GREENSBORO, N.C. — It’s time for ‘My 2 Cents.’
I feel like we are getting close to the end. However you want to phrase it – the light at the end of the tunnel, hope on the horizon, back to normal. I feel like I should knock on some wood.
After a year of staying home, not seeing friends and family, Zoom meetings, working from home, ordering takeout, wearing masks, praying for all of this to end – I am starting to see normalcy.
Well over 3 million vaccines have been given in North Carolina. Nearly 20% of the people in our state have been at least partially vaccinated. As those numbers continue to grow, so does my hope.
Last week I got my first dose of a COVID vaccine. It took three seconds. Really. Seven if you count the alcohol wipe at the beginning and my thanking the Army medic at the end. But in three seconds I got more than a shot of mRNA – I got a shot of optimism, confidence and expectation.
As more people get their shots the CDC says we can start to see more people, do more things, and wear masks less often. I know it’s been a year but do you remember how nice it is not go be worried about getting sick or getting others sick when you go out and about? How great it feels to just wander around Target or the grocery store without a mask? How fun it will be to go to events and listen to live music?
I know we are not there yet. But seeing people posting selfies getting a vaccine, hearing the new guidance from the experts, and realizing that we are nearing the end is so encouraging.
We are close. Just a little while longer. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Wait six feet apart. Get your vaccine when it’s your turn.