As we approach a new year, we need to start realizing the reality of living with COVID. It’s such a warm fuzzy feeling to think that we need to save the world from this devastating virus; however, the zero-tolerance policy is not reality. We need a different methodology that moves us forward and saves lives. Believe it or not, it is possible, but that depends on personal accountability. When I say personal accountability, it doesn’t mean wearing masks or getting a vaccine.
I am not a fan of wearing a mask because this is not a respiratory droplet virus; it is an airborne virus, and cloth masks do not protect you in any shape or form. If you look at prior studies done (before COVID), public face masking does little good even for a respiratory droplet virus simply because of human nature. Ever take a moment and scan a room filled with individuals wearing masks? I have seen very little compliance. Masks are never properly fitted, individuals are constantly pulling them down, and a good portion of the droplets will go right through the mask. Personally, it just gives people a false sense of protection. They only work in structured environments such as a healthcare setting. Compliance is at a much higher rate because individuals realize that the setting is subjected to high-risk individuals. Also, realize cloth masks are not antimicrobial grade masks. Seriously, who is washing these masks regularly? How can anyone possibly think wearing these masks all day long can be healthy for anyone’s respiratory tract. Studies have shown that cloth masks are better than synthetic masks for trapping respiratory secretions, though you must look at the overall picture. No one is wearing them correctly; you are breathing trapped air, and COVID is an airborne virus. So, they do no good in this equation.
Next, I believe in vaccination, and I have no problem with anyone getting one. Though, data, for example, doesn’t show that healthy individuals under the age of 18 need to receive one. Plus, we must realize that this vaccine does not get us out of this pandemic. Simply because any time the virus can interact with a host, it will continue to plague. We have learned that these vaccines do not stop the transmission of the virus. Plus, this is an endemic respiratory virus, just like the flu. The good thing about the vaccine is that it does reduce the severity of the illness. This is a pandemic for the vulnerable, not the unvaccinated. Look at the data; anyone that has succumbed to this virus has had underlying issues. It appears that the biggest ones were age, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. This virus has exploited the health of our society. These high-risk individuals are the ones that need to receive a vaccine. So, why is the government or private companies forcing the issue for a one size fits all approach? Human behavior tells us that forcing people to do something makes people do the opposite. Kind of like a teenager who doesn’t like to be told what to do by their parents. Why the communication didn’t come from our trusted health clinicians is puzzling.
So, with that said, that gets back to my point – personal accountability. Until we wake up as a society to acknowledge our health, we will never get past this. We need to take ownership of our health and it goes back to the basics: eating, sleeping, exercising, being connected spiritually, and leading a stress-free life the best you can. They predict that by 2025, half of the US population will be considered obese. Obesity causes so many chronic illnesses. In the past few decades, the slow shift of wanting to live the easy, convenient life will be the downfall of society. Being responsible for yourself takes discipline. Your health is everything because, without your health, you have nothing. I watch individuals who refuse to care for themselves sink in a deep hole and, unfortunately, cause permanent damage. Why would anyone do this to themselves? And I think it’s ignorance. Education and technology are vital components in helping people change their ways. To live healthy, productive lives, they need knowledge about preventing sickness and disease. Education develops skills, habits, and attitudes that enable individuals to make informed decisions. Technology will help keep people focused. There are so many apps that help people connect to their well-being and clinicians. They allow you to log your daily habits, making you more mindful of making good decisions. By taking charge and holding ourselves accountable, we can prevent obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, those same conditions that caused so many people to lose their lives from COVID. Let’s hope by the time this year ends, we can focus on what makes sense moving forward instead of these draconian rules that only create a divide. Stay home when you are sick and take care of yourself. It’s that simple.
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