HUFFPOST – I admit this thought had crossed my mind many times in 2020, ever since first watching the SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly spreading in China …
That was over a year ago, and though a part of me had wanted to contract the coronavirus so I could hopefully get past it and treat my rheumatoid arthritis (which is not on the federal list of high-risk co-morbidities) without so much fear— nothing could have prepared me for the reality of experiencing “moderate” COVID-19 symptoms for myself.
Some people may think that getting this virus is inevitable, and we’re all experiencing some major COVID-19 fatigue.
In my rural community, I still regularly hear people proclaim that COVID-19 is a hoax or that it is “just the flu.”
Many argue that they don’t need to follow safety protocols because this coronavirus “only affects those with preexisting conditions and the elderly” (as if they’re somehow expendable?).
I hear people around me express more fear over the vaccine than of getting COVID-19.
These attitudes are pervasive in Utah, where we’ve made headlines over conspiracy theorists storming hospitals, demanding access to ICUs; moms who follow a code not to test their children for COVID-19 in an effort to keep schools open; and anti-mask protests.
Unsurprisingly, cases in Utah have soared, and our hospitals were at or near capacity for several weeks …
I’ve also had a lot of disease progression with my RA this past year without treatment, and my body has begun to show signs of permanent joint damage, which cannot be reversed.
This is why a part of me has wanted to just “get it over with” in hope that it wouldn’t be severe for me.
Ultimately, I hoped that were I to contract it, that COVID-19 would feel flu-like for me because I am in my 30s and not considered high risk.
I was wrong …
Clilck source below to read more.
