My Perspective on COVID-19 as a CF Patient and a Restaurant Manager

My head has been spinning with how rapidly the effects from COVID-19 have engulfed the world. It is a great reminder from Mother Nature that humans are not invincible, despite what it may seem at times.

I always have had two sides to my world: the businesswoman and the cystic fibrosis patient. Whenever one of my worlds has been on fire, I could escape to the other. When I was sick, work was there to distract me. When work was stressful, I had the structured routine of my CF care to keep me grounded. The COVID-19 pandemic has set both of my worlds on fire.

It’s been hard to process the information flooding my brain from small business briefings, speeches, and agendas. On the other side, articles, viewpoints, and protocols are coming at me from the “at-risk” communities. I feel stuck in the middle, yet gifted with a unique perspective.

Businesses have been shutting down left and right because of one common denominator: people. And it’s taking a huge toll on small businesses. I manage a small local restaurant, and I find it disheartening that I can’t tell my staff when we’ll be functioning normally or whether they’ll have jobs next week.

This restaurant has saved my life over the past couple of years. I have a passion for supporting local businesses because they truly care about their communities. It makes me feel helpless to be sitting at home, but it’s the most helpful place any of us can be right now.

Cystic fibrosis means that I am a part of the high-risk group. I just regained my life a few months ago, thanks to Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor). The last thing I want is for it to be taken away by a highly contagious virus. I am not living in fear. I’m following the same routine I’ve had over and over for home IVs — but with less sleep deprivation.

The real challenge has come from trying to find a balance between the two. How can we support our small businesses and keep our communities safe? There is no perfect answer. No one knows how long this pandemic will last or the aftereffects it will have.

So please listen to the updates and follow recommendations from official sources such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wash your hands, and stay home! The faster we can stop the spread of this virus, the sooner we can return to our normal lives. Everything is happening fast. Together, we can speed up the process of recovery and keep each other safe.

» Follow my journey at “The Living, Breathing Wendy.” «

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Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.