1/ Some quick thoughts on masks, being vaccinated and not being a terrible person.

As of today, I'm two weeks clear of my second vaccine shot. FULLY VAXXED. Thank you, science. And thank you, beyond words, to all the front-line workers who have confronted this damn pandemic...

2/ ...bravely in the face of immeasurable selfishness and stupidity from people unwilling to take the simple steps needed to keep everyone safe.

Today the CDC said fully vaccinated people can go maskless outdoors unless they're in large crowds. That's great news.

3/ I still plan on keeping a mask with me at all times when I'm outside. I'll put it on anytime I'm around other people, whether they're masked or not. They may be vaccinated, they may not. They may be immunocompromised, or simply uncomfortable around maskless people.

4/ It's a very simple thing to do to make sure others feel safe and comfortable. And I still have a child too young to be vaccinated, so I'm interested in protecting my own family as well. This isn't difficult, nor is it onerous. It's how a community is supposed to function.

5/ We're slowly making our way out of this nightmare, but it's far from over. And even as things improve, it's going to take many people a minute to regain a sense of comfort and confidence. So why not consider how others might feel?

6/ Why is it such a big deal to do one small thing that might make people's lives easier? That isn't tyranny. It's not performative wokeness. It's just not being a selfish ass. Period.

The steps we needed to take to control the pandemic were never difficult.

7/ But it became politically fashionable to be an anti-science doink. It became "cool," in certain eddies of stupidity, to go against the flow.

My heart aches for those who lost friends and loved ones not just to a virus, but to a profoundly selfish swath of humanity.

8/ So I'm grateful for the vaccine. I welcome feeling safer.

And I'll keep respecting those who aren't yet safe, as well as those who need some time to feel safe.

This isn't a boast. This doesn't make me special.

It's quite literally the simplest thing any of us can do. END