It shouldn't take a relative suffering in the hospital to finally think about #COVID19 and #PostCovidComplications.

I wish my family would #MaskUp in public.

However, the #VaxxedAndRelaxed propaganda has been VERY effective, and getting through to folks that #CovidIsntACold can take time and many conversations.

I'm hopeful that this means my parents and I can have more conversations on this in the future, and I hope my relative recovers soon.

I haven't seen my family in a year - and truthfully - the last time we had a real visit was summer of 2021.

My parents tell me they miss me - my siblings talk about making plans. I want so badly to be as carefree and unconcerned as they are - but I am too aware of the risks COVID presents to myself and them as well. It is simply not safe for me to see them knowing none of them are taking any precautions.

My sister now has an enlarged heart. She's 35. It was when she received her diagnosis I gingerly explained "this is why I've been so worried about catching covid and why I'm still being so careful."

It was then she finally said she understood (and meant it).

But none of them mask anyways. Even amid family members and friends have #postCOVIDcomplications . Even as my mom STILL talks about how exhausted she is - her energy just hasn't recovered since COVID.