Thread by @DebbyBogaert

Before I take a break, I have decided to update this personal tweet. An update on day 18 of Omicron and why I’d like to share.

1/

https://twitter.com/debbybogaert/status/1479083126840254466

The first 5 days I isolated from my family, and experienced the expected general Covid symptoms but managed.

Unfortunately my health worsened from day 6 on, requiring additional outpatient/A&E treatment to help turn the tide, and after 11 days I was admitted to 🏥.

2/

At this point you are mostly tired, realise you need to hang tight, stay calm, trust medics, your colleagues, to find a way to turn the tide for you. That point it starts to become scary too.

After a bumpy ride, I am now on the mend. Day 17, I went home.

This was not mild

3/

So now I feel I am on my way up, I first want to say how grateful I am for the dedicated support from NHS lothian staff throughout 💙

When you depend completely on others, and the stakes are high, full trust is needed. They had my back 🙏

4/

You might wonder why this happened to me (again)?

I do have (mild) comorbidities. So I am in the hospitalised with […] category. That might explain you say. But is it therefore okay?

No, because I never saw myself as ‘vulnerable’, and it is certainly not what defines me.

5/

Why not?

Because I am a mom, a daughter, a wife, a friend, doctor, colleague, educator, and so much more.

I am not my comorbidities, and it wasn’t supposed to affect my quality, ability nor length of life.

I am a person who contributes to society as everyone of you does.

6/

My clinical job is to treat children with respiratory infectious problems. I love it and I would like to help many more still.

But to do so, society needs to support me and protect me. We need inclusive public health strategies, ensuring a safe society for all.

7/

At my lowest point, I promised myself, once on the mend, I would stop feeling weak, defeated, marginalised. I told myself I do matter, I deserve consideration. I refuse to be a statistic.
It is shortsighted to think a massive group in society can be ignored for convenience

8/

I am speechless that countries drop all mitigation under a narrative that the virus is endemic now, and we can all live with it in harmony.

I lived with the virus literally twice: for me it was horror. I conclude I have a right to say I am tired and fed up too.

9/

Today’s society has to decide whether they want to serve all members of their communities or not.

I hope with my story more people will realise that for me and many others to continue to play our part in society, society needs to agree we are one of them: them is us.

10/

A special note regarding children as the 🦠 supposedly does no harm.

Ignoring kids who get sick or die, who lose a parent, or frantically try to protect loved ones, really causes harm.
My kids were not hurt by mitigation rules, they were hurt by seeing a very sick mom 11/

I do not pretend public health decisions are easy, but let’s prove we can handle the complexity of it in current times.

(Microbial) ecology has taught me that all community members play essential parts: complex and diverse means more durable and resilient, Let’s copy that!

12/

I had not expected so many responses! It is truly heart-warming. I am afraid though I can’t respond to each of you individually, so herewith would like to thank all who have wished me well and support me 🙏

#InThisTogether

I came across a few comments suggesting I draw a line who should be valued by society.
I honestly intend the opposite: we all contribute irrespective of comorbidities, disability etc.
We are rich because we’re diverse and have different experiences. Not despite

#InThisTogether