The Parallels between Covid and relationships…

Several years ago I had a friend whom I cared about more than she cared for herself. It was absolutely draining as I watched helplessly her being abused by the men in her life. 1/17 There was one man who was engaged when she met him and somehow she thought that he would treat her better than the woman he had been with for 6 years and was due to marry the following weekend. 2/17

Covid was briefly discussed on Thursday’s call as the presenter mentioned that the positivity rate across the U.S. is 39.6%. One person in Texas asked if that were really true. The presenter then said, “sorry, it’s more like 40.1%. He mentioned ER, UC, paxlovid prescribing, 1/4 wastewater data, and another metric that I couldn’t really hear, but then he started calling on people randomly and asking them how many people (outside of work) do they know had Covid. One person knew 11 people. Most knew between 3-5 people…and then he said…2/4

I met with a Medical Director in a Neurology Group a few weeks ago. Outside of his locations are signs that read “No Mask No Entry Until Further Notice.” 1/13 He shared with me how he used to treat only Parkinson’s patients in his practice but had to contract with other physicians that specialize in the growing number of patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Headache Disorders, and Strokes. 2/13

The Covid Twilight Zone-
My daughter and I were verbally attacked LOUDLY for wearing Masks. What makes this more heartbreaking is there was absolutely no one in the area that look like us EXCEPT the person who attacked us. 1/13 It was clear that He wanted to make sure everyone knew that he wasn’t like THOSE Black people…No one gave him the validation he was seeking and as soon as he commented on our Masks and received no applause he literally RAN away like the punk he is…2/13

Several weeks ago, I made the decision to limit access to me. My FB feed was becoming the new obituary page. Even after dozens of postings about Covid case counts, Covid deaths, Covid long term symptoms, new deadly rising mutations, friends and their family were dying off. 1/7 If there were an “aha” moment..it only lasted until the next date on their social calendar.
My cousin who would call after my Covid posts has lost her Mom, 2 sisters, a brother, a brother-in-law, and a sister-in-law. None of them made life adjustments to combat Covid. 2/7

A year ago 5 (40+ year old) sorority sisters planned a trip to Turks and Caicos.

Two days before the trip one of the Sisters who had recently “recovered” from Covid experienced extreme pain in her calf and went to Urgent Care. 1/11 She concluded that the pain may be from working out but she was advised to go to the ER for imaging.

She went home instead.

Hours later, she had a pulmonary embolism and fell into a coma. 2/11

I make it a practice of not attending group settings of any kind where my health is dependent of the behavior of other people UNTIL last week.

The Oncology Nursing Society Congress (Conference) was in DC and, it is important that the Covid Conscious has representation…1/13 So dolled up in 4 inch heels and wearing a respirator, I attended (informally), but visible enough to discuss rising cases of rapidly progressing Cancer in patients following Covid. 2/13

My high school reunion was this past weekend.
The usual calls that come in the week leading to the reunion like when are you arriving, what are you wearing, have you spoken with….did not happen. 1/11 Knowing how I feel about Covid safety precautions, protecting oneself and not spreading a deadly virus rendered me INVISIBLE. Friends who I used to speak regularly even up to a few months ago, never called.

Now, I didn’t expect that. 2/11

A friend who I was checking on and is PRESENTLY on his 6th Covid infection, didn’t like the tone of an old FB post educating my FBF about exactly what Covid is….What it does to the body…and why mitigations were lifted. 1/4 He thought that as we are approaching year 5 in the pandemic, my approach should be SOFTER. He said that people won’t like my information because it will make everyone feel like they have to “Go Back” to taking precautions. He said that the post wasn’t positive. 2/4

In 2020, I campaigned for a man that I believed who was the absolute best candidate to lead the country through a pandemic AND heal a divided country.

I had no choice to believe his words because he wasn’t in a position of authority to show action at that time. 1/5 I’m not an Apologist for anyone. I will not render excuses nor make extreme comparisons to justify really poor judgment and bad behavior.

While some people applauded a rehearsed speech, I was mortified by the total disregard for the lives of those who elected him. 2/5

Covid Twilight Zone
Covid Conscious friend’s 40 year- old partying brother gave Covid to their 80 year old parents.

Mother-spent 3 weeks in the hospital
Father-went into hospice and died this morning. 40 year-old brother never went to hospital nor hospice to visit because “they are old” and “what can I do anyway.” He remains maskless.

This week I presented at a meeting to discuss patient assistance programs for those with recent diagnosis of chronic diseases.

In a room of 28 people who discussed a sudden rise in Cancer, Parkinson’s, MS, and many others.. and sudden T-cell deficiencies, NO MENTION OF COVID. Me..,the only N95er, and in fact, the only mask of any kind in the room, talked about Covid and how these sudden cases relate to recent Covid infections.

A weird silence hits the room. You know the silence that comes as if the person’s brain doesn’t recognize the word COVID!

I’m still extremely upset by witnessing some of the most apathetic people that I’ve personally seen .

While in the lobby one of the Medstar Hospitals yesterday, an elderly woman on a walker fell out of the circular automatic door opening and slid across the floor face first. 1/6 Another woman and I called to a nurse who was passing by and we waited until help arrived.

Although there were two adjacent doors right next to the circular automatic doors, no one used them. In fact, they refused 2/6

April 2, 2022, my Mom is taken away by ambulance. She has Covid, struggling to breath, severe pain in stomach region, temp 102.9. My Dad is already in the hospital on a ventilator.

My friend happens to call to ask me to go out to lunch. I tell her about my Mom and Dad. The same friend calls on 4/9/2022…never asking about my parents but says that she is planning a Girl’s Trip to Miami.

I reminded her of my parents who were still hospitalized with Covid.

After 20 years of friendship…. she never called back.

I shared with a friend of how I went to visit one of my “locations” last week. All employees were full-faced unmasked. One of the employees had the audacity to loudly say to me “OH! I DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS YOU ALL COVERED UP!” My friend interrupts and started laughing gleefully. Like uncontrollably joyful laughter. Then said…”Oh finally! You took off your mask and she didn’t recognize you!”

I corrected her by saying “No…sorry to break up your joyful moment but you misheard me.”

I’m just sharing this because each day I’ve living through another episode of The Covid Twilight Zone. Long time family friends who lost their father and an uncle due to Covid this year, posted a maskless picture of themselves on a flight to Arizona. 1/4 My daughter, a Neuro and Rehabilitation Psychologist who treats post Covid patients in the hospital texted them to say that they should be wearing Masks…the reply was that they have already had Covid (twice😳😳) and they weren’t worried about it. 2/4

I want to caution all health conscious people who have to travel for work.

As I was headed to my room, 3 people from housekeeping were standing outside one of the rooms. 1/5 They were talking to 2 guests behind the door. The guests said that they were still ill and they were sure that they still had Covid. The person behind the door asked for more tea to be delivered at the door.

The housekeeping manager contacts the manager. 2/5