Why Are 9/11 Survivors Vulnerable to COVID-19?

First Posted: Jul 17, 2020 12:15 PM EDT
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Why Are 9/11 Survivors Vulnerable to COVID-19?

(Photo : Why Are 9/11 Survivors Vulnerable to COVID-19?)

Many survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attack still battle health complications to this day. Unfortunately, their health condition makes them particularly vulnerable to the current coronavirus pandemic.

Because of this, 9/11 survivors must take extra precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19. Their bodies are simply not equipped to handle the vicious virus due to the damage dealt by toxins released during 9/11.

The severe medical consequences of coronavirus now make life increasingly difficult for 9/11 survivors. If you are a 9/11 survivor or know somebody who is, you should understand why coronavirus poses such a large risk so you can respect the need to take the proper precautions.

To help you stay safe, we'll outline why 9/11 survivors are currently at great risk. 

Existing Health Problems

The first issue is that most 9/11 survivors deal with existing health problems.

This primarily includes aerodigestive conditions like asthma, rhinosinusitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also includes several different types of cancer and mental health struggles.

Concerning COVID-19, the aerodigestive conditions are of the greatest importance. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus, which affects the same body systems that many aerodigestive conditions impact. 

With this in mind, 9/11 survivors with any form of respiratory illness are at the greatest risk. Their respiratory tract will be in no state to defend off malicious compounds entering the body. 

This means that having an existing 9/11 related illness makes a survivor more likely to contract and succumb to COVID-19. 

Compromised Immune Systems

9/11 survivors also have compromised immune systems due to their inhalation of toxic fumes. 

This means that their immune system is unable to effectively fight off disease. This can be a result of low white blood cell count, lack of antibodies, or a poorly functioning system. 

The carcinogens inhaled during 9/11 did serious damage to the immune systems of survivors. This is important because the immune system plays a large role in how likely you are to get sick or contract a virus.

With a weak immune system, your body offers no defense. Any contact with the virus will almost ensure that you are infected. On the other hand, a strong immune system will provide protection and you may not always be infected from exposure. 

9/11 victims do not have this luxury and any exposure to COVID-19 will mean infection.

Unclear Symptoms

Another complication is that the symptoms of COVID-19 aren't obvious.

This creates issues in two distinct ways.

First, it means that those that have coronavirus may not always know about it. This is one of the largest issues with the current pandemic because it is causing the virus to rapidly spread. 

For 9/11 survivors, this means that they have no idea who may be sick. As a result, there's a risk every time they leave their house.

The other problem with unclear symptoms is that it can cause a 9/11 victim to confuse the symptoms of coronavirus for the symptoms of a 9/11 related illness.

Because of this, they may not realize they have COVID-19. This is extremely challenging because 9/11 victims have a better chance of surviving the novel coronavirus the earlier it is detected.

Putting this together, the obscurity of coronavirus infections puts 9/11 survivors at greater risk.

Loosened Restrictions

Making matters worse, many states have loosened restrictions and this has caused a major surge in new coronavirus cases.

It should be noted that loosened restrictions speak to the greater picture. Many Americans fail to respect the severity of coronavirus and don't take pandemic safety guidelines seriously.

Good examples of this include gathering, refusing to wear a mask and failing to social distance. These safety guidelines are effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19, but only when they are properly practiced.

Loosened restrictions make this behavior more prevalent. This gives the impression that COVID-19 is not as dangerous as it seems and that it's okay to do what you'd like. 

The most obvious sign that this is inaccurate is the increase in COVID-19 cases in the US after restrictions were lifted. This directly affects 9/11 victims because it means that the general public is not taking appropriate measures to ensure their safety.

The prime example of this is wearing a mask. Masks are primarily meant to prevent you from infecting others, although they do help protect you as well. When other people do not wear their masks, it puts 9/11 victims at great risk because they may be unknowingly sick.

From here, it's easy to see that the way society approaches coronavirus is endangering the victims of 9/11.

Fear of Treatment

A final challenge for 9/11 survivors amidst the current pandemic is their fear of seeking treatment.

Most 9/11 survivors are intelligent and have a good understanding of the healthcare system. Before coronavirus, it was already fairly difficult to seek treatment for 9/11 related illnesses. 

Now, it is near impossible. The focus for medical professionals is on treating coronavirus patients. Monitoring for potential 9-11 related illnesses has ceased and ongoing treatment is highly strained. 

Furthermore, most 9-11 victims realize they are vulnerable to the virus. Considering that hospitals are guaranteed to be a source of COVID-19 because of the patients treated there, this poses a great risk to a 9-11 victim just by being in the vicinity. 

With this in mind, 9-11 victims are fearful of seeking treatment right now. Whether it's for 9-11 related illnesses or coronavirus, their vulnerability causes them to avoid medical treatment that could save their life. 

This is yet another unfortunate burden placed on 9/11 victims as a result of COVID-19.

Closing Thoughts

Of all people at risk of contracting coronavirus, 9-11 survivors face some of the highest risks. The catastrophe of 9/11 caused irreversible damage that is making the survivors more likely to get COVID-19 and be seriously affected by it.

A few reasons why 9-11 victims are at high risk include their existing medical conditions and compromised immune systems, the symptoms of coronavirus aren't obvious, many states have loosened pandemic restrictions, and many 9-11 survivors fear seeking treatment right now.

The current pandemic is terrifying, but it may feel eerily similar to 9/11 survivors. They face yet another health crisis that must be properly addressed to ensure their survival.  

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