Manoek van Vlimmeren (22) from Oudenbosch has been in strict lockdown for over a year. Due to her muscle and autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis, the coronavirus can be life-threatening for her. “I haven’t been able to see my friends all this time.” With a vaccination in sight, that isolation will finally end for her.
“My body is much more susceptible to viruses and it’s harder for me to breathe. That makes it even more frightening when I really have to go out. ” She actually only goes out for a medical appointment. “I also go shopping once a week and every now and then I go for a walk with my mother.”
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When the reins could be released again last summer, very little changed for the Manoek. “I still couldn’t get in anywhere and couldn’t afford to meet people.” She does not come close to others outside of immediate family. “That is frightening with my health. It was therefore a great relief that a masking obligation was introduced at the end of last year. “
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Manoek is on the list to be vaccinated earlier than her peers, but when exactly that injection can be done is still unclear to her. “At the RIVM they still have to decide whether it will be my turn soon or not until May.”
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For Manoek, this vaccination brings a lot of freedom. “Of course I would also like to go to a concert again, but that is not the point at all for me now. The feeling of security is most important to me. And seeing my friends again is also very important. ”
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Manoek understands the frustration many young people have with the strict lockdown. “I understand that, but some of the reactions were so harsh that it touched me. It was said that vulnerable groups should stay indoors longer. While I have been isolated for over a year, while others still had a lot of freedom in between.”
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