Today I am feeling a combination of gratitude, sympathy and guilt.
I attended a large Ukrainian event last weekend. It was a black tie affair at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia. It was a lot of fun and I saw and spent time with many friends and family and it was great. All three of my children came in for the event. There were about 600 people and the hall and adjacent rooms were packed and they were loud.
Unlike last year’s event, when there were some rules about masking in certain areas along with a covid vaccine requirement to attend, this year, it was a free-for-all. No rules. Just fun. There was only 1 person I saw the entire evening wearing a black KN95 mask. I don’t know if he was wearing it because of risk factors or he just wanted to protect himself. I did not wear a mask. I thought about it alot and felt that it may be time to let go a bit. I did so at a similar event the week before and came out unscathed (although some others did not).
Not too surprisingly, a few cases of Covid have turned up this week amongst my friends. Fortunately, so far none are suffering any severe symptoms. All have been vaccinated and fully boosted as far as I know. There will undoubtedly be more and there will likely be many who got infected but were asymptomatic, spreading the virus as they go about their lives.
I don’t think any of my friends came to the event infected. They most likely got infected at the event. This most recent variant can start to show symptoms within 48 hours after exposure.
I am sympathetic to their illness, grateful that I dodged another bullet (despite what I do, I have still not had Covid) but feeling guilty for not being more vigilant and recommending that attendees at least consider self testing beforehand.
I appreciate that we have to move on with life but this event highlights the fact that this very infectious virus is still very much amongst us and is causing all kinds of trouble. Absenteeism from school and work, feeling ill as well as the potential for serious complications, illness and long-term side effects.
How do we juggle this persistent pandemic and move on with life? I don’t have the answer. Many aspects of this pandemic are out of our control. There are however things well within our control. Perhaps mandating vaccination and constant mask wearing is unreasonable for such an event, but appealing to peoples self interests and perhaps compassion towards others will. Testing beforehand is not a big deal. Tests are cheap and, although not 100% accurate, they are all we have. In addition, if you have any symptoms of illness, it may mean that you should stay away so you don;t pass whatever you have along to others, some of whom may have serious underlying conditions.
Before any such events, I test myself, regardless of how I feel. I would feel horrible if I was the cause of someone else’s illness or serious complication, not to mention death.
Another thing we have 100% control over is how we take care of ourselves. Getting healthy is your best defense if you have been exposed. Eating well, focussing on a whole food, plant-based diet, stay well hydrated, daily exercise, stress management, sleeping well and social interactions are all extremely important for good health.
Please continue to be careful out there.
MASK up when reasonable and appropriate.
DISTANCE and/or ISOLATE if you are ill or live with someone who is.
TEST when there is a concern or if you plan to be amongst people, especially there may be at-risk individuals. Given the state of most Americans’ health, there is almost a 100% likelihood someone in your group is at risk.
GET HEALTHY.
VACCINATE and BOOST.
Stay safe and Be well.
AC