Saturday morning thoughts as I wait in line for my vaccine... a thread

Today I showed up early for an appointment (anyone who knows me realizes this is highly unusual!)

#COVID19 #vaccine #yyc #SaturdayMorning

What was my biggest question?
Not “should I get it?”

Clearly, it was “which Fluevogs do I wear?”

I chose the Satan-proof soles as I kick COVID19 in the ass

Like many other frontline workers, getting notification that your name is up for the vaccine was a mixed bag of emotions and they are all coming to the surface as I reflect on the gravity of this moment...

Elation: for the hope that we will may recover from the losses of this pandemic

Pride: in the teams of healthcare workers I serve with, caring for other humans even when it puts our own health and safety at risk

Gratitude: for the minds who have developed this vaccine

Sadness: for the unimaginable losses due to a virus

Guilt: that I have the privilege to get vaccinated when many others more deserving still wait for their name to be called

Worry: that will be lifting - that I might infect my family bringing this virus home from work

Little bit cry... tears of sadness, guilt, elation, gratitude
All the feels

And now the 15 minutes sitting... more time for reflection
Like David Byrne I wonder

As a kid I was a science geek, lapping up all the biology and chemistry I could. I marvelled at scientists and how one built on the work of those whose shoulders they stood on. We are asking this play out in real time with this pandemic.

In university I studied biochemistry, virology, immunology, molecular biology ... this knowledge base has made it easier to understand COVID19 and marvel at the genius of this vaccine design.

I went into medicine to apply this knowledge to care of fellow humans. I have seen the physical and emotional toll this virus has taken on all of us.

So today standing in line for this vaccine I teared up a number of times.
Add to that seeing some of my favourite humans in line with me: other ObGyn’s, nurses, OR support staff, urologists ... I am the happiest I have been in almost a year