When COVID-19 became a worldwide pandemic, many medical experts worked night and day to identify exactly what the virus was, how it was spread, how to prevent the spread, how to treat the virus, and who is most at risk for negative outcomes related to the virus. Without a doubt, frail elderly people were identified as the highest risk and ultimately, this proved to be true when you look at the statistics from the past 18 months.

That said, there was also a lot of buzz regarding patients with autoimmune disease and how they were at high risk as well. Studies have been done to either support this thought or dismiss it and honestly, with all the research out there I’m not sure we will ever have a consensus. However, one of the most recent studies regarding patients with rheumatoid arthritis specifically, concluded that there was no evidence suggesting these patients are more likely to have severe outcomes than patients without RA.

Call me a skeptic but if I had an autoimmune disorder, I would continue to be cautious, avoid large crowds, mask indoors, get vaccinated, and maintain a healthy, open dialogue with my medical provider. It is too soon to let our guard down or depend 100% on one study or another. Remember, no one is “immune”, even with vaccines, we still need to be aware and stay safe!