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We are all SO excited that the vaccines are being distributed, and the beginning of the end of the pandemic seems to be in sight. That being said, I want to emphasize something for everyone bc there has been a lot of confusion. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/dec/14/ny-nurse-receives-pfizer-shot-covid-19-vaccine-cam/
1. We all STILL need to wear masks even AFTER getting the vaccine for a variety of reasons. We don't know if people who get the vaccine can still transmit COVID19 as asymptomatic carriers.
Here is a great NYT article explaining:
https://www.nytimes.com/.../health/covid-vaccine-mask.html
Here is a great NYT article explaining:
https://www.nytimes.com/.../health/covid-vaccine-mask.html
We do know that getting the vaccine significantly decreases your chance of becoming very sick from COVID19, and we also know getting the vaccine gets us closer to the herd immunity we need to get the pandemic under control and our lives back to normal. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859
But this is all going to take TIME. So prepare to be wearing masks well into 2021, likely until the end of the year at least. Here is one estimate of when people will be able to receive the vaccine. Remember we need the majority of the population to be vaccinated.
2. We are STILL not recommending large gatherings. Weddings, birthday parties, holiday gathering graduations etc still need to be done virtually as much as possible for now. The virus is spreading rapidly. We are at over 16 million cases in the US. https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-us-maps-and-cases/
3. Even though the vaccines are starting to be distributed, the process will take a long time to get to the majority of the nation. During that time, our hospitals continue to run with less staff, space, and supplies, and we are seeing healthcare workers & systems struggle.
Without doctors and nurses and RTs and MAs etc to take care of people, without medications to give people, without equipment to help people, too many are still dying, and they are dying alone, without loved ones by their side. https://www.wcpo.com/news/coronavirus/cincinnatis-covid-19-casualties-include-first-grade-teacher-nurse-who-held-dying-patients-hands
4. I am the eternal optimist and I am SO EXCITED to get my vaccine when it is my turn. BUT I also want to remind everyone that we still have a long way to go. We distance now so there are not seats empty at the table when we come together again.
So please, continue to #WearAMask 
stay #6FtApart try and move your holiday plans virtual, or if you are planning on spending time with a small bubble of people you don't live with over the holidays, please quarantine for 14 days prior to seeing them, and 14 days after you return.
stay #6FtApart try and move your holiday plans virtual, or if you are planning on spending time with a small bubble of people you don't live with over the holidays, please quarantine for 14 days prior to seeing them, and 14 days after you return.
With vaccine distribution starting, how awful would it be if you or a loved one fell ill just before they were able to get the vaccine? Protect yourself and others. This is a marathon, but the finish line is finally in sight. Just hold on for a bit longer. @IMPACT4HC
