How COVID-19 Taught The Average Able-Bodied Person A Lesson

Planet Earth is in the middle of a worldwide epidemic. Coronoavirus AKA COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on humankind.

This pandemic has started to collapse healthcare systems around the world. Italy being the current spotlight.

The situation is so dire that it's been reported today that anyone in Italy with COVID-19 symptoms over the age of 80 needing hospitalization is being turned away at the doors of hospital. They are being asked to go home and try to survive on their own.

Essentially they are being left to die.

This is straight out of a Hollywood movie.

The masses have started to listen, and thankfully governments are taking measures to try and prevent a collapse of our healthcare system here in Canada.

Over the past four days we have seen several non-essential businesses starting to shut down.

We saw NHL, NBA and other major league sports cancel their seasons. Restaurants and bars shut down the day before St. Patty's day (one of the busiest days of their calendar year).

Schools are now shut down leaving working parents stranded, and all parents trying to figure out how to move forward.

School is cancelled for the rest of the year... that's 3.5 months.

People are scared, and they have the right to be. Not only is this virus one like we have ever seen, one that lives dormant for up to 14 days leaving a person asymptomatic and contagious, it also targets the respiratory system, much like the flu - but it is also causing the largest global recession we will ever see (in my lifetime) or at least that's what I believe.

People are both scared of this virus and scared of the financial impact it will have on their families.

There are many that can't work from home as they work in essential services such as medical care, government, or retail. They have to expose themselves to the potential of contracting the virus. Some of these people may live with those of us that identify as vulnerable.

There are many that are self employed and are loosing work and contracts, leaving the company vulnerable to lay offs and closure.

People are scared of this uncertainly.

People are scared of being left financially vulnerable.

People are scared of coming into contact with someone who is sick - who may make them sick.

For everyone in the world who is healthy, who is not immune compromised, who is not an elder, this feeling you have (anxiety, depression, dread, fear, overwhelm, etc.) THIS is what it feels like to have a compromised immune system every single day.

This is what I have lived with every day since my diagnosis of Sjogren's in 2013.

"Am I going to get laid off for my illness?"

"My co-worker is sick and we share a cubicle, I need to go home. What will my boss think of this?"

"I can't go to work today because I have doctor's appointments"

These are just a few examples of the thoughts that go through the mind of a chronically ill person.

We live with uncertainty of health and finances every single day.

If you are in the midst of the pandemic and are experiencing feelings of loss, no matter what that be (loss of job, loss on childcare, loss of a family member). Just know that you are not alone, and I believe you can get through this hardship.

I don't wish these ill feelings upon anyone, but I have to admit, it is nice to have someone healthy say "I understand you, now".

Heather