I don't think that you're going crazy. Things are pretty messed up right now. I'd say that nearly everyone would agree with that sentiment. But, unfortunately, I think that we'd better get used to it. With the new variants and the effectiveness of the vaccines decreasing over time, I believe that we'll be dealing with this for years to come. I suspect that we'll need boosters and new coronavirus vaccines that are designed for variants that do not yet exist (but will in the not so distant future). I imagine that COVID vaccines and boosters will become routine for many, like the annual flu shots. I didn't get annual flu shots. I got my first one last fall because of COVID... I didn't want to potentially get the flu and need to visit a hospital. I figured that our healthcare system was stressed enough. I also got two shots of Moderna as soon as I was eligible and I'll follow my physician's recommendations about boosters and potentially additional vaccines. Why? To protect myself, my family, my friends, and my community.
Are things getting worse? That's hard to say. Things definitely don't seem to be getting better as far a COVID goes. Hospitals in several states are nearly out of ICU beds and some areas are setting new records for cases and deaths. Some people are simply refusing to listen to healthcare professionals and scientists, except when it benefits them. Heck, some people have even decided that going to the local feed store and taking a horse dewormer (ivermectin) for a virus is a good idea because someone in Egypt faked data, published a paper, and some news outlets continue to promote a debunked "study", even though that paper has now been retracted. Healthcare professionals can provide data showing that ~99% of COVID fatalities were among people who were not fully vaccinated, but it won't sway some people. It's really unfortunate, but people often aren't motivated by facts and evidence. Many think, "I'm healthy. I don't need a vaccine," or "there's too many unknowns" and that is somewhat true. There are some unknowns and sure, most people that get infected with COVID will recover over time. But in the meantime, the unvaccinated folks may catch it, spread it, and cause somebody else to die. Maybe they give it to somebody like Kelly Peterson, a 41 year-old elementary school teacher, whose doctor recommended that she not get vaccinated, due to her leukemia. She died on Monday. Maybe they inadvertently give COVID to a friend or relative and kill them... but hey, it's not about that. It's about their personal freedom. In a way they might be right... they may survive just fine... but maybe their friend, relative, or neighbor wont. Seems awfully selfish to me.
I'm just trying to do the best that I can, like most folks. Our two boys aren't eligible for the vaccine, but they're back in school since the school district isn't offering virtual learning this year. We've got them wearing masks. A minority of the other students and staff are as well, but there's no mask mandate. I doubt that they'll be in school for long. Several schools in nearby counties have had to close due to the high number of students and staff who have been infected with COVID. It's really unfortunate. Seems the Delta variant is hitting children harder, or perhaps is just infecting more people so more serious pediatric cases are occurring. Either way, we're trying to eat our cake and have it too... we're taking some precautions and trying to limit chances of exposure as best we can, without living in a cave.
Kindest regards,
Kantuck
I am so stressed that not even treasure hunting could take my mind off it. Help. Talk to me.
