What I Want Post Lockdown Life to Look Like with Psoriatic Arthritis

Southern California has been under its own version of lockdown for over a year. It has only been within the past month that restaurants and other businesses have been able to serve customers indoors.

Like many people, I am excited to get back to some sense of normalcy. Of course, living with psoriatic arthritis and a few other chronic conditions is anything but normal. It feels good just knowing that I can once again visit my favorite places on a low pain day.

And as thrilled as I am about being able to spend time with friends and family again, there are a few lockdown practices I would like to remain.

Acceptance of modifications

When the lockdown began, the whole world found ways to keep people safe while also keeping employees employed and businesses in business. Positions that had always been in person and on-site suddenly turned into remote jobs.

While I understand the importance and perks of having employees working in the same building, the pandemic has proven that there are many positions that could be done at home.

Please don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that everyone who worked at home during the lockdown shouldn’t return to an office environment. In fact, I know a few people who would rather not work from home. What I'm proposing is simply having the option. Telecommuting could provide many people with chronic illness employment opportunities that a daily commute took away.

My hope here is that employers will continue modifying positions to accommodate an employee’s health condition, not just for a worldwide pandemic.

Continued convenience

Delivery, curbside pickup, teleconferencing, and virtual appointments have been game-changers. In the past year, I have come to realize how much energy I was wasting while shopping in person. I was also able to participate on two patient advisory boards that my chronic pain would have made it impossible to travel for.

Along with protecting the health of the world, these conveniences created balance in my life. Having more energy to pour into patient advocacy has been an extra bonus. Realizing that it was running here and there for little errands that made it difficult to find a balance, I want to save that energy for more important things, like family game night.

My hope is that the consideration to make life safer during the pandemic will continue to improve the lives of the chronically ill.

New social norms

I used to joke about wanting a personal space bubble. Social distancing turned that joke into reality. And I want it to stay! Prior to social distancing, my wheelchair made me feel invisible. People would stand with their rear end in my face, elbows knocking into my head, or trip over my legs all the time.

Social distancing has made my wheelchair visible and removed those personal space issues. Another thing I love is not being touched without first giving permission. Pre-pandemic life was spent always having to explain why I didn’t want to shake hands or touch people, especially during flu season.

If people promise to continue with the care of keeping their hands to themselves as we return to normal, I will forgive them for rolling their eyes when requested to in the past.

What parts of pandemic life would you like to continue?