Today a loved one had to cut ties with a close friend. This friend is not vaccinated but more than that, is resistant to taking any precautions against “the flu” as the friend called it. Among the vile things this so-called friend said today included the belief that the “people who die from Covid-19 are unhealthy, unhygienic people” and that “people with autoimmune conditions are that way because of unhealthy lifestyles.”
Of course this hit home real hard and I have some thoughts.
1. If you live with a chronic illness, YOU DID NOT CAUSE THIS. I spent years beating myself up over what I might have done to cause myself to have a cornucopia of chronic conditions I never asked for and did not create. Stop the victim blaming. Read this article to learn more about avoiding ableism: https://themighty.com/2020/01/avoid-ableism-disability-ally/
2. AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES DO NOT DISCRIMINATE AND NEITHER DOES COVID-19. The onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune disease, occurs mostly between the ages of 30-60. This is meant to be informative, not a scare tactic, but here are a few headlines that might help people understand that anyone can get sick despite how healthy they are:
“Fitness enthusiast, 42, who rejected vaccine, dies of COVID” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/04/fit-and-healthy-man-42-from-southport-who-rejected-vaccine-dies-of-covid
“Pediatric patient dies from COVID-19, Nemour’s Children’s Hospital confirms” https://www.wesh.com/article/pediatric-patient-dies-covid-19-children-hospitalization/37246779
3. STOP saying “the person died BUT they had underlying conditions”. Saying this makes it sound like that death is acceptable. It’s not. People with underlying conditions should not need to live in caves and should be able to get groceries out in public without fear of others not complying with wearing masks. There are unvaccinated vulnerable people who need to live their lives, too. Everyone can protect them by wearing a mask and physically distancing when needed.
4. STOP telling people you are brave because you aren’t scared of getting COVID-19. The hospitals are full, medical professionals are frustrated, and your so-called “bravery” to go out to a bar unmasked and “live life” may result in someone else’s death or even your own. I don’t see this as bravery, it’s lack of compassion and sheer stupidity.
5. If you won’t wear a mask in public because it infringes on your freedom, your freedom to be mask-less infringes on the right OF OTHERS TO LIVE. Don’t be a #MASKHOLE.
6. Lastly, if you have toxic people in your life, cut the rope. In the case of my loved one and this friend, their true colors have been exposed. It’s not worth your own life to let them stay in yours. They have to want to have compassion, to care for the lives of others, and frankly, to be human.