This shark head with a headless swimmer reminds me of pandemic behavior.
On the one hand or foot (if you’ll excuse the cheesy reference), some of us are taking the necessary precautions. Others, however, are ignoring the attack warnings and ending up in the shark’s deadly jaws. I’m sad to say my own home state of Georgia ranks rather low on the caution meter; we’re number 47 of 50 on the list showing the percentage of COVID-19 vaccines administered by state. Our hospital ICUs are filling up with COVID-19 patients and are nearly at capacity.
Now, I’m not here to debate the pros and cons of mask wearing and COVID-19 vaccines. I believe in science and our shared responsibility to protect each other from this pandemic. Instead, I’d prefer to focus on what my hometown daily newspaper has done lately to inform the public and attempt to reverse the tide of COVID-19 infections and deaths.
Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution shared a front-page, “Get Vaccinated. Save Lives.” editorial. Its compelling stories about people like Sherry Clements Wilmot, who have overcome vaccine hesitancy, could become an antidote to the anti-vaxxers, who are shutting down vaccination sites.
Remember when we applauded our health care heroes? Maybe it’s time to applaud the once-hesitant who are now rolling up their sleeves for COVID-19 vaccines. Make room for more of their stories. As Chief Martin Brody said in the 1975 movie, Jaws, “You’re going to need a bigger boat.”