Covid-19 pandemic and the bi+ experience
During the earlier stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, people were categorised into levels of risk for the virus in order to prioritise and protect vulnerable groups. People with compromised immune systems, serious respiratory conditions or advanced age were considered high risk or clinically extremely vulnerable. People in this group were more restricted in where they could go and were offered the vaccine before the general population. This group especially was more reliant on services, friends and neighbours to provide for their basic needs such as food and medicine.
People who were at less risk of serious health complications but who would still be vulnerable to infection and may struggle to recover from illness were considered at risk and were advised to be more careful. This was the second group to be offered the vaccine.
Covid-19 is still a risk to life and people who were categorised as high risk are still at risk. As many people who were not considered in danger from the virus initially go back to normal life, people who are at more risk are restricted even more as restrictions and mask mandates are lifted.
Out of a total of 300 respondents, the breakdown of their risk level, or that of their household members from Covid-19, was as follows:
- 20 respondents (6%) were at the highest risk and were asked to shield themselves.
- 10 respondents (3%) had a household member at the highest risk who was asked to shield.
- 62 respondents (20%) were at risk themselves and were offered the vaccine earlier.
- 24 respondents (8%) had a household member at risk who was offered the vaccine earlier.
- 184 respondents (59%) did not fall into any of the above categories.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone had to adapt to changing guidelines, a fearful community, and loss. While it is important to recognise that the impact has been diverse, and that individual experiences can vary greatly, some common themes have emerged.
