I don't want you to misunderstand, but from now on, I think everyone should take off their masks when they can.

I don't want to wear it outside all the time during the upcoming cherry blossom viewing season, so I will take it off.



However, there is one thing that I really want you to know.



It's possible that someone like me is right next to you.

When I was a new employee, suddenly

That's what Ryoko Harima (54), who lives in Hyogo Prefecture, said.



Harima has long suffered from a disease called ulcerative colitis.


Her immune system, which is supposed to protect her, attacks her colon and causes inflammation, causing repeated severe abdominal pain and diarrhea.

I was 22 years old when I first became a member of society.



Mr. Harima, who had never had a stomachache since he was a child, was diagnosed with sudden symptoms when he thought "something was wrong".



I was told that the disease is "intractable," and that it is particularly difficult to cure, and that the symptoms persist for a long time, causing a heavy burden on my daily life.



Her initial hospital stay lasted 10 months, as her medications were ineffective.

Due to the side effects of the medicine, my face was swollen and my skin was getting worse.



At the time, I was a highly motivated new employee working in the public relations department at the head office of a major company.



For many years I have suffered from unpredictable symptoms.



The number of times I was hospitalized is 17 times.

"Risk of serious illness" due to corona misfortune

After that, I started working as a part-time university lecturer and now teach Japanese to international students.



Meanwhile, she continues her treatment.

Because it is a disease in which the immune system that protects itself attacks the body itself, I am given a drug that suppresses the immune system once every two months. ' is sometimes used.



It is effective for treatment, but if you are infected with the new coronavirus, your immune system will be suppressed, so there is a risk of aggravation.



For this reason, Mr. Harima has been more careful than ever before the spread of corona infection to prevent infectious diseases.



Masks, which everyone usually wears during the corona crisis, were always worn during the winter flu epidemic.



In addition, Mr. Harima has been taking familiar measures such as ``avoiding crowds as much as possible'' and ``frequently washing hands with soap'' due to the corona crisis.



After the spread of Corona, I tried to avoid crowds and reduced the number of times I went out.



I spend more time at home reading, cooking, and exercising indoors.

When I go to work or go out, I try not to use crowded public transportation such as trains unless necessary.

" It feels better



to walk leisurely like this than interacting with people on the train, and I think I will continue to walk in the future because there is no risk of infection."



It's the next hospital visit that I have to do.



"My next visit to the hospital is at the beginning of April, but I will be going by train to avoid driving because of the examination. And since it overlaps with the rush hour, I'm really worried about the situation on the train.It's a little far, but I think I'll have to take a taxi."

The gap between the city's sense of openness

And since the government's policy of leaving masks to individual judgment was issued, I feel frustrated that even if the infection spreads again in the future and the risk of infection rises, people in my position will It's about not being able to convey the circumstances and thoughts you have.



Because Mr. Harima's illness is invisible to the naked eye, people around him cannot notice that he is at high risk of becoming seriously ill due to the coronavirus.

"Protect yourself by yourself"



Of course, that is a major premise, and there is no change in taking the maximum possible measures, but I am concerned that the situation of "I have no choice but to protect myself" will become even stronger. doing.



“By removing the mask, everyone will feel more open and will be able to go outside. Even if they seem to be having fun here and there, we won't be able to join them. I think there is a part that makes you feel like that."

Those who are “left behind” in the relaxed mood

At a clinic in Kita Ward, Osaka City, a doctor who sees many patients with intractable diseases like Mr. Harima has been receiving consultations from patients.



Many of them said, "The atmosphere of not wearing a mask is increasing, but I'm still scared."

Yasushi Taniguchi, Director of Taiyuji-machi Taniguchi Clinic


: “It is welcome that we can now remove the mask, but there are various people, such as those with weakened immune systems, diabetes, and those undergoing anticancer drug treatment. For some reason, there are still people who are afraid of corona, and there are many people who want to hide their illnesses that they can't see. There is no other way but to protect the fact that you don't go to the public, and the more relaxed the world becomes, the more people feel like they are left behind."

in a place close to you

At the end of the interview, Mr. Harima showed us something.

It is a "help mark" that lets you know that you need help and consideration, even if it is difficult to see from the outside due to illness or disability.



Mr. Harima always carries this mark, but he doesn't wear it when he walks.



It seems that the symptoms are really serious, and he only wears it when he feels that he may fall down and cause trouble when going out.



And Ms. Harima has rarely spoken about her illness to anyone other than her family.



Nevertheless, the reason why I dared to accept the interview this time was to let you know the following.



“I think that there are more people who are at risk of becoming seriously ill, even though they don’t know what they look like.



"I hope that you will continue to wear a mask when you feel a little unwell or when you have a cold-like symptom and have a cough. Also, if someone has a help mark, it means that they are sick. I want people to know that there are many people who can go out with peace of mind if they are able to take a little consideration, such as thinking that they may be someone."

Lastly, underlying diseases with a high risk of aggravation

According to the materials of the subcommittee of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, patients who are outpatients or hospitalized for the following diseases and conditions are indicated as those with underlying diseases with a high risk of aggravation.



1. Chronic respiratory disease


2. Chronic heart disease (including hypertension)


3. Chronic kidney disease


4. Chronic liver disease (cirrhosis, etc.)


5. Diabetes or other diseases being treated with insulin or oral medication 6.Blood disease


(excluding iron deficiency anemia)


7.Disease that weakens immune function (including malignant tumors under treatment)


8.Immune function lowering, such as steroids Receiving treatment


9. Neurological disease or neuromuscular disease associated with immune abnormality


10. State of weakened physical function due to neurological disease or neuromuscular disease (respiratory disorder, etc.)


11. Chromosome abnormality


12. Severe psychosomatic disorder (Severe physical disability and severe intellectual disability overlap)


13. Sleep apnea syndrome


14. Severe mental illness (hospitalized for treatment of mental illness, possessing a health and welfare notebook for mentally ill persons) or if it falls under "severe and continuous" in independence support medical care (psychiatric outpatient medical care)) or intellectual disability (if you have a nursing notebook)

(Interviewed by Kota Iida, Reporter of the Social Affairs Department)