Just 8 short months ago, my gf was 100% healthy. She was fully vaxxed and got a booster, so long covid was entirely unexpected. Now she's dealing with a long list of digestive, cardiovascular, breathing and mental problems. We're getting an MRI soon because maybe she got a minor stroke 😔
Recently-ish (don't want to dox myself) schools in my area dropped the mask mandate. Honestly I was terrified for myself but also for my partner. I just imagine if she got covid again, she'd go way worse. Honestly the research seems to confirm this, as well as anecdotal stuff I've seen with people I know.
So I offhandedly told my tutor class (homeroom) that I'm continuing to mask because I have a vulnerable relative at home. Apparently another student lives with a grandparent, and other's dad has diabetes. Holy fucking shit, the 16 year olds all mask up without being told, to this fucking day.
No lie, all the stress is keeping me up over the past weeks, with me coming into work with 2 hours of sleep. I'm falling behind with projects, and NGL I'm becoming a bit nervous about my job. I had to confess to a few managers and department heads what's happening. There has definitely been covid being passed around school, and the absolute fuckheads called white liberal teachers need to pack into small, unventilated meeting spaces mask free. I'm terrified and uncomfortable, individual students and staff have confessed that they're also very uncomfortable, but we're well in the minority.
So I have told my partner's story to 3 managers and 5 friends. Some people have masked up around me, although not all. I feel a bit better. As for the other people that can't be bothered to do the smallest thing to protect my safety and my loved ones, you're not my fucking mate anymore. Thank you Karl Marx for preparing me for what utter sociopaths liberals can be.
But the thing is, I haven't asked my gf's permission. She has enough to deal with right now, with the literal fear of death that she's experiencing each and every day. I feel terrible, I try to keep the story to myself, and I resist the temptation to send out a staff wide email. Hexbear, AITL (Am I The Lib)?
BTW, I want to cry about the whole thing, even though my partner is DEFINITELY getting the worse experience.
I'm insanely frustrated for you.
I was extremely cautious with covid for a long time to the point where I'd get into arguments with friends & family who weren't. It was mostly out of solidarity for others as I'm a relatively low risk factor (and because I kinda hate myself lol). But I've totally given up being cautious.
It's selfish of me. But the thing is, now that it's left up to individual discretion and EVERYONE decides to stop wearing masks in my town, what is even the point for me continuing? I know the logic doesn't really follow here (might as well mask up regardless) but the peer pressure is so strong. And I do feel happier when I pretend like it doesn't exist, which I'm sure is a big reason NOBODY here is even thinking of masks.
I'm not trying to defend myself or evade responsibility, more just sharing the perspective of a privileged dumbass like me who has given up. I just wish we had the kind of social consensus required for this.
EDIT: Also I'm really sorry for you and your girlfriend. I hope she makes a full recovery soon. But thank you for sharing, I'm going to be less selfish and make more of an effort after reading this.
I'm blaming you.It seems like most of the West is just going, literally, mask off. Schools are sometimes a bit better, if only because we're quasi academic. Anyhow, I think that capitalism has destroyed our sense of social solidarity in the West, and often we're pointed out as weird for giving a shitYeah my family truly made me feel like a psycho. I'm weak willed and it wore me down eventually.
Your comment seems sincere & understanding but it starts with "I'm blaming you" which I think might be a typo but if not, I totally don't blame you for blaming me, I deserve it 😭
I'm very sorry comrade. I've reread your comment and my comment several times and "I'm blaming you" doesn't really make sense. I think I meant "I'm blaming the people risking your health", but still the context doesn't explain it.
I'm definitely not blaming you personally. I've been literally losing sleep over covid and hospital visits, and possibly my brain was rot for that sentence. Your type of people is literally my favourite kind of person. I'm sorry I made that comment.
Oh no apology needed at all, I blame myself somewhat. Best of luck & support in your struggles comrade <3
You're not privileged enough that your capillary tissue is made different than OP's gf's. You can still talk yourself into doing the right thing for selfish reasons. Yes, those paper masks everybody threw in the gutter for a year are pointless if it's only you, but you can get good masks now.
It's true, I'm in lots of situations where it wouldn't even be a bother
I think tho when there's hundreds of people unmasked in one place you just start to give up and prefer to 'fit in' rather than 'be safe'.