Many of us would probably agree that the development and administration of the COVID-19 vaccines have led to a much needed “re-awakening” across the nation. Coast-to-coast, people completing their COVID-19 vaccinations are re-energized, and re-connecting. A large number are getting back to their former lives; breathing a sigh of relief and putting this phase of their lived experience far behind them. Many think, “Good riddance!” For these folks, it’s likely that their perspective has been that the pandemic constrained their lives and the sooner it’s over the better. Their facemasks are now stuffed in the glovebox of their car to gather dust.
However, for a majority, the vaccinations, though welcome, are a benchmark for a life that will never be the same. The struggle, loss, and uncertainty associated with the coronavirus is etched in their memories and has become part of their identities. It has not only impacted family and friends, but it has changed the overall health of the nation with many researchers contending that overall life expectancy has been reduced by a year as a result. People of color and those lacking access to health care are the hardest hit. Viewing the pandemic through different perspectives was the focus of a study conducted by a team from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In recently published articles, the study revealed how personal views and perspectives about the pandemic affected mask wearing and other health behaviors in rural areas. Koon, et. al (2021) identified four frames or perspectives that people used to make sense of the coronavirus: concern, crisis, constraint and conspiracy. Each perspective resulted in different behaviors and choices that could explain why some have been hesitant to get vaccinated. The researchers are now using their results to design targeted outreach efforts that will frame vaccination communication and other necessary responses to the pandemic.
In the meantime, the “long-haulers”, those 10%-30% of people who continue to have prolonged symptoms months after contracting the coronavirus, are likely to have a different perspective. They continue to live with symptoms that the National Institutes of Health will spend more than $1.1 billion over four years to study with the hope of discovering some answers. Recently, some long-haulers have reported having some relief of symptoms after having gotten COVID-19 vaccinations (The Washington Post; March 16, 2021). Still, there is just not enough known about the virus and its long-term impacts on individuals or on populations. It’s the long-haulers who might teach us the most about a perspective of compassion as the pandemic runs its course. Maybe we can all benefit from compassion for those who continue to acquire the disease, those who cope with its impacts, and for all who have lived through it.
Health means…increasing the capacity of the primary care and behavioral health workforce to deliver high quality, timely, and accessible patient-centered care.
Contributor: Elaine Johannes (ejohanne@ksu.edu)
