Staying healthy helps with all kinds of things, and sometimes it does not. You could just get hit by a bus.
I think every person in the world has made bad choices at some point in their lives, and the old can't do anything about that. The ill, maybe couldn't do anything about that either, some things are genetic.
I do know that since this virus has ravaged our country I hear people constantly saying, "well, they were fat, or they were old, ill, weak." What is the point of this?? Is it to calm your own fears? To weed out those who aren't strong from society?
In the end, we should try and protect others regardless, and letting this virus run out of control is killing people it didn't need to kill. People with families, and loved ones who care regardless of their condition prior to this virus.
So, finish the sentence for me.
"Oh, they were fat so....." So, what?
"They were old so ....." So, what?
"They had other conditions...." So what?
So, you don't have to worry about it? Or so we don't have to DO anything about it? Or, it's their fault so I don't need to protect them?
Finish the sentence so it's clear!
I don't think I will finish those sentences because you're ignoring the reality of how diseases and viruses, in general, work. So instead let me offer an alternative:
Being overweight: when you weigh more than what you do, heart has to be working harder because your body had expanded and more blood is needed. In addition to that, the body's defenses may be more compromised because of the extra weight (especially internal organs). Overweight people have problems breathing because oxygen is carried through the blood stream, and if that's compromised, they breathe heavily. So while the heart and even some of the body's natural defenses are at work, a virus can slip in and cause problems. The heart can be attacked, causing a heart attack or even a stroke, or the body's defenses will go ward off the virus while ignoring the other issues. I'm no doctor, but someone that is overweight is at risk (even more so if they're truly obese). I know this from experience because I experienced illness a lot and I lost breathe easily when I was overweight, so I know what I'm talking about here and can attest to this. It was my bad decision making, aka bad dieting and lack of exercise, that led me to getting sick often.
Underlying conditions: Diabetes, high/low blood pressure, lymes disease, high cholesterol, thyroid issues, etc. All this plays a significant role in the health of your body. I understand there are people that are born with certain conditions, but that doesn't mean "do nothing" to keep yourself healthy. Medication CAN help, but not always and not the only solution. Most of the problems are resolved and/or controlled by what the individual does. Again, dieting and exercise does help greatly with the majority of these issues. With diabetes, if you have too much or not enough sugar in your system, you develop problems. One of them being getting your foot amputated, and another reduced vision. It can even lower your body's immune system. This is resolved, typically, with the right amount of sugar intake and keeping your weight down through reduced consumption of food and exercising daily. If this isn't achieved, a virus simply adds on to the list of problems you already have, and over 90% of the time it isn't the virus, but rather your underlying conditions.
The elderly: Getting old is an inevitable part of life. Your immune system and your body as a whole is weaker. But that doesn't mean you're dead, even with underlying conditions or being overweight. You can still be doing all your daily activities, dieting and exercising, and still living life. They can maintain what immune system they have left to ward off illnesses and viruses. Many people are living longer now because of the change in lifestyle, or in other words, they're not acting old. So let's not kid ourselves into believing that if a virus comes in contact with an older person that they're going to die because if they're taking care of their bodies, that kind of stuff shouldn't bother them as much. Simple.
I know there are people who might fall into any or all categories. Now, I'm not opposed to having those people staying home just in case, but it's no reason to keep everyone else, who are not in those categories, away from work. If the people in those categories are not, once again, dieting, exercising, and even taken medications/supplements, they are at risk. That's the reality of it, and, no, I'm not trying to be mean. Poor health decisions do lead to these kind of problems, and something as simple as the flu or even the common cold causes severe complications for these people if they're not doing anything to lower the chances of experiencing the symptoms. That's just common sense, and I'm sorry, but not sorry, for offending you like this.
