Most people are unsure when they will be able to get vaccinated. But despite uncertainty, you can plan for the year ahead.
The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived, and those of us waiting in line — at this point, the majority of us — are dreaming of the days when we’re free to return to normal. As Dr. Fauci is quick to remind us, getting vaccinated doesn’t mean you can throw away your mask and stop social distancing. But as more and more people get the shot, case rates will decline. At some point, health officials will give the go-ahead to start living life a bit more publicly. “There's light at the end of the tunnel,” says Logan Spector, the director of pediatric epidemiology and clinical research at the University of Minnesota.
What’s unclear is just how far away that light is. That’s difficult and frustrating for just about everyone, but especially for parents trying to plan the upcoming year around vaccine rollout. After all, scheduling vacations and signing the kids up for summer camp all have to be prepared ahead of time. But just because we don’t know when our communities will reach herd immunity doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing for the day when that does finally happen.
One of the key tools you’ll need is flexibility. Only make plans that you can cancel without breaking the bank, Spector says. Keep an eye out for signs that we’re nearing the end of the pandemic, and then you can feel a bit more confident. Easier said than done, but Spector explains how you’ll know when it’s safe to go back out into the world and how to prepare for that point:
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