Second Shot

“Just had my second vaccine shot! Went well. Feeling fine so far.”

That was my Facebook post of yesterday.  So far, it’s had 81 ‘likes’, certainly the most I’ve ever had for anything I’ve posted.  I added a comment that got its own share of responses, “In two weeks I can go wild and crazy. Hmm, wonder how to do that…” Some of the likes and responses are from people I connect with all the time, but others are from I haven’t heard from in a long time.  One thing is certain: I have spoken to the issue of the moment.

We don’t get together in person these days, but Zoom provides a kind of a substitute.  Many of these Zoom get togethers seem to start out with people sharing where they are on the vaccination spectrum, followed by suggestions of alternatives that could move you ahead, like go to Ohio or keep calling back. My own story consists of a bit of luck in a neighbor who alerted me early on to something she had heard of Rite Aid openings and my enrolling right away before the news really got out.  Being an old lady helps too, of course.

We’ve just hit one year in on the Covid lockdown, and a strange year it’s been.  Every place where people used to interact has been shut down or placed under restrictions.  Masks are worn everywhere except in places where people are alone or are with a limited number of people – new term ‘pod’ – they interact with, like immediate family.

There is, of course, good reason for these restrictions.  People are dying in alarming numbers.  By a month ago, more Americans had died of Covid than of World Wars I and II and the Vietnam War combined.  That’s a lot deaths and a very real reason to take measures. 

At one year, restrictions are starting to ease.  This probably has less to do with Covid being less fierce than with people just having had enough of it all.  Parents are wanting their kids back in school.  People are suffering financially from work loss.  Everyone is just ready to get life back to something closer to what might be called normal.

At the same time, there are some real up sides. More and more people are getting the vaccine.  Even Dr. Fauci says it’s going to come to an end – and if I can’t believe Dr. Fauci, who can I believe.  

And then, of course, there’s me.  After my two weeks letting shot two take effect, I’ll be ready to go back to my regular life.   If only I could remember what that was….

Judy Avery