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Beiträge, die mit WearAMask getaggt sind
My latest article is about the shooting of CEO Brian Thompson and how NYC Mayor Adams seems poised to use it as an excuse to bring in a ban on masks (which he’s wanted to do for awhile).
Mask bans are discriminatory, ableist and put lives at risk.
We are still IN an airborne pandemic. Everyone - whether disabled or not - should have the legal right to protect themselves from infection.
People need masks for all kinds of reasons. Pollution, wildfire smoke, allergies AND Covid. No one should be forced to risk their health because a necessary medical device has been criminalized for absolutely no reason.
Make no mistake - these bans won’t stop crime. Studies have shown that sunglasses obscure identity more effectively.
The only reason to ban masks is to pander to those on the right still angry about mask mandates - and to make it easier for the government to surveil its citizens.
Ironically those who screamed the loudest about freedom and bodily autonomy during mask mandates are eerily quiet about mask bans - despite the fact that they represent escalating fascism and government overreach.
We really are on our own.
Please - mask up. Do it in solidarity with disabled people who NEED masks in order to safely access public spaces. Do it to support the Covid aware people who just want to avoid infection. Do it to send a message to the government that you don’t believe anyone is expendable. Do it to protect our right to mask in the future.
It’s not too late - but we must get loud, work fast and wear our masks.
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nyc-mayor-wants-to-ban-masks-in-the
#maskbans #nomaskbans #noNYmaskban #covidisairborne #covidisnotover #sarscov2 #wearamask #respirator #brianthompson #luigimangione #ableism #discrimination #disabilityrights #disabilityjustice #maskup
Mask bans are discriminatory, ableist and put lives at risk.
We are still IN an airborne pandemic. Everyone - whether disabled or not - should have the legal right to protect themselves from infection.
People need masks for all kinds of reasons. Pollution, wildfire smoke, allergies AND Covid. No one should be forced to risk their health because a necessary medical device has been criminalized for absolutely no reason.
Make no mistake - these bans won’t stop crime. Studies have shown that sunglasses obscure identity more effectively.
The only reason to ban masks is to pander to those on the right still angry about mask mandates - and to make it easier for the government to surveil its citizens.
Ironically those who screamed the loudest about freedom and bodily autonomy during mask mandates are eerily quiet about mask bans - despite the fact that they represent escalating fascism and government overreach.
We really are on our own.
Please - mask up. Do it in solidarity with disabled people who NEED masks in order to safely access public spaces. Do it to support the Covid aware people who just want to avoid infection. Do it to send a message to the government that you don’t believe anyone is expendable. Do it to protect our right to mask in the future.
It’s not too late - but we must get loud, work fast and wear our masks.
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nyc-mayor-wants-to-ban-masks-in-the
#maskbans #nomaskbans #noNYmaskban #covidisairborne #covidisnotover #sarscov2 #wearamask #respirator #brianthompson #luigimangione #ableism #discrimination #disabilityrights #disabilityjustice #maskup
NYC Mayor Wants to Ban Masks in the Wake of Shooting Death of CEO Brian Thompson
A look at how the shooting death of Brian Thompson is being used to re-ignite interest in banning masks in New York City - a move which would be a devastating blow to the disabled community.Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)
Never underestimate the power of wearing a mask.
It’s an act of solidarity with disabled people.
It’s an act of resistance against governments trying to convince you the covid threat is over and that certain people are “expendable”.
It’s an act of compassion. You’re showing your unwillingness to be responsible for the death or disability of another person.
It’s self care. You’re protecting your health and the health of those around you.
We could have chosen to learn from the early period of the pandemic. We could have been excited about eradicating an entire strain of the flu - and adopted masking as a powerful public health tool.
Instead we made them political - and to this day people are willing to be repeatedly infected with Covid rather than do something different.
They cling to the narrative “we didn’t mask before Covid so why should we now?”
The answer is simple. When you know better - you do better.
We know Covid is a serious multi system virus that’s causing long term harm. We know a good respirator prevents catching or spreading it.
We need to adapt - and it’s not too late.
#covidisairborne #covidisnotover #sarscov2 #longcovid #wearamask #disability #ableism #cleanair
It’s an act of solidarity with disabled people.
It’s an act of resistance against governments trying to convince you the covid threat is over and that certain people are “expendable”.
It’s an act of compassion. You’re showing your unwillingness to be responsible for the death or disability of another person.
It’s self care. You’re protecting your health and the health of those around you.
We could have chosen to learn from the early period of the pandemic. We could have been excited about eradicating an entire strain of the flu - and adopted masking as a powerful public health tool.
Instead we made them political - and to this day people are willing to be repeatedly infected with Covid rather than do something different.
They cling to the narrative “we didn’t mask before Covid so why should we now?”
The answer is simple. When you know better - you do better.
We know Covid is a serious multi system virus that’s causing long term harm. We know a good respirator prevents catching or spreading it.
We need to adapt - and it’s not too late.
#covidisairborne #covidisnotover #sarscov2 #longcovid #wearamask #disability #ableism #cleanair
Do not get on a plane without a good mask. N95 or better. The chances of you getting sick if you don’t are very high. Covid, RSV, Pneumonia, Influenza, take your pick. #WearAMask
Seems like there is a "mysterious" virus outbreak on campus. More students absent that usual. And in one class this morning, more than half of the students present were wearing a mask (something I hadn't seen in months, possibly more).
Fun fact: another teacher who's been passive aggressive with me for still wearing a mask was also wearing one this morning! (MOFO)
I guess it's better than not at all, but I just find it weird to wait to be sick before wearing one.
#WearAMask
Fun fact: another teacher who's been passive aggressive with me for still wearing a mask was also wearing one this morning! (MOFO)
I guess it's better than not at all, but I just find it weird to wait to be sick before wearing one.
#WearAMask
a group of bigger failures in history there may not be than those who failed upward into positions of authority in their respective specialty or focus in medicine, who then responded to the worst pandemic in a century by ripping their Emperor's clothes straight off & revealing how denuded they are of so called leadership & deserved accolades.
*Speaking of anyone in positions of expertise who have chosen denial & ignorance over the precautionary principle. If this isnt you, then im clearly not talking about you, am I?
#covid19 #WearAMask
*Speaking of anyone in positions of expertise who have chosen denial & ignorance over the precautionary principle. If this isnt you, then im clearly not talking about you, am I?
#covid19 #WearAMask
I’ve had people ask me why I’m concerned about mask bans given there’s a “medical exemption”
Mask bans are a return to ugly laws that will further isolate & exclude disabled people from society.
Medical exemptions are inadequate & leave many people behind (like healthy covid cautious people)
My article goes into it in more detail - but police are NOT medical professionals. It shouldn’t be up to them to determine who’s “medically justified” in wearing a mask
Many of us have invisible illnesses & struggle to convince our doctors to take us seriously
What hope do we have with police?
Moreover - disabled people don’t exist in a vacuum. We have friends, family and caregivers who we rely on to mask to protect us. They don’t qualify under most medical exemptions.
If you’re non disabled and want to stay that way? If you’re trying to avoid covid? That also doesn’t qualify.
These bans represent escalating fascism. They’re preying on people’s hatred for the disabled as well as their anger over mask mandates and covid policies.
The best way to push back? Wear a mask. Right now.
Call local lawmakers & tell them you won’t visit any state or county with a ban.
The Governor of North Carolina vetoed the bill - but the senate super majority overrode his veto.
Right after the mask ban bill passed - a woman with stage 4 cancer was accosted for masking.
The man called her a liberal, identified himself as a conservative & coughed on her.
What’s even more appalling - is that if you read the language of the North Carolina bill - it says any OCCUPANT of a public space can legally demand you remove your mask.
Its essentially deputizing the public to enforce mask bans - and designed to dissuade people from masking in the first place
Given these bans have been pushed by Republicans - and JD Vance spearheaded the federal ban on mask mandates - it’s prudent to fight back now while we still can.
Wearing a mask in public shows solidarity. It helps normalize them as a medical device. It will make them harder to ban.
My full article on the Nassau County ban and why medical exemptions aren’t the answer is below - I just found out Facebook has removed it for “disinformation”. And we wonder why more people don’t know mask bans have already happened 😞
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nassau-county-ny-makes-masking-illegal
#nomaskbans #maskbans #wearamask #CovidIsNotOver #covidisairborne #ableism #eugenics #discrimination #disability
Mask bans are a return to ugly laws that will further isolate & exclude disabled people from society.
Medical exemptions are inadequate & leave many people behind (like healthy covid cautious people)
My article goes into it in more detail - but police are NOT medical professionals. It shouldn’t be up to them to determine who’s “medically justified” in wearing a mask
Many of us have invisible illnesses & struggle to convince our doctors to take us seriously
What hope do we have with police?
Moreover - disabled people don’t exist in a vacuum. We have friends, family and caregivers who we rely on to mask to protect us. They don’t qualify under most medical exemptions.
If you’re non disabled and want to stay that way? If you’re trying to avoid covid? That also doesn’t qualify.
These bans represent escalating fascism. They’re preying on people’s hatred for the disabled as well as their anger over mask mandates and covid policies.
The best way to push back? Wear a mask. Right now.
Call local lawmakers & tell them you won’t visit any state or county with a ban.
The Governor of North Carolina vetoed the bill - but the senate super majority overrode his veto.
Right after the mask ban bill passed - a woman with stage 4 cancer was accosted for masking.
The man called her a liberal, identified himself as a conservative & coughed on her.
What’s even more appalling - is that if you read the language of the North Carolina bill - it says any OCCUPANT of a public space can legally demand you remove your mask.
Its essentially deputizing the public to enforce mask bans - and designed to dissuade people from masking in the first place
Given these bans have been pushed by Republicans - and JD Vance spearheaded the federal ban on mask mandates - it’s prudent to fight back now while we still can.
Wearing a mask in public shows solidarity. It helps normalize them as a medical device. It will make them harder to ban.
My full article on the Nassau County ban and why medical exemptions aren’t the answer is below - I just found out Facebook has removed it for “disinformation”. And we wonder why more people don’t know mask bans have already happened 😞
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nassau-county-ny-makes-masking-illegal
#nomaskbans #maskbans #wearamask #CovidIsNotOver #covidisairborne #ableism #eugenics #discrimination #disability
Nassau County, NY Makes Masking Illegal - Why Medical Exemptions Aren't the Answer
Defendants of mask bans point to medical exemptions as proof that disabled people have nothing to worry about. They're wrong. A look at why bans are ableist, discriminatory and dangerous.Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)
Great article encouraging (but not shaming) people who are disappointed in the recent election results to wear mask to help to look after the vulnerable people in the community.
https://open.substack.com/pub/loweryourexpectations/p/heres-something-you-can-do-if-you?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
#wearamask #mutualaid #covid
https://open.substack.com/pub/loweryourexpectations/p/heres-something-you-can-do-if-you?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
#wearamask #mutualaid #covid
Here's something you can do if you care about other people
Yes, you might feel self-conscious. So what?Diane Shipley (Lower Your Expectations)
“If you’ve been fighting for Covid mitigations for the last five years - you more than likely saw this coming. It was painfully obvious when the great unmasking occurred that many people on BOTH sides of the aisle didn’t care about the “vulnerable”. Didn’t care about community or protecting their neighbours. Didn’t care about anything other than their own ability to go to brunch, travel, socialize and get ‘back to normal.’
I’m not saying people should have shuttered inside their homes forever. None of us are. But they should have kept masking. There was no reason to stop. Respirators are highly effective at stopping the spread of Covid. The vast majority of people CAN wear them. We have mask blocs all over the world to provide masks to people who can’t afford them. It’s a simple thing you can do to protect yourself and - perhaps more importantly - protect others.”
If you missed my latest - it’s about the U.S. election, disability rights, eugenics, fascism and how we got to where we are. Perhaps more importantly - it’s about what comes next.
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/how-did-we-get-here-and-what-comes
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans #fascism #election2024
I’m not saying people should have shuttered inside their homes forever. None of us are. But they should have kept masking. There was no reason to stop. Respirators are highly effective at stopping the spread of Covid. The vast majority of people CAN wear them. We have mask blocs all over the world to provide masks to people who can’t afford them. It’s a simple thing you can do to protect yourself and - perhaps more importantly - protect others.”
If you missed my latest - it’s about the U.S. election, disability rights, eugenics, fascism and how we got to where we are. Perhaps more importantly - it’s about what comes next.
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/how-did-we-get-here-and-what-comes
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans #fascism #election2024
How Did We Get Here and What Comes Next?
Disabled people have been warning others for nearly 5 years that eugenicist Covid policies would lead to a rise of fascist, racist, bigoted, misogynistic hatred. It's here now. So what’s next?Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)
People spend their lives running from suffering. Doing whatever they can to avoid feeling pain. The idea of “forever suffering” is terrifying to them. I think this fear is behind a lot of the disdain we see directed at disabled people.
We remind others that suffering can be permanent. That it can’t always be outrun.
We exist in the grey. Our illnesses won’t kill us - but they also won’t ever get better. There’s no cure on the horizon. No “are you better yet?”
This reality scares the crap out of people.
As such - they pull away from us. They abandon us or treat us with such disdain that we walk away from them. The ones that stay often expect us to hide how sick we are. To plaster a smile on our face and say we’re “fine” so that they don’t have to feel uncomfortable.
When they ask how we’re feeling or if we’re “any better”… they don’t want to hear the truth. In fact - if you tell them the truth you could find yourself facing a lecture on “positive thinking” or how you just need to “try harder” and you will suddenly overcome your illnesses.
People are unable or unwilling to face the realities of chronic illness - so they make it harder for us to face it as well. They treat it like it’s our fault. Like we did something to become ill or like we could get better if we “really wanted to”.
They will push our boundaries, gaslight us and yes - put us at risk for covid. So this is your reminder that it is ok to set and hold boundaries. It’s ok to protect yourself. If someone won’t be there at your worst - they don’t deserve you.
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/we-dont-do-sick-if-you-cant-hide
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans
We remind others that suffering can be permanent. That it can’t always be outrun.
We exist in the grey. Our illnesses won’t kill us - but they also won’t ever get better. There’s no cure on the horizon. No “are you better yet?”
This reality scares the crap out of people.
As such - they pull away from us. They abandon us or treat us with such disdain that we walk away from them. The ones that stay often expect us to hide how sick we are. To plaster a smile on our face and say we’re “fine” so that they don’t have to feel uncomfortable.
When they ask how we’re feeling or if we’re “any better”… they don’t want to hear the truth. In fact - if you tell them the truth you could find yourself facing a lecture on “positive thinking” or how you just need to “try harder” and you will suddenly overcome your illnesses.
People are unable or unwilling to face the realities of chronic illness - so they make it harder for us to face it as well. They treat it like it’s our fault. Like we did something to become ill or like we could get better if we “really wanted to”.
They will push our boundaries, gaslight us and yes - put us at risk for covid. So this is your reminder that it is ok to set and hold boundaries. It’s ok to protect yourself. If someone won’t be there at your worst - they don’t deserve you.
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/we-dont-do-sick-if-you-cant-hide
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans
Family Abandonment During Covid Pandemic. They 'Don't Do Sick'.
A look at relationship dynamics, ableism and the importance of setting (and sticking) to personal boundariesBroadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)
People are angry that hospitals are bringing back mask mandates due to COVID outbreaks.
Patients like me are angry that we have to risk infection to get medical care. Some of us have died due to hospital acquired COVID.
Masks make sense in hospitals - why oppose them?
I’ve yet to hear a decent argument against mask mandates in hospitals.
The people who oppose them are almost always the ones screaming about how strong and healthy their immune systems are - so theoretically they never spend any time IN a hospital. Why do they care?
Inevitably people just trot out the tired “if your mask works then no one else needs one”… which just highlights that they’ve never spent any significant time in the hospital.
If you’re sick enough to need the hospital there’s decent odds something might prevent you from masking.
Even if you CAN mask - if you’re admitted what do you do when you need to eat, drink or brush your teeth? What if you require oxygen, having vomiting or airway complications?
The responsibility to stay covid safe shouldn’t be left to the patient.
It’s cruel and unusual punishment.
Mandatory masks mean that patients are protected by those around them - which is how it should be.
No one should have to risk covid to get care - and the normalization of hospital acquired covid needs to stop.
If you’re someone who opposes masks in healthcare - or who doesn’t understand WHY they’re necessary - please read my plea to healthcare workers.
Vulnerable patients feel unsafe. Expendable. Terrified.
Needing the hospital is scary enough - we shouldn’t have to worry about forced infection too:
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/a-plea-to-maskless-healthcare-workers
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhe
Patients like me are angry that we have to risk infection to get medical care. Some of us have died due to hospital acquired COVID.
Masks make sense in hospitals - why oppose them?
I’ve yet to hear a decent argument against mask mandates in hospitals.
The people who oppose them are almost always the ones screaming about how strong and healthy their immune systems are - so theoretically they never spend any time IN a hospital. Why do they care?
Inevitably people just trot out the tired “if your mask works then no one else needs one”… which just highlights that they’ve never spent any significant time in the hospital.
If you’re sick enough to need the hospital there’s decent odds something might prevent you from masking.
Even if you CAN mask - if you’re admitted what do you do when you need to eat, drink or brush your teeth? What if you require oxygen, having vomiting or airway complications?
The responsibility to stay covid safe shouldn’t be left to the patient.
It’s cruel and unusual punishment.
Mandatory masks mean that patients are protected by those around them - which is how it should be.
No one should have to risk covid to get care - and the normalization of hospital acquired covid needs to stop.
If you’re someone who opposes masks in healthcare - or who doesn’t understand WHY they’re necessary - please read my plea to healthcare workers.
Vulnerable patients feel unsafe. Expendable. Terrified.
Needing the hospital is scary enough - we shouldn’t have to worry about forced infection too:
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/a-plea-to-maskless-healthcare-workers
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhe
A Plea to Maskless Healthcare Workers from Vulnerable Patients
If you see a mask - wear a mask. Better yet - wear a mask all the time and show us you understand that we're still IN a pandemic. We are depending on you to keep us safe - please don't betray that.Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)
A few months ago a friend told me I needed to stop “being a burden” on those around me & find somewhere with round the clock care to live & accommodate my disabilities. Knowing no such place exists for someone like me - I gave them a challenge.
I told them that I had looked for such a place many times - and I’ve come up empty because people like me (relatively young with unstable chronic illnesses) fall through the cracks. We aren’t considered when care homes are being established.
We have homes for the elderly, rehab centres and hospices but almost nothing for a young person who isn’t imminently dying but also has no expectation of improvement. I challenged this friend to find me a place - within a reasonable budget - and said if they did I would move.
Of course they were unable to find anything - and in fact even when they tripled their budget they came up empty. There was one contender that provided a brief glimmer of hope - but as soon as they discovered my heart condition they said no.
The reason? “She’s too unstable and we don’t have adequate monitoring. She should be in hospital or try hospice.” Most chronically ill people know that hospitals are short term solutions & will often discharge you before you’re strong enough to be on your own.
And hospice? You can’t enter hospice unless you are imminently dying. So around & around this friend went… hitting all the same roadblocks I’ve hit time and time again. Finally they asked if I considered private in home nursing?
In home nurses where I am start at around $36/hour. If you need round the clock care that’s just over $6000 a week. Clearly not an option for the vast majority of people.
Finally my friend conceded that I was right and there was no magical place where I could have round the clock care & cease being a “burden” to those around me. They were flustered and apologetic & kept saying “I just assumed you hadn’t really looked”.
Therein lies the problem for so many of us - our friends & family always seem to assume they know better and/or that we have simply failed and not “tried hard enough”. The reality is we often spend all our energy looking for solutions - but those solutions simply don’t exist.
I thanked my friend for apologizing & for their efforts in trying to find a place - but I also asked them to consider how it feels to be called a “burden” just for needing support to survive. To be told you needed to go away & stop “bothering” friends & family?
Of course my friend didn’t have an answer - just uncomfortable silence followed by some muffled apologies. I share this story to implore people to stop assuming disabled people haven’t already tried the things you’re suggesting.
This doesn’t mean it’s wrong to make suggestions. But if we tell you we’ve already tried it and it’s not an option - believe us. It’s exhausting spending your days dealing with chronic illness - we don’t need to be explaining ourselves to people who should have our back.
Lastly - disabled people are NOT a burden. There’s nothing wrong with needing help to survive. Telling someone they should feel bad about receiving that help is an unkind thing to do. Please offer help or keep quiet. Most importantly - believe us when we say we’ve tried.
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidIsNotOver #CovidCautious #sarscov2 #maskup #WearAMask #CleanAir #Pandemic #Disability #accessibility #DisabilityRights #N95s #Ableism #CommunityCare #Eugenics
I told them that I had looked for such a place many times - and I’ve come up empty because people like me (relatively young with unstable chronic illnesses) fall through the cracks. We aren’t considered when care homes are being established.
We have homes for the elderly, rehab centres and hospices but almost nothing for a young person who isn’t imminently dying but also has no expectation of improvement. I challenged this friend to find me a place - within a reasonable budget - and said if they did I would move.
Of course they were unable to find anything - and in fact even when they tripled their budget they came up empty. There was one contender that provided a brief glimmer of hope - but as soon as they discovered my heart condition they said no.
The reason? “She’s too unstable and we don’t have adequate monitoring. She should be in hospital or try hospice.” Most chronically ill people know that hospitals are short term solutions & will often discharge you before you’re strong enough to be on your own.
And hospice? You can’t enter hospice unless you are imminently dying. So around & around this friend went… hitting all the same roadblocks I’ve hit time and time again. Finally they asked if I considered private in home nursing?
In home nurses where I am start at around $36/hour. If you need round the clock care that’s just over $6000 a week. Clearly not an option for the vast majority of people.
Finally my friend conceded that I was right and there was no magical place where I could have round the clock care & cease being a “burden” to those around me. They were flustered and apologetic & kept saying “I just assumed you hadn’t really looked”.
Therein lies the problem for so many of us - our friends & family always seem to assume they know better and/or that we have simply failed and not “tried hard enough”. The reality is we often spend all our energy looking for solutions - but those solutions simply don’t exist.
I thanked my friend for apologizing & for their efforts in trying to find a place - but I also asked them to consider how it feels to be called a “burden” just for needing support to survive. To be told you needed to go away & stop “bothering” friends & family?
Of course my friend didn’t have an answer - just uncomfortable silence followed by some muffled apologies. I share this story to implore people to stop assuming disabled people haven’t already tried the things you’re suggesting.
This doesn’t mean it’s wrong to make suggestions. But if we tell you we’ve already tried it and it’s not an option - believe us. It’s exhausting spending your days dealing with chronic illness - we don’t need to be explaining ourselves to people who should have our back.
Lastly - disabled people are NOT a burden. There’s nothing wrong with needing help to survive. Telling someone they should feel bad about receiving that help is an unkind thing to do. Please offer help or keep quiet. Most importantly - believe us when we say we’ve tried.
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidIsNotOver #CovidCautious #sarscov2 #maskup #WearAMask #CleanAir #Pandemic #Disability #accessibility #DisabilityRights #N95s #Ableism #CommunityCare #Eugenics