So, it's 2021. July 22, 2021, to be exact. We have passed the midway point to the year. 2020 is now behind us, and so many people are reticent and/or reluctant to share their opinions and concerns about COVID-19 and the vaccine.
HOW? HOW? (Breathes) How did we get to a point where our public safety and well-being became a political device used to divide a nation with implications and effects that went beyond our borders?
At this point, I feel like I am tempting fate. I am not a doctor. I have nothing to do with the CDC, but I respect them, and their information. I trust science, doctors, and the scientific process. I have faith as well. However, even with all these things, having been vaccinated, I also have a child under the age of 12 who cannot get vaccinated. Nothing has changed for my child. My child can still get sick.
I will readily admit that I am privileged. I have the resources needed to stay at home and to homeschool my children. I am not wanting for anything other than some rain, really. I do not face struggles to survive on a daily basis, and I accept that my opinion may be different if this were not the case.
However, this all feels too soon. Verbiage like the vaccine should . . . so far it has . . . we believe that . . . coupled with phrases like scientists and doctors are waiting for . . . signs that a booster MAY be needed . . . we're unsure how long the vaccine will remain effective . . . we believe it to be effective against . . . and finally 7 out of 10 cases are the variant strains have me concerned. What are the signs that they are waiting for? They are waiting to see if more vaccinated people start showing up in hospitals in larger numbers with what they call breakthrough cases.
How do we get to that point? First, vaccinated people need to resume pre-pandemic activities, without the precautions that we have so strongly clung to for the last 16+ months. The test cannot be conducted, and the results cannot be conclusive if the test subjects do not participate. However, I argue that they have lost control of the experiment and free radicals and variables have been introduced that cannot be fully accounted for, and as such, they are doing the best they can to find out how to get the collective us back to life as we knew it.
We need more people to get vaccinated, and we need those who are not vaccinated to do what is and was working: STAY HOME unless necessary, wear a mask, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face.
One of the biggest things I see is that as the vaccinated have been encouraged to return to life as it was before the pandemic, the un-vaccinated followed suit. This should be a cause for concern. However, I also understand that many of the un-vaccinated never really followed the game plan anyway, at least not where I live.
I get it. I'm tired too. I want to return to the way things were. I want to hug my friends and family, I want to spend time with them indoors. I want to get groceries without wearing a mask. In reality, is it really all that hard to stay the course a little while longer? Staying home unless it is necessary to go out, washing our hands, avoiding touching our face, and wearing a mask is working. Why stop now? The vaccinated can lead by example, but that example has been co-opted and ineffective. It is my humble opinion that it has had an adverse effect and encouraging mask-free and caution-free activities indoors and outside for those who have been fully vaccinated has caused many to throw caution to the wind in the name of freedom, and this will be devastating for us all.
Therefore, I will resume wearing my mask, and staying home unless it is necessary. This means that my lack of attendance at your event is not out of disrespect for you or the guest of honor, it is because it is the right thing to do for my family. I will continue to keep a 6-feet distance between us if you do not live in my home. This does not mean that I do not like you and do not want to be near you, it is because it is the right thing to do. I will continue my handwashing routine. Well, that's one that needs no explanation. Please wash your hands. After all, it isn't only my child under the age of 12 who isn't vaccinated. And, it isn't only children who are not vaccinated. I wear my mask to show that I care, and I will continue to do so whenever it is necessary beyond this pandemic. Let's make it through this together without leaving masses behind us in our wake.
