For me, getting the vaccine shot means relief, that life can return to semi-normal. I feel confident that I won’t be passing COVID on to others or getting it as our chances of being infected will be lower. With immunization, we’ll have more freedom to return to normal life sooner.
COVID-19 has impacted my work and life because safety precautions had to be implemented at St. Amant, adding stress and making me more worried about other viruses that might be out there. Activities are limited for the individuals we care for. For example, everything is one-on-one with no group activities. We aren’t allowed to take the individuals we support outside the building unless it’s on the grounds. In my personal life, we can’t just get up and go anywhere without being masked, and we can’t visit friends or have friends over. We’re always cautious of our 6-foot-space for social distancing.
If I had to say something to people who are hesitant about the vaccine, I would ask them if they want life to return to normal more quickly. The vaccine is to protect the people we love and it’s not only about them, it’s about everyone. Once everyone has had their vaccine shot, I would like people not to take life for granted and to be grateful for what you had pre-pandemic and post-pandemic. I know that getting the vaccine is a personal decision, but if you want things to go back to normal, just remember when other vaccines first came out—people were hesitant but it worked out for the best.
