The other day I posted something on my RL Facebook in response to comments made by people about how their jobs are essential too and they should be permitted to go back to work. Someone posted on their feed about how an old man goes to a bar for the company and a beer. How being a bartender is essential too… um, no. It prompted me to think about what is essential and why when people say things like this it scares me and I feel dismissed as a result. Why do I feel this way?
Because I am in the vulnerable category that if this disease hits me, I would most likely die. That I’m only 44 years old and people younger than me, healthier than me and with better health options are dying from this. How healthcare workers and other essential necessity workers (gas, food, medicine… notice alcohol is not in there anywhere or partying for that matter) are going to work every day putting their lives on the line and many of them have lost their lives because of it. How my friends who live in countries that are worse off than mine or even in the U.S. and U.K. that are worse off than the country town I live in. Why do these things worry me the most?
I have asthma. I have Type II Diabetes. I am immunosuppressed. And I have a disorder that they can’t identify yet because I’m afraid to leave the house for fear that I will catch this and my immune system won’t be able to protect me. It scares me when people are so dismissive of this virus. All the misinformation, fear mongering from Congress and the MSM, seemingly “normal” people dismiss it as “just the flu” when it is obviously not. These posts about “essential workers” including barbers, bartenders, and other non-essential employees prompted the following post on my RL Facebook.
“I see so many people saying that their job is essential even though the business they work for has closed their doors during the stay-at-home orders. I see so many people complaining about how this is an inconvenience to them. How their rights are being infringed. How can’t you go to the bar and party? How can’t you go shopping. How THEY can’t hang out with their friends. When you say this, this is the message I get: You don’t give a shit whether I live or die. Or someone I am close to lives or dies.
When you say that your life and livelihood are more “essential” to the community then you are saying that I am not important. That my mom isn’t important. That my dad isn’t important (cranky man that he is).
What is essential?
The grandmother who is face timing with her grandchildren so she doesn’t lose connection with them while she remains home.
The daughter who goes to the store for that grandmother so her mother doesn’t have to get out and risk getting sick.
That elderly man who has prostate cancer and seen three wars in his life time or suffers from dementia.
That young 21-year-old woman who has cancer and is ringing in her birthday with her nurses in the hospital.
That young man who would be taking his steps down the aisle to graduate this year but instead stays home to help do his part and protect his grandmother, mom, and any other person who may be affected.
That young girl laying in the bed intubated because she caught COVID-19 and now has pneumonia and needs to be on the ventilator until it passes… if it passes…
That Doctor or Nurse that travels to work every day, leaving their families at home, while they face this on the front lines of the battle (and yes, it is a battle against an unknown enemy).
That CNA who goes to the nursing home every shift to take care of your grandparents while putting herself at risk and working long hours.
That janitor who cleans those rooms after someone passes from the virus or recovers so you don’t catch it.
The police officer who has to do his duty and enforce the laws of the land just so you and your family is safe in bed at your homes every night.
And more…
All these lives are essential. Every one of us who have underlying conditions, cancer, are elderly, sick, or otherwise infirm are essential.
Remember that when you complain about how “essential” your job is and how many “rights” are being taken away from you while you should be doing the right thing and protecting the people who are weaker than you.
Life is essential. All life is essential. Yours, mine, the person next door, that elderly woman or man, the young woman in the hospital bed…
Every member of the community is essential. Everyone. No matter what their jobs are but right now, no one needs to get acrylic nails or perms to save their lives. Right now, people don’t need to have huge parties in order to feel connected. It’s the digital age, use your imagination! Right now, you don’t need that beer to survive, but you do need food, water, medicine, and necessities like toilet paper (leave some for others though pls).
Remember that next time you say that your job is more essential than my life. That is the message you send to me.”
In the end, no one should feel dismissed because people don’t understand. Not the vulnerable categories or the healthcare workers (Doctors, Nurses, CNA’s, even the janitors and food workers). So, this post is a shout out to my friends who are vulnerable like me and my healthcare worker friends, people who work in retail, pharmacies, in vulnerable positions because they are considered an essential employee and can’t remain home. This post is also a message to others who are stuck at home: Get over it. You’re essential too but at the moment just stay home. You’ll save someone’s life…possibly even your own. And the next time someone comes to you and says something like “I’m scared,” don’t dismiss their concerns. They are valid and there’s a reason they have these fears. Try listening to them before you decide that their concerns are invalid.
Stay safe, Adventurites! Alert, not anxious! Find some fun things to do that you haven’t had a chance to do before now and above all, be kind! See you next time, Adventurites! XOXO! ~LA ♥
See on Flickr!
Credits:
Dream Lights with Materials Light Themes Blinking On/Off – Secret Sunday Sale – April 19, 2020
Spiral Floor Lamp Mirror
Cushy Lounger PG – Secret Sunday Sale – April 19, 2020
Sparkle Fairy Lights v2 RainbowDk – Secret Sunday Sale – April 19, 2020
Coffee and Biscuits Dispenser No Emotes – Secret Sunday Sale – April 19, 2020
Wire Frame Coffee Table & Décor – Secret Sunday Sale – April 19, 2020
Henderson Pink Striped Rug – Secret Sunday Sale – April 19, 2020
Henderson Driftwood Shutter Shelf – Secret Sunday Sale – April 19, 2020
Bohemian Decor Ladder
Yellow Tin Can Planter (Live)
Teal Tin Can Planter (Love)
Yellow Boho Tin Can Planter (Laugh)
Hanging plants – cheese plant
Hanging plants – ivy planter
Hanging plants – double planter
Kitten Collection :: Static (Sleepy 2)
Kitten Collection :: Static (Snuggle Pile)
Ceramic Owl
Ninah Cottage {A} – Collabor88 April
Pothos Plant (small)
Heart Guitar on Stand (pale pink)
House Plant – Eucalyptus
House Plant – Rubber Tree
Here in the UK, I’m self-isolating because I’m on immune-suppressant medication and thus at-risk. I too worry about the actions of those who downplay the seriousness of Coronavirus and put their own wants above the well-being of others. And I’m not convinced that the UK government has got to grips with the crisis, in part because it’s revealing the extent to which they’ve made the situation worse through their policies over the last 10 years.