From: Joy Lawler
Columbus
Last week I went to the post office for the first time in three years. I planned to use the self-service, but it wasn’t working, so I had to go into the main service area. I was masked and keeping distance, but when you are called to the counter you can’t do that. Another patron was wearing his mask only covering his mouth. I asked him to please pull it up over his nose. He got in may face, sneered, and pretended to pull it up. The next patron was not wearing a mask at all. She said she was vaccinated and didn’t need a mask. I said I was at high risk. She said then I should not be out.
Let’s assume that these attitudes reflect ignorance, which they probably don’t as we enter our third pandemic year. But let’s assume it’s ignorance and let’s talk about the high-risk people who “should not be out.” Who are they? They are people who are more susceptible to serious illness and death and for whom the vaccines may not work as well. Like these people:
- anyone over 50. The older you get, the higher your risk.
- people who are immune-suppressed. There are more immune-suppressed people than you may think. They include transplant and cancer patients, but also people taking certain medications for very common autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- people who have common medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
- people who have a high exposure risk, such as health care workers (especially those taking care of COVID patients), first responders, factory workers, meat packers, etc.
So who is left? If everyone at high risk stayed home, what do you think that would do to our economy?
For the love of God, get vaccinated to protect yourself so your family doesn’t have to watch you strangle to death on a screen in a hospital parking lot, and so you don’t take up the ICU beds that are needed for serious medical events and traumas.
Wear a mask to protect your fellow citizens. You are human and that is what humans do. Is that really so much to ask?
The hospitals are begging you. Indiana has scored dead last in the country for dealing with COVID. Why can’t you hear the screaming?
