* I posted this originally over on IG. Landing it here as well as I keep in mind the sane folks who abstaining from the socials. There are a ton of great comments on the post over on the gram though… so do check it out if you like.
I am not anti-vax. I am, however, pro thinking things through, doing good and diverse and credible research, and checking the status quo. All 3 of my kids are, or have been, on a delayed vaccination schedule. It is what has felt right to me as their parent.
In fact, I am in general a ‘you do you’ sort of a person.
But not right now. Not in this instance.
Never in my life has there been such a clear moment where prioritizing the whole and choosing public health over personal preferences has been such a clear solution toward managing an unmitigated risk.
It is not time for “wait and see”. It is not time for “alternative treatments”. Maybe later- in fact, I am all for a diverse way of managing COVID once we are no longer in crisis as a global community.
But frankly, if you are in the camp of wait and see or some alternative, I will judge you. I will most likely feel a mix of anger and frustration and grief and loss at what I perceive to be your lack of intelligence, compassion, and/or basic care for the human community of which you are apart. I will not want to hang out with you or connect much in general. You do you, sure, but that will be me doing me. That is not to say that I think the choice is easy or straightforward, but it is obvious. Even when it stirs up some big feelings. Those feelings are no reason for you to center yourself above another. Not at this moment. Maybe not ever.
So, Maple and Eider are scheduled for their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine next Wednesday. I am so happy for them. And I am so happy to think of all of the ways that we can each take comfort in knowing that we are doing our part to end the pandemic and continue to honor human life. And I am so so so very happy to visit with all of our vaccinated friends and family in the now oh-so-near future.