A New Beginning?

I know, I know…the question mark doesn’t quite convey the optimism that a lot of us are hoping to feel. I got my first dose of the long awaited vaccine (Moderna, for those keeping score). I can’t quite describe the emotions I felt when that needles pricked my arm. Relief. Hope. Concern over whether others should have gotten it first. Questions about whether I would have a reaction. I told the person (I’m not sure if she was a nurse or doctor, or another medical professional) that I never thought I would be excited to get a shot. She said she cried when she got hers.

I didn’t have a reaction…allergic or otherwise. My arm was sore for most of the weekend, but it turned out fine. I was given a card with a date and time for the second dose. But then, I started hearing about how NYC was running out of vaccines. What did that mean for my second appointment? Will I still be able to get it? Will I have to get the two shots all over again? That remains to be seen.

And of course, now that teachers in some (but not all) states are eligible for the vaccine, there are those voices who are stepping up their demands that we return to full time, in person school. There was an article in the New York Times yesterday (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/world/cdc-schools-reopening.html in case you’re interested) stating there is a “preponderance of evidence” showing schools can be opened safely. A preponderance of evidence? From where? One study, that mostly focused on rural schools? Seriously? I teach my students to consider word choice. Preponderance means “of being greater in number, quantity, or importance.” There isn’t really a preponderance of anything related to this pandemic other than positive cases. How can there be all of this evidence from one study?

The reason that rural schools, and others, can open “safely” is because so many parents have done their part and opted into a fully remote schedule. The schools will not open with the full student body present. I don’t think anyone is really considering that.

But for now, there are still no concrete answers and I anxiously await the date in February when I can receive my second dose of the vaccine.