People with a terminal condition claim that the world may have gone on from Covid-19, but they still can't because they fear dying prematurely from Covid and suffer scorn when they attempt to wear masks. The word might have moved on from Covid-19, but it still can't.
A new video has been made based on research conducted by the end-of-life charity Marie Curie and the University of Warwick, which focuses on the experiences of individuals who are terminally ill and live in the West Midlands.
"Your issue, not mine!" they yelled at the person wearing a mask.
The movie demonstrates how people dealing with a fatal disease struggle to balance the need to make the most of the remaining time in their life, the aspiration to live lives of meaning, and the imperative to avoid contracting the Covid-19 virus.
Wendy, who has stage four lung cancer and states in the video that "COVID has not gone away; it is a terrible position for individuals like me who are clinically fragile," falls into this category.
When you are in a public place, you have anxiety and concern for the individuals around you. I need to go out. You have no choice but to leave. I go in as fast as possible and get out of there as fast as possible.
Pauline, suffering from stage four lung cancer, stated, "I was yelled at a shop for wearing a mask." Pauline is speaking from personal experience.
This man advised the others to remove their disguise because the Covid experiment had concluded. I tried to explain that because I had stage four lung cancer, I still needed to wear a mask, but he told me, "that's your issue, not mine!"
The research was based on evidence from persons living with terminal diseases and the care professionals providing care for them. The data was detailed in four papers that made recommendations for hospices. In response to the research, Marie Curie is encouraging patients with terminal illnesses concerned about Covid-19 to get in touch with their information and support team so they can receive both practical and emotional assistance.
"Troublesome to read."
John MacArtney, an associate professor at the University of Warwick and a sociologist specialising in dying and palliative care, stated, "for many, the Covid-19 epidemic feels like a thing of the past." However, as we approach the end of 2022, Covid-19 still substantially influences the quality of life that individuals with terminal conditions can enjoy. Immunocompromised patients make up a significant portion of the patient population of terminally ill patients; as a result, immunizations and booster shots are frequently less effective for these patients. With the existing Covid-19 public health and protection policies, it is unfortunate that the unique requirements of terminally ill patients and palliative treatments remain neglected.
"The consequences of Covid-19 are far from ended," said Sue Morgan, associate director of Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull. We are continuing to put precautions into place to limit the transmission of the virus, similar to what is being done in other hospital settings. We want our patients to live healthy lives and for their families to make the maximum of the time they have left together, whether that be days, weeks, months, or years. It has been challenging to take in the findings of this study by reading them, and it has been unsettling to listen to some of the experiences that others have related.
"I strongly encourage anyone currently coping with a life-limiting condition and concerned about maintaining a healthy life while using Covid-19 to get in touch with our information and support team. They can provide clients with the practical assistance they need to manage risks, an ear to listen, and the emotional support they require.
Marie Curie is the most prominent charity in the United Kingdom devoted to end-of-life care. The organization offers nursing and hospice care to patients suffering from any terminal disease, a toll-free support line and information on all aspects of death, dying, and grief.
