is an immunocompromised person, due to drugs she takes to manage lupus.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, she has learned to limit her outside interactions to what’s “absolutely necessary.” But it’s challenging since she teaches part-time at Seneca College.

“When I’m there, I’m heavily hand sanitizing, washing my hands and wiping down surfaces with disinfecting wipes at every turn,” she says.

She used to take the TTC to work and run errands, but has since taken to driving. “It’s more expensive but my health is worth it, I think,” she says.

To those who are in good health and have a low risk of contracting the COVID-19, Kemp-Jackson advises to remember they’re lucky.

She says if you can limit your potential risk of getting or giving the virus to others, please do.

“And wash your hands!” she adds.

Name: Kerrie Lambier

Age: 37

Health condition: Type-1 diabetes

Comments: The London, Ont. resident says she’s had diabetes since she was nine, but says she feels “in really good health.” But she’s seen her anxiety levels increase during the spread of COVID-19, given she’s among the group with a higher risk from the virus.

She just pulled out of a leadership workshop she was supposed to attend this Friday, and she’s doing all she can to “social distance” herself from big crowds.

“My husband and I am not going to the malls, the gym, movie theatres and what not,” she says. “It’s a big change since we’re both considerably young and trendy and want to do things, but we had to pull back.”

Seeing people spread misinformation about the coronavirus on social media is one thing that makes Lambier even more annoyed at how society is viewing this pandemic.

“We want people to take this seriously,” she said, noting actual medical professionals are advising everyone — including healthy people — to take precautions to stop the spread.

“It’s not just the flu because its mortality rate is like much higher. So seeing these healthy people just kind of shrugging it off is irritating and adds to the anxiety that we feel.”

Name: Michele Hogg

Age: 58

Health condition: Lyme disease

Comments: Hogg, an Oshawa resident, has Lyme disease and gets “severe pneumonia” twice a year.

“My immune system is very compromised,” she says. “I am scared to death.”

Hogg is already staying at home as much as possible, except for visits to her doctor for injections. She and her husband have already decided not to go to an upcoming family gathering in Toronto.

Her kids and grandkids already know not to come near her if they’re not feeling well because “all somebody has to do is sneeze around me and I’m sick.” But this is a new level of stress.

“What I want people to know is that when you’re out there in the public and you have a sniffle or a cough or whatever, you don’t know who you’re standing next to, you don’t know what sort of health issues they’re dealing with and taking that sort of risky behaviour puts everyone else in jeopardy,” she says.

“Stay home, stay home, please stay home.”

Name: Zelik Bocknek

Age: 85

Health condition: Age

Comments: The active senior feels like he’s in “pretty good shape,” and would like to keep volunteering at the Toronto Zoo as long as he’s able.

He’s still going to the gym in his condo building, but disinfecting first with wipes.

His family is considering postponing a bar mitzvah, and telling his son in Australia to cancel an upcoming trip.

Another son has a place in Collingwood and the plan is to go there with his wife if things get bad.

“I think a lot of people have to worry about it, especially older people whose systems aren’t as strong they used to be,” says the father of three and grandfather of six.

“If you’re a human being, you have to be concerned about what’s going on here.”

The message to other people who might feel more cavalier: “You’ve got to be careful, and know what you’re not supposed to do and what you’re supposed to do — don’t shake hands; keep your hands clean; keep them off your face.”

Bocknek also urges people to stay away from crowds, as they could come back and spread the virus to seniors like him.

Most people who get the virus will be fine, “but those who have bodily functions that aren’t quite as good anymore, they’re the ones who are going to suffer and could die,” he says.

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Name: Dirk Soeterik

Age: 50

Health condition: Soeterik has Crohn’s disease, a condition where his “immune system overreacts.” To manage his condition he gets infusions of a drug called Remicade every few weeks to suppress it.

Comments: Soeterik is very aware of the situation, but “not living in a bubble or anything.” The Oakville resident is grateful his job at a professional services company allows him to work from home, which he’s been doing for a few days.

He and his wife and two daughters have “upped their handwashing game” at home for sure.

But he has gone about his daily life, running errands to places like the grocery store, library and Costco (not to stockpile toilet paper, he says, he needed something else).

He also lived through SARS but finds it harder now because of the 24-7, non-stop barrage of information — “You can’t turn on the radio, you can’t turn on the TV, you can’t open your phone, your friends are texting, without hearing the words coronavirus, or COVID-19,” he says.

He’s “remaining vigilant” but what he’s telling people is to keep calm.

“I’d like to try to be a role model, to deal with this in a sensible way that doesn’t stoke fear in everybody,” he says.

Name: Mairead Cavanagh and son Maleek

Age: She’s 46, her son is 11

Health condition: Mairead’s 11-year-old son Maleek has CHARGE syndrome, a rare disorder that’s left him “very medically fragile” with a range of complications, including an IV line in his chest and a tube he’s dependent on to breathe.

Comments: Maleek is in and out of Sick Kids and relies on home-care nursing supports.

If he does need to go to the hospital he’ll have to go to emergency, where he could be exposed to people with COVID-19.

Mairead is “very frustrated and worried,” saying they’re not getting enough guidance from the health system on the evolving situation, and need “proactive protocols.”

“I’m really feeling the lack of support more than I normally am. It’s pretty intense to begin with, but now it’s even more frightening,” she says.

“We’re always scared. We’re always washing our hands, we’re always on the lookout, but I think this has taken on a different intensity and the lack of support is kind of glaring. It puts a spotlight on the holes in the system.”

They usually have to avoid large crowds during cold and flu season but now they’re unsure about safety in places like the hospital.

She uses masks and wipes as part of Maleek’s everyday care and is worried they could run out because of stockpiling. She wants people doing that to remember families like hers.

“We use them to keep my son alive on a daily basis,” she says.

She’s used to pleading for community support for infection control.

“In some ways it’s heartening to see people becoming a bit more aware but at the same time, it’s just the sense that, gosh, this is always our reality.”

But she still hears people dismissing COVID-19 as just a problem for other people.

“It’s a community problem and it’s not OK to say just the elderly or just the disabled, that’s I think a really frightening, frightening response,” she says.

“Our policies are only as good as how we manage and support our most vulnerable.”

Name: Karen Musgrove

Age: 44

Health condition: Musgrove is immunocompromised due to medication she takes to keep her ulcerative colitis under control. Her 15-year-old daughter has asthma.

Comments: Musgrove, who lives in Ottawa, is lucky that her colitis is “very well controlled” but wants people to be aware of “invisible illnesses” like hers.

She still sees a lot of comments from people saying “it’s not that serious” or “it’s like the flu.”

Seasonal flu has a death rate of less than one per cent, which makes COVID-19 at least 10 times as deadly.

Officials have warned against all non-essential travel outside the country, but she worries people will go ahead with plans over March Break. She’d like these people to “get informed, rather than brushing it off.”

Rushing to Costco in a panic to stockpile toilet paper also isn’t going to help anyone.

“Vulnerable groups — the elderly, the disabled, those living in poverty — aren’t able to rush to the stores and stock up,” she points out.

“Stores will be open today, tomorrow, and the day after that — and there’s also online grocery ordering for quick pickup to help avoid going into stores once you begin running out of things.”

If they want to help, healthy people could offer to help the more vulnerable with shopping.

Experts say washing your hands, staying home if you’re sick and avoiding shaking hands are all things you can do to prevent spreading the virus to people such as Musgrove, who you might not even realize is more at risk.

“There’s far more of us out there than what people are aware of.”