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For instance, Pennsylvania lawmaker Brian Sims, who is immunocompromised after donating a kidney, wasn’t informed about potential exposure to COVID-19 until a week after one of his colleagues was diagnosed. On the surface, Sims appears to be in good health, which might lead you to believe he isn’t at risk. But this scenario reminds us that we can never fully know the health status of others, and we must always be vigilant about how our actions could put others in danger.
There are more people in America at high risk than you might think.
Not everyone who’s at high risk is easily identifiable, which makes it important to remain cautious and thoughtful in how we interact with others.
Around 92 million adults in the United States are at risk of experiencing serious complications from COVID-19. Out of this number, 51 million are at risk due to their age, while another 41 million face greater danger because of underlying health conditions like asthma, chronic lung diseases, diabetes, liver issues, and other conditions that weaken the immune system.
This represents a large portion of the population, many of whom are living with health conditions that make them more vulnerable. The people you interact with daily—whether they are your friends, neighbors, or coworkers—might be among those who are at higher risk. Even more may be living with someone who is.
It's important to recognize that these individuals are not obligated to disclose their health conditions. Whether it's an autoimmune disease, undergoing chemotherapy, or a rare genetic condition, they have no duty to inform others. They aren't required to disclose conditions like asthma, diabetes, or any other personal medical details. No one should feel forced to share sensitive health information in order to be treated with respect and consideration.
The principle of patient confidentiality is crucial, ensuring that people are not compelled to divulge intimate medical details. Discussing one’s health in this way can be uncomfortable, and in some cases, may even lead to discrimination.
Therefore, it is essential that we treat everyone with empathy and care, respecting their privacy and well-being.
What does this mean? It means we must approach everyone with care, no matter what we think we know about them. It’s not enough to assume someone isn’t at high risk just because they appear healthy. Instead, we must focus on doing everything we can to safeguard others while respecting their privacy. This includes washing hands, keeping physical distance, wearing a mask, and providing others with the means to protect themselves, all without passing judgment.
Respect people's privacy. If someone declines an outdoor meet-up for physical distancing or shows extra caution in staying safe, it’s not our place to question them, label them as “overreacting,” or demand an explanation for their carefulness. Navigating through a pandemic requires adapting to new norms of social interaction and etiquette, but doing your part to ensure others’ safety should never feel like an unreasonable request.
