The best part about being fully vaccinated is that you can visit your loved ones and actually hug each other! I received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on January 4th. My parents were finally both two weeks past their second dose last week! Since my dad has medical issues, we’ve been extra careful about visiting.
After working every day last week plus Easter Sunday, I was grateful for a day off. I volunteered to work Easter so that my colleagues who go to church or who have littles who look forward to the Easter Bunny could celebrate.
I texted my mom to see if they would be up for a visit today, and they were! So I made the hour drive to Tidewater. I haven’t seen them since December when my daughter and I delivered their cat we adopted for them for Christmas, which was masked, socially distanced, and brief. That visit seems like it was forever ago!
I’m happy to report that Lacey the cat has settled in nicely. You may remember that she was adopted from the Richmond Animal League, which is also where my dog, Ellie was adopted! She’s such a beautiful kitty! And, wow, does she know her food routine. She started asking for her afternoon meal an hour ahead of time!
It was really nice to visit with my parents, share a meal in a restaurant, and have some real discussions about life, church, etc. It’s been way too long.
As this pandemic continues to spread, it’s imperative that as more people qualify to get vaccinated, everyone takes advantage of their opportunity. Variants don’t have as much of a chance to develop if most of the population is immune. Currently, just over 18% of the US population is fully vaccinated. Right now, we need to stay ahead of the virus. The sooner we achieve herd immunity, the sooner life will get back to normal. Don’t throw away your shot!
Have you been fully vaccinated? Has this opened some doors for you socially? Do you feel safer when out in the community? Do you support the idea of a “vaccine passport?” I’d love to hear your thoughts. As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 
Congratulations, Anne!!
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Thank you! Definitely a nice reward for us!
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🙂
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I am looking forward to getting my first shot tomorrow!!
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Yay! That’s so exciting!!!
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I just received my second vaccination and am super excited to visit my friends and family over the summer! Having received my vaccines through a no-waste program, I couldn’t agree more: we can’t throw away our shot!
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Yay!!! I’m so excited for you!
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Thank you so much!!!
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So glad you were able to have a good visit with your parents!
I get my second Maderna shot on April 13th. Mom and I had to wait to get our shots because of the recommendation to wait 90 days after you were diagnosed with CoVID. I have still been taking precautions, but have felt less anxious after I had CoVID and knew that I had some immunity from that. I will be happy to get the second shot, though, and hope I feel safe traveling to see the step-kids, grands, and great-grands in FL this summer.
As for the Vaccine Passport, I’m torn. On the one hand, I think it is a good idea to know that everyone on my airplane has been vaccinated – or wherever. But, on the other, I know there are some people who, for various reasons, can’t take the vaccine. I don’t think it would be fair to them to ban them from travel because of their health issues and inability to get vaccinated. I guess, once we get to the point of herd immunity, I don’t see that it would be of any value and just be yet another reason to judge and discriminate.
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I do see both sides of the passport issue. But I do think that it’s a good idea until we get the virus truly under control. I think other countries might mandate it for travel and some activities. This pandemic has created lots of issues that have been difficult for those who don’t have many resources. For example, a lack of public restrooms that are open has been really difficult for the homeless who rely on these. I don’t have all the answers when it comes to what is good for public health vs. impinging on basic freedoms. There likely should be exceptions for those who truly can’t take the vaccine. And I also don’t feel like wearing a mask impinges on one’s freedom. America will likely never have a vaccine passport because it will become politicized.
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I agree. It’s hard to find that line that keeps everyone safe, but doesn’t create unnecessary hardships on those who are already in the fringe of society for whatever reason. I do agree with you that I don’t feel mask wearing impinges on anyone’s freedom. It’s the responsible thing to do.
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I finally managed to get an appointment for two weeks from now: our clinic had run out of doses!
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Yay!!!!! That’s so exciting!!!
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Yes, I’ll be very excited once I’ve got both shots, as I can stop worrying about my roommie!
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Aw this makes me so happy! I’m glad you could visit. I can not wait for the day I can hug my parents. I feel like it’s been literally FOREVER! I have one dose down and one to go! Both of my parents have gotten there’s. So close to being able to get on a plane with some sort of comfort. I honestly think passports are a good idea. I think it’s definitely something we should adopt with international travel. I mean, we already require proof of vaccines for things like school enrollment. I remember even needing to show it to apply for my MA program. I’ll show my card loud and proud, ha!
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Thank you! I”m certain the Covid vaccine will be required for most international travel, just like many other vaccines to certain countries already. I know many countries require Covid vaccinations to work out in the gym, go to theaters, etc.
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Lovely post. A beautiful reminder of what we can look forward to once things are under control, and many are vaccinated. I love reading good news stories like this, especially in such trying times. ❤️
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Thank you! I also got to hug my best friend from grad school today when we ran into each other at the grocery store. She’s fully vaccinated, too! it’s the little things, these days.
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