The opioid crisis left roughly 2.4 million grandparents across the US with the responsibility of raising their grandchildren.<br />But with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the ones protecting their grandchildren are themselves the most vulnerable.<br />Many are over 60, putting them at higher risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.<br />Others have risky underlying medical conditions. Their death, or extended hospitalization, would upend their grandchildren's lives once more.<br />The CDC wants older adults to protect themselves from the virus by self-isolating and avoiding contact with others, including relatives.<br />But for grandparents raising grandchildren? Impossible.<br />These grandfamilies can’t take a break from each other. These grandparents are the last option keeping children out of foster care. Jaia Peterson Lent Deputy Executive Director, Generations United
