The anticipation, the excitement, the nervousness hits me all at once as I sit down and pull on the shoulder vest restraint. I have waited a long time for this moment and can hardly wait until the roller coaster pulls away from the loading area and we begin to climb.

 

Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click….. we go higher and higher and with each moment my pulse quickens until we hit the apex and begin our descent. The feeling is exhilarating and a bit scary at the same time. The ups and downs, the banked turns, the corkscrews, and the final loop, turning everyone’s world upside down and before you know it you are returning back to the loading area so the next group of people can get on and take a ride.

 

This is the kind of roller coaster ride I enjoy. It has a clear beginning and end and when it is over, your safety restraints are removed and you can get out of your seat and get on with the rest of your day. 

 

Unfortunately, the “ride” we have been on for now almost a full 18 months, evidently is nowhere close to ending. 

 

With all of the ups and downs, the starts and stops, the turns and the loops are still going on, our frustration grows as the infection rates, due to the COVID Delta variant, skyrocket. And yet, there are still people who are choosing not to get vaccinated, even though the science, data, evidence, testimonials, and whatever else you want to add to this list, clearly points to the efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccine. Add in the fact that by choosing not to take it, not only are they increasing their potential of getting sick, they are also contributing to the spread of this pandemic.

 

I am still not able to get over the fact that people are still questioning the severity of the situation and continue to show absolute disdain for other people, let alone society as a whole. 

 

I just cannot understand why people are consciously putting all of their energy and their power into fight against what has been proven to curb the spread of COVID. This goes for people who are choosing not to get vaccinated or are pushing against scientifically-based health recommendations, including something as simple as wearing a mask. 

 

But there is some good news on the horizon. It appears that after the recent decline in vaccination rates here in Southern California, there has been an uptick as of late. Let’s hope that this trend continues and the momentum triggers others so we can get ever closer to being out of the pandemic. 

 

I would like to think that the following passage from the Talmud would move people to act, “If the community is in trouble, a person must not say, ‘I will go home and eat and drink, and my soul will be at peace.’ A person must share in the concerns of the community as Moses did. Those who share in the community’s troubles are worthy to see its consolation.”

 

Whether it is because they finally have come around to this sentiment, or it is purely out of fear of getting sick themselves, or any number of other reasons, let’s hope more people begin to “see the light” because I am really tired of riding this same roller coaster; I am ready to try something a little less exhilirating for a while... like the merry-go-round.