*originally published 4/14/20*
Here we are, week number (who knows anymore) of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are living in a new reality and all trying to find our way in this “new normal.” I’m bored, I’m unsure but mainly, I’m scared.
I’m scared for all the people who are infected and suffering. I’m scared for the essential workers—doctors, nurses, grocery store clerks—that are putting their lives at risk every day to make sure we are all safe. I’m scared for the people who are asymptomatic, and not taking this thing seriously, who are infecting others. I’m scared for what our world will look like when this is over (also a little excited about this, too).
I’m also scared that we may be missing some valuable lessons from this pandemic.
The other day, my dad was going out to play golf in our front yard—yes, he made a golf course in the yard—and I said “my tick repellent is right over there.” To this, my father rolled his eyes (as he always does whenever I mention tick prevention). He then proceeded to make fun of my mom for expressing concern about walking through the yard unprotected the other day. (Friendly tip: even though we are in a pandemic, the ticks are still out and about in your yards, lurking and waiting for a snack, so please be safe!) This is the same man who is crushing the hand sanitizer game, wears gloves and a mask whenever he leaves the house and immediately showers when he gets home from work (he’s an essential worker, by the way). So what’s my point?
Why is using tick repellent to prevent Lyme disease any different than using face masks and gloves to prevent COVID-19? Why is being concerned about getting bit by a tick from walking through the yard a laughable act, but being afraid of catching covid-19 from being at work is not?
There is a major double standard around how we see COVID-19 and how we see other illnesses.
Yes I know COVID-19 is way more contagious and deadly than Lyme, but all illnesses and diseases—not just these 2–need to be taken seriously, and so do those who live with them.
Did you know that according to the CDC, 6 out of every 10 adults live with a chronic condition, and 4 out of 10 have 2 or more conditions? While COVID-19 is dangerous and we need to be taking every precaution necessary and follow the guidelines laid out, it is temporary. All of this madness will end at some point—although things will never be 100% back to “normal”—but those with chronic illnesses have them for the duration.
Before this pandemic, if you saw someone out in public with a face mask on, you probably ran the other way because you thought they were a potential threat. Now, if you don’t see someone with a face mask you run the other way because they are a potential threat.
I know many people in the chronic illness world who have been wearing masks in public for years—some because of allergens, some for smell sensitivities, some because they have a weakened immune system and want to be safe. Regardless of the reason why, they had every right to wear their masks, but that didn’t stop people from making fun of them and making them feel bad for trying to be safe.
I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty unsafe in our world right now. And I am doing everything in my power to make sure my family and I are safe. We should never judge the way others go about safety and we should never belittle the lives of those in the chronic illness world. If this teaches us anything, I hope it’s more compassion and understanding for the power disease and illness have.They take your life, turn it upside down, sideways and diagonal. They take everything you thought you knew and completely change your perspective. They leave you lonely and scared—more times than I wish to admit.
So when this is all over, remember this terror. Remember the uncertainty for your day to day life. Remember the loneliness. Remember those that have been, and will be, feeling those things still because they are chronically sick. Remember all of the safety precautions you are taking to not contract/spread COVID-19 and take that same tenacity and apply it to preventing the spread of other illnesses—like wearing your tick repellent and tick checks to prevent Lyme or not sharing drinks with people to stop the spread of Mono.
Let’s come out of this pandemic as a healthier, stronger and most importantly, more compassionate world—and following proper prevention techniques and supporting those who are sick are a good place to start.
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