My newfound optimistic, joyful spirit has been crushed. No, it’s not that my cancer has returned,but that I have not built any immunity to covid. The drugs I am on to keep my cancer at bay have also severely impacted my immune system. My blissful sense of safety is gone and I’m dreading the colder weather that will bring social isolation back into my life unless all friends and family who wish to see me are vaccinated. I know many people don't feel the need to get vaccinated for themselves, feeling that they are not at risk for developing severe symptoms, or that the vaccine is too new or unsafe. Please understand that a vaccinated population protects everyone, especially those most at risk like myself. With the lifting of mask mandates for the fully vaccinated, some unvaccinated people are abusing the relaxation by entering public indoor spaces without masks. This behavior scares the shit out of me, not only for myself, but for the health system and economy. The argument that masks do not add any safety is wrong. Surgeons do not wear masks to protect themselve; they do it to protect their patient! By wearing your mask in public when you are not vaccinated, you are preventing the spread of your potential infectious secretions to others. I will likely start wearing a mask and face shield when shopping to further protect myself from the socially irresponsible. The news that I had cancer did not bring me to tears but this did. I have to trust others to protect me. I am so tired of living in the bubble that I had briefly exited. I attended an indoor party this summer without knowing the vaccination status of everyone and had a brief moment of hesitation, but then put that aside knowing I was vaccinated. Those days are over for me for the foreseeable future. |
AuthorBarb Schlatter Archives
May 2022
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