The wife got hers a little while ago, and her second. Today I got my first, and have an appointment for my second three weeks from now.

There's still plenty of uncertainty about what the total impact of the vaccines might be. I don't believe it's a cure, as in now that I have it, I can't get COVID-19. And no one's sure how long it lasts, as in, now that I've had one (when I finish both doses), I don't ever need another. And studies aren't complete to know if being vaccinated means stopping the spread, as in now that I have been vaccinated, I'm safe to others.

I wish I would have made note on the day, but a chat I heard on NPR was filled with optimism and caution. The COVID vaccines were likened to flu vaccines; there are variants, and the flu vaccines don't protect from all, just the ones believed to be the strongest threat. Also, being vaccinated from the flu doesn't mean you won't get sick from one of the strains in the vaccine, but it does help prevent severe illness if you are exposed and do contract that strain. And, being vaccinated once doesn't last forever, both because of how fast the flu mutates, but also because some of it doesn't seem to be permanent.

So, we may need to get more vaccines in the future. We still need to be cautious to not contract the virus, and continue to help prevent the spread. And we still need to be on the lookout for if our prevention falls short, and someone does get infected.

Regardless, I'm happy to be down the path of the vaccinated. As our parents are vaccinated, and we finish our rounds, we can start to gather a little more, and not visit close but separated.

My arm stings, but from where the band-aid pulled out hair, not from the vaccine.

Everyone's healthy.