Think a out others

I try very hard to respect everyones opinions and beliefs. I am typically very good at seeing both sides of an issue and being open minded and empathetic. These are the traits that have served me well at my various jobs. What I feel the need to say isn’t intended to be political, it is intended to be human. Whatever your politics or beliefs happen to be around this pandemic, I would like to ask you to think about something. For the majority of you all of these restrictions are a annoyance, wearing a mask won’t make a difference, and if you get sick you will probably be fine because its just a virus. But for a moment think about it this way: Maine has a significant population of people who are over the age of 65. This group of people are at high risk for severe symptoms from the virus. This population for most of us includes our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, and possibly siblings. Then think about anyone you know living with a chronic illness. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, any kind of autoimmune condition, any disease affecting organs like heart disease or asthma, cystic fibrosis people fighting cancer, and anything else I didn’t list. All of those people you can list are the people these rules and restrictions are protecting. Because maybe you would have a cough for a week and be fine...but maybe I would be dead a week later. Since there is no way to visually identify everyone who is at higher risk, we have to assume everyone is and act accordingly. Especially knowing that you could be contagious for up to two weeks with no symptoms. I am very happy for everyone whose life is not being impacted in a drastic way. I wish that my life could continue as normal. After all, I have an essential job and should be fine right? Unfortunately, I am in the camp of high risk, I can’t work right now, and I have a horrible and getting worse anxiety every time I have to make an essential trip to a store. What scares me even more is the thought that I might bring it back to the people I love who are also high risk.
So for those of you who are lucky enough to not have to be scared every time you come into contact with other people I am happy for you. But please take a moment to think about those of us who have to be scared and remember who you are protecting.
Thank you for listening.