While seniors pick up meals at new drive-thru service, others shake off coronavirus worries and sit down inside

COEUR d’ALENE — The coronavirus is considered a serious threat to the elderly.

Doug Gwin, 95, wasn’t worried about avoiding crowds as he ate lunch at a table with six others at the Lake City Center on Tuesday.

“I have a lot of family tell me, ‘You shouldn’t do it,’” he said. “I could have driven up and they serve you outside. But I’ve been around for 95 years. The only thing I worry about is, you can be a carrier. If nobody else is afraid of me then I’m not afraid of them.”

Outside, center director Bob Small carried corned beef and cabbage meals to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to a couple in their vehicle as they drove up on a sunny afternoon.

“There’s your two dinners and there’s your two desserts,” he said to Leroy and Marcia Murray of Coeur d’Alene.

For the Coeur d’Alene couple, being able to stay in their SUV gave them a sense of peace and security, rather than being with a large group and worrying about the coronavirus.

“They’re so awesome to do this,” Marcia Murray said. “They’re totally giving and we appreciate it so much. Us older people, we kind of like to be waited on now.”

Likewise from Connie Kimball, next in the line of cars.

“I think it’s fantastic that they’re not closing and I get my meal and I don’t have to do the dishes,” she said with a smile.

The center started offering a drive-thru boxed lunch service “for those who wish to distance themselves from others” between noon and 12:15 p.m.

“I thought yesterday, we’ve got to get proactive and we’ve got to do it immediately,” Small said.

The lunch for those 60 and over is a suggested $5 donation.

On day one, nearly 20 lunches were handed out.

“It’s the best thing that’s happened,” Small said. “We’re all down right now. This picked us up.”

He said he received 16 phone calls Tuesday morning from people thanking him.

“They can’t believe we’re offering such a service,” Small said. “The relatives are telling them, ‘Keep your distance. Don’t go in and sit.’”

Helen Schaal listened to that advice. She said the drive-thru service was a “very good idea.”

A nurse for 57 years, she said she’s not surprised by what’s happening, and said it’s critical that care providers receive the equipment they need to combat this virus.

“They’re the one we’re really got to take care of,” Schaal said.

Joe Owen said he’s concerned the senior center may close during this coronavirus scare and wanted to support it.

“Plus, the food is good,” he said.

Other than washing his hands and staying away from large groups, Owen isn’t taking other safety steps.

“I think we’ll do just fine,” he said.

Fred Bjurstrom and Gloria Buck joined the crowd of about 15 — about half of a normal day — inside the center for lunch. Fred said they were confident they could eat out and be OK.

“No fear,” the 85-year-old said. “Fear is one of the worst things you can have.”

“I think you have to use common sense,” Gloria added, smiling.

Gwin said he didn’t like to go against the president’s recommendations to keep his distance from others, but believed he would be safe.

“The good Lord’s been watching after me a long time,” he said. “I’ll keep trusting him.”