- Stella Safo is a NYC-based doctor who's nine months pregnant and has a weakened immune system.
- She says she's devastated by the ruling that lifts mask mandates and is worried about her safety.
- Here's Safo's story, as told to writer Fortesa Latifi.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Stella Safo, a primary-care physician who works in New York City and has a master's degree in public health. It has been edited for length and clarity.
As a doctor who's immunosuppressed and nine months pregnant, I'm devastated by the news that the public-transportation mask mandate was struck down on Monday by a federal judge in Florida and masks are now optional for travelers on planes, subways, and trains.
I can't stop thinking about the people who started their journeys — whether on a plane or train or other public transportation — and everyone was masked, and then halfway through the journey, their personal risk assessment was overridden as people took off their masks after the announcement was made. It feels like we've given up on protecting each other, and it's so sad to watch.
As someone with an autoimmune disorder, I have to take medication that compromises my immune system. I'm also a doctor who often sees sick patients, so I'm particularly cautious about COVID-19 for my baby's sake. Between all of these factors, it's overwhelming.
I live in New York City. I have to take the subway to work.
Most people in New York rely on public transportation. I can't just stop taking the subway, and I know many others are in the same position.
I'll definitely continue to wear a mask on public transportation and advise others to wear high-grade masks like KN95 and N95 and even add goggles. I suggest covering as many surfaces on your face as you can, especially if you have to be on public transportation for a long period of time. (Editor's note: In response to the federal mask mandate being overturned, New York City has announced that the MTA will still require passengers to wear masks on public transit, including the subway.)
I'm worried about the mental-health effects of mandates lifting, too
This decision will lead to more isolation and less community for at-risk individuals. Wearing a mask on public transportation is such a simple way to allow people with weakened immune systems to have the freedom to travel — and that freedom is going to be limited now.
This decision really shows a mental fatigue with COVID-19. We're no longer looking at the number of cases or the number of people dying every day. It's scary, because COVID-19 is still a relatively young infection. It's possible the next variant could be as deadly as Delta or as infectious as Omicron, and we won't be prepared.
I'm worried about the next situation that requires our country to take collective action
We've shown ourselves to be ill-equipped to take care of each other. Whether that's another pandemic or the climate crisis or war, it feels as though Americans have the attitude of, "It's not my problem — if I'm safe, it doesn't matter."
And that doesn't even touch on the millions of people have or will develop long COVID-19 — it's estimated that between 10 and 30% of people who contract COVID-19 will develop long COVID. Our healthcare system is so unequipped to handle an influx of newly disabled people. There's a shortage of doctors in America and the level of burnout among existing doctors is startling.
It's a really dark day
We've lost 1 million Americans to COVID-19 and an untold number are suffering from long COVID, but we can't even protect each other on public transportation. We've lost faith in our public-health agencies, our government, and our fellow citizens.
If I have any hope, it comes from the people trying to protect their vulnerable neighbors. We have to save ourselves and protect each other within our communities through simple steps like continuing to wear masks in enclosed spaces like subway cars. I know there are people out there doing the work. There are people who are pushing to protect the most vulnerable among us, and I'm so thankful for them.
President Biden said that whether or not Americans wear masks on public transportation is "up to them." (Editor's note: The Biden administration has since stated that it will appeal the ruling if the CDC agrees.) The president's statement confirms what we've known for a long time — no one is coming to save us. We're on our own and must save each other.