Dear Unvaccinated: Getting a shot might bring you the joy to heal from the pandemic

Dear unvaccinated friends and neighbors,

We know that many of you are hesitant – some even adamantly opposed – to getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

You may believe that pressure to get vaccinated is a challenge to your individual liberty. But getting sick is also a challenge to your liberty, and infecting others is a challenge to theirs.

Or maybe you are very careful about what you put in your body, and distrustful of the people who say the vaccine is safe. But unless you are vaccinated, your body is wearing an invisible welcome sign for the virus. People who aren’t vaccinated provide the habitat it needs to grow and thrive.

But here’s something different to think about: Getting vaccinated might bring you joy.

It’s a joyous feeling to know that you’re safe. Knowing that you are becoming part of a larger-than-yourself effort to make the people around you safer also brings joy.

Right now, case counts are rising in Thurston County and there’s a threat of being pushed back to more restrictions on restaurants, other businesses and schools. There’s no doubt that when more people get vaccinated, case counts go down. So getting vaccinated will make you a hero to your local diner, and your local school. You can help sustain their joy by helping the process of reopening along.

And maybe this story, from Frances Davis, a recently vaccinated teacher, also will help shift your perspective:

“In the second month of 2021, I was feeling high levels of anxiety and hopelessness. I was experiencing pandemic fatigue and bouts of brain fog. I did not see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was distrustful of people, and despised watching the news.

“One Sunday afternoon I was home as usual, when my phone rang. I thought it was maybe an invitation to eat takeout outdoors in a friend’s backyard. I was in no mood to sit with a plate of food on my lap outside huddled around a fire pit. I called my friend and the first thing out of her mouth was “I’m in your driveway! Anna found a vaccine for you! Let’s go!”

“I literally ran out the door. My friend said that after a day at a vaccination clinic, there were doses left and our friend Anna suggested me, a teacher, to get one.

“When we got there, I jumped out of the car and ran inside to one of the friendliest faces I have seen. He handed me an iPad to fill out documents. I was then led into another room where a sweet nurse talked with me — I do not remember what she said; it was all a blur. Once she took the needle out, I realized that this was it and all the hesitancy I once had about the vaccines vanished. The shot didn’t hurt a bit and when she handed me that CDC card, something happened — something I haven’t felt in over 12 months: It was hope.

“One week later I was volunteering for United Way, the same organization I would later learn enabled me and another excited educator (she came in shortly after me, with the exact same bewildered look, crazy hair and haphazard lounge wear) to receive vaccinations.

“As I stood with my fluorescent jacket on, waving newly vaccinated seniors to the observation area (it was senior vaccination day), there was pure joy and relief in their faces. I witnessed seniors from all walks of life happily wave to me, shout out the window that “we can finally hug our grandchildren!” There were tough-looking dudes on motorcycles wiping tears from their eyes, single women smiling with their eyes — a shine, a hope that came with that dose.

“The volunteers were joyful, helpful and kind. I felt a sense of community and that was when my distrustfulness of humans fell away and my faith in people restored itself into my heart. That day helped heal me. I am proud to report that I have personally found and scheduled doses for my boss, two of my best friends, three co-workers, my nephew and the husband (who is also an educator) of another friend. I wanted everyone to experience that hope, I wanted to help bring some light back into such a dark time.

“As of now, I am fully vaccinated and I get to walk into my classroom this very week.

“The world is still dealing with this virus. Progress is being made but we are far from being free and clear. Still, I feel hopeful and I see light, and I am committed to do what I can to be safe, and to make sure my community is safe. Get vaccinated, stay hopeful, and let’s get as many as we can out of this fog and into the light.”