December Message

Can you believe it? This will be our second pandemic winter holiday season. What a difference a year makes. I just can’t thank all of our health care workers, scientists, and first responders enough for working tirelessly to make getting together this holiday a reality.

It still blows my mind that we have viable vaccines available this year. I recently received my flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster shot, and I’m looking forward to having a small gathering of a few close friends and family who are also triple vaccinated. Scientific advancements has enabled us to go from “shelter-in-place” and “social distancing” to enjoying the winter holiday season with loved ones again.   

As grateful as I am to be able to celebrate the winter holiday season, I think about all those we’ve lost to the pandemic—lives that were cut short and gone too soon. They are the reason our scientists worked around the clock to develop vaccines that are safe and effective. We don’t want anyone to lose another loved one.

If you are planning a gathering for the holidays. I highly encourage you to get the COVID-19 booster shot and flu vaccine. It’s available to every adult 18 years or older. Children five (5) to eleven (11) years old are now able to get the COVID vaccine as well. Knowing I and my loved ones are protected against the COVID virus just gives me that extra peace of mind we can safely gather. There’s enough stress during the holidays in a non-pandemic year, so why not do what we can to make it safer for everyone?

Whatever your holiday plans may be, I wish you a happy, safe, and delicious winter holiday season! A little indulgence in moderation amongst those you love can sometimes remind us of all the goodness there is to look forward to.

Be well,

Abbie Yant, RN
Executive Director