Sick of Health Care System

I live in NYS. I have had COPD for decades. I do everything in my power to avoid flare-ups. It is like a full-time job, but I want to live. I’ve always tried to stay as positive as I can. Now to my story...

Trying to avoid wintertime illnesses

I find it strange that the news didn’t really mention the flu much until after Christmas.
Now, the number of people suffering from the flu has increased dramatically. I realize that people going everywhere adds to more sickness, but I find it strange that it is not mentioned much until after the holiday. Can’t wait till New Year's!
My husband needed to visit the doctor. He wore an N95 mask due to high flu counts and for my sake. Usually, when taking the temperature, they scan the head, but this time the nurse asked him to raise the mask. I feel that if you walk into a health facility wearing a mask, the doctors and personnel should wear one as well. I have severe COPD. As stated, I’ve done everything: immunizations, nutrition, exercise with oxygen. Try to get proper rest each night. Meditation helps me, which I do every day, & now during flu, covid, or whatever else might be spreading, I have to become a hermit. I can no longer see family at Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Avoiding socializing because of COPD

It was extremely hard to do this, but after each visit, I’ve had to change my life once again. I keep hearing that for your health, it’s vital to socialize. That is a joke for me. I can in the summer when the weather cooperates. Not too hot & humid. No smoke like we had last year from Canada and California. That was terrible. I just find it horrific that places of health care don’t take any precautions as simple as putting on a mask when for some of their patients, it’s really critical they don’t get sick & for the rest of the community. I like to start off the New Year with positive thoughts but lately I feel like I’m living in third world country.