In my 80th year, I am grateful to be among the 1 percent living in a long-term care facility. I am troubled, however, knowing that we residents represent 40 percent of the deaths in our country from the coronavirus. Therefore, I am exceedingly grateful to be among the first in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
I have no hesitation whatsoever about receiving the vaccine. Many scientists, physicians and other health care professionals candidly admit they never expected two vaccines to be readily available in such large numbers so soon. The 95 percent efficacy of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines blew all the experts away.
What this means is that we can trust the vaccines to do what they intend to do. They could indeed be the light at the end of this horrendous, life-threatening tunnel.
Obviously, I want to take the vaccine for my own health and safety. However, I am just as eager to take it to protect my fellow residents, the staff, not to mention my friends and family. As the Bible says, “Choose life.” Think how wonderfully different life can and will be if and when each of us and all of us have been vaccinated.
