ON THE COVER
Journal readers reported emerging from their second vaccine dose feeling grateful, safe, free and, in once case, patriotic. Photo by Mark McKenna
Vaccine Stories
Journal readers share their vaccine motivations, experiences
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couple of months back, as vaccine eligibility was rapidly expanding, and the conversation in Humboldt County quickly began to shift from availability to hesitancy, we asked readers to share their stories. We wanted to hear people’s motivations and fears, how it felt to get the shot and what came after, what felt different and what they were doing different in post-vaccinated life. In the ensuing weeks, we received dozens of replies, with readers sharing their experiences and emotions. Some
said they couldn’t wait to get their shots. Others were afraid or skeptical of the vaccine at first but came to feel it was the right thing to do, for themselves, their loved ones or the community, or all three. But the overwhelming overarching sentiment expressed was gratitude. People are thankful for the science and scientists who made this possible, for a newfound sense of hope and security, for the promise of tomorrow. As the Journal went to press July 13, roughly 48 percent of Humboldt County residents were fully vaccinated, with
another 6 percent having received one dose. Tens of thousands of local residents have so far passed on the chance to get vaccinated, or other barriers have prevented them from doing it. With that in mind, it seemed an appropriate time to share our readers’ vaccine stories thinking, perhaps, hope may prove contagious. — Thadeus Greenson
‘They Have Come Through for Us’ The thing about a novel coronavirus: it’s new. We don’t know all the implications of an infection. So, watching the disease trajectory unfold in this country, seeing news from New York City in crisis, talking to a relative who was in South America and who saw bodies pile up in the streets, I was aware, as someone who is over 60, a case of COVID-19 posed an increased threat to me. And I had another reason to look forward to the vaccine.
My 38-year-old niece got “presumed COVID” in March of 2020. There was no available testing at the time. She was plenty ill, but not hospitalized. All of us in the family were worried, but she was young and healthy, and by April she was well out of the woods. We all breathed a sigh of relief. In July, my niece suddenly developed alarming neurological problems. She wound up in the ER several times, unable to walk, sometimes unable to put words together. The possible diagnoses were truly scary. Stroke? Brain cancer? For two and a half months she was often too fatigued to sit up in bed, or talk on the phone. We could do nothing to help her. Long haul COVID was only just being recognized. Now, scientists say about one in three of those who get COVID-19 — even a mild case — will experience neurological or psychological problems. Continued on next page »
northcoastjournal.com • Thursday, July 15, 2021 • NORTH COAST JOURNAL
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