Life After the Pandemic Mandates are Lifted as a Lupus Patient

I know tons of people are sick of hearing COVID all over the news and are now rejoicing that the mask mandates and vaccine mandates have been lifted in most states. But, for those with a chronic illness like me, I'm still worried about my health, and sometimes I feel even more worried. The pandemic brought a lot of stress and anxiety, but it also came with some good, especially to the chronic illness community.

In the beginning of the pandemic

When the pandemic started, it became the norm to work from home. It felt like such a blessing to work at home full-time. It was an adjustment in the beginning, but the benefits were awesome. I did not have to wake up so early and commute. I did not have to ride the train with a bunch of strangers and be on edge when someone coughed or sneezed. I was free to be maskless in my home and continue to go on about my daily work life.

With the pandemic, when people were sick, they stayed home if they had to go to work in person. People were able to rest and take care of themselves. Mental health was also huge. It was only until people were stuck indoors for so long that people started to take notice of mental health. COVID just brought out another level of awareness, and people began to realize how much our surroundings impact our health physically and mentally.

Lupus doctor's visits during the pandemic

Going to the doctors also was easier. Instead of physically going to the doctor's office and sometimes wasting hours on the commute and sitting in the doctor's office and doing all the procedures, it now took less time. Video visits were now becoming a norm, and that took minutes. I didn't have to waste half my day or call in sick from work. As lupus patients, we see many doctors, so all this time adds up. If I had to do blood or urine, orders could be sent out, and I would visit my nearest Quest Diagnostics when convenient for me. I also did not have to check in physically. I was able to check in on my phone, and when it was my turn, I would get a text and then go inside. I didn't have to wait in a crowded waiting room.

Perks of the pandemic

Offices, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, airplanes, etc., upgraded their ventilation system and ensured that they were cleaning extra to ensure a safe environment for everyone. You would think that this would have already been done before the pandemic, but again it's a real eye-opener to what was prioritized.

The best thing I think about the pandemic was the masks and social distancing. I wore masks even before they became mandated. So to have everyone else wear the masks too made me feel normal and even safer. Masks protect both myself and the other person. During the pandemic, I even double-masked in case I had to be out in public. Before COVID, I was already very wary about giving people hugs or shaking their hands. But a social distancing that is now all avoided. The vaccines also made me feel even more protected.

Immunocompromised people and COVID

As much as it's great to be mask-free, there are many other things to consider. Many people out there are immunocompromised, and we, unfortunately, cannot take that risk. We don't have that luxury of saying, let me get COVID, and let's see what happens. So, while the rest of the world is rejoicing, I will still be wearing my masks and getting boosted when the time comes. These are all set in place to protect me, and I will continue to do so, mandated or not.