When You Say ‘Covid Has A 99% Survival Rate!’ It Comes Off as Ignorant and Unfeeling

Every partner’s greatest fear is witnessing their loved one collapse, teetering on the edge of death. This nightmare recently became a reality for my friend, Sarah. Her healthy husband, the father of their four young children, suddenly fell to the ground, his heart only beating thanks to the chest compressions Sarah administered while desperately waiting for an ambulance. A friend had thankfully taken their kids away to shield them from the traumatic scene. When help arrived, EMTs had to use a defibrillator three times and employed a chest compression machine to stabilize him.

“Seeing all of this unfold and then not knowing if he would survive at the ER was the most traumatic experience of my life. I think I will be haunted by this day for a long time,” Sarah reflects.

Then there’s my close friend, Laura, who has been unwell for months. Both in our early 40s, we often chalk up our fatigue and general malaise to perimenopause and the relentless demands of motherhood. Laura believed her declining energy, hair loss, and brittle nails were just the result of being a busy mom. She pushed through, balancing a full-time job and family responsibilities during a pandemic, while neglecting her own health.

And I can’t forget about my husband, a fit 40-year-old who exercises regularly. He’s run marathons and has always been active, but over the past six months, his health has noticeably deteriorated. He often feels exhausted, struggles with joint pain, and experiences persistent flu-like symptoms. Even simple tasks can leave him drained.

What Ties These Stories Together?

All three individuals, who were previously healthy and active, contracted Covid-19.

Sarah’s husband, without any apparent symptoms or a positive test, was later found to have antibodies, indicating a severe impact on his heart from the virus. Laura never tested positive either, but after consulting her doctor, she learned she was a “Covid-19 long-hauler,” and her body had been in a silent battle against the virus since last fall.

My husband did test positive last October, but his experience was relatively mild. He isolated at home, dealt with some headaches, and lost his sense of smell. We counted ourselves fortunate that he avoided severe illness, yet he hasn’t felt like himself since.

While it’s true that Covid-19 has a high survival rate, those who dismiss safety measures such as masks and vaccination should consider the experiences of Sarah, Laura, and my husband. These vibrant, young individuals have seen their lives altered drastically due to the virus.

The Reality of Long-Term Effects

Can you afford to feel so fatigued that work becomes a struggle? Would you want to risk leaving your partner a widow? The fear of long-term symptoms like hair loss or joint pain is real.

Sarah, Laura, and my husband are part of that “survivor” group that people often cite to downplay the seriousness of Covid-19. Yes, they are alive, and for that, we are thankful, but their lives will never be the same.

There are also those who suffer from lasting lung damage. For them, survival might mean needing a lung transplant due to irreversible damage inflicted by Covid-19.

It’s crucial to understand that long-term effects are not limited to older adults or those with pre-existing conditions; younger, healthy individuals are also experiencing what medical professionals are now terming “post-COVID-19 syndrome.” Symptoms can include fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and other debilitating conditions that compromise daily life.

The odds may favor survival, but let’s not ignore the reality of what comes after. With nearly 600,000 confirmed Covid-19 deaths in our country, the impact of this virus is far-reaching, affecting individuals from all walks of life.

So, before you casually mention survival rates, reflect on the stories of those like Sarah, Laura, and my husband. Their struggles remind us that surviving Covid-19 doesn’t guarantee a return to normalcy.

Summary

The high survival rate of Covid-19 should not diminish the seriousness of its effects on individuals, particularly young and healthy ones who experience long-term health challenges. Stories from people like Sarah, Laura, and my husband illustrate the harsh reality that surviving Covid-19 can come with significant life-altering consequences.