Grateful

Today I just feel the need to express gratitude. Yesterday, the first of the COVID-19 vaccines were administered to frontline healthcare workers across the country. As I watched the YouTube clips of people cheering as the first shipments left the Pfizer Global Supply manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, I just felt pure joy and gratitude. 

Gratitude for the scientists and researchers.  

Gratitude for all of the people who work in healthcare – the clinicians on the front line AND the people behind the scenes – the strategic planners, community health workers, communications specialists, development officers – all of them.

Gratitude for the public health professionals at the state, local and federal levels who have planned for months to ensure a successful dissemination of the vaccine.

Gratitude for the workers making the vaccines, packing it, and distributing it.

Gratitude for my injury and violence prevention colleagues who have been pulled to assist with COVID-19 efforts while still trying to work on injury and violence prevention. 

Gratitude for all of the volunteers, nonprofits and others whose lives have thrown into chaos during the past 11 months.

I’m just grateful that there appears to be light emerging from the darkness. 

Thank you all!