Coronavirus Watch: Don't be that anti-mask bully

Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
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As the longtime writer of Coronavirus Watch, I always feel inclined to bring you into my world and the realities that COVID-19 has created for us.

Today, as I was peeking across the Free Press and other sources for the latest news surrounding coronavirus, I found this piece in USA TODAY that hit so hard for me. 

For many people, the pandemic has moved into the rear-view window. They’ve shed their masks, returned to work and school in person, and life has reverted to the way it was before we ever heard of COVID-19.

I'm among those who don't have that option: the immunocompromised. In the middle of this pandemic, I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at the age of 37. I'm on a regular schedule of chemotherapy, which makes me extremely immunocompromised and puts me at a high risk for even bigger problems, if contracted.

Of course I'm vaccinated. I've done everything I can to stay safe. But my risk depends on the infection rate of the community around me.

For the people who have gone largely unmasked, I get it. I really do. This has been a very long two years. You aren't immunocompromised. It's so hard to keep up with this.

From the article:

"To mask or not to mask at the grocery store or on an airplane, now that's an option? To attend that 150-person wedding or reunion? To gather with your large family or not?

Pondering these questions as the rest of the world blithely returns to normal can lead those at higher risk feeling confused, left out, ignored, and down-right annoyed."

But if I can impress anything upon you: Please don't be one of the people that have mocked me for wearing a mask in a situation where you aren't.

Let's be nice to one another and not assume we know the personal situations of others.

Read more from others who are in the same boat — and how they're coping. 

* * *

It's Friday, and this is Coronavirus Watch from the Detroit Free Press. Here's more news to know:

A vaccine for children under 5?

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, toddlers and preschoolers the company announced Wednesday. Moderna said in the coming weeks it would ask regulators in the U.S. and Europe to authorize two small-dose shots for youngsters under 6. (March 23)
Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, toddlers and preschoolers the company announced Wednesday. Moderna said in the coming weeks it would ask regulators in the U.S. and Europe to authorize two small-dose shots for youngsters under 6. (March 23)

Parents may get their wish to have their little ones vaccinated as soon as the end of the month.

Pfizer and BioNTech recently announced their vaccine for kids under 5 appears to be safe and effective. Meanwhile, an FDA advisory committee plans to meet June 15 to discuss both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for kids as young as 6 months. The companies have been testing their COVID-19 vaccine in this age group since last year.

Read the full story here.

Also making news: 

Thanks for joining me to today — and hearing me out. I appreciate you.

Have a great weekend.

Contact Elissa Robinson at erobinson@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @lissa218. Want to read more from Elissa? Click here — and then sign up for our Woodward 248 and Coronavirus Watch newsletters.  

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Coronavirus Watch: Don't be that anti-mask bully