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The speed of COVID deaths in the U. S. UU. se has slowed significantly, with the death toll in the country exceeding one million people. With the removal of precautions such as mandatory mask-wearing, it might seem that concerns about the virus have also disappeared. But for many other people with disabilities, the risk is still very real. We heard from others in the disability network about their considerations.
Note: Transcripts are generated through machines and humans and are modified for accuracy. They would possibly involve mistakes.
Jean Yang:
The rate of COVID-19 deaths in the United States has slowed significantly. The death toll nationwide stands at more than one million people. With precautions such as mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing and isolation removed, it may seem that concerns about the virus have also disappeared. But for many other people with disabilities, the risk is still very real. We asked others in the disability network to share their thoughts on this new normal.
Naomi Ben Porath:
Naomi Ben-Porath. I’m 26 years old. I live in Lowell, Massachusetts. I have POTS, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. I would say that the adjustments to COVID-related policies have made me a lot more nervous about going out.
Ngozi Alston:
My calling is Ngozi Alston. Je suffers from scleroderma, which is an autoimmune disease. There are so many eliminations out there, right? For example, we are not part of public spaces. We are not part of a mass movement. We will be. They are not safe.
Jermaine’s Greaves:
My calling is Jermaine Greaves. My disability is cerebral palsy. It is a neurological disease that affects the brain and muscles. My current disability is hidradenitis suppurativa. It is a chronic skin disease. I’m just afraid of being in poor health and not being able to get out of it, you know, that’s a genuine fear for me.
John Ross:
My calling is John Ross. I am a 71-year-old widower with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. I don’t go to restaurants. I don’t go inside the premises.
Julia Lam:
My is Julie Lam. I am immunocompromised. I have chronic kidney disease.
Terri Hudson:
My call is Terri Hudson. I live in Chicago, Illinois. I was born with spina bifida.
Nathalie Lamprós:
My call is Natalie Lampros. I am 28 years old. My current disabilities are as follows: I have a head injury, asthma, and then endometriosis. There are still doctors I haven’t noticed in over a year because it would force me to take off my mask for the test.
Ngozi Alston:
The burden is on me as a user with a disability, I have to ask and advocate for myself, even when I’m looking to go out with friends or other people need to come see me, but aren’t willing to take the precautions I need.
Nathalie Lamprós:
A lot of pain and a sense of disconnection from our culture.
Naomi Ben Porath:
Many of us can’t afford to think that COVID, as a matter of public health, is us. That’s why it was very isolating to see the national discourse evolve in this way.
Julia Lam:
My social life has dropped to zero. I can’t make it to parties. I can’t spend time with friends like I used to. Before, it was like we were in the same boat. Not now, do it yourself. You’re all alone. Take care.
John Ross:
I’m excited that other people can get back on their feet and do the things we all love to do. But at the same time, we will also have to recognize that life is precious. And we wouldn’t possibly be completely out of the woods, even if it turns out that way.
Jermaine’s Greaves:
The user next to you doesn’t know what chronic illness they don’t have. You don’t know what disease he has. Giving them COVID can literally be a matter of life and death. So I implore other people to think about the net when they put on a mask of thinking about themselves.
TerriHudson:
We deserve to do everything we can socially, all of us, to take care of everyone, because there is nothing that other people with disabilities ask for in terms of housing and assistance that in the end does not gain advantages for others. people without disabilities as well. The world will be a better place for everyone if we take care of everyone.
Andrew Corkery is a national affairs producer at PBS News Weekend.
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