Hi. My name is April and I have an autoimmune disease. I am immune-compromised. I did not choose my disease. I did not choose to be immune-compromised. I do, however, choose life and would like to continue to live as worry-free as possible. If you’ve never had to worry about your health, consider yourself fortunate. This is not a battle I ever wanted, but this just happens to be the card I’ve been dealt.
Like you, I am so tired of COVID. I can’t give up though. I must continue the fight. I am thrilled that it is now mandatory to mask-up. If I stop wearing a mask, or if you stop wearing a mask, I completely lose any freedom I have had (like making a quick run to the grocery store to feed my family). I really don’t want to die from COVID and leave my family. I don’t want to see others die either. I also don’t want myself or others to have the lasting side-effects of COVID if they get it but don’t die from it. This virus is real, and it is scary.
Some have told me and others like me who are immune-compromised or high-risk to stay home, so they don’t have to wear a mask and be uncomfortable. That I should stay home and let my family run errands, get the groceries, etc. What they don’t realize is that my family could bring COVID home to me if other people don’t wear a mask around them. Does it make you uncomfortable that you may kill me and leave my children without a mother? This is real.
Some tell me that they have a right to not wear a mask. This makes me angry. Please don’t take my life into your hands. Your rights are no longer rights when they infringe on my life and the lives of people I love. This is not political, this is real. I am real. You don’t lose your freedoms by wearing a mask. You can go anywhere. You are caring for others and those in this country. If you love this country so much, then why not protect it by wearing a mask? This is real stuff, folks.
Caring about each other is really what it’s all about. Choosing to help out your community by masking up, not participating in large gatherings, washing your hands, and following all of the governor’s and mayor’s orders during this time, is how we will stop COVID. Together we can make a difference between life or death of our neighbor or someone we love.
Just do it. Be responsible. Care for others. Wear a mask.
