The other evening, my bride and I sat down and turned on the TV. We saw a reporter interview a physician, who is an expert on the nation's public health.

Using proper and clinical terms, the doctor explained the risks involved in the Coronavirus pandemic. We were glad to hear that children including our grandchildren and great-grandchildren are less likely to be at risk for severe consequences.

On the other side, he said, older folks, those at, or nearing, 80, those who have chronic ailments, are more likely to get seriously ill. “He is talking about us,” said my bride. “I know,” I replied.

Do you have a crystal ball? A Ouija board? Some old chicken bones in a deerskin pouch? Are you able to see into the swirling mists of time to predict the future? I can't, and I guess you can't either.

So what should we do? Earlier this week, some national leaders called this pandemic a hoax and then reversed course and proclaimed it a national emergency. I elect to ignore the first statement. We will argue about it later.

If you watched the national news shows or read the Portland Press Herald, you know the federal government fumbled the ball, then tried to gloss over it when they were asked about the lack of testing.

That said, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top public health expert, said the good news is that the private sector labs are on the job and will be rolling out millions of tests soon. When we have more people tested, we will have some idea how widespread the virus is, he said.

But the good doctor was very clear when he said: “Believe me, it is going to get worse.”

That is why he urged us all to stay home, avoid crowds, wash our hands, cough into our sleeves, and refrain from shaking hands.

All over the nation, the state, and our communities, we are changing. It is more than canceling sporting events from the NBA to the PGA. It is more than banning large crowds, from Sunday church to the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. It is more than banning visits to hospitals, nursing homes and prisons.

As our world changes before our eyes, we have to take responsibility for ourselves. It is serious. When you see the local Hannaford market rationing toilet paper, you can bet something major is going on.

The experts say the elderly are in the bullseye. On our peninsula, we don't have to check the census figures to see we have a lot of oldsters for friends and neighbors. I checked the actual figures and found out in 2010, almost 29% of our Boothbay Harbor residents are age 65 or older. On Southport, it is 37%. It is “only” 23% in Boothbay, and in Wiscasset, it is 16.4%.

If you are old and have a chronic condition, especially a lung condition, the experts say you could be in serious trouble if you are infected. Me, too.

That is why we are hunkering down for a while. In the next few weeks, we will skip visits to movies and restaurants. Last weekend, instead of a shopping trip to Portland or Augusta, we took some lovely walks. On a Saturday, we meandered along Popham Beach. On Sunday, we rediscovered the old Indian Trail. We got some fresh air, a bit of exercise and lots of good sunshine. And, no crowds.

While we all attempt to stay healthy at home, I wonder and worry a bit about our national leaders. Lots of them are senior citizens, too.

For example, look at the three remaining major candidates for president. Democrat Joe Biden is 77. Bernie Sanders is 78 and has had a heart attack. Republican President Donald J. Trump is 73 and seems a bit overweight.

Congressional leaders are in the same senior citizens club, too. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is 78. The minority leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer, is 69. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is 80.

Here in Maine, Gov. Janet Mills is 73.

If, God forbid, the virus attacks of our national leadership, we could find ourselves in a real political scramble.

In the meantime, we will stay at home. Several good books are waiting for our attention. There is a puzzle sitting on the card table. As it warms up, there are a lot of outside chores waiting for me. Best of all, my bride and best friend is on the mend and seems ready to tackle the usual list of springtime tasks.

We will hunker down. I don't think boredom will be a problem.

Be well.