Two Gifts
Thank You
Since most of you are my patients I want you to know how much I feel it a privilege to be a part of your life. Thank you for entrusting your heart decisions with me. If I may break from my traditional posts to share a Christmas message after this unique year.
My Experience Friday
On Friday I had the privilege of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. I did it because “herd immunity” is a biological fact and not a political statement. Any infectious disease can only be contained when a certain percentage of people are immune to the disease. The day before, I tested myself for prior COVID-19 infection and was negative. My negative test was unbelievable to me as I’ve had so much exposure and live with 6 petri dishes ranging in ages from 5 to 16.
Side Effects?
The next day I looked in the mirror and thought that maybe I had more hair which was a bonus – I’ve included a picture so you can see the proof.
The Way Out
Most people will not have long term problems from a COVID-19 infection. That being said, death to other family members or friends as well as economic hardship from governmental policies affects all of us. Further unintended consequences of social isolation and closing schools will not be known for years. I am cautiously optimistic that these newly developed RNA vaccines are the way out of this mess. However, the big question is how long the protection from the vaccine will last.
Gratitude For Many Things
All that being said, it was amazing to walk into a room seeing many getting a vaccine that was a dream only months before. My inoculation caused some appreciation for several things.
Health Care Workers: I am grateful to the health care workers on the REAL front lines – namely staff from the emergency room, intensive care units, general medicine floors, and other staff who daily enter multiple COVID-19 patient rooms to draw blood, give food, and do other medical tests.
America: I am grateful to live in the greatest country on earth where we have the economic advantages and intellectual resources to develop vaccines.
Brave Leaders: I am grateful for those surprisingly few, brave leaders in government and education who have made decisions based on science and not on fear.
American Tax Payers: I am grateful to the taxpaying Americans and other who donated money to finance the development of the vaccines.
Pharmaceutical Companies and Scientists: I am grateful to the scientists at Pfizer, Moderna, and other pharmaceutical companies that worked amazingly fast to develop the vaccines. I recognize through personal experience that becoming a scientist takes the sacrifice of many things in life but puts one in a position to make a real difference in the world. May God also bless the supportive families of those who worked to develop the vaccine.
President Trump: I am grateful to President Donald Trump and his administration for creating Operation Warp Speed to remove bureaucratic road blocks and create an incentive so that a vaccine could be developed. Decades from now when political winds of time are less blustery — this should be considered one of the greatest accomplishments of his presidency.
FDA Panel: I am grateful to the FDA panel that approved the vaccines.
Study Participants: I am grateful to the participants of the COVID vaccine studies. It takes courage to participate in a study of a new vaccine as well as courage to take a placebo.
Local Officials: I am grateful to those in state positions and local health care systems for receiving the vaccine and administering it in a timely manner.
Vaccine Distributors: I am grateful for General Gus F. Perna, UPS and Fed Ex as well as all other individuals and companies who are responsible for the distribution of the vaccine to the nation.
My Family: I am also grateful for the family time the pandemic has given me. It has been a wake up call that our time, though full of good things, was too full.
The Greatest Gift: Lastly, it does not seem a coincidence that the gift of a vaccine has come out around Christmas – the time to commemorate the other and greatest gift to mankind. The suffering this pandemic has caused can only be relieved by a successful vaccine. Likewise, seeking to love one another, as the gift from the Bethlehem manger showed us, is the only way I know to relieve true suffering and feel true joy.
In Summary:
Should you get the vaccine? Obviously yes if you want more hair on your head. Seriously though, I would encourage it if you are at higher risk with heart or lung disease. I do not know how or when it will be available to you, but I have no doubt that it will be soon and communicated well.
May God bless you and your families this coming year and Merry Christmas. Oh, and enjoy the video below. . .
Matthew Nelson
Thank you, Dr. Nelson, for your hopeful Christmas message! You’re an amazing doctor, and we always enjoy your articles — but this one was especially inspiring at this particular time, given the year we’ve had. Glad to hear you and your family are healthy, and that you’ve been vaccinated. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!!! We will both be seeing you next year (after we’ve been vaccinated!).
Thank you for your positive and encouraging comments. We need far more of these positive comments. There are too many negative thoughts and ideas on the news and websites. Keep up the good work Dr Nelson.
Thanks for this post, friend. Your opinion is often close to mine; but I always respect your opinion. This time, your words and your gratitude shifted my attitude a bit, to a much better place. You’re the third person I know personally to get the vaccine; all three of you work in healthcare, all three of you are wise, careful – and funny! And I look up to all three. So I thank you again for this message of clarity and gratitude. Please give your best girl – and all your “petri dishes” ? a hug for me! ~ Karla
Thank you for bringing to mind the many blessings we have at this difficult time.
Thank you for such an upbeat message. I think we all need that right now. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.