On January 27, 2020 I ordered my first box of masks. The date may surprise you but, I’d been reading the research coming out of Wuhan and Europe. As had my neurologist. Given I’m severely immune compromised, it was decided I would begin taking precautions and begin lockdown. January, 2020.

I watched in sadness and horror as our country slowly realized the threat we faced. Too slowly. Many will not remember but, we actually were warned. European outbreaks were daunting and they were telling us of what was to come. We didn’t listen. COVID-19 arrived and the Pandemic began.

Hospitals soon became overwhelmed with patients. Health care workers forced to work lacking proper PPE. Long, grueling shifts where they simply were treading water. Placing themselves at risk.

People took to the new news source, FB, and began the great debate. Statements from newly crowned experts such as “It’s only the flu”my personal favorite, filled timelines. So many opinions, so little attention to the actual experts. The actual experts who themselves were struggling to learn everything they could about this novel virus. In record time.

We saw the development of a vaccine faster than ever in the history of virology. People think the technology was developed overnight. It wasn’t. It was technology that had actually been in development for many years. But now, it was needed to be applied.

We saw the lockdown of the country and then the re-opening. We learned about social distancing and mitigation. It has and continues to be one of the most significant public health crisis of modern times.

While all of this was occurring, there was and continues to be the forgotten. The small population who are immune suppressed, immune compromised and alone.

These people live alone, have been locked down throughout this pandemic and remain so. They are isolated. There are no socially distanced parties for them. No restaurants despite the reopening. No shopping in person. No vacations or day trips. Basically, no social interaction.

Imagine your life for 20 months alone. No physical contact except for the occasional health care worker. The occasional visit from someone, outside, masked, after 14 months.

That is the life of the forgotten.

What can you do? First, if you haven’t already, get vaccinated. The sooner we can end this nightmare, the sooner everyone can return to normal. And vaccines are the path to that. They protect you and they protect the community. Next, you can think about who may know who is “forgotten.” Are they isolated? Still living in lockdown? Reach out. They need human contact. A zoom call where they can actually see your face. If you can see them safely outside with mitigation, ask them if you can visit. It needs to be more than a text or phone call. They need to see people. Though a phone call to check in, is important. But be sure to be present. Remember, they are isolated and have been for a very long time.

If you know of anyone who may have mental health issues in this situation, it is extremely important to check on them visually. They may truly be struggling and professional help may be appropriate.

Please, let’s remember the forgotten and help them get through this. Let them know they’re not forgotten.

#Forgotten

#Covid-19

#Lockdown

#Vaccinate