I'm not worried because...

COVID-19 is mild now.
I'm vaccinated against COVID-19.
the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
many health professionals don't mask.
I have a strong immune system.
I'm healthy.
Information Source
While some variants seem to cause COVID-19 cases, which more frequently produce milder symptoms, a new variant may not. BBC, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250113-why-covid-19-is-becoming-less-deadly
Each infection, even if mild, comes with risks. NBC News, https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-symptoms-mild-follow-pattern-doctors-say-rcna105090
Even cases of COVID-19 which cause mild symptoms can result in developing Long Covid. Yale Medicine, https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/long-covid-post-covid-conditions-pcc
Most people who develop Long COVID only have mild symptoms while sick with COVID-19. The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/long-covid-stemmed-from-mild-cases-of-covid-19-in-most-people-according-to-a-new-multicountry-study-195707
Even cases of COVID-19 which cause mild symptoms can lead to developing (Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2) PASC. MedlinePlus, https://medlineplus.gov/postcovidconditionslongcovid.html
Even cases of COVID-19 which cause mild symptoms can raise the risk of having a heart attack. Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/heart-problems-after-covid
Vaccination provides noteworthy, but low overall reduction in the risk of developing Long COVID in adults. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/covid-19-vaccination-reduces-risk-long-covid-adults
Vaccination may not reduce the risk of certain forms of Long COVID, such as neurological symptoms. Oxford Academic, https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/7/1/fcae448/7920652
The protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time. World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/diseases/covid-19-(corona-virus)
After 2-3 the months the protection offered by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines against infection is noteworthy, but low. Gillings School of Global Public Health, https://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/study-shows-effectiveness-of-updated-covid-19-vaccines-wanes-moderately-over-time-is-lower-against-currently-circulating-variants/
The effectiveness of vaccination in preventing Long COVID in children, while high at times, has varied dramatically against different variants. Penn Medicine, https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/covid-vaccine-protected-kids-from-long-covid
In 2022, president Joe Biden stated the COVID-19 pandemic was over, but he also said that COVID-19 remained an ongoing issue. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2022/09/19/1123767437/joe-biden-covid-19-pandemic-over
In 2023, the World Health Organization declared an end to the global health emergency, but stated the pandemic remained ongoing. CBC, https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/who-pandemic-not-emergency-1.6833321
Even if COVID-19 is no longer considered a pandemic, being endemic doesn't make it less dangerous to the individual, as pandemic veruses endemic is about the manner of circulation. Vancouver Sun, https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/endemic-vs-pandemic-heres-what-you-need-to-know
An illness being endemic does not mean it isn't dangerous. Radio Canada, https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/en/news/1857934/people-say-they-want-covid-19-to-become-endemic-but-what-does-that-really-mean-
Rates of Long COVID are nearly double among healthcare workers what they are among dental professionals. CIDRAP, https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/studies-detail-high-rates-long-covid-among-healthcare-dental-workers
Many Canadian patients have caught COVID-19 through hospital aquired infections. Ottawa Citizen, https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/hospital-acquired-covid-infections-worsened-as-the-pandemic-progressed-research-finds
SARs-CoV-2 is good at evading the immune system. McGill University, https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19/does-covid-19-mess-immune-system
The SARs-CoV-2 virus is highly effective at escaping antibody neutralization. PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9220273/
COVID-19 can cause disregulation of the immune system. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, https://libguides.mskcc.org/CovidImpacts/Immune
COVID-19 can increase the risk of infection by other illneses by weakening the immune system long-term. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, https://libguides.mskcc.org/CCM/PostCovidInfections
Most COVID-19 cases result in organ damage. PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11834749/
Many people who have factors which put them at increased risk, of developing severe symptoms when sick with COVID-19, aren't aware. Pfizer For All, https://www.pfizerforall.com/covid-19/education/risk-factors-for-severe-covid-19
Over a third of Canadians 18, or older, have at least one underlying health condition, which raises the risk of health complications following COVID-19. Statistics Canada, https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/200703/dq200703a-eng.htm
An estimated 1.7 billion people world-wide have at least one underlying health condition, which raises the risk of developing severe symptoms during COVID-19. The Lancet, https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2214-109X%2820%2930264-3
Risk of death from COVID-19 is higher in certain races. VCU Health, https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/covid-19-and-minorities-manage-your-health/
Women significantly more frequently develop Long COVID than men. University of Alberta, https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/11/women-three-times-more-likely-than-men-to-get-severe-long-covid.html