We are all acutely aware of the pandemic costs, not only monetarily, but emotionally. On the positive side, our awareness of the importance and value of personal connection has increased exponentially.
Loneliness is a feeling that anyone can experience, whether living alone, with others, introvert or extrovert. Unfortunately, long-term loneliness damages physical and mental health and shortens life.
Now, for those who are fully vaccinated, Gov. Jared Polis states, “the pandemic is largely over, and you can now resume normal activities without a mask.” For many, though, it is challenging to let go of fear, to re-engage when social connections were never comfortable or just strangely different. For everyone, though, human connections are critical.
During my 38 years in public health, never has a vaccine been more effective, safer or more thoroughly tested than that preventing COVID-19. Now, the opportunity to reconnect, hear speech clearly, read facial expressions and enjoy a smile or hug provide even more reasons to get vaccinated.
Please, get vaccinated. Only collectively can bring our community back to normal.
If you’re interesting in finding ways to connect with others, please go to the Community Health Action Coalition, chaclaplata.org, and click on “Creating Connections.”
Lynn Westberg
Durango
Editor’s note: Westberg, an R.N., was director of San Juan Basin Public Health from 1986-2010.
