Vaccinating Despair, Injecting Hope

 

Vaccinating despair

Immunizing against virus

       and

viral fear and isolation

Inoculating resilience

Injecting hope

Inspiring immune response

                                           and

infectious optimism                     

I had some other thoughts for this week’s piece, but the energy brought on by the arrival of a vaccine has truly been infectious. I couldn’t ignore it. As a writer, I know that you speak to the moment. It might not be there next week. That has been my guide through this blog’s existence.

I asked a group of first graders this morning about what they were going to do over winter break. Okay, okay – I actually asked them what healthy things they were going to do over break. A few students answered that question with “I think we need to get back to going to school”. Some answered with a question of their own, “When is this going to be over?”

I agree with these 6 year-olds that it would be great for our health and wellness to get back to a normal existence. And while I don’t have an answer for where/when the finish line is of this endurance challenge, it is a wonderful place that we find ourselves this week as the first covid vaccines are given.

The vaccine is a holiday present delivered with dry ice and stored at negative 70 degree Celsius. Batteries sold separately. Restrictions apply. Not available in all 50 states…yeah, we know the verbage of latest, greatest holiday gifts all too well. 

Playstation move over, Pfizer move in. 

Asking partner “Can we afford this?” replaced by questioning health insurance, “Will you cover it?”

The vaccine is a small bit of light cracking through the end of the tunnel. Do you see it? Look closer. Squint if you need to.

The vaccine is a reason to smile, sigh and maybe even cause for tear ducts to open.

The vaccine is an invitation for all of us to move past despair and 2020 and all that we need to leave behind.

Let us roll up our sleeve and accept the injection of hope.

UNM's healthcare workers show off their "boo boos" on first day of vaccinations this week.