Charting a Careful New Course Post-Pandemic

As signs that the long COVID-19 pandemic is retreating and more people get vaccinated, the health and safety restrictions are being lifted and I am pondering about how to make careful plans for my life in this new world.

What will be the impact of lifted COVID-19 restrictions?

While it’s great that the pandemic is easing in the U.S. and necessary restrictions toward keeping people safe are being lifted, it’s not always clear - as someone with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who is immunocompromised and living with disabilities - how I should navigate the risks in balance with returning to some sort of normalcy.

For example, many places are lifting mask rules for vaccinated people, yet it goes by an honor system to follow this guidance.

I didn’t test positive for antibodies last year after recovering from COVID-19.

Protecting those who are immunocompromised

I am hoping that being vaccinated will protect me, but I may not have antibodies or may have a weaker response to the vaccine. I can’t be sure I am protected despite being vaccinated because of my wacky immune system.

And frankly, seeing how my fellow Americans reacted to requests to protect their immunocompromised neighbors like myself with complaint and refusal, I’m not feeling trusting that people will follow the honor system of either wearing a mask or getting vaccinated.

These people will likely be fine; but if I should become infected by them, there is no guarantee that I would be.

Weighing comfort with risks

I realize there is always going to be a risk, but I’m thinking carefully about what risks I am ready to take and are worthwhile.

Even if it’s not required, wearing a mask may help keep me safer so I will continue to do that when close to strangers or going inside a place that is not my home.

At this point, trips inside (like to the grocery store) are done swiftly and with a mask. I’m not ready to eat indoors, but I am happy to eat outside while socially distanced.

Until I am more comfortable, my choices will concentrate on minimizing possible risks. I am also hoping that an antibodies test may help inform me.

If I have some antibodies (even if not the full normal amount), then I will feel surer of myself. Not having done this yet, my doctor advised me at our last appointment that I should continue following all the precautions.

When I get my results, I may feel better. But I will likely still be more cautious than most because I know my immune system is rebellious and unpredictable.

How else may life change post- pandemic?

In charting this new post-pandemic life, I’m also thinking about my overall health and well-being.

For example, can I continue teleworking to reduce the strain of daily commuting on my joints and pain levels? Can I continue spending more time on rest and self-care, and less on activities that are no longer a priority for me?

Prioritizing what's important to me

There are still many questions to be answered, but I feel I am gradually getting there.

I’m finding a path of rewiring my life a bit to spend more time on the priorities (family, friends, physical therapy) and less on things that don’t yield a lot of benefits yet take a lot of energy (commuting, networking, people-pleasing).

Reshaping how I spend a lot of time

While there are things I’m looking forward to doing again, like hugging dear friends and enjoying a live show, I also feel comfortable reshaping how I spend a lot of time.

It’s actually pretty exciting to reinvent my life in some ways and I look forward to how this helps me to better cope with my rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

In this new world, I know that my RA will still be with me, but I’m looking forward to making things a little bit easier with some lifestyle changes.