NF & COVID

Living with NF and now through this pandemic, I have realized that the two have some significant similarities.  To start, neither NF nor COVID discriminate as to who they inflict harm to. Additionally, no one with certainty can tell anyone living with NF or diagnosed with COVID how exactly they will be affected; like NF symptoms, the symptoms for this virus can be mild to severe. Moreover, death is a possibility for both.  This is where the similarities end because there are more differences than anything else between the two. 

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic condition, meaning that it is not contagious.  No matter how hard I try, I do not have the mental ability to magically give NF to the small-brained-ignorant rude people that gawk at me. I inherited NF from my mother, as did my brother. In my mom's case, it was a spontaneous mutation of the genes. If I choose to have biological children, there is a 50/50 chance that my child can have NF. However, I will be affected by pregnancy because NF loves hormones. 

COVID is a virus, meaning it is  100% contagious. Let me put it this way, it is passed down from human to human. It is not contained in the genes and does not need a parent to have it to pass it down to their child. Once again, it can attack anyone, that is why it is so important that everyone does their part to reduce contamination.  And yes, some people are more susceptible to the virus, but that does not mean that you cannot stop the spread of Coronavirus. Besides, even if you appear to be healthy, you may have an undiagnosed underlying health condition that puts you at risk. 

We are living through a pandemic that has already taken too many lives.  As a people, we need to come together and do our parts to reduce contamination because that is the only way this virus will stop causing so much havoc in our lives.  I do not think this virus will altogether disappear but evolve like the seasonal flu does. We will adapt, and our bodies will build immunity, but this takes time.

Unlike NF, we can all play a part in how the Coronavirus interferes with our daily lives by practicing social distancing, wearing masks,  and having proper hygiene. There may not be a cure for COVID yet, but unlike NF, we can all contribute towards reducing the death toll.