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Many people have strong opinions about the COVID-19 vaccines, or about how vaccines are being distributed. What are your thoughts?
After a year in which we had a new virus and no way to fight it except with masks, social distancing, and staying isolated, having an effective vaccine is a game-changer for sure Last year my friends and I hiked nearly every Sunday None of us had access to the vaccine, and some of us are over 65 years old We put on masks and quizzed each other about our carefulness in avoiding groups and people outside our households We got lucky; none of us ever tested positive for Covid-19 Now we are all vaccinated and boosted, and we get into each others' cars and drive out to the wilderness areas together with barely a qualm Last Sunday I invited two new people to join our group One of the more careful members of our group asked whether the additional people had been vaccinated They had, and we had a wonderful time on a beautiful winter day
January 24, 2022
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Talk about how the pandemic has affected your closest relationships.
Pre-pandemic my husband and I had a group of friends that we saw regularly (every month or two). We've kept in touch with most of them via text, Zoom, and a handful of small in-person outdoor gatherings. But it's not the same. I find myself feeling resentful of friends who are thriving in the pandemic--taking up crafting, cooking, and roller skating, enjoying remote relationships they established pre-pandemic, etc. I am not thriving. I am keeping my head down and trudging through each day, regularly questioning the point of any of this. I have struggled with bouts of depression and feel like I have no one to talk to about it. Everyone is depressed, and the people who aren't depressed make me feel like I just need to get over myself. It's lonely. I hope when all the adults are vaccinated, things can get back to something that resembles normal, but I do feel like there's a kind of river between me and the people I call friends right now. Getting across the bridge is going to be harder than just going to a few barbecues or whatever this summer.
March 11, 2021