COVID-19 vaccinations continue to ramp up across the country, with 2 million plus doses of vaccine going into people's arms every day. National leaders and health experts are hoping to reach a rate of 4 million doses administered per day in the coming weeks.  In recent days, we've gone from two types of vaccine to three, with the newcomer only needing to be given once--and it is much less complicated to transport and store. 

More and more RRCC members are getting vaccinated. Several are even fully vaccinated (at least two weeks have passed since their final dose). Others, who have tried unsuccessfully for weeks to get scheduled, are now getting contacted with appointment dates and times. The CDC has now issued new Interim Public Health Recommendations, and probably the biggest development is that fully vaccinated people can meet with other fully vaccinated people indoors without masks or social distancing. That's a big deal!

I am extremely thankful for all of these developments. I celebrate with every person who has been able to get their vaccine. I'm also rather jealous. And antsy. 

Vaccine envy is real. The unexpectedly slow roll-out of the vaccine in the first couple of months caused a lot of anxiety and frustration. Availability and scheduling confusion lingers to the present time. Lack of internet access has been a barrier for some. Differences between various states' plans, along with reports of people "jumping the line" ahead of people in prioritized categories have caused many people to question the fairness of the vaccination campaign. 

Of course Americans aren't the only ones dealing with vaccine envy. Germans have created new words to describe the dynamic, like impfneid, a feeling of resentment that other people are getting the vaccine before you, and impfdrängler, or a person who has ignored the government's guidelines and been vaccinated before others with higher priority.

Nicholas Goldberg at the Los Angeles Times wrote "In my house, we have a problem. My wife has been vaccinated; I haven't. When she got her second shot, I couldn't help feeling that she had crossed safely to the other side of a giant chasm, while I remained at the edge of the cliff. She can go out safely while I continue to cower at home."

RRCC still has quite a few people who remain at the edge of the cliff. We celebrate with those who have crossed the chasm safely, but ask for patience and understanding in the coming months as we await our turn to join you on the other side.

If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; 

if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. 

Peace in Christ,