I had a student on Zoom this afternoon. She told me that she is recovering from Covid. She said she had a terrible taste in her mouth on Sunday and a slight headache. By Monday, her sinuses were aching, her throat hurt, and her chest felt heavy. She took an in-home Covid test then and tested positive. She said she also had severe body aches. She’s been in quarantine all week and I can say that today – Thursday – four days after getting active symptoms, she still looked pretty rough. She could focus but I could tell she still didn’t feel very well. She started coughing halfway through our session and had to get some water. In other words, she was sick. She is 22 and has had two vaccines and the booster. Omicron appears to be the strain she’s suffering from given her milder symptoms.

I received the very sad news today that a friend in our town in Sherman died from Covid last night. He was an older man who had chosen not to get the vaccine. I am deeply saddened by this news. He was a good man who became ill a few days ago and ended up in the hospital. I was hoping he would pull through but that didn’t happen. It is frustrating to think that he might still be alive if he had simply taken the vaccines and booster shot. However, that is not what happened. I don’t know what strain he suffered with – Omicron or Delta – but whatever the case, he is no longer suffering at this point. God rest his soul.

Making choices about what to do during this pandemic has galvanized our communities. I heard a story today about a young woman who believes in the vaccines and has taken them, but none of the rest of her family will take them. At this time, that woman is alienated from the family she loves because they disagree on this issue.

When did we get so cynical, I am wondering? No one seemed reluctant to get a polio vaccine. (I was a child, however, so I will admit I know nothing about any backlash that might have occurred.) Still, when so many people have suffered and died, one might assume we’d all be on board.

But we are not and that’s a fact.

I am happy my student is better; I am sad that my friend has died.

I wish our world were more united.

I am not looking for a fight here or a challenge to my views. They are mine. If you don’t agree, then we’ll agree to disagree.

In the meantime, may light perpetual shine upon my friend.