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These past several months have finally offered a glimmer of hope. The COVID vaccines available are remarkable, and the speed at which they are being administered is reassuring. After a year filled with pandemic stress, I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s a huge relief.
I’ll always remember the overwhelming joy I felt when my mother and my partner received their first vaccines back in February. I hadn’t realized how much fear I had been carrying for almost a year. Knowing that my mom is safe and my kids won’t lose their dad brought me a sense of relief like no other.
I received my second vaccine just last week, and soon I’ll be fully vaccinated. The peace of mind that comes with knowing my kids won’t lose their mom to COVID is indescribable. As a healthy 40-year-old, I’m aware that COVID doesn’t discriminate based on age or health. Like many parents, I’ve spent countless sleepless nights worrying about what would happen if my kids had to navigate life without me.
So yes, I am celebrating these vaccines. I’m grateful for the science that will help us move past this crisis.
However, when I read stories about how this summer will be the time for everyone to embrace life post-pandemic, I feel uneasy. The chatter about dining out, attending concerts, and traveling fills me with FOMO. I see kids gathering without masks on social media and think, “What is going on? Why are parents acting like COVID is behind us?”
You might wonder why I’m still behaving as if it’s March 2020. The answer is simple: I have two children, both with asthma exacerbated by respiratory viruses, who aren’t eligible for the vaccine yet. Thus, my family’s approach remains cautious, even though my partner and I are vaccinated.
Yes, my kids will finally get to see their vaccinated grandparents in the coming months, and I appreciate how wonderful that will be. We’re planning a pandemic-safe vacation this summer—driving, renting a house, ordering takeout, and avoiding crowds. But my kids won’t be visiting amusement parks or attending sleepaway camp; they won’t have indoor playdates.
We’ve been in lockdown since the pandemic began, and I don’t foresee that changing anytime soon.
Some might argue that kids are less susceptible to COVID than adults. If I’m vaccinated, why not let my kids enjoy more activities? As I mentioned, my children have asthma, which the CDC identifies as a risk factor for severe COVID outcomes in children and teenagers.
Even without underlying conditions, I would still exercise caution until my kids can be vaccinated. Although children are less likely to die from COVID than adults, the virus is still deadlier for kids than the flu during a typical season. As Dr. Anna Lee noted in a recent article, hundreds of children have succumbed to COVID, while annual pediatric flu deaths have typically ranged from 35 to 186.
Moreover, many children experience lingering effects post-infection, known as long COVID, which can lead to months of fatigue, brain fog, and difficulty breathing. Why would I take that risk with my kids?
Let’s not overlook the danger of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a serious condition linked to COVID that can result in organ damage or death. The uncertainty surrounding long-term effects is frightening.
COVID is not a “mild” virus for children. Picture a polio outbreak in your neighborhood with unvaccinated kids, or a measles outbreak larger than any recent ones. COVID represents one of the most serious viruses our children might encounter, and it is still widespread in our communities.
Just yesterday, nearly 50,000 new COVID cases were reported in the U.S., including a significant spike in Michigan among school-aged children, many of whom are hospitalized. I don’t want my children to be part of this troubling trend.
My vaccination will not protect my children if they interact with other kids who might unknowingly carry the virus. I won’t be taking them to crowded places for now.
I am hopeful that case numbers will decrease as more adults receive vaccinations. I look forward to my kids enjoying time with their vaccinated grandparents, but I will remain vigilant about ensuring safety, especially as breakthrough infections are possible. I will seek out outdoor, masked activities for my children and consider some masked playdates.
I hope to feel comfortable sending my kids back to school in the fall, provided community COVID rates are low and safety measures remain in place. They have been learning remotely this year due to high case numbers.
Until we achieve a high level of herd immunity or my kids are eligible for vaccination, I won’t take chances with their health. So while there is much to celebrate regarding vaccination progress, this summer won’t be a time for unfettered joy for my family. We won’t be discarding masks and resuming life as it was in 2019; we will continue to prioritize safety until this crisis is fully over.
I recognize that not every family can maintain the same level of caution. Some parents must send their children to school or childcare, and many of those situations can be managed with low risk. However, I see too many parents acting recklessly, which adds to my anxiety. The belief that life is returning to normal simply because adults are vaccinated is a dangerous mindset. Unvaccinated children can still fall ill, and they can transmit the virus to those who are medically vulnerable.
The CDC continues to recommend against unmasked activities for unvaccinated individuals, including children. So please, celebrate your vaccination status, but remain cautious with your kids. The pandemic is not over, and we must continue to act with common sense and compassion.
If you share my perspective—vaccinated yet still protecting your kids as if it were March 2020—you are not alone, and certainly not overreacting.
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In summary, while I am grateful for the progress in vaccinations, I will continue to prioritize my children’s safety until they can receive their vaccines. This summer may not be carefree for us, but we are committed to staying cautious.