Have You Received Your “Get Out of Jail” Card?

             The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns the lock down of America by the coronavirus pandemic. Early in 2020, the United States went into a voluntary lockdown for two weeks to “flatten the curve.” When the two weeks ended, more time in lock down was ordered. It was not long before people with eyes to see could understand that a longer lock down period would destroy the economy of the United States. Then-President Donald Trump called for opening the nation to save the economy.

            “Red States,” or states led by Republican governors, quickly opened their states. They freed their people to go about their lives while practicing common sense guidelines – were a mask, stay six feet away from anyone not living in one’s household, and avoid crowded spaces. The states that opened -- or that refused to shut down – soon had the economy humming again. The “Blue States,” or states led by Democrat governors, are still struggling.

            Trump promised that there would be at least one vaccine available before the end of 2020. In fact, there were two vaccines available. There were many questions about the vaccine with “Is it safe?” one of most commonly asked. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines for the people who have been vaccinated. According to the CDC: Got both COVID vaccine doses? Do you have to quarantine? CDC has answers - Deseret News

People are considered fully vaccinated if they have had both doses of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine.

People should wait two weeks after receiving their doses before following these rules.

“Vaccination has been demonstrated to prevent symptomatic COVID-19; symptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission is thought to have a greater role in transmission than purely asymptomatic transmission.”

Here are those guidelines for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19:

·         Wait two weeks after last vaccination before following these guidelines.

·         After the two weeks, there is no need to quarantine if exposed to the virus – only if symptoms are present.

·         Continue to use common sense: wear masks, social distance, and avoid crowds.

There are many people who cannot take the vaccination, or who will not take it. However, the completed vaccination – after the two-week wait time – serves as a “Get Out of Jail” card for many people who have lived in isolation for nearly a year.

            I have coronary heart disease, and my husband is diabetic with other health concerns. With our health concerns and our age, we are doubly vulnerable. Our children “grounded” us to our home, and we have been mostly obedient for the past eleven months. We have been to doctor and dental appointments, to the Pharmacy, to the bank, to the Post Office, and other such places.

Two days ago, I stepped into a grocery store for the first time in eleven months! We were fortunate in that our children did our grocery and other shopping for us. We are grateful for their service and concern, but we are anxious to spread our wings and fly. We received our vaccinations as soon as possible, so we can leave our home without fear of dying or becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

We wish to thank Trump for bringing business and government together to combat the virus, scientists and medical personnel who worked diligently to keep us safe and to develop a vaccine, and those responsible for transporting the vaccine and administering the vaccinations. Thank you for giving us a “Get Out of Jail” card. We appreciate the freedom to leave our protective home and venture out into the world again.