It’s Not Inevitable That Everyone Will Get COVID-19
Every time I tune into the local or national news, I see another story claiming that everyone will either get or be exposed to COVID-19.
And over the holiday break, I learned that five friends — who all had been taking precautions seriously — have contracted COVID-19 since mid-December. Some of them are immunocompromised.
All of this has pushed me back into isolation like early in the pandemic. I feel overwhelmed, as if the situation will never end. Too many people still won’t acknowledge that the only way to end the pandemic is to behave responsibly and follow public health recommendations that have been in place since the beginning.
As someone with cystic fibrosis and diabetes — two conditions that put me in the high-risk category for serious COVID-19 outcomes — the prospect of contracting this viral monster has dictated every choice I’ve made since March 2020.
I’m not a public health expert, and I don’t have all the scientific answers, but I think we need to reprioritize how we talk about the pandemic and how we address it as a society.
Consider, for instance, how the latest variant, omicron, is being described by some in the media as “mild.” Some have criticized media reports for focusing only on the bad news of the pandemic, but there’s also a risk of soft-pedaling things, particularly when so many people refuse to follow recommended precautions. There is nothing “mild” about being seriously ill or having long-term symptoms.
Talking about the pandemic as if it were over, or as if everyone inevitably will be infected, doesn’t encourage people to adopt the behaviors that will help to put an end to it. Instead of pretending that life has returned to some version of normal, we should be talking about what we can do to actually get there.
The good news is that scientists know more about the novel coronavirus now than they did two years ago. For example, we have evidence that mask mandates help to slow its spread. And scientists know that low vaccination rates can lead to new variants emerging, which is the logic behind vaccine mandates.
New mutations of the coronavirus could render current vaccines ineffective, which would set us back to where we started.
Fellow Cystic Fibrosis News Today columnist Kate Delany also has advocated for a shift in our approach toward fighting the pandemic here in the U.S. And social media is full of people — many with underlying conditions — who are begging others to be more careful.
If the majority of the public could be convinced that protecting the most vulnerable among us is worthwhile, we could finally get this pandemic under control. Vulnerable people shouldn’t be left to deal with it on our own while others ignore sensible safety measures. And we shouldn’t have to accept that COVID-19 infections are inevitable.
The only way out of this mess is to get through it together. And that means acting in the best interest of the most vulnerable among us.
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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, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.
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Comments
Gisele F Lapointe
I couldn't agree more.
CHRISTIE HOWARD
I have the same concerns. I am in complete isolation AGAIN with Omicron surging. Trying to defend my position to family and friends why I cannot afford to contract ANY variant of Covid. Or the flu for that matter. I had MRSA pneumonia and was on a ventilator for 28 days and in the hospital for 3 months when I was 50. I had to have my right lung removed and have been on oxygen since then. (15 yrs now). I am luckily to have survived that nightmare. I had sepsis, lung failure, kidney failure and given only a slim chance of survival. The MRSA was eliminated but I was left with bronchiectasis and pseudemonas colonized in my remaining lung. I also have lupus and diabetes. So I understand where you are coming from, The news talks about how the vaccine prevents serious illness, hospitalization and death. They rarely mention those of us that have that risk X50. I DO NOT want to die that way, it was horrific. I am hoping I can remain covid free by hiding out in isolation and instead get hit by lightening of a bus someday instead. If you know what I mean.
Paul & Debbie
See the post on the forum here https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/forums/forums/topic/patients-denied-transplantation-because-not-covid-vaccinated-2/#post-18041
We can't rely on society, other people or government and institutions to care about our safety. We have to do it ourselves. Fortunately, there are measures we can take to prevent getting infected, even in the now endemic situation, which is more dangerous than the pandemic ever was because precautions are being abandoned. With a good mask, ventilation and some social distancing we can do a lot to protect ourselves. Take care and think for yourself!