I have an autoimmune illness and, like you, have chosen to protect myself. It's so bitter, isn't it? So bitter to see how quickly others can turn their back, especially the people who claim to be friends with me and who claim to have progressive values. Ha. What a joke.
Julia, I completely empathize with and support you. I am lucky that I am retired, live alone in a home I own outright, am fully vaccinated, can control my exposure by masking and isolation, and so far have not been infected. However,
It has destroyed my trust in others to keep me safe, so I don't visit anyone or accept visitors, don't go out except to buy supplies, and don't go to doctors or dentists anymore, and if I become seriously ill, I have decided to stay and die in my home rather than go to a hospital and die there. And,
Many of my friends no longer mask, which has put a strain on our friendship, if not completely destroyed it. And now,
Masking is being criminalized in places like Nassau County, so I live in fear that one day I will be unable to leave my home unless I unmask. Sadly,
I believe that it will take millions more dying and acquiring Long COVID before anything is done to mitigate the disease. For this,
I blame both Trump and Biden and the billionaire class whom they serve. Their mantra is simple:
"Go back to work, go back to school, and if you get sick or die, too bad for you, because there will be plenty of others to take your place".
Pathetic. Anyway, Julia,
You are not alone in your anger and frustration. Wishing you good health always.
Hi Arline: thank you for your comments. I just wanted to mention I know there are some dentists who do outdoor at home dentistry. They wear masks too. Maybe there are house call doctors who do too. Just a thought, in case. Take care.
Thank you, Milven, for your kind suggestions. I know of no such doctors or dentists. None of my pre-pandemic doctors or dentists even do telehealth sessions. I am resigned to my fate. As I said, it will take massive amounts of deaths for the billionaire class, which of course protects itself assiduously from COVID, to lift a finger to correct the situation. And even then it will be too late. So I am enjoying what's left of my life as best as I can, alone with my books, music, art and other hobbies. I just feel sad for young people who are getting reinfected multiple times without a care in the world and totally unaware of the rude awakening that looms ahead of them. Be well and stay safe.
I have lupus. We know the answer to "do they care about the disabled"? The answer is "not if I have any inconveniences." So, the real answer is "no."
I too have given up on ever eating in a restaurant or going to a bar. I risk outdoor dining but mostly do takeout if I want a restaurant meal. I wear a mask in any indoor setting. I avoid crowds in outdoor settings. I've not attended family events like weddings due to the need to fly, stay in a hotel or B&B, and to be at crowded events. So, yes, I'm reclusive. And people think I am "anti-social."
The biggest risk events for me now are medical appointments and anything in a medical setting. And of all the things that make me angry about what we have to go through it is this: being dismissed and demeaned by medical personnel. That shouldn't surprise me, though, since I was dismissed and demeaned by medical personnel on my long, painful route to a diagnosis. Even my rheumatologist and the staff in the office are unmasked.
Holding all of us in my heart. I still get great enjoyment out of my dogs, nature, reading, walking. I do say "hi" to neighbors when outdoors and have wonderful conversations.
I keep hearing about how people need to find their tribe. Since COVID has been so mismanaged, I too, feel isolated. After reading your excellent piece and the responses to your thoughts, I felt as if I've found my tribe.
We who are disabled and medically vulnerable need a community of progressive activists who understand our plight in dealing with the ongoing COVID injustice. In a major way you have provided a place for honesty, truth and community. Thank you!!!
Thank you for this lament. It is painful to read. I hope your symptoms will remit and you can find a way out of this abyss. I wish I hand something to offer besides concern.
FYI and for others, too: I used to think airplanes had good ventilation. On a recent trip I was always masked and I took my CO2 meter (a cheap way to measure trapped human expired air/breath). Outside it registers 450ppm; in a closed room with one person it may go as high as 750ppm; in a lecture hall if it is over 1200 I am out of there; to my surprise in mid-flight the airplane air registered 1800 ppm. Beware!
I've read this elsewhere too. I don't really understand the high CO2 levels mid-flight. I will only use SIP-valve, which I think is pretty effective, from now on. I used to take bites with breath held. Thanks doc.
First: my heart goes out to you Julia. It's a reminder of why I take the precautions I do. It's not fair people need to live like this. Also, the hypocrisy of so-called progressives, let alone the shitlibs. These precautions we take are worthwhile and necessary. I'm the only teacher at my school who masks. I'll continue to do so and I don't give a shit. I'm used to being the only one in the room at family functions who masks. Whatever.
I hope either covid let it rip or the Gaza genocide were radicalizing moments for folks who had any illusions about the democrats. The "lesser of two evils" got us eugenics with a million + dead domestically and 200k+ dead in Gaza. Vote democrat to "stop fascism"? What could be more fascist than what's happening to disabled people? That was part of what the Nazis did. Let's be real. This is eugenics. We need a worker's party that values life in all its forms, the planet, the climate, animal rights, etc. We need a change. The democrats aren't it. What we're doing clearly isn't working.
I have an autoimmune illness and, like you, have chosen to protect myself. It's so bitter, isn't it? So bitter to see how quickly others can turn their back, especially the people who claim to be friends with me and who claim to have progressive values. Ha. What a joke.
Waving hello to you from afar.
Julia, I completely empathize with and support you. I am lucky that I am retired, live alone in a home I own outright, am fully vaccinated, can control my exposure by masking and isolation, and so far have not been infected. However,
It has destroyed my trust in others to keep me safe, so I don't visit anyone or accept visitors, don't go out except to buy supplies, and don't go to doctors or dentists anymore, and if I become seriously ill, I have decided to stay and die in my home rather than go to a hospital and die there. And,
Many of my friends no longer mask, which has put a strain on our friendship, if not completely destroyed it. And now,
Masking is being criminalized in places like Nassau County, so I live in fear that one day I will be unable to leave my home unless I unmask. Sadly,
I believe that it will take millions more dying and acquiring Long COVID before anything is done to mitigate the disease. For this,
I blame both Trump and Biden and the billionaire class whom they serve. Their mantra is simple:
"Go back to work, go back to school, and if you get sick or die, too bad for you, because there will be plenty of others to take your place".
Pathetic. Anyway, Julia,
You are not alone in your anger and frustration. Wishing you good health always.
Hi Arline: thank you for your comments. I just wanted to mention I know there are some dentists who do outdoor at home dentistry. They wear masks too. Maybe there are house call doctors who do too. Just a thought, in case. Take care.
Thank you, Milven, for your kind suggestions. I know of no such doctors or dentists. None of my pre-pandemic doctors or dentists even do telehealth sessions. I am resigned to my fate. As I said, it will take massive amounts of deaths for the billionaire class, which of course protects itself assiduously from COVID, to lift a finger to correct the situation. And even then it will be too late. So I am enjoying what's left of my life as best as I can, alone with my books, music, art and other hobbies. I just feel sad for young people who are getting reinfected multiple times without a care in the world and totally unaware of the rude awakening that looms ahead of them. Be well and stay safe.
I have lupus. We know the answer to "do they care about the disabled"? The answer is "not if I have any inconveniences." So, the real answer is "no."
I too have given up on ever eating in a restaurant or going to a bar. I risk outdoor dining but mostly do takeout if I want a restaurant meal. I wear a mask in any indoor setting. I avoid crowds in outdoor settings. I've not attended family events like weddings due to the need to fly, stay in a hotel or B&B, and to be at crowded events. So, yes, I'm reclusive. And people think I am "anti-social."
The biggest risk events for me now are medical appointments and anything in a medical setting. And of all the things that make me angry about what we have to go through it is this: being dismissed and demeaned by medical personnel. That shouldn't surprise me, though, since I was dismissed and demeaned by medical personnel on my long, painful route to a diagnosis. Even my rheumatologist and the staff in the office are unmasked.
Holding all of us in my heart. I still get great enjoyment out of my dogs, nature, reading, walking. I do say "hi" to neighbors when outdoors and have wonderful conversations.
I keep hearing about how people need to find their tribe. Since COVID has been so mismanaged, I too, feel isolated. After reading your excellent piece and the responses to your thoughts, I felt as if I've found my tribe.
We who are disabled and medically vulnerable need a community of progressive activists who understand our plight in dealing with the ongoing COVID injustice. In a major way you have provided a place for honesty, truth and community. Thank you!!!
Thank you for this lament. It is painful to read. I hope your symptoms will remit and you can find a way out of this abyss. I wish I hand something to offer besides concern.
FYI and for others, too: I used to think airplanes had good ventilation. On a recent trip I was always masked and I took my CO2 meter (a cheap way to measure trapped human expired air/breath). Outside it registers 450ppm; in a closed room with one person it may go as high as 750ppm; in a lecture hall if it is over 1200 I am out of there; to my surprise in mid-flight the airplane air registered 1800 ppm. Beware!
Well, that's depressing.
Guess I'll be driving cross-country, then.
I've read this elsewhere too. I don't really understand the high CO2 levels mid-flight. I will only use SIP-valve, which I think is pretty effective, from now on. I used to take bites with breath held. Thanks doc.
First: my heart goes out to you Julia. It's a reminder of why I take the precautions I do. It's not fair people need to live like this. Also, the hypocrisy of so-called progressives, let alone the shitlibs. These precautions we take are worthwhile and necessary. I'm the only teacher at my school who masks. I'll continue to do so and I don't give a shit. I'm used to being the only one in the room at family functions who masks. Whatever.
I hope either covid let it rip or the Gaza genocide were radicalizing moments for folks who had any illusions about the democrats. The "lesser of two evils" got us eugenics with a million + dead domestically and 200k+ dead in Gaza. Vote democrat to "stop fascism"? What could be more fascist than what's happening to disabled people? That was part of what the Nazis did. Let's be real. This is eugenics. We need a worker's party that values life in all its forms, the planet, the climate, animal rights, etc. We need a change. The democrats aren't it. What we're doing clearly isn't working.