How to minimize damage from Whatsapp?

So, I do everything I can to keep private. I don't have Facebook or Instagram or anything, I hardened my browser, I give preference to open source apps, etc, etc. But I can't get rid of Whatsapp, it's impossible. Where I live Whatsapp is the fabric of space and time itself. I need it to work, I need it to talk with my friends and family, I need it even to keep in touch with my physician. Basically every message communication is dependent on Whatsapp. If I talk about Signal people laugh at me like I'm some kind of paranoid weirdo with a tin foil hat on my head. So, what I can do to minimize the damage? Should I only use Whatsapp web on browser on PC? Is there a tracker blocker that minimizes the problem on Android? Or I'm basically doomed? I hate Meta with all my might and I'd like to keep 'em as far as possible from my data. Any advice? Thanks in advance!