Even senior healthcare experts differ on how to socialize this winter as the cold weather brings activities indoors, where the spread of COVID-19 transmission is more threatening. Dr. Richard Besdine, 80, and his wife Terrie Wetle, 73, are at odds over whether they should see family and friends over the next few months.

Besdine is a geriatric specialist and a professor of medicine at Brown University's Alpert Medical School. Wetle is the inaugural dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

According to Kaiser Health News, Besdine thinks the couple should socialize, but his wife is not convinced it is safe.

"We differ, but I respect her hesitancy, so we don't argue," said Besdine. Many older adults are facing the same dilemma, say experts, and are contemplating forming their own senior "pods" or "bubbles" of like-minded people. Others who are more cautious prefer to go it alone.

A recent poll by Axios-Ipsos shows that more Americans are moving forward with their lives by creating social bubbles, groups of people they know and trust who adhere to the guidelines of minimizing the risks of COVID-19 transmission. The trend is pretty much evenly distributed across the board, with 47% of Americans saying they have already established social bubbles.

Social isolation and loneliness are linked to both the worsening of cardiovascular disease and mental health issues, according to studies. These health issues tend to get worse the more we are alone, say experts, who add that the health impact may be as detrimental as smoking or obesity, according to USA Today.

The Benenson Strategy Group surveyed 775 adults and asked them questions related to the coronavirus and their mental health. A full 55% of the adults interviewed said that the coronavirus affected their mental health, said Benjamin F. Miller, a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Stanford School of Medicine, in USA Today.

Two Twin City psychologists from Minnesota said they were concerned about those they call SILOS — single individuals left out of social circles. Leni de Mik, 79, and Brenda Hartman, 65, recommend that people in this situation reach out to others and form groups based on similar interests. They also suggest that families invite an older, single friend into their pod.

"COVID brings life and death right up in front of us," said Hartman, according to Kaiser. "And when that happens, we have the opportunity to take care of each other."