I hate how this issue has become politicized. I try to stay far away from these discussions, but I want to share something. My mother - who was vaccinated in January and has been diligent in keeping a distance from everyone - has been in ICU battling the new COVID delta variant, which also contributed to pneumonia. And the effects have been way beyond what you think of. Last Sunday she didn’t recognize me or even know her name. On Monday she became unable to speak. Today she cannot squeeze my hand or follow simple movements with her eyes.

She is really struggling, and the ways in which she is struggling is brutal to witness. I understand why some might be hesitant to get the vaccine, but the overwhelming science points to the benefits far outweighing potential side effects. I really hope we can look beyond the politics and give credit to the science. I came across a stat put out by some universities math department which modeled the effects on the population if the internet and social media were available during the Polio vaccination program, and it was determined up to 35% of us wouldn’t be here today.