EARLY ACCESS: Immunosuppressed During A Pandemic

This asthmatic teacher really appreciated coming back to Patreon’s feed after a mental health break (had to go all-in on my brand-new virtual teaching world) and seeing this video. I’m a little “late” to comment on it, but rest assured, I am so sad this video was necessary. And so pleased to hear you articulate all the things that you did. Much of my family has asthma, allergies, diabetes. We know your fear. And we share your hope for our communities to come together! <3

sweetbriar15

First of all, this hit me and I almost cried through all of it. Second of all, the first thing I said was ‘Zach’s hair looks amazing! Like, really really amazing!’

Kayla Tuttle

You articulate the fear we feel. My son is immune compromised with heart and lung problems. I've been imagining that scenario in Italy, since I read the letter to doctors from their medical association. Just...looking imagining a situation where two 10 year olds need a ventilator. It just brings me nightmares. We don't go out, I felt relief when he'd been inside for 2 weeks straight. He has no idea what is going on in places like New York or Italy. And he'll realize as an adult what this means. I hope we can all look back on this. You're not alone in this aloneness. It doesn't matter what the rest of the world does, you're keeping yourself safe. Just by doing it, you are saving lives. Thank you.

KOz

Thank you so much for posting this video! Im a stay at home mom with a 2 year old and a 3 year old with Cancer and the other three people I live with are essential workers so it's a daily stress when they get home from work, that along with weekly visits to the hospital where there are 12 cases of covid19 it's so nerve wracking😓 I'm super appreciative of the extra content you guys are pushing out, it really is the perfect distraction in these crazy times!

Destiny Mormance

New York is very scary right now. I live a couple blocks away from a hospital in Brooklyn and when I went to the store the other day for food I saw that they had gone from one giant refrigerated truck outside of their ER to two. It breaks my heart how many people are dying because we don't have enough equipment. And how many healthcare workers are unable to go home to their families (luckily there are some hotels putting them up) because of their exposure to the virus. My BIL has MS and works for the state, selling liquor. He is working a reduced load but liquor stores should NOT be deemed essential and the fact that he has MS should allow him leave with pay. I hate that he risks dying every time he has to go to work, but we don't know what to do about it. Yeah, my husband and I have lost 70% of our income, but our landlady gave us a month off of rent, so I feel like we're still very lucky right now. This is something that will really test us as a country and as human beings and I really hope we come out on the right side of this. And alive. So please everyone stay home if you can. Stay safe!

Dr. Bex

I completely relate with the whole, "did just do something that might kill me?" thing. I have diabetes that I'm managing, I'm overweight, Iu sed to have pretty bad asthma—basically if you look at high-risk people, you'll find my picture. My sister had a friend make cloth masks for the family and brought them over yesterday, and I immediately tried it on, and was doing okay until my mother said we should wash them first. Immediately my mind went into, "The friend said she washed them, before she put them in the plastic bags, but what if she didn't immediately put them in the bags, and they have some virus on them?" The friend doesn't leave the house, but her husband is an essential worker, so he's dealt with the public. So yeah, I'm freaking out a little bit. I hope it will be fine, but the next two weeks will be interesting to say the very least.

Stewart Caswell

I think my only question lies with what Maggie is doing. She is a nurse, right? So did she have to take time off to protect you, or is she still working? And if she is, how is that affecting you? I'm an essential worker (I sell wine, lol) but I live with my elderly parents. I've basically been avoiding them in my own house. It's been rough for sure.

Kayci

Thank you for posting this. I work in healthcare and it’s so refreshing to see a younger person with an educate viewpoint showing that this is not just killing the older population. This is scary it is dangerous and we need to take care of each other.

Jackie

This is phenomenal, Zach. My heart is hurting because of how important this is and how it even still needs to be said. My sister-in-law is a cancer survivor and has had a heart transplant, so she is one of the people that you're speaking up for, and that means the world to us.

Kristen Kowlessar

this was so good!! people need to hear what it’s like from a different perspective. thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your fears with us! ps: i have totally been there w the whole caution vs. paranoia thing. in my house, we’re leaning more toward paranoia i think but i’d rather be safe than sorry. i guess we’ll find out. much love!

Claire Shuler

Hi Zach! Thank you so much for your authenticity in sharing your story. I love you and appreciate everything you said—taking care of each other is more visibly necessary right now, but it shows that we need to do so all the time. I hope and pray that we make it through this together. Virtual hugs from Utah!!

You are not alone. My brother shares your disease. I test positive for it as well, however I don't have the same symptoms as you or my brother. At the end of 2019 I finally got a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis; 20 years after the onset of unexplained chronic wrist pain. Luckily I work at a health insurance company and can work from home during these uncertain times. Stay safe!

Stef Strosky