Posted by A hard rain’s gonna fall. It’s been a few weeks after the election, and the changes that are coming are looming large. I really don’t want any toxic positivity right now.
The Crohn’s and Colitis, and probably most other chronic illness online communities have been fairly apolitical in my experience. If have always found this odd in a country that does not have state-sponsored healthcare, but I believe it may mirror the general American attitude of “I’d rather put hot pokers in my eyes than to talk about politics” or the often quoted “let’s agree to disagree” stance. I remember I once was verbally attacked when I spoke out about (one of the many) planned repeals of the Affordable Care Act.
Since the election however, Crohn’s Reddit has been on fire; people are afraid to lose their healthcare if the ACA gets dismantled. Others worry about their medications and vaccinations, given that the pick for health has announced the loosening of regulations and perhaps eliminating the FDA altogether. There are already states in which obtaining methotrexate can be a challenge. And like clockwork, for almost everyone worried, and fearful of the future, there will be someone pointing out that “Oh it will not be as bad” or “Let’s just hope it will not be as bad” or “They didn’t do any of this the last time, so don’t worry now.” What are people trying to achieve with this attitude? Make me feel better? Is this another form of toxic positivity, helplessness or privilege showing?
Let me tell you right here and now: Your feelings are valid. First off, it was pretty bad the first time around, even if the ACA was not dismantled. Remember there was a pandemic, one that was horribly handled? Second, they told us what they would try to do, so how is it an overreaction to be worried about them doing what they said they’d be doing? To quote the great, late Maya Angelou, “when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Oddly enough, maybe bureaucracy, the bane of my existence, may slow any attempts of the new administration to cut the Affordable Care Act, and undo FDA food and medication regulations. I pray that there are people who will challenge the new administration and its henchmen every step of the way. Even so, with so much uncertainty, I am not sure this is something to bank on.
It is more than prudent to hope for the best but brace yourself for the worst. I for my part, will make an appointment to get updated on all my vaccines. I will be damned if I am in the longest remission of my life and die of fucking measles or chickenpox. I am not sure what else I can do, to help me and my community here, but I am determined to find out.
The Morbus Crohnicles 