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When compiling a list of every state's vaccine plan, i found that in many states people with preexisting conditions are ONLY prioritized if they have 1 of 12 conditions @CDCgov listed as high-risk conditions for COVID on their website & here's why that's a problem:
#HighRiskCA
#HighRiskCA
The list states it's not meant to be exhaustive and only contains those for which there is "sufficient evidence" to know they're high-risk. First, this inherently overlooks people with rare conditions - there likely won't be enough data to show the evidence the CDC requires
because these conditions are rare (and sometimes aren't well understood by the general medical community either)! Second, many people with serious chronic illnesses and disabilities know their body well enough to assume that COVID could cause severe complications for them -
For example, my EDS causes heart and lung problems. My body struggles to regulate itself because of dysautonomia. While there's not extensive data on EDS and COVID, what i know of COVID suggests my body would not handle it well.
As a result, i have strictly quarantined during this time because i don't want to know if my suspicion is correct - and this is exactly what so many high-risk disabled people are doing right now. Going above & beyond the safety guidelines because
we can't afford to take any risks. And so of course there's going to be less data. But we're still at risk. And this strict isolation isn't sustainable - we need to get access to our regular care. We need community support. But we have to be protected from COVID.
Either states need to change their guidelines to acknowledge that the CDC list is not exhaustive, or the CDC needs to expand their recommendations to acknowledge this.
#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement #COVID19 #PrioritizeDisabledLives
#DisabilityHasNoAgeRequirement #COVID19 #PrioritizeDisabledLives
You can see where you state stands & call or email your state reps to demand change using this link i've created! https://prioritizedisabledlives.carrd.co/
