There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we cannot let go of our parachute yet.

We have marked major milestones of the COVID-19 pandemic these last two weeks. We are coping with great loss, while catching glimmers of hope. We have lost over 514,000 American lives to COVID-19. On the hopeful side, Cases and deaths are down from their post-holiday peak, but even those numbers are plateauing. Over 51 million people have received at least one vaccine in the US. Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine has joined the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in the fight to immunize Americans against COVID-19. There is hope that most American adults could be vaccinated by the summer. Many more students are safely returning to school buildings. This is all great news that shows that vaccines, masks and avoiding crowds work to slow the spread of COVID-19. That does not mean that we let go of our our parachute mid-air, just because we slowed down. Yes, I am looking at you, Texas. Governments, communities, businesses, schools, families and individuals need to continue to take the precautions which slow the spread of COVID-19. Even if you are technically “allowed” to eat inside at a restaurant, travel or go to a gym or grocery store without a mask, please think twice. Spring break can wait. Get your vaccine when it is your turn and help a neighbor to do so as well. Listen to Dr. Fauci, Dr. Walensky and Dolly Parton. If we stay careful now, we can make it to the summer and begin to live a life closer to normal.

Hang onto your parachute (mask) a bit longer, friends.