I hope if I get COVID-19 I will, like many, have mild to moderate symptoms. But if I get COVID-19 I have an increased risk of serious complications because I have diabetes.

So, despite feeling healthy, I chose to stay at home when the Government introduced the four-level alert system and asked, at Level 2, that certain people considered doing so. Now, as I write this in full lockdown at Level 4, I take extra precautions. And I plan to preserve them when we move to Level 3.

Yet many of my fellow members of the diabetes community—here and overseas—chose to carry on as usual before the full lockdown. As did others who were vulnerable to COVID-19, such as those over 70 and those with other health conditions.

And some are not taking extra precautions during the lockdown—they are picking up their own supplies rather than asking someone else.

A vulnerable group choosing to mitigate the risks only to a certain degree may create frustration and confusion in others. So let’s reflect on the time before lockdown, when only certain people were asked to stay at home, and see what it tells us.

Think about two fictitious people based on many real conversations: why did Polly, a woman with diabetes, want to continue going into work or Bob, a 72-year-old, want to continue visiting all his usual shops?

Imagine Polly and Bob read robust scientific evidence and statistical information about COVID-19. Also, when they are deciding on any action, the welfare of others is part of their deliberation. It is safe to say Polly and Bob fully understand and accept the risks of not staying at home.

First, being medically vulnerable.

In the pre-COVID-19 world, Polly and Bob considered themselves medically vulnerable. The implications of this were clear. It meant their additional needs were met by being given certain resources. So Polly and Bob can have the flu vaccination for free. Polly has technological devices to help monitor blood sugar levels and has access to free medical checks. Bob has safety rails installed to help him use the bathroom and financial help to heat his home in winter. In the pre-COVID-19 world, for both Polly and Bob, being considered medically vulnerable meant their needs were met.

In the COVID-19 world, being medically vulnerable has swiftly taken on a new meaning. Polly and Bob now require increased protection. And this means increased dependency on others. In the pre-COVID-19 world, Polly and Bob led independent adult lives. And they want their level of independence to continue in line with everyone else’s in the pre-lockdown COVID-19 world. Polly wants to continue going into work like everyone else. And Bob wants to continue going around all the shops like everyone else.

In the COVID-19 world, how humans want to think of themselves has not changed.

Now, taking risks.

The COVID-19 world looks different. But fully informed people taking risks is not a new phenomenon. Despite the risks, some may smoke tobacco because of the value they place on impressing their peers. Some may drink alcohol heavily because of the value they place on the social interactions. Polly goes to work because of the value she places on the self-worth she gains from working. And Bob goes around all the shops because of the value he places on his independence.

Take a familiar example—chainsawing. Now, everyone is at risk from a serious injury from operating a chainsaw. Some may choose not to operate a chainsaw. But some may choose to do so because of the value they place on the feeling of accomplishment. They take action to mitigate the risks, such as attending training and wearing protective gear. And they choose to accept the risks.

In the COVID-19 world, humans taking risks has not changed.

I chose to stay at home. I weighed things up and many factors that are individual to me influenced my decision. If some of those factors were different, I may have been swayed the other way.

Adapting to this COVID-19 world is difficult for us all.

We do not have to condone Polly and Bob’s behaviour. But do not judge them.

Help create an empathetic environment. A space that is open and respectful so we can understand the individual factors influencing their choices. Understanding helps emotional connections remain. And it is through understanding that change may happen.

So with all the changes in this COVID-19 world, remember we are still human—that has not changed.

Snita Ahir-Knight is a philosophy PhD student at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. She is also a social worker and child and adolescent therapist.

Read the original article on Newsroom.