Like many people in Canada over the last few weeks, I tested positive for COVID-19.
As a doubly vaccinated person, my symptoms were relatively mild: runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, aches and pains and, ultimately, a cough. A side effect I was unaware of, however, was my stimulated anxiety that stemmed from my fear of who I may have infected prior to my diagnosis.
Perhaps against my better judgment, I travelled to visit my in-laws before I started feeling ill. Immediately upon arriving, the symptoms set in and I feared the worst, not for myself but for those who I was potentially putting in harm’s way.
My in-laws are both in their 60s, but very fortunately they are double and triple vaccinated, respectively. Now over two weeks later from the onset of my symptoms, both are feeling happy and healthy without any signs or symptoms.
While the cases of this virus continue to skyrocket across Canada, something that is largely level is the . Though any death due to this virus is one death too many, it is promising that the increased cases haven’t seen a similar increase in those categories.
And although it is still early for Canada, — the country that originally shared the emergence of the Omicron variant — is seeing promising results during this variant wave.
Where I was initially wrong with this vaccine was its ability to prevent infection. However, what is proving to be right is the vaccine’s ability to prevent severe illness and death, which continues to remain the most important goal as we attempt to stymie the virus.
The best metaphor I’ve heard for the vaccine is imagining your body is like a castle. Without the vaccine, the castle has a short wall and just a few weak knights; with the vaccine, the wall is taller and the knights are plenty and stronger. Though Omicron is proving to be able to overtake the wall even among those with double vaccination, the knights are strong enough to defend the castle from being completely taken over.
What is becoming abundantly clear is that vaccines continue to be the best bet to defend our bodies from this virus, especially when it comes to the elderly and immunocompromised. Booster shots are proving to be effective at preventing serious illness so these shots must be distributed swiftly among these groups and workers in this field.
Also, while the B.C. government has remained hands-off on its approach to vaccine mandates for schools, it should absolutely supply schools with KN95 masks to keep children and workers better protected. If, then B.C. can afford to hand them out at schools.
Truly, the most remarkable thing about my experience with COVID-19 was the impressive ability of the vaccine to prevent me or my family from experiencing dangerous illness. And, what further quells my anxiety about contracting this virus is Howe Sound’s impressive vaccine rate so far with 94% of those 12 and older having two doses, 74% of those 70 and older having three doses and 43% of those aged 5 to 11 having at least one dose.
As I put 2021 behind me, it is these factors that give me solace and understanding that our region is taking advantage of the tools to put this pandemic behind us. By taking that same attitude into the future, then I know we will be OK.
Andrew Hughes is a 老澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 resident, UBC journalism student and freelancer for The 老澳门六合彩开奖记录资料.
