A DEBATE CONTINUES

By Mr. William

“A person without good breathing, is a person with a life of constant caution, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.” (Will Dursens)

For those who need the reminder, I am William and I have not one, but several chronic health issues including:

  • A heart condition where one corner of my heart only operates at about 45% efficiency, plus a heart valve that eventually will need some work done to it.
  • Severe Asthma which I have had since I was a young child. My thoughts are it was brought on by issues with my esophagus and lungs when I was born.
  • Stage III COPD, much of which may have been developed over years of working jobs not good on a set of lungs that already had issues with the severe asthma. Jobs like a fiberglass insulation plant, sniffing fumes from fryers and grills from 20+ years in the food service business and having for a short time my own cleaning business where I cleaned a machine shop.
  • Depression, something which comes and goes. Lucky for me, I seem to be able to work with it before it gets deep enough to be a concern for my health and well-being.

That is the me, the ‘Lenny’ is the name for which I gave my lung issues because as I see it – if I give my chronic health issues a physical name, then I can deal with them on a more personal level. And yes, that does mean I have been known to have been caught talking to ‘Lenny’, my chronic illness that may be flaring up that particular day, as if I was dealing with an unruly child or employee.

That is the reminder as to who ‘Lenny & Me Today’ refers to.

As for this day, I want to share a few personal thoughts about the idea of whether we should still be wearing masks in now that the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic seems to be on its downside of causing havoc in our daily lives and routines.

YES – I have had my vaccine shots; I got the set of Moderna shots back in March, so I am covered.

The vaccine shots were a no-brainer for me with my various immune and health issues, and all three of my primary health providers (my physician, my pulmonologist, and my cardiologist) gave the immediate thumbs up about the vaccine’s safety, reliability, and protection. Their thumbs up were all I needed to know because I lean on my folks who are trained to take care of my conditions and not a bunch of mumbo, jumbo that can be found on the internet and television.

Now, as the number of those being vaccinated continues to go up, the question is – DO I CONCONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK OR NOT?

I personally have not been into any major retail stores like Wal-Mart or a grocery store since late-February/early March of 2020. The only thing close to retail I have been in were a few quick visits to a local hardware store and my medical supply place to pick up things for a c-pap and nebulizer program.

They say that because I have been vaccinated that I could go without a mask nearly anywhere, but I for one am not so sure I will.

Despite the looks I may get if and when I re-enter a Wal-Mart or Dillons in the next few weeks, I plan to WEAR A MASK – if for any reason than the fact that I do not know for sure who of those that may be around me have or have not been vaccinated.

My plans are to wear a mask anytime I go into a facility that may have me being within six feet of people. My plans also are to evaluate any outdoor situation and plan accordingly. No matter what, I will be at the absolute minimum – always carrying a mask with me for an exceedingly long time!

Now I have been to a recent graduation celebration for one of my grandkids and none of us wore a mask. But at that celebration it was almost entirely outside, and I pretty much knew exactly who had and who had not received the vaccine shots among those attending. Those for which I was not sure about, I just simply did not get too close to. Of course, one was an ex-wife so that was not an issue, the further away the better.

That my friends is my take on the situation. What others decide to do is entirely up to them and I am fully aware that I have no say in their decisions. But anyone who deals on a daily basis, any kind of chronic health issue and especially if it is one that hinders their immune system – then wearing a mask or having one to wear if needed may become the daily way to live, I know it is for me.

For now, this is where ‘Lenny and Me’ stand over the issue of WEARING A MASK OR NOT WEARING A MASK.

Now is the time for the QUESTION OF THE MOMENT.

QUESTION(S) OF THE MOMENT FOR TODAY IS =

  • Do you still wear a mask when you go out?
  • Does your wearing a mask depend on the situation or will you keep wearing one under situations of crowds?

A REMINDER – Do you have a response to the Question of the Moment, or any comments/questions about my postings, then feel free to leave them either at this blog, at the email address of wheezingaway@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/copdtravels/.

ALWAYS REMEMBER (because I have COPD and severe Asthma) – If you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

With that, I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings, and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2021, CrossDove Writers through wheezingaway.com – no part of this write may be used or copied without written permission.)

NOTES: Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or Asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer medical founded information.

WE HAVE A GOAL IN 2021 – TO SUPPORT HOME/SMALL BASED BUSINESSES.

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