Suddenly, the World Changed

 Remember how the pandemic hit?  At first it was just--wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, and wipes. Then it was distance, stay outside, and finally wear masks.  When the shut downs happened it seemed to me that it  would surely be over in a few weeks, a few months at most. As the months dragged on it seemed that it would never be over.

Then the vaccine was invented and approved.  Then numbers started to fall.  Finally I was able to have the vaccine.  I drove across the state, 400 miles in all to get both doses in time to be at Mass for Easter.  It was worth it.  Being back at Mass is the biggest joy, the best blessing of the vaccine.

I never really wore a mask outside.  I walk around the neighborhood by myself and even though I have spoken to a few people, a mask never seemed necessary to me. I always wore a mask inside except in my bubble.  I felt angry and fearful of the people who chose to ignore the mask mandates.

Now, the CDC says we are all okay, we vaccinated folks, to go without masks. What does that mean?  I don't know how to do that.  I don't know how to feel about it.  So many people in my state are choosing not to be vaccinated.  I am a little worried about them, a little worried for them.  But, what other people choose to do is not really my problem.  It is suddenly a different world out there.