We Did Everything Right · 9:04pm Aug 31st, 2021
We wore our masks, stayed home as much as possible and got vaccinated as soon as we could. Both shots.
But because my aunt's immunocompromised, we still have to rely on others to do their part. Even with a vaccine, her immune system might not be strong enough to fight off the disease, and since she has a progressive lung disease, she's at risk.
She got vaccinated, wore her mask, and stayed inside except for doctor's appointments and to visit family. She did everything right.
My grandmother and my uncle did not. They refused the vaccine. They mocked people in masks, and they got sick. They're getting better, but they didn't tell us they were sick.
My aunt went to visit them.
She tested positive for covid about a week ago.
She passed this morning.
It happened so fast.
All the time, we see stories of people refusing the vaccine, catching covid and dying. And we sit back, and we say that they made their choice. These are the consequences of their actions. But even if they don't die, even if they survive, like so many do, that's not the end of the story. It's never the end of the story.
It's a disease. It spreads. It doesn't stop at just one idiot who thinks vaccines cause autism. It never stops.
Maybe we should talk less about the people who die as a result of their own actions, and start talking about the people who made the right choice that they infect. The people like my aunt, who did everything right, and still caught the disease and died.
The people who were, as far as I'm concerned, murdered by those too stupid, too selfish to see anything beyond themselves.
I will never see my aunt again, because my grandmother and uncle couldn't even be bothered to go and get a free vaccine.
And I know. I know even if someone like that sees this post, they won't change their mind. Because I'm lying, or a shill, or it wasn't really covid that killed my aunt. Or any one of a thousand excuses I've seen ad-nauseum online. My grandmother and uncle will still refuse to get the vaccine, doubly so now that they've had it and survived. To them it just proves that they don't need it. They don't see how this is their fault. They don't see how they're responsible.
And they never will.
Rest in peace, Debbie. You are so very, very loved, and you will be missed. I can only hope you're not in pain anymore.
Fuck, man. That's gotta be rough. I'm sorry for your loss. (I know me saying that won't change what happened, but just wanted to offer my condolences.)
I’m sorry for your loss.
I'm so sorry Kodeake.
I absolutely believe you, and I'm sorry for your loss. :(
So sorry to hear. Been lucky so far with my sister who is also immunocompromised. I dread the possibility that one of her friends or coworkers will be careless or ignorant.
I am sorry.
Always know, your aunt will be watching.
#beatcovid
I'm sorry.
That's so fucked up and so unfair. I'm so sorry.
I am so sorry for the loss of your aunt. I've lost several close family in the last two years - not due to COVID - and can only tell you that the ache gets a little easier with time, but it's always with you. Try to be happy for the time you had with her - that can help, too.
You have my condolences.
I know I'm late, but I'm so sorry for your loss. My grandmother (heck, all of my dad's direct relatives) was a vaccine skeptic and she died from Covid the day she was supposed to get her shot.
You're right. We can't simply lay back and "respect their decision." They are indirectly killing others who are doing everything right. This has to stop.