Thread by @broadwaybabyto

Covid policies and mitigation are a social justice issue. Low income & marginalized individuals are at much higher risk. Adele is a multi millionaire who recently began wearing a respirator & had plans to improve air quality at her venue. Now she’s cancelling multiple shows. 🧵/1

First off - I sincerely hope Adele makes a full recovery & I applaud her for the steps she’s taken recently to minimize her risk of Covid. I also recognize we can’t know with 100% certainty she’s dealing with Covid. But there are many signs to indicate she is. /2

Generally speaking we know many people don’t take more precautions until faced with a bad covid infection and/or Long Covid. Her statement says she was previously ill and has not fully recovered. /3

We also know most insurance policies for performers prevent the mention of Covid - which is why we see so many cancellations for “mystery virus” or “bad flu”. So it’s entirely possible she’s been dealing with Long Covid from her last infection & that’s why she needs to cancel. /4

Here’s where the social justice comes in. Money can’t make you bulletproof - but the more money & resources you have the better your odds of a good outcome. Adele can easily afford air quality upgrades, respirators and the latest in mouthwashes, nasal sprays & tests. /5

She doesn’t have to worry about the cost of healthcare & can easily provide masks & tests to anyone who’s going to be in close proximity of her. She still got sick. That’s the issue with Covid - all it takes is ONE infection to completely disable you. /6

Not everyone becomes disabled - and some who do end up recovering - but recovery is becoming more & more difficult now that we’ve taken a complete “you do you” approach & removed all mitigations. Reinfections are too common & lead to worsening disability. /7

If someone like Adele - with resources most of us couldn’t dream of - is dealing with Long Covid… imagine how hard it is for people who are homeless, work risky jobs with no paid time off, have young children in school or are immune compromised & can’t access safe healthcare. /8

It would not be this hard if we were taking more precautions at the society level. If governments & public health were being transparent about how serious this virus is and that it’s a risk to EVERYONE… not “only the vulnerable.” /9

Currently people lack the information but they also lack access to the tools to keep themselves safe. Free tests & vaccines have largely been discontinued, respirators aren’t freely available & there’s no push for clean air in public spaces. We are on our own. /10

We need more people speaking out from all walks of life. You don’t have to be vulnerable or disabled to be Covid cautious. Raise your voice. Tell governments that we don’t consent to repeat infections with a deadly & disabling virus. Wear a mask in public & show you care. /11

We understand HOW to reduce risk and we absolutely have the tools. But if everyone waits until they are personally affected we will see countless lives lost and destroyed before we actually DO anything to mitigate Covid. /12

Lastly let’s remember that we all share the air so our success against Covid depends on how well we treat the marginalized & less fortunate. Masks, tests & anti virals should be freely available to all who need them - and hospitals need to be made accessible & safe for all. /end