I am a daughter. I am a friend. I am a sister, a boss lady, neighbor and a pet mom. I love cooking, laughing, learning and most things that are fuzzy. I tell you this because I want you to see me as a real human being. I need you to see me as a real human being because what I am about to request has the possibility of creating a visceral response.
I am begging you to get vaccinated. I am imploring you to have your children 12 and up vaccinated.
I have held your hand as your parents died alone in the hospital. I have undertook your fear as your loved ones were intubated. I have sat with you endless hours navigating the loss-the extreme loss-COVID 19 has brought to you, our community and our nation. I have patiently listened to the anxiety and depression associated with wearing a mask, remaining 6 feet apart and missing out on important life events like weddings and funerals. I have connected to you when you have been crippled by loneliness and social injustice. I have carried your sadness, emptiness and uncertainty. I have held your child’s disappointment, tears and fear.
I did not have to wear a hazmat suit for 12 hours. I didn’t have to worry about having enough space in the hospital system. I did have had to sit for 12 hours carrying the weight of your feelings. I did have and continue to have the concern about having enough mental health resources in my community. I may not have scars on my face from wearing a mask for 24 hours. I do have invisible scars that all mental health practitioners are carrying from retraumatization and burnout.
I am tired. I need vaccination rates to go up. I need my community to care more about each other than themselves as an individual. I’m exhausted. I need people to do the right thing, or at least the thing each business is asking of them without yelling at someone. I need people to give each other the benefit of the doubt. I am spent. Please go get your vaccination.
Care about your community. Get vaccinated. Be Kind.
P.S. And pretty pretty please. Stop yelling at us boss people. I pinky promise asking you to wear a mask, show a vaccination card or complete a telehealth session is truly us boss people working to keep our staff, our community and our littles under 12 safe.