Dear COVID-19

One year ago, this month, our lives were upended by what we now know as the novel COVID-19. I will tell you, it took me some time to gather thoughts to post. I have such Dear COVID memories that I had to allow myself the mental space to process. The News playing in the background as you see the faces of despair, the cries of desperation and of course, the frolic of the non-believer, that COVID too can impact them.

I remember leaving my job with the assumption of returning in two weeks for what was to be “deep sanitization” practices due to an unidentified illness. What I did not know is that one year later, I would still be working from home. I swear, it still does not seem real - the fact that we have lost so many precious souls and the way of life as we know it is gone…

Now with three available vaccinations it appears that an end is in site! What are your thoughts on the vaccination, have you taken the shot? What are your apprehensions? What was the deciding factor for you to take the shot.

Did you know? “As of March 1, 2021, CDC data showed that race/ethnicity was known for just over half (54%) of people who had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Among this group, nearly two thirds were White (65%), 9% were Hispanic, 7% were Black, 5% were Asian, 2% were American Indian or Alaska Native, and <1% were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, while 13% reported multiple or other race.

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately

[Learn more on cdc.gov]:

• Trouble breathing;

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest;

• New confusion;

• Inability to wake or stay awake;

• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

Noting that any one or combination of the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Fever or chills;

• Cough;

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;

• Fatigue;

• Muscle or body aches;

• Headaches;

• New loss of taste or smell;

• Sore throat;

• Congestion or runny nose;

• Nausea or vomiting;

• Diarrhea

Be sure to take time to self-care, MAINTAIN MENTAL WELLNESS, check on loved ones and STAY OPTIMISTIC! As we continue to discover, the one great thing after a storm is the RAINBOW!