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Brianna McDonnell Blog

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BMI and The Covid-19 Vaccine

in Lifestyle, Outfits, Uncategorized on 04/07/21

fashionable black plus dress with mask and accessories

CW: Anti-fat bias in medicine + potential anti-fat slurs.

COVID-19! Girl, you are the worst. No one invited you, you’ve way overstayed your welcome, so we’re kicking you out. One vaccine at a time. 

We got our first vaccine doses at team B Word! To be honest, we had mixed feelings! Was the process going to be typical of being fat in a medical context – aka triggering and dehumanizing? PLUS we all saw Shrill – would it even work on fat people?? What would it feel like to qualify over others for our BMI? 

SO we’re sharing our experience to give you a little confidence. 

Profile image of black plus size dress and mask

Our Covid-19 Vaccine Experience

First of all, we were eligible through BMI. Now, we’ve all seen the ways the BMI is an absolute trash measurement of health and weight, right? Like, the guy who made it was like, “Wait, what? No, absolutely do NOT use that for medical wtf.” (Okay, that’s paraphrased.) But that doesn’t mean it’s not freaking triggering to type “How to calculate my BMI” into google and see the words “SUPER OB*SE” pop up. For most of us, the words that dictate the BMI chart rankings have been wielded like a club for most of our lives – either to threaten pain or administer it. Regardless of all the progress we have made, the widespread cultural belief that BMI is a direct indicator of health (especially amongst medical professionals, who we are trained to believe without question) is pervasive. 

That means that disclosing to anyone that you qualify for the Covid-19 vaccine because you meet a BMI threshold is… well… a risk. At the very least, it often triggers disgust, disapproval, shock, and/or shame in loved ones and folks close to us. At worst, it can inspire flat out vitriol, unwelcome health opinions or advice, and violent words or actions directed toward our bodies and selves. 

Plus size styling and fashion with mask

We were naturally pretty worried that we’d be peppered with questions about our eligibility (we’re in CA, where the BMI threshold is 40). BUT to our absolute delight very few people even asked! At the vaccination site we gave verbal confirmation we were eligible. That’s it! No prying questions, no specifics! It was so easy. We were met with compassion and kindness by volunteers and professionals, and encountered next to no hiccups in regard to BMI and the Covid-19 vaccine. 

Plus, at the site itself there were quite a few lovely, fat folks in the waiting area – all newly vaccinated. It was actually so cathartic to see us getting quality care and not positioned as a breeding ground of illness, but rather a beacon of hope. 

Does the vaccine work for fat people?

As for the effectiveness – there is no concrete evidence that the vaccine is less effective in fat people! Bada Bing! 

What are other plus sized people doing?

Lastly, there was a certain sense of shame and guilt around getting the vaccine based on weight. We know a lot of us plus sized folk felt some shame over claiming the title, and a little guilt over being prioritized without other underlying conditions. So we opened it up to you all, and the consensus is in: FAT PEOPLE DESERVE GOOD HEALTH CARE, BUT WE OFTEN DO NOT RECEIVE IT. SO GET THAT VACCINE AND TRY NOT TO NEED THAT HEALTH CARE. AND DO IT LOOKING HOT. 

You know what we think? 

You’d look great in a Vaccine Chic outfit. Go get it if you can, friends. Stay safe. Do your part. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience for us, and hopefully for you too! 

Black plus sized outfit with matching mask

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Brianna McDonnell is a performer and creative boss, who is passionate about representing marginalized bodies in her work. Through content creation, performance, creative direction and theatrical producing, McDonnell’s work focuses on taking up space and owning your own story.

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This is what I have in store for the next two weeks, or as I like to call it BRIANNAWEEN! Yes....BRIANNAWEEN 🤙😂🎃⁣
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🖤 A roundup of my favorite plus size costumes that you can buy right now! ⁣
🖤 Movie themed costumes! I’m soooo excited to share this with you all, this is a continuation from last years BRIANNAWEEN...but if you know me you know I always have to out do myself 👀⁣
⁣
After I drop my mail in ballot off tomorrow, I LOVE exercising my right to VOTE and I encourage you to do the same! I will be at home, watching Halloween movies, with a Fall candle lit, eating some sort of autumnal treat for the next few weeks 🍂🥧🍵 #halloween #fall #spookyseason #october #plussizefashion #psootd #whatfatgirlsactuallywear
Honestly......I need a @starbucks 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 I loveeee a Monday where I’m crossing things off of my to do list 👏⁣
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I’ve been getting asked more and more what my remote work week looks like day to day, let me share with y’all what this week is looking like! ⁣
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🖤 Shooting something superrrr fun with the team *you’ve been warned 👀⁣
💸 Executing some sponsored content ⁣
🎃 my three year anniversary with Matthew! ⁣
🥰 working on branding with @dame.studio 
🔥 launching my social marketing and creative consultation services in packages! ⁣
💄 One on one, hour long social media consultations! Hit me up if you’d like to book a session at my discounted rate (will be offering 10, hour long sessions at 50% of my hourly rate....this week and next!) 

Let’s see how this week goes! 😂👏 GRATEFUL to be doing things I love, with people I love! #whatfatgirlsactuallywear #plussizefashion #weekinthelife #socialmediamanager #psootd
Can we all agree nourished skin never goes out or Can we all agree nourished skin never goes out or style?! Am I the only one needing EXTRA, extra hydration this season? @rawsugarliving has become my go to as we transition into Fall 🍁🍂 ⁣#ad 
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⁣
The Almond Milk + Agave + Oatmeal is my favorite because it’s not overpowering and @rawsugarliving is never sticky 👏 I get mine from @target because they’re 10% off AND with every purchase they give a bar of soap to those in need! I never share products I don’t love and I LOVE @rawsugarliving ❤️⁣
#RawLovin #targetfind #lotions #Rawmission
HAPPY MONDAY ✨👏 I wish young me could see me HAPPY MONDAY ✨👏 I wish young me could see me now.................babyyyyyyyyyy!!! I hope I get to continue saying that rest of my life 👏👏 **can we appreciate the 🦋🦋clips for a second?!** 
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🖤🖤 she’s back on set and couldn’t be hap 🖤🖤 she’s back on set and couldn’t be happier!! Would you hate me if I said....coming soon?! I’m SO excited to see my concept come to life, thanks to the most incredible team @samlabphotography @lookwhatbrooketook @logan_allison_ @kylemcrawford @laurentlillien 📸 @mattstatsnaps 
#bts #onset #losangeles #plussize #creative #plussizeactress #LAactor
Blame it on my performing and costume background b Blame it on my performing and costume background but HALLOWEEN is one of my favorite times of the year! Give me a costume everyday tbqh 🎃🖤😂🤷🏻‍♀️⁣ Hocus Pocus tee from @uniquevintage 
⁣
This is what I have in store for the next two weeks, or as I like to call it BRIANNAWEEN! Yes....BRIANNAWEEN 🤙😂🎃⁣
⁣
🖤 Costumes from my Closet, this is really my specialty taking things I already own and making BADASS costumes! ⁣
🖤 A roundup of my favorite plus size costumes that you can buy right now! ⁣
🖤 Movie themed costumes! I’m soooo excited to share this with you all, this is a continuation from last years BRIANNAWEEN...but if you know me you know I always have to out do myself 👀⁣
⁣
After I drop my mail in ballot off tomorrow, I LOVE exercising my right to VOTE and I encourage you to do the same! I will be at home, watching Halloween movies, with a Fall candle lit, eating some sort of autumnal treat for the next few weeks 🍂🥧🍵 #halloween #fall #spookyseason #october #plussizefashion #psootd #whatfatgirlsactuallywear
Honestly......I need a @starbucks 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 I loveeee a Monday where I’m crossing things off of my to do list 👏⁣
⁣
I’ve been getting asked more and more what my remote work week looks like day to day, let me share with y’all what this week is looking like! ⁣
⁣
✨ Shooting some BRIANNAWEEN content! ⁣
🖤 Shooting something superrrr fun with the team *you’ve been warned 👀⁣
💸 Executing some sponsored content ⁣
🎃 my three year anniversary with Matthew! ⁣
🥰 working on branding with @dame.studio 
🔥 launching my social marketing and creative consultation services in packages! ⁣
💄 One on one, hour long social media consultations! Hit me up if you’d like to book a session at my discounted rate (will be offering 10, hour long sessions at 50% of my hourly rate....this week and next!) 

Let’s see how this week goes! 😂👏 GRATEFUL to be doing things I love, with people I love! #whatfatgirlsactuallywear #plussizefashion #weekinthelife #socialmediamanager #psootd
Can we all agree nourished skin never goes out or Can we all agree nourished skin never goes out or style?! Am I the only one needing EXTRA, extra hydration this season? @rawsugarliving has become my go to as we transition into Fall 🍁🍂 ⁣#ad 
⁣
I’m excited to partner with @rawsugarliving to share a product I’m LOVING.....I can’t do lotions that are too fragrant anymore (13 year old Brianna is devastated 😂😬) ⁣
⁣
The Almond Milk + Agave + Oatmeal is my favorite because it’s not overpowering and @rawsugarliving is never sticky 👏 I get mine from @target because they’re 10% off AND with every purchase they give a bar of soap to those in need! I never share products I don’t love and I LOVE @rawsugarliving ❤️⁣
#RawLovin #targetfind #lotions #Rawmission
HAPPY MONDAY ✨👏 I wish young me could see me HAPPY MONDAY ✨👏 I wish young me could see me now.................babyyyyyyyyyy!!! I hope I get to continue saying that rest of my life 👏👏 **can we appreciate the 🦋🦋clips for a second?!** 
#BEinyourskin #styleblogger #plussizeactress #plussizefashion #whatfatgirlsactuallywear
No one: ⁣ Me Oct 1st: bad **witches 🎃🤷🏻 No one: ⁣
Me Oct 1st: bad **witches 🎃🤷🏻‍♀️😂
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