By Victoria Reed, PNN Columnist

We are three years into the Covid-19 pandemic, and while life has still not returned to normal, it’s understandable for people to be tired of hearing about the virus and less concerned about catching it. Scientists know more about covid and have developed tools to treat and even prevent the most serious outcomes.

But many of us who are suffering from chronic illness or chronic pain are still wearing masks, practicing social distancing and taking other precautions.

As I go out and about in my daily life, I’ve noticed that mask use is somewhat minimal. People don’t seem to be as concerned about the virus and its variants, even as cases are skyrocketing again. I’m one of the few who still wears a mask in crowded indoor places, airplanes and restaurants.

Fortunately, I have not yet been infected with covid. I attribute that to always being cautious in public (sometimes even outside) and when around family members who I know aren’t taking precautions. Being vaccinated and boosted is another layer of protection I believe has helped me.

The choice to be vaccinated is a personal one and should not be looked at as a political issue or be a source of ridicule. The same goes for mask use. Sometimes people look at me funny because I still wear a mask, but I am “allowed” to do that, just as others are equally allowed to stop wearing theirs.

I don’t judge people who choose not to wear a mask, and conversely, I shouldn’t be judged for wearing one.

Part of my caution comes from having a dysfunctional and overactive immune system, which is altered by a medication I take to control symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This medication suppresses a certain part of the immune system that is implicated in the development of RA.  Rheumatoid arthritis primarily attacks the joints, but can also attack the heart, lungs and eyes.

Having to take this particular med (commonly called a biologic), makes me more vulnerable to contracting all types of infection, including covid. It also makes it more difficult to recover from infections and can lead to serious or even deadly complications. 

In addition, the threat of possibly ending up with long covid, when symptoms linger for months or longer, is a concern of mine, especially since fatigue is a major part of long covid syndrome. Profound and disabling fatigue is also a feature of RA and fibromyalgia, so anything I can do to prevent another illness that causes fatigue is important to me. Even mild cases of covid can cause long covid, according to researchers.

Covid can also lead to physical complications. Studies have shown that the virus can cause neurological problems, difficulty breathing, joint or muscle pain, blood clots or other vascular issues, chest pain and unpleasant digestive symptoms.

Furthermore, the virus has been associated with increased psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety. The media has reported on the unfortunate suicides of people who had been suffering from long covid and were unable to get any relief besides ending their own lives.

In the long term, it remains to be seen how covid will affect the millions of us who are already suffering from chronic pain and illness. Fortunately, there are treatments that help with the symptoms and recovery for the majority of people who become infected. There are also medications that can save the lives of those who are at high risk of severe illness.

As more time passes, I’m sure other treatments will emerge, and I’m hopeful that as a chronic pain sufferer with multiple chronic illnesses, I will be okay if I do someday end up getting sick with covid.

Victoria Reed lives in northeast Ohio. She suffers from endometriosis, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease and rheumatoid arthritis.