At the beginning of March, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) changed its recommendations for respiratory viruses, which includes Covid-19. Among these changes was the removal of quarantine recommendations and an overall shift towards navigating Covid as one would any other respiratory virus, despite Covid being more deadly and disabling than viruses such as the flu.
For individuals living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other conditions that make contracting Covid especially dangerous, this shift is discouraging and scary. I sat down with our clinician Faith Ferber who facilitates a Covid-19 support group and is certified as a Covid-Conscious Therapist (CCT) to have a discussion about these changes and the ramifications.
Community Fatigue
“‘Hopeless and helpless’ are the words I am hearing most frequently from individuals with chronic illness, in terms of their emotional response to the change in CDC guidelines,” Faith shared. Over the four years of life that we’ve lived in a world with Covid-19, many shifts have taken place in the way the community at large responds. Initially, most people were willing to wear masks since the science supports that they decrease the spread of viruses, including Covid-19. Now “people who were very cautious and community-minded in 2020 are not anymore.”
Caution fatigue, as well as compassion fatigue, have made it more challenging for individuals, healthcare workers, and society to maintain Covid precautions. For example, while more than 80% of the US population has received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, only 17% of Americans have received an updated vaccine that helps protect against currently circulating Covid strains. Fewer precautions and a lower vaccination rate leaves those most vulnerable to disability and death, such as elderly people, immunocompromised people, those living with chronic illness, and those who have previously been infected with Covid-19, at an even higher risk with more difficulty staying safe.
Invisibility Factor
Increasing the difficulty for individuals with chronic illness is that they are not seen. Chronic illnesses often consist of invisible symptoms. These include and are not limited to, digestive struggles, anemia, fatigue, body aches, pain, headaches, etc. Faith, who lives with chronic pain, shared that chronic illness sufferers “have to figure out how to move on and live life even with pain. If we stopped everything every time that we experienced pain, we would not be able to get through the day.” However, it is easy for those functioning while in pain to be perceived as not in pain.
Compounding the struggles of visibility is that many of those who are still taking Covid precautions have been further isolated and pushed out of society as people strive for a “new normal” that ignores the harms of Covid-19. Many high-risk folks have been unable to fully enjoy life for the past four years, losing access to traveling, concerts, and going out to eat while carefully strategizing and planning for the lowest-risk times to access essential spaces such as grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors offices, and public transportation.
Compassionate Support
The consequence of high-risk people being forced into isolation in order to prioritize their safety is that it’s easy for others to move through the world like in pre-Covid times, unaware of those who are still desperately waiting and hoping to be able to safely rejoin society and be in community again.
The invisibility of mental and certain physical health conditions allows stigma to flourish while those suffering can slip through the cracks. But it’s never too late to bring attention and care to invisible struggles.
For allies and those who want to support the chronic illness community, we recommend the following:
- Do more than what CDC guidance requires. CDC guidance is not sufficient for keeping vulnerable people safe. Instead, try to use the Swiss Cheese model of risk prevention. This recognizes that no Covid precaution is 100% effective. Multiple layers of precautions (like requiring negative tests AND masking at an event) are needed to best reduce risk. The People’s CDC offers a Safer Gatherings Toolkit to help you consider a multitude of precautions when planning in-person gatherings.
- Recognize the impact of peer pressure. When no one is masking, it can feel harder to mask. In the same vein, your decision to wear a mask can create a positive ripple effect of others masking. Wearing a mask, especially in essential spaces, makes it easier for high-risk people to participate in society and live an enjoyable life.
- Take the burden off your high-risk loved ones. People who are still taking Covid precautions are burnt out. It means the world when others take on the labor of ensuring Covid safety. This could look like inviting a high-risk friend to do something outdoors. Communicate about recent exposure risks prior to a gathering. Check out event spaces ahead of time to ensure proper ventilation and space to socially distance. At a time when it’s easier to not care, this is when we need people to care even more.
For those still taking precautions:
- If you feel “crazy” for being worried about Covid or question the extent of your precautions, you are not alone. This is a normal reaction to the extensive gaslighting occurring in the US around Covid. It makes sense to be scared. It also makes sense to trust the science, care about your safety and the safety of others.
- Take inspiration from 2020. Beautiful themes of community care and the ability to adapt came through when the Covid pandemic first hit. We blocked off streets to provide more outdoor dining and market spaces. We hosted virtual hangouts and game nights. We supported and cheered on essential workers. There was widespread advocation for systemic change like universal healthcare and remote work policies. A new normal can be one that includes more options and more care for ALL of our community members.
- Prioritize connection to challenge isolation. Mental health impacts of social isolation were talked about extensively in 2020. Now, there are fewer efforts now to ensure the well-being of those who have yet rejoined society. Careful, Caring, and Cautious is a Viva support group and social space designed to combat the isolation and gaslighting experienced by those who continue to take Covid precautions, whether by necessity or choice.
Healthy and able-bodied people know how good it felt to be able to come out of isolation in 2020 and get back to the things that bring us joy. There are so many people still waiting for this same relief. If we all do our part, we can increase safety, connection, and fulfillment for everyone.
About The Authors:
A clinician at The Viva Center in Washington, D.C. She supports client virtually who are based in DC, MD and VA. Faith specializes in working with couples, the LGBTQIA+ community, and applying a wide-range of modalities to meet clients where they are.
Mary Grace Comber
Client Specialist at The Viva Center. She supports our clients and clinicians through administrative and intake processes. She also organizes our Holistic Professionals Group and social media presence.
