Let me explain why "just stay home if you are high risk" isn't enough, because I think people genuinely don't understand. My daughter has a rare and complex congenital heart defect. ( #hlhs) We have isolated for 8 months- since March- even before we knew about her heart.

She is in the interstage period between two open heart surgeries, and while some heart warriors are handling COVID okay, she would not. This is quite possibly the most vulnerable she will ever be in her life. She would likely die. This isn't being dramatic- it is fact.

For about 250 days, we have only gone to medical appointments and seen my son's dad and his partner, as well as my parents occasionally. We can only see them because they have also chosen isolation. My parents basically only see my neices grow from a distance.

My son (4) has not played with a single child. Not even one. My heart breaks for him. There are several ways that we are still at risk, even with isolation.

Number 1: We have to eat. We get curbside groceries, but the more infected people in the store, the higher the risk of transfer. This is the least likely situation, but still possible.

Number 2: We have to work. If we stop working and lose insurance, we cannot pay for the medical treatment Reverie needs to survive. We've paid thousands in her short 4 months WITH insurance. We currently are able to telework, but what if that changes? We are both teachers.

Number 3 and my biggest concern: Increasing the spread increases the likelihood of Rev's nurses, doctors, and surgeons getting sick. It increases the risk of support staff (receptionists, cleaning staff, nutrition) getting sick.

It also increases the chances of another patient bringing the virus into the office or hospital. We are very concerned about how Thanksgiving gatherings will affect her December hospital stay. Right now, two parents can be there, but that could change.

For her first unexpected diagnosis and open heart surgery within her first week of life, we could only have one parent there at a time. So we were going through the most traumatic event of our lives alone, while people could go drink with their friends.

To say it f*cked us up is an understatement. We are both getting therapy to treat PTSD, and being alone during that time heavily contributed to that trauma.

You're worried about the economy? An estimated 25% (and according to some sources, higher) of adults are high risk. They have families too. So if all those people stay home, the economy is screwed anyways.

We're not asking for the world to shut down. We're asking for you to wear a mask. Avoid large gatherings. Maybe skip family holidays this year. It'll suck, but I can promise you that it'll suck less than if we lose all our future holidays with our high-risk loved ones.

I genuinely think people don't understand the effect they have on others. I hope that's the case. It's far worse to imagine that THIS MANY people are just cruel and selfish (because that's 100% what it is).

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.