COVID Vaccine: False sense of security or green light?
After perusing the posts I have seen much discussion about getting the COVID-19 vaccine/or not. This isn't one of those posts. I wanted to have a discussion with those who DID get the vaccine.
My parents cried, they were so elated to finally get the vaccine. "We can finally not worry anymore and have the whole family over!" My Mom said this with such enthusiasm and it was the first time over the last 10 months she seemed carefree. I wanted to immediately correct her since she had this "I am untouchable now I got the vaccine" way of thinking but I will let her revel in it until the 2nd Vaccine. Instead, I politely reminded her full immunity comes a week or so after the 2nd shot. If she starts planning an Easter party, I may need to have a discussion sooner.
I thought to myself, how many people are thinking this way? Is this much anticipated, solution to our problems vaccine giving too many of us a false sense of security? (Of course, I'm exaggerating a little) After experiencing a similar emotion after my 2nd injection I sort of understand. I had a moment when I thought this changes everything, but does it really? As a nurse I already researched the vaccine, coming to the realization we don't know enough about the vaccine, and we can't to go back to regular life. I had to mourn the loss of my old life just like everyone else. Had to go thru the 5 stages of grief. The stages went something like this-
1-Denial
This isn't happening! Covid Must be like another flu. (Boy were we wrong)
2- Anger
Stay at Home! Can't tell me what to do...what, everything is closed...guess I will just stay home then.
3-Bargaining- Viva Las Vegas
If I just wear my mask, stay far apart then my 2020 Vegas trip will be just like before...nope, not the same. Life just is not the same.
4-Depression
My kids never going back to school, I am going out of my mind stuck in this house! On the super depressing side, I see patients, coworkers and friends dying. None of us have ever seen so much death. No time to dwell on this, no time to process these pesky emotions, back to work. I Will schedule appt with a therapist after all this is over... I.e. who knows when.
5- Acceptance
Not sure I have reached this one yet. Is tolerating something the same as acceptance? If so then I wavier between this stage and the last three depending on the day.
We all have our own version of this I assume. Every one of us going through this loss together but separately, not to mention the loved ones lost.
I feel encouraged by the vaccine, all the while black clouds of uncertainty loom overhead. I read things like this and feel again like we have a long road ahead.
Quote
If I get a coronavirus vaccination, do I still have to wear a mask? Physical distance?
Yes. It may take time for everyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccination to get one. A vaccine that is 95% effective means that about 1 out of 20 people who get it may not have protection from getting the illness.
Also, while the vaccine may prevent you from getting sick, it is unknown at this time if you can still carry and transmit the virus to others. That is why, until more is understood about how well the vaccine works, continuing with precautions such as mask-wearing and physical distancing will be important.
What I mean is this, after I got the vaccine I felt relief knowing I am less likely to get COVID. Unfortunately, studies haven't been done yet to determine if I could still carry and transmit it. I think that's the part so many of us are forgetting, which is easy to do. Maybe they will do studies and find otherwise but until then I am considering every risk I take. Am I wearing a mask at home? Obviously not, but when my friends say to me we should go out now since I have the vaccine and my parents say come over, I think not yet. I am in the thick of this, working with COVID + patients every shift and the risk is still too great. I would rather not even think about it, any of it. Alas everywhere I turn these thoughts invade my mind, situations bring up these questions and others.
I want to get out there so badly. I was even less cautious for maybe 4 months, back when things slowed down. Part of me wants to go out with them but wear a mask and be outside? I try to rationalize that if others see their extended families, then so could I. That's when my logical side kicks in and for me, at this point it's worth waiting a little while before a family reunion. I would feel horrible if I unknowingly brought an uninvited "guest".
So, thanks for letting me say my piece (sometimes wondering off topic but will bring it full circle here?) Now that you know my inner struggle on this topic (sometimes hopeful, sometimes reality gets too real), I am wondering about others point of view who have been vaccinated, are you staying away for now or is the vaccine a green light for you to be around others? I know it's a personal choice but want to see other nurses' inner dialogue to see the reasons behind those choices.
We will continue to be cautious, but the vaccine is the best hope we have to return to something approaching normalcy. We have not seen my father-in-law in over a year. We saw him after Christmas 2019, but nothing since. We briefly saw my mother-in-law in July when COVID cases were very low in our state, and traveled to see her in N95s, washed hands, got COVID tested etc.
Now both of them have received the first dose of the Pfizer, and are scheduled to get the second dose later this month. Then we'll give them a few weeks to build up to full protection before seeing them. I don't know if we will all go, but my husband will definitely make the trip to see them this Spring.
With older relatives, their fragile health means we could kill them if we visit and have the virus, but they could also die from something else at any point, and we'd have missed this time together. It's very hard to know what the right thing is.
My son-in-law’s mother was in her 80s and not doing well. He and my daughter chose to see her often. They wore masks and socially distanced when possible, but they were there to help her with showers, to help her clean, to help her eat etc. She did pass a couple of months ago from a stroke. They were so glad that they continued to see her during the pandemic. It is a hard decision to make.
I'm still a bit traumatized at seeing our vibrant downtown empty, our bustling beach tourism industry shut down and I can't imagine how those actually in the business felt as income went to zero and they to lay off workers. (Yes, I know about the stimulus package)
It's a no win situation. A guy on my bowling team lost both of his in-laws and the toll has been great with people getting sick and dying. The toll has been great on well people suffering through the lockdown and the economic consequences, etc.. We have to acknowledge that.
It really is a no win situation. I am sorry to hear he lost both of his family, that must be difficult.
I agree it is weird seeing the city streets being empty. I have noticed it was strange seeing on the news famous locations significantly less crowded but it didn't really hit home until it hit home, where I live.
Here’s my concern: the vaccine does not prevent you from contracting or spreading COVID, but it does lessen the sx and severity if you do get it. I see that opening up more exposure. If people get the vaccine and do contract COVID they might dismiss it as a cold or allergies because of the milder sx and won’t take necessary precautions.
That is a good point. I know specifically of one person who did just that and then oops, not allergies, testing positive for Covid. I have talked to a few non-healthcare 75+ vaccinated individuals who all appear to have this same mindset, it's a go flag for life again. Hopefully they know the risks, now it's time for them to decide.
Also, I find it hard to educate the public when I have to begin everything with, "What we know right now..." and it ends with, "but that remains to be seen." ?
My son-in-law’s mother was in her 80s and not doing well. He and my daughter chose to see her often. They wore masks and socially distanced when possible, but they were there to help her with showers, to help her clean, to help her eat etc. She did pass a couple of months ago from a stroke. They were so glad that they continued to see her during the pandemic. It is a hard decision to make.
Thank you! The whole social distancing is kind of surreal. The last time I saw my mom was November 2019 when she died from cancer. The last time my husband saw his dad was December 2019 due to COVID precautions. Obviously not the same because they can still talk on the phone and FaceTime, but it occurs to me that it's about the same length of time that we've been apart. FIL is in his early 80s, has a significant cardiac history, and has slowed waaaayyyy down recently. His death is not imminent, but the longer restrictions go on, the more I worry what if we've seen him for the last time and don't even know it.
On the other hand, being apart from so many friends and family members makes my mom's death seem a bit unreal. In a weird way, not seeing her is no less strange than not seeing everyone else. Sometimes it's almost like I've just been too busy to call her, but I can imagine she's doing her thing at her house and we'll catch up later. It's been such a strange year for grief. Of course, it's been a strange year for a lot of other things, too.
That is a good point. I know specifically of one person who did just that and then oops, not allergies, testing positive for Covid. I have talked to a few non-healthcare 75+ vaccinated individuals who all appear to have this same mindset, it's a go flag for life again. Hopefully they know the risks, now it's time for them to decide.
Also, I find it hard to educate the public when I have to begin everything with, "What we know right now..." and it ends with, "but that remains to be seen." ?
Schweet❤
The vaccine does prevent you from contracting Covid. The Moderna vaccine is about 94% effective and Phizrr slightly higher.
Sorry, I posted the wrong comment to your post. Someone had written that the vaccine does not prevent people from contracting Covid.
I think Covid is going to be with us for the long-haul. We’re going to have to deal with new mutations every year and, just like the flu, we will get a new Covid vaccine every year (If we choose to, I have received the first Moderna vaccine). At some point for the lower risk folks, I think we have to get back to normal. But you’re right, it’s something new and we’re always going to have to say “gosh this is what we know so far but it might change”.
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
On 2/5/2021 at 7:33 PM, whalestales said:
Sorry to pull this from a few days ago, but do you know whether getting the Pfizer vaccine over the Moderna affects whether we can get this booster?
thanks!
I don't know the answer, but I have read that both Pfizer and Moderna are studying the necessity of developing a booster vaccine for variants of COVID-19.
Here’s my concern: the vaccine does not prevent you from contracting or spreading COVID, but it does lessen the sx and severity if you do get it. I see that opening up more exposure. If people get the vaccine and do contract COVID they might dismiss it as a cold or allergies because of the milder sx and won’t take necessary precautions.
May I ask where you got your info about the vaccine not preventing one from contracting covid? That is not accurate based on my sources.
May I ask where you got your info about the vaccine not preventing one from contracting covid? That is not accurate based on my sources.
I have read that it would be logical for us to deduce that we would be less contagious but we haven't PROVEN it yet. I think T-Bird is missing the point that we will have to mask until we have herd immunity. We can't just throw them away because we had the vaccine.
I have read that it would be logical for us to deduce that we would be less contagious but we haven't PROVEN it yet. I think T-Bird is missing the point that we will have to mask until we have herd immunity. We can't just throw them away because we had the vaccine.
I certainly agree we must continue to practice the 3-Ws...(Wash hands, Wear Masks, Watch your distance) until 75-85% of the community has been infected or vaccinated (the only 2 ways to become immune). Even then, haven't we all learned that our personal habits and hygiene impact others? Think FLU and other contagious illnesses. I, for one, hope masks are here to stay and that those folks who didn't know they were supposed to wash their hands frequently (especially after coughing, sneezing, or toileting) continue to practice what they have learned for a LONG LONG time
Sorry, I posted the wrong comment to your post. Someone had written that the vaccine does not prevent people from contracting Covid.
I think Covid is going to be with us for the long-haul. We’re going to have to deal with new mutations every year and, just like the flu, we will get a new Covid vaccine every year (If we choose to, I have received the first Moderna vaccine). At some point for the lower risk folks, I think we have to get back to normal. But you’re right, it’s something new and we’re always going to have to say “gosh this is what we know so far but it might change”.
PsychNurse24, BSN, RN
143 Posts
My son-in-law’s mother was in her 80s and not doing well. He and my daughter chose to see her often. They wore masks and socially distanced when possible, but they were there to help her with showers, to help her clean, to help her eat etc. She did pass a couple of months ago from a stroke. They were so glad that they continued to see her during the pandemic. It is a hard decision to make.