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Going through a breakup and ex partner is already unmasking[

I have long covid, the ME and POTS flavor, and have been sick for 2.5 years. My partner of 6 years has been supportive and never questioned covid precautions, never once complained. He randomly brought up a breakup with me a few weeks ago and it’s really shocked and blindsided me. Right now, we are currently on a break.

As I’m sure you can imagine, I’ve been having a very hard time. I already feel unlovable and worthless since getting sick and this is validating that. Dating would not even be possible for me and I have to accept I’ll be alone forever now. What’s worse, is he just made a post on social media and he was unmasked indoors. This was a huge gut punch. He can just “opt out” despite knowing the science, seeing what it can do and how it can harm and disable. It makes me feel not worth it. That his life will be better without me. I’ve tried explaining this to others but people outside our community just defend him on this.

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Partner dropping precautions, accusing me of “forcing my beliefs on him”. Heartbroken.

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Hi all. To keep this short, I have ME/CFS and POTS (pre-covid) and am immunocompromised (from covid). I have asthma and because of my immune system I’m very susceptible to infections, which is why I mask and take precautions. My partner has seen my health struggles since I caught covid (2022) and has been supportive. He’s also masked in high risk areas. He’s never implied this is a hassle for him and has been attentive regarding my health.

Recently, he’s started going back to the gym and out to coffee with friends, all indoors. These are risks I would never take but I have never brought it up to him because I know limiting your life is hard and it’s a compromise for me that he takes precautions in the riskier situations (of course I realise these are high risk too, but I pick my battles).

Recently he went shopping maskless. I asked him to please reconsider and he gave me the classic “small space, not many people”. After I explained I would appreciate if he could mask up where he can, especially since he already takes a lot of risks, he went off on me, saying how dare I imply I know better than him, he has a right to his own judgement regarding risk, I’m forcing my beliefs on him and - he knows exercise is good for me but he keeps his mouth shut about that since I “think” I need to avoid it.

I’m in disbelief. I’m blindsided. I’ve tried to talk to him about this. Saying protecting my (our!) health should be a joint effort, not something I’m “forcing on him” and I don’t want him to feel this way. He’s sticking to his own - I’m apparently being selfish and patronising. He refuses to see my point about how this isn’t a matter of who’s right and who wins, but about collaboration. He refuses to understand that his “judgement” is directly making the decision to risk my health and has nothing to do with his freedom.

I do think I’m done. I have nowhere to go unfortunately, but I don’t wan’t to be stuck in a relationship like this. I slept on the couch tonight and got a “what, you can’t share a bed with someone who has different beliefs?” when I came to get my blanket. His attitude is appalling.

Sorry for the essay, I just needed a good vent. I hope you’re all well.

Edit: wow, I’m speechless at how many of you responded so kindly. I’m feeling very overwhelmed with gratitude for all of you and I’ll do my best to reply to everyone as soon as i can find words ??

Edit 2: unfortunately the mods locked my post before I could reply to everyone. Thank you all for all your kindness and support, it means the world ??

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