My aunt is a nurse working with covid patients. Back in March, she was terrified. The predictions and warnings were horrific.
Now that we’ve been dealing with the effects of this illness for months, she’s less afraid of the virus (which kills less that 1% of people) and more afraid of the risks of isolation.
The patients who are on their last leg, coming in dying of covid19, are those who completely isolated themselves. They are the individuals who did everything they were told to: distancing, disinfecting everything, wearing masks during the few times they had to go out. She says they have killed their immune systems, which is more risky than covid itself.
Yes, we need to look out for others, but if the predictions were wrong and the virus clearly isn’t as deadly or harmful as predicted then why are we still destroying our immune systems and our livelihoods for it?
To save face? To show we care?
I really don’t know.
My aunt simply put it this way: Would you rather live a long life of isolation, or a potentially shorter life surrounded by family and friends?
To me that is asking, would you rather truly live? I need laughter and love to survive. Our bodies and brains need physical human contact. We need kisses and hugs, not just for our mental state, but for better hormone balance and good blood flow. Just seeing a smile on someone’s face can elevate our health.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201303/the-power-touch
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-10/nf-asl100813.php
https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2019/06/the-real-health-benefits-of-smiling-and-laughing/
I can’t speak for everyone else, but I prefer to take the 1% risk for anyone who is also willing to. I will respect everyone else and their choice on how they handle our pandemic. I do not wish to harm anyone.
Everyone has to handle this situation as best they can. The world has changed so much in such a short time that none of us were prepared, but our children are suffering and so are the elderly who are being hidden away. Maybe we should let them speak for themselves instead of telling everyone what’s best for them.
Life is short with or without covid19.
Jessica Marie Baumgartner 