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Like many others, the last few months have brought me a renewed sense of hope. The COVID vaccines available are truly remarkable, and the rapid pace of vaccinations is incredibly reassuring. After a year filled with pandemic-related anxiety and uncertainty, I can finally glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s such a relief.
I’ll always remember the tears of joy I shed when my mom and partner received their first doses back in February. I hadn’t realized just how much fear I had been carrying for almost a year. The thought of my kids losing their dad, and the relief of knowing I wouldn’t lose my mother—it’s a monumental weight off my shoulders. I could feel it deep within me.
I received my second vaccine just a week ago, and I’ll be fully vaccinated shortly. The relief I feel knowing my kids won’t lose their mom to COVID is indescribable. I’m a healthy 40-year-old, but I know COVID can affect anyone, regardless of age or health. Like many parents, I’ve spent countless sleepless nights worrying about what would happen if my children had to navigate life without me.
So yes, I’m celebrating these vaccines wholeheartedly. I have immense respect for science, and I’m thankful it’s leading us out of this crisis.
However, when I read headlines about this summer being the time for everyone to start embracing their post-pandemic lives, it gives me pause. Seeing people excited about dining out, attending concerts, and traveling fills me with a sense of FOMO.
When I scroll through social media and see groups of kids gathering without masks, I can’t help but wonder, “What is going on? Why are parents acting like COVID is behind us?”
You might be questioning my own cautious approach. Why do I still behave as if it’s March 2020?
Because I have two children, both of whom have asthma triggered by respiratory viruses, and they aren’t eligible for the vaccine yet. Therefore, our family’s routine won’t change just because my partner and I are vaccinated.
My kids will be able to see their vaccinated grandparents in the coming months, and I don’t take that for granted. We’re even planning a pandemic-safe vacation this summer—driving to a rental home, ordering takeout, and avoiding crowds. But my children won’t be visiting amusement parks or attending sleepaway camps. They won’t be having indoor playdates.
We’ve essentially been in lockdown since this all began, and I don’t foresee that changing soon.
While it’s true that children are less susceptible to COVID than adults, my kids’ asthma puts them at a greater risk. According to the CDC, asthma is a condition that can lead to worsened COVID outcomes for kids.
Even without an underlying condition, I would still be cautious until my kids can get vaccinated. Yes, children are less likely to die from COVID than adults. However, COVID still poses a greater risk to children than the flu does in a typical flu season. As noted by Dr. Leah West in a recent article, “As of April 22, 296 children had died from COVID-19; in contrast, annual pediatric deaths from influenza have fluctuated between 35 and 186 in recent years.”
Moreover, there’s substantial evidence indicating that children can experience long-term effects, known as long COVID. Many kids suffer from prolonged symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and even breathing difficulties. Why would I want to risk that for my children?
Let’s also consider MIS-C, a serious inflammatory syndrome linked to COVID that can lead to hospitalization and long-term damage. This is not a trivial matter. COVID is not a “mild” illness for children. Imagine if there were an outbreak of polio or measles in your community, and your child hadn’t been vaccinated. COVID remains one of the most serious viruses our children might face, and it continues to spread widely across the U.S.
Just yesterday, nearly 50,000 new COVID cases were reported in America. In Michigan, there’s been a significant increase in cases, particularly among children. Medically vulnerable kids like mine are being hospitalized, and even healthy children are being admitted at concerning rates.
As more adults become vaccinated, some are suggesting that COVID will become a childhood illness, primarily affecting kids. That’s not a scenario I want my children involved in, if I can help it.
My vaccination won’t shield my kids if they interact with another child who unknowingly has COVID. My vaccine won’t protect my child at a crowded amusement park. For now, we’re skipping those activities.
I’m hopeful that as vaccination rates rise, COVID cases will continue to decline. I’m optimistic that this summer will feel slightly freer for my kids, especially with opportunities to see their vaccinated grandparents. However, we will remain cautious, ensuring their grandparents are still taking precautions, as breakthrough infections can happen. I’ll look for more outdoor, masked activities for my kids and may consider some outdoor playdates with masks.
I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll feel comfortable sending my kids back to school in the fall if our local COVID numbers stay low and the school maintains strict safety measures. This year, my kids were fully remote due to high case numbers.
But I won’t take any chances with my kids’ health until we achieve a high level of herd immunity or they are able to get vaccinated. While there’s much to celebrate in terms of progress, this summer won’t be a carefree one for my family.
We won’t be discarding our masks or returning to life as it was in 2019. We are committed to sticking to our precautions until we can ensure my kids are safe.
I understand that not everyone can remain as isolated as my family. Many parents must send their children to school and childcare, and those activities can be done in low-risk ways. However, I see too many parents recklessly dismissing safety measures lately, and it’s concerning. The idea that life is returning to normal simply because adults are vaccinated is a dangerous mindset.
Our unvaccinated children can become ill, and even if their health isn’t a concern for you, they can still transmit the virus to others—medically vulnerable children like mine, immunocompromised adults, or those who haven’t yet had a chance to be vaccinated. Those individuals could become seriously ill or even die, or face long-term health issues. I refuse to contribute to that risk.
The CDC still advises against unmasked activities for unvaccinated individuals, including children. So please, celebrate your vaccination status, but continue to exercise caution with your kids. The pandemic isn’t over, and we must act with common sense and empathy.
And if you’re like me—vaccinated but still protecting your kids as if it’s March 2020—you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not overreacting.
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In summary, while I celebrate my vaccination and the hope it brings, my family’s cautious approach remains until my children are vaccinated. We’ll continue to prioritize their health and safety, even as many around us resume normal activities.
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