Vaccines, Vacations and You
Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels
As we have reached the official end of Mental Health Awareness Month, we have seen quite a few shifts in society that may be a source of relief for some but extreme anguish for others. I want to take this opportunity and this space to again remind you to do what you need to do for yourself. There will be 2 prevailing themes as we move forward -
Mind your own business.
Do what is best for you.
The push to become vaccinated is growing and we see it all over the place. This is not another push meant to sway you one way or another. It is a request for you to make the best decision that you can make for yourself and your loved ones. The varying levels of apprehension, concern, and/or uneasiness are understandable given the history of medicine, trials, and Black folk in this country. Conversely, there are those who were among the first to sign-up for it. We know that when things were unveiled initially there were conflicting stories, there were some tragic incidents that took place, and there were also success stories. Regardless of your stance and/or decision, remember it is YOUR decision. You are responsible for yourself. Make an informed choice. We love social media but we also know that we should not and cannot believe everything we see or believe every source. If you have questions, you can …
Ask a trusted medical professional.
Read the guidance from the CDC.
Talk to those who you trust and know.
Whatever you decide to do, choose the option that speaks best to your personal safety and comfort and move accordingly.
With the onset of the vaccine, we began to see opportunities to travel rise, along with the side-eyes, disapproving commentary, and headshakes towards those who have decided to partake. This is the part where we need to collectively mind our own business. We don’t know enough about other people's situations and why they're traveling, what they're traveling for, or what precautions they have taken to do so safely. *Don’t worry, this message is also for me, cuz I have side-eyed--even while partaking. LOL*
COVID has played out in racist ways, the traveling piece is just another addition. When Black people travel, we look at them as being irresponsible or that something is wrong with them and that they are not taking heed of the fact that we are in a pandemic. This same opinion is also placed on those who chose to not take the vaccine. However, Black people have been in a pandemic before the COVID pandemic ever started. We've been in the pandemic of racism. We have been in the pandemic of sexism. We've already had physical health, mental health, financial health and other pandemics in the Black community before COVID came and shoved all of those things even more so, into our spaces. So traveling during a pandemic, for a lot of people is ancillary.
When it comes to the choice to travel or to take the vaccine, to me it is all a matter of you doing what's best for you. Because while we have been so very interested in saving everybody's physical health, we have been all too happy to throw away their mental health. We have been all too happy to say that no hug is worth COVID when you don't know what's going on in somebody else's head. You don't know what somebody else has been going through or what it means to have that level of skin hunger and that level of loneliness. Some of us are and have been quarantined with a couple of other people in a larger space. We can choose when we're coming together and choose when we're going apart. But what about the person that lives in a studio apartment with six other people? What about the person who lives by themselves? These are extremes that no one is thinking about; constantly being together with other people when you know you need time to rest and reset on your own or constantly being by yourself. Neither of these things are mentally healthy.
Human beings are social creatures, we naturally want to move into spaces with other people. Touch is a huge part of the human experience period. You can give a baby everything they need and they will still die if you do not touch them. It's called failure to thrive. But we want to say that touch is ancillary and that it doesn't matter. We want to say that vacations don't matter. We want to say that this is stupid or that it is stupid when in reality, something that is stupid for you is essential for somebody else.
Do what you need to do for your own mental health. That should never be up for debate. It is not a political strategy or moves. It's you doing what you need to do for yourself, but make sure you take all the precautions you can. I have had friends that have been traveling throughout this pandemic. They are doing what they need to do for them and they're taking the precautions to do so. Here are some things you can do to travel safely.
If you feel that you’re having symptoms or were exposed, get tested to be sure.
Continue to wear your masks.
Remember to remain social distanced
Wear gloves and do not put your hands in your eyes or mouth.
It’s ok to be a little extra and be your own Naomi Campbell
Grab your disinfectant wipes and wipe down your seat when you get on the plane.
Once you are seated, wipe down everything that you're going to touch in your space. Don't forget the seatback, tray table, and armrest. Hit all of those special spots.
Make sure that you are double-masked, covering your nose and mouth. Lift your mask to eat and drink but do not remove it.
Black women put their hair away, (i.e. wear your bonnet!--I don't care what Monique has to say on the subject), so that you're not picking up whatever someone else is putting down all over the damn place.
Find out the necessary regulations of the airline and where you are going before you get there so that you are adequately prepared to travel.
If you are hesitant about flying and all that comes with it but feel the need to change your surroundings, start with a road trip. Maybe even get yourself ready to be outside and to travel in increments. Start small, like going to a mall or restaurant, an overnight trip to a hotel or Airbnb all while taking precautions. Talk to the folk you wanna hang out with: learn how they have been keeping safe in this panoramic. At any point of your travels, if you think that you may have been exposed, take the precaution to self-quarantine when you get to your destination and/or when you get back home.
The heartstring being tugged for many at this time is the ability to be able to touch and hug those that we have not seen for extended periods of time. Do not feel pressured by the media or the decisions of others. Make the choices that are best and safest for you while safeguarding your mental health.