Pandemic, Digital Divide Threaten the Elderly, Vulnerable

Social isolation because of the COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on all of us, but the elderly, and other vulnerable people, without computers, have suffered most. They need us more than ever.

Months ago, I wrote a post about how computers are destroying humanity. In The Digital Age is Killing Humanity, I discussed the challenges that people without computers face in conducting their everyday lives. Imagine how that problem is magnified with the pandemic restrictions. Now, imagine how that problem is further amplified for those whose bodies and minds aren’t what they used to be—the elderly population who are most vulnerable to this virus.

Meet Nathan, an 80-something intellectual who never married, lives alone, and never learned to use a computer, preferring tangible books to technology. 

Before the pandemic, Nathan functioned by shopping for his groceries, withdrawing cash from the bank on a periodic basis, and paying many of his bills in person. He doesn’t own a credit card. 

As a senior citizen, he knows he should shelter in place, but how would he get his groceries? Nathan accepts help from a relative who adds his list to their curbside order, but after several weeks, he grows frustrated because of the many substitutions necessary, and he says he’s going to go to the store himself.

Misunderstanding how curbside pick-up works, he thinks he can go to the grocery store, tell “someone” that he wants 10 pounds of potatoes, etc., and that they’ll tell him to come back at a certain time. Meanwhile, he figures he’ll go get gas for his car and return when his order is ready. Before he can actually test this scenario, the relative explains to him that the only way to get curbside pick-up is to place the order with a computer. He reluctantly agrees to continue letting the relative order for him. 

Without a computer, or someone to assist him, Nathan would have to physically visit the store and shop for his groceries. Some stores have special hours for the elderly and the vulnerable, but not Nathan’s favorite store, and another has a special time only on Tuesdays, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

It’s not just grocery shopping that is a challenge for Nathan.  He needs a window air-conditioner and wants to go to the store to see what’s available. He can’t visit Consumer Reports online to see which models are recommended. He can’t visit the library to read the magazine’s hard copies. He can’t order one online, because he doesn’t have a computer. And he certainly shouldn’t be lingering around the air conditioner aisle at a home-improvement store.

Another problem is that Nathan is running low on cash, and he mentions that he’ll have to go to the bank soon. He’s informed that bank lobbies are closed and that the drive-thru is open. The problem? He’s never used the drive-thru. He says he’ll just have to learn.

Nathan is fortunate, because he has a relative to assist him with these and the many other challenges he faces by being part of a vulnerable population existing on the wrong side of the digital divide. Others are not so fortunate. 

As we do our part by not infecting the elderly and other vulnerable populations, we must also realize the challenges that those who do not own computers are facing. Let’s keep our eyes open for those who may need our help, keeping in mind that they may be reluctant to accept it. Even with social distancing, it’s possible to reach out to them by phone, or at a distance, to help them get through this difficult time. It must be frightening for them.

Note: Nathan is a real person and his name has been changed to protect his privacy. Thank you to Kasey for encouraging me to write this post.