To Anyone That Isn’t Taking Social Distancing Seriously
A message to anyone that isn’t taking note of the social distancing request. This is going to be a long one, so bare with me!
Covid-19 has become world wide and it has come to the UK with a bang of selfish panic buying and individuals who are selfishly going about their daily lives as normal because “it won’t affect me.”
This is a virus that attacks the respiratory system, but can also cause other complications if the case is severe. Most of the country have perfectly healthy lungs and aren’t classed as vulnerable, so they’ll have a fever, a cough and be absolutely fine again. However, “healthy” does not make you invincible.
In July last year I suffered a stroke, caused by, none other than a virus. This virus attacked my perfectly healthy heart and caused it to fail. While it wasn’t working properly (myocarditis) it created clots, these went up to my brain and caused a stroke. I was lucky, A&E and Intensive Care weren’t overrun and they saved my life, all because there was a bed, a ventilator and enough staff to help keep me alive.
I was 100% healthy, no underlying health conditions, young, ate healthily and exercised regularly. Illness can happen to each and every one of us, this virus doesn’t care what your life is like, if it sees a way in, it’ll take it. This Coronavirus has caused Myocarditis and other major health conditions in patients and if there is no equipment left to help you, your body will become unable to carry on.
For the elderly and vulnerable, as well as others in our society, this virus could cause a stay in the ICU. Let me tell you about ICU after spending 5 and a half weeks in there last year. It will be the scariest and loneliest time of your life. For me, I had family and friends visit me daily, which kept the loneliness at bay, but they still had to leave me there alone. With the virus spreading, do you think you’ll be allowed visitors when you’re contagious?
No, you’ll be left there alone and scared, fighting for your life. The fantastic nurses and healthcare assistants do an unbelievably amazing job, helping to keep you safe and also helping to combat the lonely times. Those that looked after me really helped to keep my mental health from falling into pieces, during those times when there was no one but the cruel voice inside my head. Do you think there’ll be enough workers there and that they’ll have enough time to have a chat and make sure you’re doing alright mentally?
With an already stretched system, you’ll be extremely lucky.
This outbreak has brought back a lot of memories and flashbacks, I’m terrified. I’m terrified for myself, my family, my friends and everyone who will suffer from this illness. Being on the brink of death is not something that is funny, it is not something to be seen as “not a big deal” or an “overreaction”, it is awful for you and everyone who knows you. And this virus makes that a very real possibility.
Why would you voluntarily put yourself at risk of that? Why would you voluntarily put a family member, a friend or keyworker at risk of that?
I hope with this post I can just stop one person going through the life changing trauma of severe illness, or stop one person who may die from this awful virus. Think of who you could spread this to. Everyone has someone elderly or vulnerable in their life, wouldn’t you do anything in your power to stop them from dying?
By social distancing you are slowing the spread and helping the NHS to be able to deal with these life threatening cases. By not panic buying and crowding the shops, you are also slowing down the spread and leaving food available for those that are unable to carry bulk items home, or are unable to afford to buy the extra that everyone else is.
Please, please, please listen to someone who has been so unwell and in a similar situation and treat it like a big deal.
Be clean and wash your hands, use a tissue and dispose of it properly. Be aware of those around you, don’t go out unnecessarily. The NHS needs us to comply to these simple, life saving rules. In reality all I’m saying is, #dontbeadick, please.
Stay safe everyone and let’s save lives.
