When I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis and MAC and Pseudomonas in 2018, I already had asthma and chronic bronchitis. I too was worried about catching other illnesses. My primary and my ID doc both told me to go out and LIVE MY LIFE. During Covid we kept a very small circle, but otherwise I have tried to live as normally as possible.
What does that mean? In close spaces and/or during flu season, I mask indoors. Outdoors any germs in the air are highly diluted by the great volume of air and unlikely to infect you.
Risk is a combination of the quantity of infectious material and the duration of exposure, so walking through a mall is low risk. Standing face to face indoors for a lengthy period is higher risk. Flying in a plane for hours even higher.
If you have difficulty wearing a mask but are healthy yourself look for one with a valve to make breathing easier.
Every person is different, but I value a full life over one "locked away" trying to stay safe, but feeling miserable.
What do you most wish that you could do? Can we help you figure out how to do it safely?