Who is high-risk?

One thing that I wish more good-hearted people would internalize about living through a global pandemic:

You do not have to belong to a so-called "high risk group" for your concern about potentially becoming ill with COVID-19 to be legitimate.

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Our individual risks do vary.  In truth, they are unknowable; we get assigned to high-risk groups or to low- or medium-risk groups according to a presumption that our "real" (or at least practical) risk is represented by the statistical risks of a generic American who is similar to us in age, waist circumference, health history, perhaps race.

But that is not all that varies.  Our individual comfort levels also vary.  

And no matter whether we are "essential workers" or not employed, whether we have responsibilities that take us out in public or whether we can stay home with a clear conscience, whatever the reason someone else considers us low- or high-risk—

—NOT ONE of us signed up for the additional danger that 2020 brought to our doorstep in the form of COVID-19.

It happened.  None of us invited it.  

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We have a right to react protectively against this danger, which is a NEW danger that NONE of us sought.  We've a right to desire to protect ourselves, our family, our community.  We've a right to take action, in fact.

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As far as I am concerned, we are all in a high risk group.

Do not compare yourself with others to decide if you deserve safety and protection, kindness and accommodation.

(That's a good rule in general.  Don't compare yourself with others to decide what you deserve.)

If you must compare, look to yourself one year ago.  Are you as "low-risk" now as you were then?   

Don't let yourself be shamed for asking for precautions, or feel you should make an excuse ("I live with someone who is immunocompromised," etc.)  You are allowed to be concerned no matter who you are.  You are allowed to just say "I do not want to get infected, and I do not want to spread an infection to anyone else."  That's not fearfulness.  That's not paranoia.  That's not an obsession with control.  That's not a lack of trust.

It's a damn pandemic.  We are allowed to try to keep it away.  You, yes, you, deserve to seek the good that is safety, as long as you do not endanger anyone else; and in a damn pandemic, your safety likely keeps others safe too.  

 

Comments

[Jamie]

Preach it.

[Christine Adams]

Thank you! I appreciate how this piece is structured as a reminder of simple logic. I do feel that I need some excuse or permission to be careful. My caution is labeled so many crazy things and creates so many assumptions.

[Jeanie]

Thank you for this. You are right. I do not need to use the excuse of my newborn grandson. I can say, as you say, "I do not want to get infected, and I do not want to spread an infection to anyone else." It is certainly the truth of how I feel. Thank you for putting words to this issue.